Viewing/buying my first car

[Josh93]

So i've seen a car I'm interested in and I've got a few questions with regards to this particular car on auto trader.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

First of all just generally, with the information given etc what should I find out before I even go and view the car?

What should I look for when I'm there?

Is this model a timing chain or belt does anyone know?

Any general thoughts of comments about this specific car or this model are appreciated. Thanks!

[doge]

amount of owners, could be 7+ at that rate.

[Benbay001]

mk1 petrol focuses have zetec engines from what i understand. looks like zetec engines have belts, not chains.

[Sump]

It's had a dodgy repair on that drivers rear wing.

[iva cosworth]

Check that 44k mileage is correct.

If no proof,walk away.

[Levin]

Sump said:

It's had a dodgy repair on that drivers rear wing.

I'm inclined to agree with this. The first generation Focus is prone to rot around the arches isn't it? If it has had a crap repair that might point to something unpleasant lurking beneath.

Other than that, everything I've read suggests the 1.6 Zetec (like that Ebony has) is the best petrol unit in the Focus; the 1.4 being underpowered and the 1.8 being thirstier with no tangible benefit. I've never owned one so can't give my own thoughts on the engines.

[Josh93]

Ah yes previous owners! I did ask him about the timing belt being changed and he said it hasnt got cam belt so that's strange.. Also description says excellent bodywork and after you pointing out that (I didn't notice it on my phone) I feel inclined to continue my search and follow up too much on this one although i'll probably just message him tomorrow and ask about the damage anyway. Thanks for quick replies.

[Krikkit]

Levin said:

Sump said:

It's had a dodgy repair on that drivers rear wing.

I'm inclined to agree with this. The first generation Focus is prone to rot around the arches isn't it? If it has had a crap repair that might point to something unpleasant lurking beneath.

Other than that, everything I've read suggests the 1.6 Zetec (like that Ebony has) is the best petrol unit in the Focus; the 1.4 being underpowered and the 1.8 being thirstier with no tangible benefit. I've never owned one so can't give my own thoughts on the engines.

Agreed.

Things to watch out for - steering rack not notchy when turning, rusty doors/arches etc (check every seam!).

These engines are belt, but it's such a straight-forward job (the engine bay is massive so lots of room around the thing) that it wouldn't take long at all.

Great cars, I'd hold out for a Zetec with the heated front screen though, it's brilliant in winter.

[morgrp]

Josh93 said:

Ah yes previous owners! I did ask him about the timing belt being changed and he said it hasnt got cam belt so that's strange.. Also description says excellent bodywork and after you pointing out that (I didn't notice it on my phone) I feel inclined to continue my search and follow up too much on this one although i'll probably just message him tomorrow and ask about the damage anyway. Thanks for quick replies.

They say pictures tell 1000 words, well thats basically bks when buying cars - a car that looks good in pictures means nothing - have a good root around the car when/if you see it - by the way, the guy is talking bull st unless he means the belt has been done. The 1.6 focus does run a belt

[Josh93]

Okay thanks, that's the sort of stuff I need to know! I have messaged him today so it's not completely over but there's a few things I'm unhappy with about the car already now so it's unlikely I'll travel 50 miles to see it but his reply may spark my interest again.

But I'll still be on the lookout, I really want to have a car in the next week or at the latest the end of the month so any help or advice is still really appreciated I've got quite a big group of models I'm considering too which is handy.

One of the other cars I was looking towards is the seat Ibiza mk3 1.4 and it's a car I can't seem to find a lot of imformation about as well! This is one in particular -

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[doge]

Josh93 said:

Okay thanks, that's the sort of stuff I need to know! I have messaged him today so it's not completely over but there's a few things I'm unhappy with about the car already now so it's unlikely I'll travel 50 miles to see it but his reply may spark my interest again.

But I'll still be on the lookout, I really want to have a car in the next week or at the latest the end of the month so any help or advice is still really appreciated I've got quite a big group of models I'm considering too which is handy.

One of the other cars I was looking towards is the seat Ibiza mk3 1.4 and it's a car I can't seem to find a lot of imformation about as well! This is one in particular -

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Maybe....?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Condi]

Levin said:

Other than that, everything I've read suggests the 1.6 Zetec (like that Ebony has) is the best petrol unit in the Focus; the 1.4 being underpowered and the 1.8 being thirstier with no tangible benefit. I've never owned one so can't give my own thoughts on the engines.

Brilliant cars. Sold mine with about 90k on the clock, never had any work done aside from service parts. Didnt even have new brake pads in the 40,000 miles I had it. Decent on fuel, not fantastic from memory, but best of the bunch.

Would recommend, ideally you want the Zetec or Ghia models, but the one in the OP looks cheap enough to take a chance on as long as the basics check out.

[Josh93]

Okay well I have an update in regards to the Focus now if anyone is still watching this (fingers crossed). The guy said it has 2 owners and he said 'if you think it has a cambelt I don't have any record of that' also he said regarding the 'scratch' at the back arch he can deal with it or do something about the price. Any replies appreciated thank you.

[Josh93]

also if it has no record of a cambelt change (12 years old with 45k miles) i'm assuming it's overdue one so would it still be worth considering buying it (and using that as a reason to reduce price) and just getting a belt and water pump changed as soon as i get it (how much would that cost)?

[Sump]

Dodgy again.

You're going about this the wrong way IMO. Don't go to a dealer on this end of the market, try and find a private seller who has had it for some time and have just consistently taken their one chosen garage and have receipts to back it up.

That is all you need here.

[Roo]

Keep this link handy.

http://www.mytimingbelt.com/

[Blue Oval84]

Any trader who claims he doesn't know that the Ford Focus, the most common and in demand family hatchback on the market, has a cambelt, is a liar.

The Ebony is a lovely spec car though, based around the Zetec IIRC but with a better interior, heated seats etc. (check that these work and that the A/C still blows cold)

Focus MK1 was not known to rust around the arches IMO, there are some badly repaired ones out there which are rotten because quite frankly, the owners often skimp on maintenance, but largely they're pretty solid. (Rear tailgate under the window can be a weak spot on pre-facelifts, and the chrome strip on Ghia models used to cause some grief)

[Rickyy]

Facelift Mk1s seem to rot at the bottom of the doors and beneath the glass on the bootlid. I've had two Mk1s, pre-facelift and facelift. The facelift had very little visible rust at ten years old. The facelift had lots at the same age, but seemed superficial rather than structural, neither had rotten arches or sills.

Wheel bearings and anti roll bar link arms are a common failure. Apart from that, I didn't have any major mechanical issues with mine and I took the both to over 110k. Very reliable cars IME.

The 1.8 is the engine to have IMO. The 2.0 was more torquey and faster, but was dreadful on fuel for the lack of performance and was a lazy engine. 1.8 felt more revvy. Haven't driven a 1.6 extensively, but it felt a bit gutless compared to the 1.8.

[Josh93]

Sump said:

Dodgy again.

You're going about this the wrong way IMO. Don't go to a dealer on this end of the market, try and find a private seller who has had it for some time and have just consistently taken their one chosen garage and have receipts to back it up.

That is all you need here.

I do completely agree I would rather buy private however this particular car seemed to be in decent condition and a decent price and also I would love an ebony model focus and they're very rare.

Ah I was looking for that site earlier but couldn't remember it, thanks!

It's comforting that one of the main problems seems to be related to rust with a 12 year old car tbh, hopefully a focus is a good choice!

[Josh93]