Ford build quality
Discussion
Pardon for the daft question .. I'm psyching myself up to buy another car - my current VW Golf has 190k on the clock and is starting to show signs of age (12 years) though it probably has another year left in it..
My first two cars 15 - 20 years ago were MkII Fiestas that were built like tin cans and lasted only 80k - they always needed welding and after getting so fed up with them, I said never again to a Ford..
However - I've been looking at the more recent Focus and Mondeo diesel estates - had been thinking about a diesel Volvo V50 and read that it was essentially a Focus which are cheaper...
So my query is about Ford build quality - hopefully, they aren't like they used to be, but how much have they changed? Will I get 13/14 years out of a Focus without the bodywork & chassis rusting away?
My Golf's bodywork is still pretty spotless and I'd like the same quality again ...
My first two cars 15 - 20 years ago were MkII Fiestas that were built like tin cans and lasted only 80k - they always needed welding and after getting so fed up with them, I said never again to a Ford..
However - I've been looking at the more recent Focus and Mondeo diesel estates - had been thinking about a diesel Volvo V50 and read that it was essentially a Focus which are cheaper...
So my query is about Ford build quality - hopefully, they aren't like they used to be, but how much have they changed? Will I get 13/14 years out of a Focus without the bodywork & chassis rusting away?
My Golf's bodywork is still pretty spotless and I'd like the same quality again ...
Dawg said:
Pardon for the daft question .. I'm psyching myself up to buy another car - my current VW Golf has 190k on the clock and is starting to show signs of age (12 years) though it probably has another year left in it..
My first two cars 15 - 20 years ago were MkII Fiestas that were built like tin cans and lasted only 80k - they always needed welding and after getting so fed up with them, I said never again to a Ford..
However - I've been looking at the more recent Focus and Mondeo diesel estates - had been thinking about a diesel Volvo V50 and read that it was essentially a Focus which are cheaper...
So my query is about Ford build quality - hopefully, they aren't like they used to be, but how much have they changed? Will I get 13/14 years out of a Focus without the bodywork & chassis rusting away?
My Golf's bodywork is still pretty spotless and I'd like the same quality again ...
S40/V50 from 2004 on is a ford focus, newer fords are much better built than the old 80s rust buckets, based on reliability I'd have one, based on how sodding boring they are, I wouldn't. My first two cars 15 - 20 years ago were MkII Fiestas that were built like tin cans and lasted only 80k - they always needed welding and after getting so fed up with them, I said never again to a Ford..
However - I've been looking at the more recent Focus and Mondeo diesel estates - had been thinking about a diesel Volvo V50 and read that it was essentially a Focus which are cheaper...
So my query is about Ford build quality - hopefully, they aren't like they used to be, but how much have they changed? Will I get 13/14 years out of a Focus without the bodywork & chassis rusting away?
My Golf's bodywork is still pretty spotless and I'd like the same quality again ...
That said, I've just bought a Transit which doesn't exactly get top marks for interesting, but it's very very practical and well capable of powerslides so swings and roundabouts!
I've had a XR2I in the past which was the biggest bag of Chod I've ever had which put me off Fords in a big way.
Since then Ive had various Cars from different manufacturers the last being a Golf GTI I owned it quite a long time and this turned me a huge VW fan. As the OP says the build quality is a very noticeable step up from anything else I'd had or worked on. Like the OP I has a doubt in my mind going back to Ford again but after being in a few new versions quite regular I decided to give them a go again.
I've now had my Focus ST for 18 months ish and I have to say the build quality is far far far higher than it used to be. I'm pretty picky tbh but I'm happy with it so far. If I wasn't I would of sold it and gone for another Golf.
Id say it's not quite the same quality as a VW car but it's only slightly behind. It's defo better than a lot of other brands.
Since then Ive had various Cars from different manufacturers the last being a Golf GTI I owned it quite a long time and this turned me a huge VW fan. As the OP says the build quality is a very noticeable step up from anything else I'd had or worked on. Like the OP I has a doubt in my mind going back to Ford again but after being in a few new versions quite regular I decided to give them a go again.
I've now had my Focus ST for 18 months ish and I have to say the build quality is far far far higher than it used to be. I'm pretty picky tbh but I'm happy with it so far. If I wasn't I would of sold it and gone for another Golf.
Id say it's not quite the same quality as a VW car but it's only slightly behind. It's defo better than a lot of other brands.
Obviously this is subjective, but I've never driven a Ford and been impressed with the quality. I drove the new Focus 1.0 recently, back to back with a Peugeot 508, the difference in the interior was night and day.
The Peugeot had nice feeling and looking switchgear, that looked like some thought had gone into it, and had a proper, colour display that someone had taken the time to code proper graphics onto, like you would expect nowadays. Without the Peugeot badge, it could be mistaken for something German, they've come on a long way since I had a 405 back in the mid 90's.
