Ford Focus Hatchback (1998 - 2004) 1.6 Zetec 3d (01) (2002/02) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

NOT MUCH I GUESS...IT WAS THE NO.1 SELLER FOR YEARS SO THERE'S PLENTY ABOUT, BEING DRIVEN BY ALL WALKS OF LIFE. I HOPE IT SAYS I'M NOT TOO BRASH BUT I ENJOY A CAR THAT HANDLES WELL AND IS PRACTICAL

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

IT WON'T SPARK ENVY IN ANYBODY UNTIL YOU TAKE TO THE COUNTRY ROADS WHERE THE HANDLING IS CLASS LEADING. MY FAMILY ALL SEE IT FOR WHAT IT IS... SAFE, MILDLY SPORTY, RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL TRANSPORT.

Would you buy this car again and why?

YES. THIS IS MY SECOND ONE. I SOLD THE FIRST ONLY BECAUSE I NEEDED A SMALLER ENGINE (THE OLD ONE WAS 1.8) AND WANTED THE NEWER SHAPE (2001-2005). IT HAS BEEN FANTASTIC. NEVER LET ME DOWN AND SOOOO EASY TO LIVE WITH. IT'S WELL BUILT AND FUN WHEN YOU WANT IT TO BE. IT'S ECONOMICAL TOO...ON ONE RUN WHEN I WAS REALLY TRYING I GOT 540 MILES FROM A TANK. IN DAY TO DAY DRIVING I GET AROUND 450.

What are you likely to buy next?

I MAY BUY ONE OF THE LAST OF THIS SHAPE FOCUS BUT I'D GET THE 1.8TDCI BECAUSE I COVER HIGH MILES, AROUND 20K A YEAR. I HAVE CONSIDERED THE NEW FOCUS (2005 ONWARDS) BUT I'M NOT SO KEEN ON THE STYLING OR INTERIOR QUALITY.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£4,300

When did you buy the car?

August 2005

Did you get a good deal and why?

THE CAR HAD ABOVE AVERAGE MILEAGE(85K MILES AT 3 YEARS OLD). IT WAS ON AN EBAY AUCTION. MY SUCCESSFUL BID WAS 4300 IN AUGUST 2005.... VERY GOOD DEAL.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1999 1.8 ZETEC FOCUS WHICH I LOVED, BUT WISHED TO UPATE TO A NEWER ONE WITH IMPROVED ECONOMY. THIS ONE HAD HIGH MILEAGE SO I GOT A GREAT DEAL ON IT.

What was the dealer like?

VERY HELPFUL AND PLEASANT. THE CAR WAS WELL DESCRIBED AND I SAW LOTS OF OHOTOS PRIOR TO BIDDING FOR IT. DEALER PICKED ME UP FROM TRAIN STATION(THE CAR WAS 200 MILES FROM MY HOME ADDRESS)

What's it like to drive?

I AM AN ADVANCED DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN VARIOUS CARS INCLUDING HOT HATCHES, PERFORMANCE VEHICLES AND MANY OTHER MAINSTREAM CARS. WITHOUT RESERVATION I CAN SAY THE FOCUS HANDLES THE BEST. FABULOUS!

What's it like to park?

VERY EASY. THE POWER STEERING IS LIGHT ENOUGH AT PARKING SPEEDS, VISIBILTY IS GOOD ALL ROUND AND THE CAR IS VERY AGILE. IT HAS A GOOD TURNING CIRCLE. IT REALLY IS A "FRIENDLY" CAR TO OWN. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Have you had any problems with the car?

THE SPPEDO OCCASSIONALLY FAILS MEANING THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHAT THE SPEED IS... IT USUALLY WORKS AGAIN A FEW SECONDS LATER THEN WILL BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FOCUS I AM TOLD.

What's most practical about your car?

IT IS SPACIOUS INSIDE (I'M 6FT 5), LARGE ENOUGH BOOT WITH LOW SILL. IT'S VERY NIPPY AROUND TOWN AND VERY SOLID ON THE MOTORWAY AT ALL SPEEDS...VERY CONFIDENCE INSPIRING. ALL CONTROLS FALL EASILY TO HAND.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

THE QUICKCLEAR HEATED WINDSCREEN IS FANTASTIC. IT CLEARS A VERY ICY OR SNOWY WINDSCREEN IN 2-3 MINUTES... MUCH BETTER THAN SCRAPING OR USING DE-ICER. THE AIR-CON IS GOOD TOO.