Ford Focus Hatchback 1998

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  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Lots of kit for your money (a/c, 6cd, leather etc.) and residuals look good.

    Costs

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Insurance high and fuel consumption poor.

  • On the road

    Driving

    5 out of 5 5.0

    No body roll and no understeer. Huge reserves of grip and a sensational chassis.

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Gets beaten by similarly priced Civic Type-R, Astra GSi etc. on the straights, but holds its own around the bends.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Won the TUV award.

    Image

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Understated. Looks not hugely different from the standard Focus.

    Comfort

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Better than the fidgety Civic Type-R, but the stiffer suspension, 17" wheels and low profile tyres mean poorly finished roads are a chore.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Thatcham Cat 1 alarm. Plus it doesn't have the "nick me" tag like Civic Type-R etc.

    Service

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Problems with the ECU mapping.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Poor mpg and surging revs. Now sorted with new software.

    Other

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes