2.0 Focus Zetec ESP?
Discussion
Hello- i'm currently saving up for another car after finishing Uni. I've had a few cars upto now, a few 206's, a 1.4 Clio, 1.2 Corsa, and a v-reg 3 door 1.8 Focus Zetec. The best by far was the Focus, found to be the most solid, most reliable, had just enough grunt and great in the corners, looked great for the age, got about 34mpg out of it on the usual a/b-road blasts to college and so on.
I think I'm looking at getting another Focus, as I know what to expect and need a reliable, fun runabout with enough room for two mountain bikes in the back. I've looked at insurance quotes, and for an extra £50 I can insure a 2.0 ESP over the 1.8, and to buy, the ESP is not much more at all, if anything.
There are some very clean, great looking 3-door ESPs (especially in black... always wanted a black car, just for the satisfaction after a long detailing sesh- now's my chance!) for around £1300, eg. W-reg with 110k on the clock.
The question is- is the ESP worth the pittance extra running/buying costs over a regular 1.8 / 2.0 zetec? Does it come with anything else extra over the regular zetec (heard it has 16" instead of 15" alloys) and of course the electronic stability? What do people think of them in general?
Cheers
I think I'm looking at getting another Focus, as I know what to expect and need a reliable, fun runabout with enough room for two mountain bikes in the back. I've looked at insurance quotes, and for an extra £50 I can insure a 2.0 ESP over the 1.8, and to buy, the ESP is not much more at all, if anything.
There are some very clean, great looking 3-door ESPs (especially in black... always wanted a black car, just for the satisfaction after a long detailing sesh- now's my chance!) for around £1300, eg. W-reg with 110k on the clock.
The question is- is the ESP worth the pittance extra running/buying costs over a regular 1.8 / 2.0 zetec? Does it come with anything else extra over the regular zetec (heard it has 16" instead of 15" alloys) and of course the electronic stability? What do people think of them in general?
Cheers
No idea on the ESP, but I would urge you to not go for a black car.
They are honestly a pain in the backside, you can spend a couple of hours washing it, go for a 5 minute drive and it looks filthy again. Seriously, it is the single most annoying thing about my car at the moment and I would be seriously reluctant to ever get another black car unless it was something special like a Fezza.
They are honestly a pain in the backside, you can spend a couple of hours washing it, go for a 5 minute drive and it looks filthy again. Seriously, it is the single most annoying thing about my car at the moment and I would be seriously reluctant to ever get another black car unless it was something special like a Fezza.
H_Kan said:
No idea on the ESP, but I would urge you to not go for a black car.
They are honestly a pain in the backside, you can spend a couple of hours washing it, go for a 5 minute drive and it looks filthy again. Seriously, it is the single most annoying thing about my car at the moment and I would be seriously reluctant to ever get another black car unless it was something special like a Fezza.
My stepdad said similar when he owned a black car too. But I want to experience owning one myself at one point... but would also consider that nice slate-grey colour they offered too....They are honestly a pain in the backside, you can spend a couple of hours washing it, go for a 5 minute drive and it looks filthy again. Seriously, it is the single most annoying thing about my car at the moment and I would be seriously reluctant to ever get another black car unless it was something special like a Fezza.
I went from a 3 door Panther Black 1.8 Zetec to a 3 door Sea Grey 2.0 Zetec ESP - honestly, there wasn't much in it.
Interior was the same, slightly bigger wheels as you've said and the ESP, which I actually found to be somewhat intrusive.
MPG seemed much better in the 1.8 and the 2.0 didn't feel much faster.
I'd plump for the 1.8 myself...
And although the black was a pain to keep shiny, when it was clean, it looked lovely! If you find washing your car theraputic like me, then go for the black!
Interior was the same, slightly bigger wheels as you've said and the ESP, which I actually found to be somewhat intrusive.
MPG seemed much better in the 1.8 and the 2.0 didn't feel much faster.
I'd plump for the 1.8 myself...
And although the black was a pain to keep shiny, when it was clean, it looked lovely! If you find washing your car theraputic like me, then go for the black!
I think they run the same Zetec lumps as the Mondeos and it's always been said the 2.0 isn't really much better than the 1.8, while also the 1.8 is much more rev happier.
It's a rare instance where there is replacement for displacement. Stick with the 1.8 and save the extra fuel cash for an ST170 in Performance blue. Doesn't show the dirt up as much
It's a rare instance where there is replacement for displacement. Stick with the 1.8 and save the extra fuel cash for an ST170 in Performance blue. Doesn't show the dirt up as much
I'v had my 2.0 ESP for about... 3 year now and put roughly 30,000 miles on it. I can't compare to the 1.8 as have never driven one. The ESP is the first Focus I owned.
All in all an excellent car. Only problem I'v had with it in 3 years was a wheel bearing and an altenator. Nippy enough for normal day to day driving, handles great on twisty bits and if you do end up making a mess on it the ESP is pretty good at sorting issues. The ESP can be alittle keen at times but that's what the button next to the handbrake is for. I get between 33 and 40 mpg. Servicing, as on most Fords, is very reasonable and it has never failed an MOT.
All in all an excellent car. Only problem I'v had with it in 3 years was a wheel bearing and an altenator. Nippy enough for normal day to day driving, handles great on twisty bits and if you do end up making a mess on it the ESP is pretty good at sorting issues. The ESP can be alittle keen at times but that's what the button next to the handbrake is for. I get between 33 and 40 mpg. Servicing, as on most Fords, is very reasonable and it has never failed an MOT.
