Is the Ford Focus really that fun to drive?

[Acuity30]

I'm considering a 2011-2013 1.6 Titanium spec, definitely not the Ecoboost. I've been reading it's quite well kitted out in Titanium although has a cheaper feeling interior than a similar age Astra, but the driving experience is 'better than some sports cars'.
What's the reliability like? Or would I be better off going for a Fiesta with the same engine and trim level since I don't have a family or a need for a bigger car.

[pistonheader10101]

I wouldn’t call it fun to drive, probably similar to driving a washing machine

[ChrisH72]

They are good to drive but keep in mind it's a family hatch so 'better than sports cars' is a bit of a push.

A fiesta might be more fun. You can get a Titanium spec Fiesta with the 1.6 petrol engine up to around 2012 I think, then they became ecoboost 1.0.

If it's just you then why not go for a small hot hatch instead?

208 Gti
Cooper S
Even a mk7 Fiesta ST if it's in budget.

[RazerSauber]

I drove a 2008 one to Nottingham and back. It was a fairly basic 1.6 Zetec I think. It was alright. Not an awful drive but nothing to write home about, either. It was "a car". I did note a metallic knocking noise on a 77k car but was assured that's a normal noise for that engine.

[SlowV6]

There is a 1.6 Ecoboost in 150BHP and 180BHP variants that should aid the fun factor. My understanding was this engine is a more reliable proposition than the earlier 1.0 ecoboost. Hopefully an expert will be along to comment on this wild claim!

[Acuity30]

ChrisH72 said:

They are good to drive but keep in mind it's a family hatch so 'better than sports cars' is a bit of a push.

A fiesta might be more fun. You can get a Titanium spec Fiesta with the 1.6 petrol engine up to around 2012 I think, then they became ecoboost 1.0.

If it's just you then why not go for a small hot hatch instead?

208 Gti
Cooper S
Even a mk7 Fiesta ST if it's in budget.

Because I need a boring A to B car, cheap to run but has the power to get out of its own way so less than 11 second 0 to 60. Narrowed it down to a focus, fiesta or Astra 1.6 or maybe the 1.4T for the Astra. Maximum 11 years old and less than 90k miles with a 4k budget. Ford pops up a lot in search results hence the thread. The Astra of a similar era just seems a lot more basic with less tech

[CrippsCorner]

KIA C'eed would be a good shout at this price point, though a little slower to 60...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...

[budgie smuggler]

Boo-urns said:

I think the Focus's reputation as a drivers' car is largely built on the legacy of the Mk1 which, at the time, was head and shoulders above the competition due to its multilink rear suspension. Not only was it coming off the back of the last Escort (hardly a byword for driving enjoyment) but it was also up against the Mk4 Golf which, talented as it was in many respects, was not set up nor marketed as a drivers' car.

With subsequent generations, the gap between the Focus and its rivals has narrowed and some lower-spec Mk4 versions have ditched the fully independent rear suspension. I also think each new Focus has felt just slightly less special than the last, although for full disclosure, I haven't driven the Mk4.

Yeah, that's true about the suspension, but I think the MK4 was more fun than my MK2.5 though TBH. My Mk2.5 was a Zetec S and my MK4 was a ST Line X so both should have been similar in spec.

[Sporky]

My mum had a MK1, and I very much did not get the fuss.

[Acuity30]

CrippsCorner said:

KIA C'eed would be a good shout at this price point, though a little slower to 60...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...

That thing is dangerously underpowered and will return awful mpg since you have to use all the revs just to get up and go

[Sporky]

Not if you drive as intended.

[P675]

They are good to drive for the price and class of car. Similar age Astras are awful in comparison.

[The Cardinal]

I've driven pretty much all the mainstream C-segment petrol options for tens of thousands of miles as work hire cars since about 2010, usually to keep the miles off whatever I was running at the time. Many of the older ones will be coming into budget for the OP.

The one I'd avoid is the non-turbo Astra K - I found the steering to be woeful, and the economy of a 1.6 was barely any better than my old Golf R32's. I also disliked the mk1 Nissan Juke, though the diesel did give me my all-time economy record. I thought the Focus mk3 was ok but nowhere near as sharp as I'd been expecting, but best of the lot were the 1.4T SEAT Leon (MQB-based one) and a non turbo 2.0 2014+ Mazda 3.

[Alfa Pete]

I have owned Focus mk1 and 2 , driven mk3 and 4 and they are all are sweet to drive. I agree the mk1 stood out much more against its peers, though.
I’ve also run a similar age Astra and driven most marks of Golf.
It wasn’t just the mk1s handling that stood out it was also the control weights and steering. Everything on the mk1 just gels when you drive it. Golfs and Astras of that era are competent but feel stodgy by comparison. It wasn’t until the Golf 7 , which I have also owned that I felt the golf has got near the focus for handling.
Of the more recent Fords the mk7 Fiesta has more of the mk1 focus verve that subsequent marks of focus have slightly lost.
My gf still has a mk1 that I sometimes drive and I always feel at home in it straight away.

As mentioned, the Leon and Mazda3 are also worth a look.

Edited by Alfa Pete on Monday 31st October 22:38

Edited by Alfa Pete on Monday 31st October 22:42

[ChocolateFrog]

pistonheader10101 said:

I wouldn’t call it fun to drive, probably similar to driving a washing machine

Pistonheads 101 is knowing the Focus is a good drive.

Granted its downhill from the mk1 which was cracking.

[Sporky]

ChocolateFrog said:

Pistonheads 101 is knowing the Focus is a good drive.

Whether you've ever driven one or not!

Better than a same-era Avensis, fair enough.

[Silvanus]

Some are absolutely fantastic, others are decidedly average with lots in between. It's simple as that. They were once the best handling car in the class, not sure that still rings true. However, non have been bad like the Escort that went before.

[Joeywinkle]

I own a 2012 Focus Zetec - granted its a 1.6 TDCI though as opposed to a petrol. Have owned it for almost 6 years now.

I'll echo the above. I don't get the "sports car" handling line (especially as mine is a snotty diesel) but it certainly is better than a lot of the rubbish i've had on hire over the years through work. Best thing about it for me is the weight of the steering and pedals, it just feels 'right'.

I will say though - its hilariously reliable. currently sitting on 95k-ish miles and the only thing it's needed in my ownership (so the last 50k miles or so) bar servicing and tyres is a starter-motor, which is par for the course with these earlier start-stop engines I believe, and i've since turned it off completely!

[Squibble]

I drove a 1.6 TDCi Titanium x for a couple of years. I bought it with 48k on the clock and moved it on at 99,500. It wasn't a sports car. What it was however was a very reliable mile muncher, which could handle some spirited cornering if I was in a rush. Nothing broke, I just serviced it and put new Avon ZV7 tyres on it. If you want something sporty, go for an ST or do what I did. I part exchanged it for a Civic FN2 Type R.

Edited by Squibble on Tuesday 1st November 09:49

[Acuity30]

Panda nero said:

That's rubbish ,ad says it has 98BHP , not fast but not "dangerous underpowered"

Contradicted yourself in one sentence lol