I have just come back from a spin in one from the dealers.They did not have the saloon available but an estate version,but thought I'd give it a try anyway
Must say that the power and smoothness from the engine were impressive but I was dissapointed with the ride quality when driving over our crappy roads.Yes,the handling was good,steering direct but why does it have to bang and rattle over bumps ?
This was a zetec version,so the suspension is a little firmer and of course an estate version would I presume be a little noisier.It certainly was not as refined as my old Laguna.
Has anyone got experience of the Focus that backs up this observation or was this a "bad un "
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They're sporty, not soft. But you mentioned a "saloon". Don't do it.
HJ
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Awww, why not, I was aspiring to one of thosse as my next car. :(
Are they actually worse, or is it just the resale? If it's just the re-sale then I don;t mind, 'cos I'll be buyingused next time after someone else takes the depreiation. :) But then I supose they dont look as though they would handle as well as the hatch...
Any advice appreciated HJ!
Blue
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i've heard a lot about rattles of trim inside the cabin on focuses
any experiences of this out there?
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My parents' Focus 1.6 is still very quiet after a massive 800 miles. So is my uncle's TDi after 18k of abuse (it'll probably never see an oil change).
As for the saloon, not worse, but after 3 years they seem to go for £800-£1500 less than the equivalent saloon.
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When I said saloon,of course I meant 5 door hatchback !
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Ah, so you really meant an entirely different model then. :)
Really though, if re-sale is all that's worse, then that wouldn't bother me, as I would be benefiting in the first places 'cos I will probably buy at auction or maybe a 3 year old one from the dealers...
Plus, I personally prefer the shape of the saloon, it's not as common and looks a little bit more special. However, I could be instantly disuaded if someone told me that the saloon doesn't handle as well.
Can you believe that I've never driven in one of Britain's most popular cars!?
Blue
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Do it. I have racked up 18000 in a TDCi Ghia since March. It only does about 46mpg because it gets caned pretty hard. Not a single problem, no rattles - nothing. It's the first diesel that I've driven that needs no apologies whatsoever.
It's a Ford, it does what it says on the tin.
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BUT,does the back end crash and bangover poor roads or was my experience in the estate version not typical?
I really want to like this car because the engine is a peach,the thing corners as if on rails and it would be a shame if all this was spoilt by noisy rear suspension.
I do intend to try one for myself when a demonstrator becomes available.
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IMHO, the Focus is one Fog light and one reversing light short of a car!!
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IMHO, the Focus is one Fog light and one reversing light short of a car!!
As far as my 2 litre Ghia is concerned, I'll forgive it for only having one rear fog light and one reversing light. It's got everything else that I could possibly wish for. And it's quick, comfortable, reliable, economical, and doesn't rattle at all even after 62k miles. Brilliant car. (Sorry I've strayed from the "diesel" aspect.)
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Just been talking to some guys who run police fleets. They're very happy with their Focuses, expecially the new TDCI 115.
HJ
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Ourt local pandas were only recently upgraded to Focuses, they seem to like them, just the 1.4 of course, but they go like stink compared to the Fiestas... Which is testified to by the regular amount of Police Focuses that I see in the Arriva bodyshop, although one was there because the engine caught fire!
About the reversing lights, that's one problem I won't have, the saloon has proper lights. :)
Blue
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'Just been talking to some guys who run police fleets'
Sounds like an interesting conversation HJ - I know it's drifting off topic but did they say what other cars they're happy with and what cars are they're glad to see the back of?
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I know you asked HJ - but I can't resist... ours were delighted to see the back of the Corsa pandas, most awful cars ever apparently, entirely hopeless. :)
They've used Fiestas ever since, and are now also using Focuses... :)
Blue
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