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Original poster

Ford Focus Diesel 5 door hatchback

27 replies

NomDePlume · 14/07/2004 17:06

Hello all

You may have seen that I passed my test today and so my thoughts have turned to car buying. We already have a Merc estate, which is DH's car, so mine will be our 2nd car, IYSWIM.

We're thinking of getting a Focus diesel, as not only are they cheap enough to run and easy to drive, but they're also big enough to accom our 3 kids without being bus-like. We'll have to get a used one (about £5k to spend) with all the toys (air con, PAS, ABS etc). I was just wondering if anyone has one and do they rate them ? They seem to be the pick of the bunch for most of the motoring programmes, it would seem that they knock their same-class opponents into a cocked hat, do you agree ?

TIA

OP posts:
popsycal · 14/07/2004 17:08

we haev a focus - not diesel though - and it is great

Original poster
NomDePlume · 14/07/2004 17:10

What do you think of the trim quality etc ? I think they are laid out nicely inside but what is the quality of the plastics etc like ?

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Original poster
NomDePlume · 14/07/2004 17:11

P.S. Congrats on your news Popsy

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popsycal · 14/07/2004 17:15

i have no idea!!!!
i just drive it - nothing plush to compare it to!!
it does for me!
and thanks for the congrats

poppyseed · 14/07/2004 17:17

As you are used to something big, refined and German as your main car, think hard before you buy!! Wouldn't you be better thinking about something with a similar build quality but with a good rep with diesel engines? VW have the same spec as Audi, and the excellent Mark 4 Golfs (not the brand new shape) may be in your price range? We don't actually own a Golf but have an Audi A4 as our main and DH has just bought an older A3 as his work car, as he couldn't stand the built quality on his old car (306).
Congrats on passing your test!! Happy shopping!![smile}

Janh · 14/07/2004 18:00

I think this is a Fiesta size rather than Focus but have a look at the Honda Jazz . My neighbour is getting one and suddenly I see them everywhere (and there is a lovely pink one, your DD would love it!)

I think the next size up is the Civic, not sure if that's as good.

Janh · 14/07/2004 18:03

OK, it is the Civic, Honest John's verdict here . (I like Honest John!) Hondas are sturdier than Fords I think.

Congrats on passing btw!

what2do · 14/07/2004 19:19

I love my focus (not diesel), and think internally it looks quite good. I rejected a fiesta cos it looked tinny inside, so can't be too basic (though after a merc..?!) Mine has air con, lecy windows etc as standard but no CD player. We bought it 2nd hand from a dealer - paid about 7000 for it at just 3 years old.

Original poster
NomDePlume · 15/07/2004 00:48

Poppyseed, we've had VW's before (we had the V6 4motion Golf before we got the Merc) and though the car was great in itself, the customer service from VW was shocking. I absolutely wouldn't own another one if you paid me ! Plus the fact that it was tiny in the back for the 3 kids and the boot was miniscule. The insurance and service costs are high.... I could go on and on !

I will have a test drive of other things in the same class - 306, Civic, Punto, A class etc etc, but I do think we'll end up with a diesel Focus.

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Babyannabel · 15/07/2004 00:53

Just to throw a spanner in the works - we had an A class for a while and firstly don't think 3 kids would fit in the back and secondly I found that I got really queasy as a passenger. The suspension throws you from side to side and eeuugghh it makes me nauseaus to even think about it - BEWARE!

Original poster
NomDePlume · 15/07/2004 00:59

My lovely next door neighbour has one and I have to admit that they look tighter in the back than the Golf did, come to think of it the boot is pretty dinky too.

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Ailsa · 15/07/2004 02:31

look here this is where we got our car from (and I still love it - dh keeps moaning that he never gets to drive it, shame ).

eyelash · 15/07/2004 08:29

NomDePlume

Congrats on pasing your test.

We had a focus for 4 years and really loved it. What age are your children though - I only ask because there was no way we could have gotten 3 carseats in the back, and the airbag on ours couldn't be switched off so putting one in the front isn't an option. Obviously if your children are out of carseats then it isn't an issue.

Caroline5 · 16/07/2004 00:17

We have a Focus Estate, only 4 years old - it was fine until about 6 months ago when the cam belt went and blew up the engine. It had to be rebuilt at a cost of over £1000 - aagh!! Sorry to be boring but - Ford only recommend changing the cam belt at 100,000 miles (unusually high compared to other makes) so if buying 2nd hand, I would definitely check to see whether or not it's been changed yet. If not, I'd get it done!!

poppyseed · 16/07/2004 00:47

NDeP - thank god we didn't get the Golf then.... I must admit I took an instant dislike to the dealership we visited to look at them. A3 being picked up on Monday and DH is like a little boy....(Can only speak very highly of Audi..)
Good luck with your car hunting.

BadHair · 16/07/2004 01:16

We have a petrol focus (not estate) and a mondeo and the build quality of the focus is much better than the mondeo. You would struggle to get 3 car seats in across the back, though.
Focus is lovely to drive. Has hard suspension which takes a bit of getting used to, but drives like a dream. Can't compare it to other cars in the same class, but would happily recommend it.

Original poster
NomDePlume · 16/07/2004 13:35

Thanks for the advice . My 3 kids are 12, 10 and almost 2, so I only have one in a car seat. Luckily my 12 & 10 year olds are skinny ! The car will mostly be carrying 4 people (me & the 3 kids), so one of the boys can ride shotgun (oh how I look forward to those arguements !).

I drove DH's Merc yesterday and it is fab ! It's an auto so it really does feel like I'm cheating, almost like I've lost the use of my left hand side with not having to fiddle with gears or a clutch !!

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Original poster
NomDePlume · 16/07/2004 13:37

Ailsa - Tell him that you're the one who does all the ferrying around kids-wise ! Have you still got the escort, too ?

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Ailsa · 16/07/2004 17:26

Yes, we've still got the escort, but I've refused point blank to drive it. It's abso-bloody-lutley awful to drive compared to the avensis.

dd1 is reading this as I'm typing, she's just said that I'm trying to be cool but I'm just making myself sound worse re:abso-bloody-lutley.

MiriamR · 16/07/2004 17:52

Have had a focus (petrol) for a few years - fantastic to drive and always feels incredibly stable and sturdy. Also has added benefits of heated front windscreen, which works as a dream on icy mornings or with heavy rain. Congrats on passing your test

Original poster
NomDePlume · 16/07/2004 22:02

ROFL Ailsa . You can always rely on a 9 year old to bring you down a peg or two !!!

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Original poster
NomDePlume · 16/07/2004 22:07

... and thank you MiriamR

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Ailsa · 17/07/2004 02:56

10 year old now!!

polly28 · 17/07/2004 03:08

I have a focus estate diesel and it's great.We have had it 3or 4 yrs and so far we're really pleased with it,just wish I had a cd player.
I couldnt say whether the interior is fantastic or not but it's just the standard ford layout which I was used to.
I would get another one when mine wears out,hopefully in many years yet!! ....mind you I do really want a mini but dog and pushchair would have to go.

Original poster
NomDePlume · 17/07/2004 13:46

Oh God, Ailsa, hormones here we come !!! Happy birthday to DD1 , sorry I missed it

Thanks to all of you for your advice re the Focus, we're also looking at the 306. It seems like we'll get more car for our money. My Mum has one and she rates it, although she does say that the trim quality isn't great, but to be fair my step-dad does abuse it far more than my 3 kids family would ! I think it is a bit smaller than the Focus, but we're off to look at one tonight so whether it'll accomodate us remains to be seen.

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