H_Kan said:
No idea on the ESP, but I would urge you to not go for a black car.
They are honestly a pain in the backside, you can spend a couple of hours washing it, go for a 5 minute drive and it looks filthy again. Seriously, it is the single most annoying thing about my car at the moment and I would be seriously reluctant to ever get another black car unless it was something special like a Fezza.
I had a black car for 3 years, it was cleaned 7 times by me paying a car wash man some pennies. Unless you own a really nice motor life is too short to get fussy about how clean your paint work is. They are honestly a pain in the backside, you can spend a couple of hours washing it, go for a 5 minute drive and it looks filthy again. Seriously, it is the single most annoying thing about my car at the moment and I would be seriously reluctant to ever get another black car unless it was something special like a Fezza.
Don't worry, definately won't be going for the 1.6- my boyfriend has one currently... and considering the 1.8 and the 2.0 have little difference, the 1.6 seems to be dog slow in comparison.
The 1.8 I had was perfectly good for what I needed, just wondered if the ESP is for better or worse, and whether or not the 2.0 is worth the extra £50.
Afraid I can't afford an ST170, they are all still above the 2K mark and my budget is dead on 1500.
Cheers
The 1.8 I had was perfectly good for what I needed, just wondered if the ESP is for better or worse, and whether or not the 2.0 is worth the extra £50.
Afraid I can't afford an ST170, they are all still above the 2K mark and my budget is dead on 1500.
Cheers
The 2.0 gives you 15bhp, 16 inch wheels and guarantees all round discs and traction control, where 1.8s have 15 inch wheels and some come with rear drums. 90% of the time you will not notice the difference between the 2.0 and 1.8 engines power, but the 1.8 will cost a little less to run.
The 1.8s came in a few different special edition forms giving you nicer bits and bobs, such as the MP3, Collection, edge etc. The 2.0 didn't. If you can stretch to one a 1.8tdci (115bhp) would be the best of power, economy and decent spec especially in sport trim which has the ST170 spec interior, nicer wheels and comes in performamce blue.
The 1.8s came in a few different special edition forms giving you nicer bits and bobs, such as the MP3, Collection, edge etc. The 2.0 didn't. If you can stretch to one a 1.8tdci (115bhp) would be the best of power, economy and decent spec especially in sport trim which has the ST170 spec interior, nicer wheels and comes in performamce blue.
I had a 2.0 ESP many years ago. Great car, handled well.
Performance maybe not much better than the 1.8, but it comes with the stronger MTX75 gearbox, ABD, TC and ESP (obviously), discs all round and extra equipment such as aircon, 6CD changed (on later models) and heated windscreen.
Apart from a habit of demolishing wheel bearings, I don't think there's any major problems with these cars.
I sold my 'W' plate black 3 door in 2005 with 80k miles on it. W32 VOJ was the reg, on the off chance it's the one you're looking at!
BTW I also owned an ST170. Not a great deal quicker most of the time, but insurance is much more expensive. If you're tempted by an ST170, check the insurance costs before you commit, as you could be in for a shock.
Performance maybe not much better than the 1.8, but it comes with the stronger MTX75 gearbox, ABD, TC and ESP (obviously), discs all round and extra equipment such as aircon, 6CD changed (on later models) and heated windscreen.
Apart from a habit of demolishing wheel bearings, I don't think there's any major problems with these cars.
I sold my 'W' plate black 3 door in 2005 with 80k miles on it. W32 VOJ was the reg, on the off chance it's the one you're looking at!
BTW I also owned an ST170. Not a great deal quicker most of the time, but insurance is much more expensive. If you're tempted by an ST170, check the insurance costs before you commit, as you could be in for a shock.
I have a panther black Focus ST. It looks good clean but something as simple as using the screenwash jets, on a dry day, results in water marks down the bonnet, which if you don't deal with fairly quickly start to look terrible and can take a while to clean properly.
See if you can drive both cars at your daler and decide which 1 u prefer from that?
See if you can drive both cars at your daler and decide which 1 u prefer from that?
But for some reason Ford chose to add the ESP to the end of the 2.0 Zetecs name to make it sound sexier. Bizarre. I'd favour a Focus HFW if you can get one (heated front windscreen)!
I did test drive a 2004ish Focus 2.0 Ghia a few years ago which was really quite nice, I'd happily have one. I don't remember being aware of if it had ESP or not - ESP is a total non-issue as far as I'm concerned on my Focus ST. It's only rarely kicked in and I've never felt I needed it (not that I'd drive round with it switched off though...
).
I did test drive a 2004ish Focus 2.0 Ghia a few years ago which was really quite nice, I'd happily have one. I don't remember being aware of if it had ESP or not - ESP is a total non-issue as far as I'm concerned on my Focus ST. It's only rarely kicked in and I've never felt I needed it (not that I'd drive round with it switched off though...
).Back in 2000 not many cars (in the Focus class especially) had ESP, so it was a bit of a USP for the Focus (this is getting confusing).
The point about ESP is that you don't notice it until you need it. Those who say they don't need it would quickly change their minds in an emergency situation.
I did find the TC a bit blunt (all or nothing) on the Zetec ESP. The ST170 TC was much smoother.
The point about ESP is that you don't notice it until you need it. Those who say they don't need it would quickly change their minds in an emergency situation.
I did find the TC a bit blunt (all or nothing) on the Zetec ESP. The ST170 TC was much smoother.
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