Ford Focus Estate 1998

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  • Economy

    Value

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Wasn't cheap to buy at first, even as an ex-demo, and due to supply and demand, the price fell rapidly.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Only a new tyre after I swerved to miss a dog and hit a kerb. Nothing else though.

  • On the road

    Driving

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Sharp, precise, but then, isn't that why it won all them accolades?

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Was nippy and I remember thinking I was lucky to be driving a highly rated car, but it is lacklustre to more modern cars.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Had a couple of niggly problems. Indicator stalk fell foul on me and was changed under warranty. The heated windscreen element went wrong on the drivers side, only clearing the wife's view on a winter morning.

    Image

    3 out of 5 3.0

    The Focus hatchback was something else when it was launched, but the Estate is a little bit more down to earth.

    Comfort

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Had charcoal Leather, was comfortable but got hot while parked in sunshine. Air con made up for that. Driving position alright with easy to reach switchgear.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Alarm works. Had an issue with a key, but it seemed to correct itself.

    Service

    5 out of 5 5.0

    At the time, service was great, things were changed quickly and without gripes. Things change though.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Starts, goes, no other problems.

    Other

    Other than the already mentioned. If you have an Estate with Leather interior, don't tell anyone when your'e selling it, it tends to put buyers off. Had many say they were put off as it would be a workhorse and they were afraid they'd mark the interior.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes