proddy68 Member 29 Member For: 16y 6m 13d Posted 12/06/08 06:14 AM Share Posted 12/06/08 06:14 AM Hi all,I've been toying with the idea of buying a Ford Focus as my everday car. I've driven the auto as a loan car for a day and didn't mind it. That was the LX Model. I would be looking at the manual possibly low kms second hand if I could find one. Does anyone else here have one? How is it holding up and what problems (if any) have you had under your ownership. The loan car had done 40,000kms and was fine apart from some creaks and groans in the rear suspension. Other option is the previous model corolla in a manual. I've seen some good buys there as the market is flooded with them. Thoughts?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna_T Forged Member Lifetime Members 15,818 Member For: 17y 9m 1d Gender: Male Location: SW Sydney Posted 12/06/08 06:24 AM Share Posted 12/06/08 06:24 AM G'Day mate, my GF drives an LX Focus Manual hatch. Shes just clocked up 30,000kms and its going well, only notable issues was the fuse for the power supply popped (not life ending!).Hers creaks on odd angles like steep driveways, but it is also lowered 2 inches and has 18's. Fuel economy is good and she returns about 8.2L/100ks on mostly city driving. The 2L motor is torquey so you don't have to rev the crap out of it like some 1.8 and 1.6L. Try and find one after the middle of 06 as the first ones in 05 and early 06 had some trim fit and finish issues (nothing that can't be fixed, but annoying) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proddy68 Member 29 Member For: 16y 6m 13d Posted 12/06/08 06:32 AM Author Share Posted 12/06/08 06:32 AM Funny about the creaking/groaning. Annoying but I could live with it. Thanks for the tip about the build years. I had heard the interior finish on the early ones wasn't great but didn't know when it had actualy improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna_T Forged Member Lifetime Members 15,818 Member For: 17y 9m 1d Gender: Male Location: SW Sydney Posted 12/06/08 06:38 AM Share Posted 12/06/08 06:38 AM yeah the creaks aren't too common, I think the lowered suspension in ours is the culprit.About the fit and finish, the most common issue was the panel gap where the headlights met the quarter panel, and also the carpet on the passenger side floor coming loose. Ford Australia gave the plant a good bashing around the ears about it and they fixed it up quick enough.Don't worry, all new cars have issues, but compared to the amount sold, the instances are quite low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proddy68 Member 29 Member For: 16y 6m 13d Posted 12/06/08 07:35 AM Author Share Posted 12/06/08 07:35 AM Well it seems encouraging so far. I went to have a look at a few the other day and the salesmanapproached me informing me that the focus was european engineered and built.I responded "South Africa is in europe?" After an awkward silence he responded "no"If anyone else owns one of the new gen focus I'd love to hear how its fairing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna_T Forged Member Lifetime Members 15,818 Member For: 17y 9m 1d Gender: Male Location: SW Sydney Posted 12/06/08 07:39 AM Share Posted 12/06/08 07:39 AM LOL @ stupid salesman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillz Three pedals are better then two.. Donating Members 15,637 Member For: 17y 5m 13d Gender: Male Location: Melbourne Posted 12/06/08 07:50 AM Share Posted 12/06/08 07:50 AM Get a lancer mate they kick arse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypnodoc It's All In Your Mind Gold Donating Members 2,198 Member For: 21y 10d Gender: Male Location: Melbourne Posted 12/06/08 02:42 PM Share Posted 12/06/08 02:42 PM We have 8 focus's on the company fleet that have all been replaced once and my missus is on her 2nd one a Z Tec auto hatch. The company cars get their regular services but not a lot of pride and affection. In 4 years not one of them has ever broken down or needed any warranty work. Great little zoomers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesFlurane Member 351 Member For: 18y 6m 20d Gender: Male Posted 12/06/08 07:42 PM Share Posted 12/06/08 07:42 PM Wish my wifes Focus Ghia did 8 round town, she gets 10.8.That's with some highway too.Spoke to service about it and got the usual, 'they all do that'.We have the factory 18s and it does look sharp in black.2 black Fords side by side in our garage, we even have matching number plates!How sad ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypnodoc It's All In Your Mind Gold Donating Members 2,198 Member For: 21y 10d Gender: Male Location: Melbourne Posted 13/06/08 01:41 AM Share Posted 13/06/08 01:41 AM Mate that's not too good economy DesFlurane, my R Sec is sitting outside with 10.6 average on it from a weeks round town driving. Sometimes disconnecting the battery for 20 resets them and helps a bit. I think my missus averages about 7.8 and she is a leadfoot in an auto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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