Mk2 Focus shed
Discussion
On the hunt for a suitable petrol runaround car for the OH. Golf/Focus size as we need something small but capable of taking 3 high back boosters. Looking around the 1-2k mark, and lots of Mk2 Focus’ available. Just wondering what the general consensus is on them. Not bothered about anything other than general reliability. It’s just a car to do short trips in.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Yep, any of the NA petrols make great sheds as they are relatively simple (compared to turbocharged/diesel/direct injection stuff). Probably the 1.8 and 2.0 are best to go for as they are chain driven I think - the 1.4 and 1.6 are belts, so make sure they have been done if you go for one of those. Also, check the MOT history for corrosion.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Yep, any of the NA petrols make great sheds as they are relatively simple (compared to turbocharged/diesel/direct injection stuff). Probably the 1.8 and 2.0 are best to go for as they are chain driven I think - the 1.4 and 1.6 are belts, so make sure they have been done if you go for one of those. Also, check the MOT history for corrosion.
2.0 in the Mk1 is belt. LordHaveMurci said:
georgeyboy12345 said:
Yep, any of the NA petrols make great sheds as they are relatively simple (compared to turbocharged/diesel/direct injection stuff). Probably the 1.8 and 2.0 are best to go for as they are chain driven I think - the 1.4 and 1.6 are belts, so make sure they have been done if you go for one of those. Also, check the MOT history for corrosion.
2.0 in the Mk1 is belt. OP, this one looks decent enough
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...
k me that's overpriced. Mk2 Focus are really tough cars generally speaking. Had a few of them.within my family from the 1.6 up to the 2.5 ST all petrol and no significant issues.
The only time I've known them rust is where the rear bumper meets the rear wheel arch, the bumper can rub against the wheel.arch causing the paint to rub off and rust to get in, if you don't find any rust at that point the bodywork will generally be fine.
The only time I've known them rust is where the rear bumper meets the rear wheel arch, the bumper can rub against the wheel.arch causing the paint to rub off and rust to get in, if you don't find any rust at that point the bodywork will generally be fine.
I've had two - a 2005 Ghia hatchback (bought 2019) and a 2006 Titanium saloon (bought 2017). Both with the 2.0 petrol. Also had a 2009 facelift Titanium Sport (big wheels, firmer suspension) with the 1.8 that I just absolutely could not get on with and traded down to the 2006 within about 3 months - gearing was *way* too short for anything more than single carriageways. 2.0 absolutely improves in this regard, can't provide any experience of the 1.4 or 1.6.
"Good enough" cars if you're not asking much of them and can keep on top of their hunger for maintenance and thirst for fuel.
None of the powertrains short of the ST are remotely quick or torquey, even the 2.0 really really struggled with accelerating for an overtake when fully loaded.
As already mentioned - rust is the main thing to watch out for, arches and wings.
Rear trailing arm bushes like to go too - not particularly expensive though. In 2017, a Ford main dealer would do it for about £200 for the pair. Only had it on my 2006 but very much a common thing.
Oil leaks on the 2.0 - both of mine had them. The 2.0 can also be bad for a warm starting issue which is fixed temporarily by providing some throttle input or more permanently by a software update.
Gear shift feel doesn't feel particularly great. No synchro on reverse so can find yourself needing to go into first before going into reverse otherwise you just get nasty crunching. In motion, shifting can feel a little vague too, with 2nd to 3rd being mostly done via faith - though this might have been fixed by replacing the shift cable, which I never got around to.
On my 2005 I also had 2 brake calipers go within the space of a year and had a third one on it's way out when I sold the car to a local college's mechanic department as a teaching car. Not a massively cheap thing to sort when the calipers going took out the discs and pads.
Would I have another? Probably not at this point, I really liked my 2006 saloon and regret not keeping it at least another few months, but the 2005 completely killed any goodwill.
Both of my former Mk2s have now presumably been retired from active service, with neither having MOT or tax.
RIP DX05 YSE
RIP BV06 TCY
Note: I had a very leggy, very tired Mk5 Astra of the same era too, it was just as crap, with an even nastier interior
"Good enough" cars if you're not asking much of them and can keep on top of their hunger for maintenance and thirst for fuel.
None of the powertrains short of the ST are remotely quick or torquey, even the 2.0 really really struggled with accelerating for an overtake when fully loaded.
As already mentioned - rust is the main thing to watch out for, arches and wings.
Rear trailing arm bushes like to go too - not particularly expensive though. In 2017, a Ford main dealer would do it for about £200 for the pair. Only had it on my 2006 but very much a common thing.
Oil leaks on the 2.0 - both of mine had them. The 2.0 can also be bad for a warm starting issue which is fixed temporarily by providing some throttle input or more permanently by a software update.
Gear shift feel doesn't feel particularly great. No synchro on reverse so can find yourself needing to go into first before going into reverse otherwise you just get nasty crunching. In motion, shifting can feel a little vague too, with 2nd to 3rd being mostly done via faith - though this might have been fixed by replacing the shift cable, which I never got around to.
On my 2005 I also had 2 brake calipers go within the space of a year and had a third one on it's way out when I sold the car to a local college's mechanic department as a teaching car. Not a massively cheap thing to sort when the calipers going took out the discs and pads.
Would I have another? Probably not at this point, I really liked my 2006 saloon and regret not keeping it at least another few months, but the 2005 completely killed any goodwill.
Both of my former Mk2s have now presumably been retired from active service, with neither having MOT or tax.
RIP DX05 YSE
RIP BV06 TCY
Note: I had a very leggy, very tired Mk5 Astra of the same era too, it was just as crap, with an even nastier interior
robertfleckney said:
On the hunt for a suitable petrol runaround car for the OH. Golf/Focus size as we need something small but capable of taking 3 high back boosters. Looking around the 1-2k mark, and lots of Mk2 Focus’ available. Just wondering what the general consensus is on them. Not bothered about anything other than general reliability. It’s just a car to do short trips in.
Thanks in advance
I just sold my Mk2 Focus 1.6 diesel shed. Thanks in advance
It steered and handled really well, had cruise and aircon, and a good stereo, and it had plenty of luggage space for such a small car, but honestly, that's all I liked about it.
It was unrefined, full of hard plastics, slow, it leaked like a sieve into the boot. The ride was crap, The wheels weren't round, it desperately needed a 6th gear, and it smelled funny.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff