FOCUS on getting the right GHIA
Discussion
As some may remember, I had a very detailed thread about my previous car, a lowly Skoda Fabia and I updated said thread with any noteworthy change or addition, much to the amusement of a few posters. Anyway, I digress as I no longer own the Skoda and have recently acquired this; a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia 5dr.
I have owned it for just three weeks now and covered a few hundred miles in it and my initial impressions are good. I can now appreciate that if you want a reasonably priced, daily hack that has a few options and looks half decent, the Ford Focus is hard to beat, as evidenced by the thousands of examples that litter the road. I'll attempt to keep this thread updated but maybe not as detailed as my last thread. Thank you for reading.
I have owned it for just three weeks now and covered a few hundred miles in it and my initial impressions are good. I can now appreciate that if you want a reasonably priced, daily hack that has a few options and looks half decent, the Ford Focus is hard to beat, as evidenced by the thousands of examples that litter the road. I'll attempt to keep this thread updated but maybe not as detailed as my last thread. Thank you for reading.
Edited by TorqueR on Friday 19th June 18:11
velocefica said:
Apart from different facia trim on the dash and softer cloth interior are there any big differences between a Ghia and standard model.
Not massively, a few options where avialiable such as xenons and climate control. Sony radio etc. also has things like extra map lights and footwell lights. Petrolhead95 said:
HerrNipps said:
I am in the expressung of my love for your car, I am hoping your grand kindern love it also.
Uh, what? 
OP, what engine do you have, im guessing the petrol as I don't think there was a 1.6 diesel for that year? Any niggles so far or all going well?
Edited by smellypoo on Saturday 20th June 10:56
I guess people with “super cars” don’t feel the need to post on threads, belittling other peoples cars, just those who don’t have very interesting cars themeselves. Good to see cars like this, looks clean OP, readers cars section of PH is a forum for posting your car. We all have our pride and joy, maybe not everyone’s cup of char, but I like seeing all the cars in this section regardless of value. Enjoy it OP, looks good to me and many other people I’m sure.
daqinggegg said:
I guess people with “super cars” don’t feel the need to post on threads, belittling other peoples cars, just those who don’t have very interesting cars themeselves. Good to see cars like this, looks clean OP, readers cars section of PH is a forum for posting your car. We all have our pride and joy, maybe not everyone’s cup of char, but I like seeing all the cars in this section regardless of value. Enjoy it OP, looks good to me and many other people I’m sure.
+1, post away!Not sure what some people's problem is with all the negativity towards other people posting their cars on here, just because they've not been 'stanced', or remapped etc.
(For the record, i think 'stanced' cars look ridiculous, but to each their own).
Decent car the focus! Drives well. I had a 2006 1.6 lx version which i sold after 6 months due to its leisurely pace paired with poor fuel economy. I then did the opposite of you and bought a Skoda fabia, albeit the vrs version which i LOVE. Enjoy the car though, very well rounded but beware of very poor mpg on short stop/start journeys.
Thank you for the replies thus far. It is great to hear from posters who have had them and are willing to jot down their experiences.
It isn't the fastest car, be it in class or in the world but is adequate enough for my needs as I often spend my time in traffic - it isn't bad once up to speed and with all examples, the steering has a nice weight to it.
My plans for it consist of minor, subtle adaptations. If you think of the OEM+ style, you have the general idea. I look at threads from posters such as mwstewart for inspiration.
Yup, you pretty much covered what differentiated each trim level - the footwell lights are great and as a person who takes great delight in the small touches, it was a pleasure to find on the first evening. I also found out last night that if you have the rear wiper on and select reverse, it will clean the rear screen, which is a nice little touch.
It isn't the fastest car, be it in class or in the world but is adequate enough for my needs as I often spend my time in traffic - it isn't bad once up to speed and with all examples, the steering has a nice weight to it.
My plans for it consist of minor, subtle adaptations. If you think of the OEM+ style, you have the general idea. I look at threads from posters such as mwstewart for inspiration.
