Ford Focus MK2 petrols - buying advise

[Bennyjames28]

Looking to buy a MK2 Ford focus (2008 onwards) petrol with a budget of up to 3.5k (ideally lower).

Is there anything I should be aware of? Common issues etc...

What's the best engine choice? 1.6 has a belt, 1.8 has a chain, I've not even seen any 2.0 for sale.

Looking for minimum zetec spec to get that heated windscreen.

Any alternative cars would be appreciated too.

[aaron_2000]

Good, a Focus thread.

1.6 was the engine to have in the MK1, a bit gutless in the MK2.
1.8 is the engine to go for.
2.0 is just thirsty, as it was in my MK1.

At your budget, a nice 1.8 Style, Zetec, Ghia (or ST?) would be in reach with FSH, clean MOT, low owners and good mileage.

Watch for Forditus (rust) on the sills and arches, and on the bottom of the front wings, check under the car and see how clean it is, check behind the rear seat bases too. As with any car, check the panel gaps, look for differences in colour shades, make sure the passenger footwell isn't wet.

This is a brilliant video all about the MK2, a very good reviewer. Watched him for my 205 GTI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzxTkGmNF1c

[aaron_2000]

A few good examples:

Zetec S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Style
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sport S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Titanium (my choice)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Bennyjames28]

Great information there

I've viewed. Few 1.8 so far and a few of them sounded like st with some sort of ticking noise that gets faster as you rev the engine.

The only one of the 3 1.8s I've viewed that didn't sound like that was the one with only 39k on clock. Any ideas?

I'm viewing one private sale tomorrow a zetec s with 65k on it.

I will watch that video

[MrAverage]

I've had my focus for about 15months, bought as a shed to use for work.

I have the 2litre, and it is reasonably thirsty for the performance.
My car seems to have had a few common issues: reverse light wouldn't work needed a switch (£8),
Bonnet release gave up, needed to undo from under the car.
Auxillary belt starting to make some noise.

I haven't noticed any rust on mine...

All in all in seems a solid car. Only real negative (the reason I'm looking to change) it is just far too noisy on the motorway, everything makes noise!

[MrAverage]

Bennyjames28 said:

Great information there

I've viewed. Few 1.8 so far and a few of them sounded like st with some sort of ticking noise that gets faster as you rev the engine

My mechanic friend has said the ticking noise is the auxiliary belt needing replacing. Mine has started doing it recently.

[Bennyjames28]

MrAverage said:

My mechanic friend has said the ticking noise is the auxiliary belt needing replacing. Mine has started doing it recently.

That wouldn't be so bad, I've got a mechanic who is very reasonable on the old price.

The car isn't for me, other half needs her first car to ferry kids about and really likes the MK2 focus.

Could think of worse cars I suppose. To tell you one thing I've learnt.. the interior got a massive upgrade around 2008.

[stevemcs]

I would say go with the 115ps 1.6 (vcti) rear trailing arm bushes, front lower arms and dashpods are the biggest issues.

[Bennyjames28]

Is that a newer engine?

[mholt1995]

From experience, don't get the 1.8 if you do anything other than town driving. Bugger all torque so you have to rev it to get anything out of it, 70mph cruise sits you at 3.5k rpm and 4k rpm at 80 leptons. Had one in a mk2.5 titanium and the gearbox/engine combo made me get rid after 2 months.

Get the 2.0, much more torque, sits around 3k at 70 and will get you 40mpg on a run. Had one in a mk2 titanium.

If I was buying another Mk2.5 focus it'd be a 2.0 in Titanium spec with a few options (cruise, heated seats). I may be doing exactly that when my lease is up. The Mk2.5 still looks fresh and the Mk2 really dated/cheap now.

Edit: here you go, 2.0 titanium with heated leather and parking sensors.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

Edited by mholt1995 on Wednesday 6th February 20:56

[Bennyjames28]

Is for other half. She will pretty much only do town driving. Any longer trips will be done in my avensis shed (still running well)

Off topic but are you regretting getting into a lease car? I can't stand monthly payments personally. My shed costs me 24.50 a month road tax plus fuel.

[stevemcs]

Bennyjames28 said:

Is that a newer engine?