The Ford had cheap, nasty switchgear, and dot matrix style screens (I can't believe they're really dot matrix, they must be lookalikes), that look 10-15 years behind the times. Plastics on the lower dash are awful, although to be fair, not many manufacturers interior plastics are that great these days.
It felt like Ford trim everything back to the barest minimum they can get away with, that may not be true, and it's all in the perception, obviously, but that's the feeling I get every time I get in one. Style over substance seems to sum it up.
It's not like I'm particularly biased, I got into the Ford expecting and hoping it to be good, and was looking forward to driving the 1.0 petrol engine.
Unfortunately, a misfire put paid to the enjoyment. The car was more or less brand new too, it only had a couple of thousand km's on the clock.
Driving dynamics were a different matter, of course, Ford are pretty good in that respect, although the Peugeot put in a good showing too, there wasn't a massive difference here.
My experience isn't limited to just the Focus, the new Mondeo isn't much better.
Obviously this is just my view, and I know there are a lot of people on here who love Fords, same as there are lots of VAG & BMW fans here too.
From my experience though, I would grade them near the bottom of the pile, perhaps not quite as low as Vauxhall, but a touch below Kia/Hyundai.
As I said at the outset though, it's subjective I think.
The Peugeot had nice feeling and looking switchgear, that looked like some thought had gone into it, and had a proper, colour display that someone had taken the time to code proper graphics onto, like you would expect nowadays. Without the Peugeot badge, it could be mistaken for something German, they've come on a long way since I had a 405 back in the mid 90's.
The Ford had cheap, nasty switchgear, and dot matrix style screens (I can't believe they're really dot matrix, they must be lookalikes), that look 10-15 years behind the times. Plastics on the lower dash are awful, although to be fair, not many manufacturers interior plastics are that great these days.
It felt like Ford trim everything back to the barest minimum they can get away with, that may not be true, and it's all in the perception, obviously, but that's the feeling I get every time I get in one. Style over substance seems to sum it up.
It's not like I'm particularly biased, I got into the Ford expecting and hoping it to be good, and was looking forward to driving the 1.0 petrol engine.
Unfortunately, a misfire put paid to the enjoyment. The car was more or less brand new too, it only had a couple of thousand km's on the clock.
Driving dynamics were a different matter, of course, Ford are pretty good in that respect, although the Peugeot put in a good showing too, there wasn't a massive difference here.
My experience isn't limited to just the Focus, the new Mondeo isn't much better.
Obviously this is just my view, and I know there are a lot of people on here who love Fords, same as there are lots of VAG & BMW fans here too.
From my experience though, I would grade them near the bottom of the pile, perhaps not quite as low as Vauxhall, but a touch below Kia/Hyundai.
As I said at the outset though, it's subjective I think.
We've had an 09 Mondeo Edge from new and apart from a bottom door rubber detaching (not really needed, it seems), it has endured remarkable abuse from my kids. Nothing has failed, broken or not worked. Maybe replaced a couple of rear bulbs and that's it. Bodily, despite a couple of very minor bumps, there is no sign of any rust at all.
I have an 07 Fiesta ST and no rust on that either.
Mother has just bought a 12 Focus and that's rather nice inside.
I have an 07 Fiesta ST and no rust on that either.
Mother has just bought a 12 Focus and that's rather nice inside.
OP your Mk4 Golf was miles better build than the focus ATT, My wife has a 54 plate focus, nice enough but, to me the quality is not as good as my Golf which is 4 years older.
I have had mine for 13 years now ,the longest I've ever owned a car, apart from the usual things the Mk4 suffer from it's been trouble free.
I have had mine for 13 years now ,the longest I've ever owned a car, apart from the usual things the Mk4 suffer from it's been trouble free.
Thanks for the considered replies - I'd really like a V50 but the price difference to a Focus on the second hand market is quite sizeable..
I'm not looking for a car that I find 'exciting' - just something that will last like this Golf - however I'd like something a little bigger and it has to be an estate.. The Mondeo is probably too big for my needs.. I'll keep having a think..
I'm not looking for a car that I find 'exciting' - just something that will last like this Golf - however I'd like something a little bigger and it has to be an estate.. The Mondeo is probably too big for my needs.. I'll keep having a think..
I've had a Focus RS from new for four years and 30,000 miles. Due to the low volume nature of the model you'd expect a few niggles and problems but I've had none at all. Not a single hiccup.
Only thing I would say is it's a bit rattly now, but it's got no suspension to speak of and I drive it up and down country lanes.
Only thing I would say is it's a bit rattly now, but it's got no suspension to speak of and I drive it up and down country lanes.
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