Nickbrapp said:
velocefica said:
Apart from different facia trim on the dash and softer cloth interior are there any big differences between a Ghia and standard model.
Not massively, a few options where avialiable such as xenons and climate control. Sony radio etc. also has things like extra map lights and footwell lights. Edited by TorqueR on Sunday 18th September 16:34
So once I bought our MK2, I realised I should really have looked online for 'common problems' - there are a few out there for this model, so take whatever preventative measures you can.
In particular the 1.6 petrol (non VVT) suffers a bit from a stupid bit of design/build quality. Basically, water drips into the engine bay from the washer jets mounted on the bonnet. This can either be water on the bonnet leaking through or a leak on the jets themselves. The placement of the jets lines up perfectly with the recess where the HT leads go/the spark plug channel, meaning any water will collect in there. Over time, this will cause a nice rusty mess once the water runs down the side of the leads into where the plugs sit, this can cause poor startup, rough running and/or misfiring, possibly knacker your coil pack (which are made of cheese on these things, regard it as consumable) and worst case, your core plugs (2 little discs you'll see between the spark plugs) will rust out, replacing those isn't so easy.
Preventative measures if you don't have any running issues;
Check current state by removing the central rubber bung on the top of the engine, lifting out the HT leads off the plugs in turn and shining a torch in there. if it's a rusty pool of water, suck/soak all that up and get it nice and dry. Get some new washer jets from a main dealer - the revised design has a rubber seal - and replace yours, it's easy to do. Alternatively, cheapo option - silicone sealant. Then to be belt and braces, some Volvo S40s used the same engine, Volvo were a bit clever about it and had a cover that bolted to the top of the engine which ford never did (probably cost cutting). It bolts into the little brass threaded holes you can see on top of the engine and costs something like 16 quid from a Volvo dealer if I remember correctly. Well worth doing.
If you are having running issues, check the above and you might also need to replace plugs leads and possibly coil pack. All are pretty cheap from ECP/GSF and easy to replace if you do it methodically. If you're really out of luck and your core plugs are knackered, you'll need to get those replaced (or do it yourself if you're competent, but if that's the case you probably can guess all of the above already).
Apologies if any of that sounds a bit stupid, it's been a long day at work!
In particular the 1.6 petrol (non VVT) suffers a bit from a stupid bit of design/build quality. Basically, water drips into the engine bay from the washer jets mounted on the bonnet. This can either be water on the bonnet leaking through or a leak on the jets themselves. The placement of the jets lines up perfectly with the recess where the HT leads go/the spark plug channel, meaning any water will collect in there. Over time, this will cause a nice rusty mess once the water runs down the side of the leads into where the plugs sit, this can cause poor startup, rough running and/or misfiring, possibly knacker your coil pack (which are made of cheese on these things, regard it as consumable) and worst case, your core plugs (2 little discs you'll see between the spark plugs) will rust out, replacing those isn't so easy.
Preventative measures if you don't have any running issues;
Check current state by removing the central rubber bung on the top of the engine, lifting out the HT leads off the plugs in turn and shining a torch in there. if it's a rusty pool of water, suck/soak all that up and get it nice and dry. Get some new washer jets from a main dealer - the revised design has a rubber seal - and replace yours, it's easy to do. Alternatively, cheapo option - silicone sealant. Then to be belt and braces, some Volvo S40s used the same engine, Volvo were a bit clever about it and had a cover that bolted to the top of the engine which ford never did (probably cost cutting). It bolts into the little brass threaded holes you can see on top of the engine and costs something like 16 quid from a Volvo dealer if I remember correctly. Well worth doing.
If you are having running issues, check the above and you might also need to replace plugs leads and possibly coil pack. All are pretty cheap from ECP/GSF and easy to replace if you do it methodically. If you're really out of luck and your core plugs are knackered, you'll need to get those replaced (or do it yourself if you're competent, but if that's the case you probably can guess all of the above already).
Apologies if any of that sounds a bit stupid, it's been a long day at work!
Ghia Specifics:
Better speakers if optioned with the Sony Stereo. If not, the same standard junk that goes in all the other 'lesser' Focusses (Foci?) - the wires into the speakers in the doors often breaks leading to the sound going awol on that channel. The ST gets even nicer speakers. They're riveted in, which is a bit stupid and annoying if you want to replace with aftermarket.
Softer fabric/velour(sp?) on the seats
Optional heated leather seats
Armrest between front seats
Auto lights and wipers (check the rain sensor area behind rear view mirror on the windscreen - if the gluey-stuff that sticks the sensor to the screen has perished or is a bit crappy, the rain sensor won't work very well - as far as I know it only works on the first wiper setting on the stalk)
Electric Windows all round with remote global closing
Cruise Control (this isn't usually available on the Mk2.5 models for some reason, although it can be retrofitted easily I hear)
Rubber mats in the various dash and centre console cubby holes to make it feel 'premium'
5 spoke alloys in a 'turned metal' finish (often corrode like mad and have loose centre caps - bit of silicone sealant helps)
Optional funky headlights - they turn with the steering wheel, often mistaken for Xenons but they aren't - it's just the projector lens.
Air conditioning
Tinted glass (very light tint, not blacked out or anything)
Extra map/footwell/vanity lights
Front driving lights in bumper
Space saver spare(I think some get a full size spare with a foam 'spacer' that raises the boot floor to make it level)
That's all I can remember for the moment!
Better speakers if optioned with the Sony Stereo. If not, the same standard junk that goes in all the other 'lesser' Focusses (Foci?) - the wires into the speakers in the doors often breaks leading to the sound going awol on that channel. The ST gets even nicer speakers. They're riveted in, which is a bit stupid and annoying if you want to replace with aftermarket.
Softer fabric/velour(sp?) on the seats
Optional heated leather seats
Armrest between front seats
Auto lights and wipers (check the rain sensor area behind rear view mirror on the windscreen - if the gluey-stuff that sticks the sensor to the screen has perished or is a bit crappy, the rain sensor won't work very well - as far as I know it only works on the first wiper setting on the stalk)
Electric Windows all round with remote global closing
Cruise Control (this isn't usually available on the Mk2.5 models for some reason, although it can be retrofitted easily I hear)
Rubber mats in the various dash and centre console cubby holes to make it feel 'premium'
5 spoke alloys in a 'turned metal' finish (often corrode like mad and have loose centre caps - bit of silicone sealant helps)
Optional funky headlights - they turn with the steering wheel, often mistaken for Xenons but they aren't - it's just the projector lens.
Air conditioning
Tinted glass (very light tint, not blacked out or anything)
Extra map/footwell/vanity lights
Front driving lights in bumper
Space saver spare(I think some get a full size spare with a foam 'spacer' that raises the boot floor to make it level)
That's all I can remember for the moment!
TorqueR said:
I also found out last night that if you have the rear wiper on and select reverse, it will clean the rear screen, which is a nice little touch.
Ia that not how pretty much all hatchbacks of the last twenty years do it?Specifically that if the wipers are on the rear one activates as soon as you choose reverse.
My wife has one and she loves it ,soon to chop it in for an ST (she thinks).
Nice little run around, a little under powered for my taste ,my Orion 16i ghia was quicker.
Handles well , nippy enough for town traffic if you get over 3k revs it's fine.
Little tinny and creaks a bit ,but over all I would have one over something french.
Glad you enjoy it .
Nice little run around, a little under powered for my taste ,my Orion 16i ghia was quicker.
Handles well , nippy enough for town traffic if you get over 3k revs it's fine.
Little tinny and creaks a bit ,but over all I would have one over something french.
Glad you enjoy it .
Just remembered one other thing, cam belt. I think the mileage interval is 90k but its not unheard of for them to fail earlier, the tensioner can go as well leading to the same horrible meeting of valves and pistons. Dunno if yours has been done and at what mileage but its not too difficult or expensive, get water pump done at same time for peace of mind.
Edited by smellypoo on Wednesday 24th June 09:09
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