No, it was fitted into the Mk2, there was a 90ps petrol and the 115ps version - ti-VCT

[mholt1995]

Bennyjames28 said:

Is for other half. She will pretty much only do town driving. Any longer trips will be done in my avensis shed (still running well)

Off topic but are you regretting getting into a lease car? I can't stand monthly payments personally. My shed costs me 24.50 a month road tax plus fuel.

Good question. Wouldn't go as far as saying I regret it but it's certainly an expensive way of getting about (and I'm on a very good deal). It's bliss to have everything covered by warranty and not having to spend weekends fixing parts. I'd easily lease again but it'd have to be on something interesting. Don't see the point of spending the best part of 4k a year on something boring - a mk2.5 focus titanium with some options or a mk4 mondeo would easily meet my needs for an awful lot less.

Leasing was something that interested me a lot after a bad experience with an astra (partly my own fault) which depreciated to scrap value and required some expensive work over the course of my 3 year ownership where the costs worked out to around £152 a month for a then-9 year old diesel astra with no spec and effectively about 50hp. For less than double that I'm in an a4 which I've had from 6 miles on the odo and my servicing costs are included in that (it'll need one during the lease period).

I'd do it again if I could get something ridiculous at an equally ridiculous price but I'm looking to go back to owning with cash and saving for moving into nicer things with lower depreciation.

[Bennyjames28]

It's a lot harder finding a decent one of these than you would think!

So much crap about. Missed out on a great private sale down to the seller wanting dealer money for it. In end he sold it to Evans halshaw. Exterior was great but interior a bit worn on that one anyway.

Is the 1.6 really that bad? The 0 to 60 time between 1.6 and 1.8 is identical yet people say it's underpowered.

[mholt1995]

Bennyjames28 said:

It's a lot harder finding a decent one of these than you would think!

So much crap about. Missed out on a great private sale down to the seller wanting dealer money for it. In end he sold it to Evans halshaw. Exterior was great but interior a bit worn on that one anyway.

Is the 1.6 really that bad? The 0 to 60 time between 1.6 and 1.8 is identical yet people say it's underpowered.

They deliver power slightly differently. And factory quoted 0-60 is 11.5 for the 1.6 and 10.0 on the 1.8

Torque falls off at ~4K RPM for both, but for BHP, the 1.6 has had enough by 5K but the 1.8 goes on to 6K

Additionally, torque on the 2.0 goes on until 4.5K RPM and BHP through to 6K as well. Again, I'd really recommend the 2.0 as it feels much nicer to drive. 0-60 in a claimed 8.9, though the actual business of doing 0-60 will feel very different in all 3 engines.

[Bennyjames28]

Settled on a 1.8 petrol zetec.

Should be collecting today. It's a 59 plate with 54k on clock and full history. Few scrapes on body work but overall decent enough condition especially for a first car. I gave it a good test drive and it drives well.

Managed to get it for 3100 down from 3500 if we take it as it is (ready for a service and has MOT until July).
They nearly go for that price private sale with higher mileage so I think it's a good buy.

Only downside is it has 1 key, any tips on cheapest way to get another key done?

[MrAverage]

Cheapest way to get a key is an auto locksmith

[aaron_2000]

Maybe a little higher than I'd pay for one, but seems like you went for the right spec and got a good price.

[Sa Calobra]

I bought a 58 plate 1.6 petrol style in that funny blue/grey in a private sale for 1900. It was absolutely immaculate.

I really regret selling it. I sold it to buy a 58 plate FN2 Civic Type R for 5000.

The style could be driven everywhere, left anywhere and was fantastically usable.

[Bennyjames28]

aaron_2000 said:

Maybe a little higher than I'd pay for one, but seems like you went for the right spec and got a good price.

The lady wanted a lower mileage example, and to be honest at the price we paid there's plenty with much higher miles in similar condition. I am fairly happy with it.

I rekkon we wouldn't have much issue selling it private for the majority of what we paid for it.

I have to admit cosmetically it could be better on the outside. No dents but I do keep noticing more scratches. Luckily the interior is immaculate.

Few niggles to sort, the wiper blades are shockingly bad, the parcel shelf is missing and it needs that second key and a service.