Buying a £1000 Ford Focus - what to look for?

[Emeye]

Father-in-law has got a max £1000 budget and wants a Ford Focus sized, reasonably economical car.

So why not a 1.6 or 1.8 petrol Ford Focus?

Am I being a bit optimistic in finding a decent Focus for that money? If not what should I look for? When is the cambelt due?

Cheers.

[Frik]

I'd want to pay a bit more. I sold my tidy 1.6 125k V-plate for £1300 a couple of months ago.

Rust is an obvious one. Think the cambelt should be done at 100k or 10 years so either way at a grand it should have been done.

[daemon]

Rust on rear wheel arches, timing belt done, clutch not slipping. Rear suspension rattles could be bushings away in the rear axle. Clunky front end could be track rod ends, tie bars, anti roll bar bushings.

Other than that all the fairly obvious things - long mot, good brakes, tyres, etc.

1.8 probably the nicer drive, but the 1.6 is the more popular come resale time.

[SuperHangOn]

I would buy a 1.6. I had a 1.8 Zetec, it drank way more than it should for the mediocre performance and size.

Check for usual stuff, panel gaps for crash damage, clocking signs, inspect oil/coolant (as above post!). A good one will serve you well if you look after it.

[vrsmxtb]

SuperHangOn said:

I would buy a 1.6. I had a 1.8 Zetec, it drank way more than it should for the mediocre performance and size.

Check for usual stuff, panel gaps for crash damage, clocking signs, inspect oil/coolant (as above post!). A good one will serve you well if you look after it.

Agreed, have heard may times that the 1.8 has no benefits over the 1.6, just thirstier. My 1.6 returned a consistent 42mpg and was the most trouble-free car I've owned.

Zetecs have firmer suspension, so you may want an LX or Ghia depending on preference.