Ford Focus, why are they so popular?

andygb

We had a Focus about eight years ago, as a hire car when we went to the US, and it was the basic 1.6 manual model. I thought it was really good - steering, light controls, good handling. Then last year, we had a Focus Ghia as a courtesy car (a one year old model) for a couple of weeks, and it was horrible. The suspension was hard, and it got unsettled on any road surface, the gearbox was notchy.
It was a relief to get our old Mondeo back, which is smooth as silk, pulls well in top gear, is quiet and refined. Mind you, a few years ago, we had an Audi A3 Sport courtesy car, and I thought that was rubbish as well!

Barneysmom

Mine has done 113,000 miles and has only every had one repair, a new alternator, in all that time.
All it's had otherwise is new brakes and tyres.
The best car I've ever had, sure it's not the most comfortable, but neither is a Saab.......

flyingscotno1

A couple of years back the Focus was a good car, but now it is too expensive if you buy new IMHO and even nearly new it is expensive to others in the class.

gaz_jones

savemoney wrote: »

My FOCUS 10 YEAR OLD NEARLY 1.6lx (sorry caps on) came with stereo steering controls. I got them disabled as I refuse to pay a lot for a adaptor to get my Sont cd/mp3/usb player to work

I never understand why people don't just go and change the letters from capitals to small letters instead of putting 'sorry my caps was on' or similar. Weird


I had a focus as a courtesy car for a month. It was the 1.9tdci I think. Maybe 1.8tdci. It was pretty nice to be fair. Had sports seats, leather steering wheel, a good On Board Computer, Loads and loads of space for back seat passengers and a nice sized boot. I don't think I'd buy one as it was all a bit to plasticy inside for me, but it was definitely a decent car and I can see why so many people buy them.

chickflick1066

My OH loves his Focus but I wouldn't be able to park it!

chickflick1066

Haha how funny!

MrsE_2

Mark_Hewitt wrote: »

Ford always makes a super cheap version of each of its cars, with rubbish steering wheels, and no fancy bits like radio controls on the steering wheel (I even have that in my fiesta!)

Nobody buys them apart from fleet buyers and to lend out to the likes of you!

Try driving a model further up the range and you may like it better.

Its provided while mine is in the garage, I didn't get a choice.
Well I was in a larger band, but asked to be downgraded in size.

[Deleted User]

I thought they were a favourite with chavs and boy/girl racers? _party_

Homersimpson

I wonder what car the OP drives that they consider so superior to a Focus? If its smaller than a mondeo it must be something similar.

It doesn't matter what you drive, there will always be someone with a "better car" but a lot of it is personal preference. I've only driven one Focus which I borrowed from one of the engineers in my office when my Jaguar S-Type R (sadly now gone :-( ) was in for MOT, appart from the difference in power I didn't really notice a massive difference between the cars, the Focus was a fantastic car and I would consider buying one when i've finished rebuilding my house (currently driving a Daewoo Nubira Estate which was given to me and am abusing it carrying timber, bricks etc.).

The_Pedant

Have had two Zetecs here, over about 7 years. Main plus points for me are great handling (well the Zetecs at least) and reliability (have only ever had 1 mechanical fault in that time that needed taking to a garage to resolve).

I've had a couple of basic trim level Fords as courtesy cars over the years, I was never as happy with those as the cornering wasn't great (kind of important working in Milton Keynes), and the seats in those have been bearable at best.

I'm with the OP on the tiny mirrors on some recent models though.