Ford Focus Automatic

tyrone2014

just wondering if anyone has driven one before and how do they rate them ???

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec

UsernameAlreadyExists

Great cars, lovely to drive, but a little underpowered IMO.

tyrone2014

and what about a ford Mondeo automatic that everyone has been telling me to get do u have any experiences with them and what type of mpg can i expect with this cars

UsernameAlreadyExists

Mondeo's are also good cars (million of Sales reps can't all be wrong). The MPG depends on the engine and how you drive it!

For book figures, go here http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/
Enter ford, select the model, select "facts & figures" and click search. the MPG is under running costs which is the 3rd tab.

spacey2012

One of the true Automatics with a reliable gearbox.
Ford and GM mass produce millions of Auto's for the American market, they have done for 50 years.
Hence they have good gearboxes, unlike European autos and particularly French Auto's who appear to make the gearboxes out of butter.

edwardw

Ive got a mondeo 2.0 auto as a company car.
Its not the most economical car.
But its fun to drive, its quick, it handles like a go cart, and will go round a corner at what ever speed you want.....
The auto box is pretty good to be honest, has normal, sport and manual modes.

Mr_Toad

I always drive Autos and have had several Focus 1.6 Zetecs as hire cars through work.

They are a superb little car with a lovely auto box. They're comfortable on a long run and I found that all the controls were well laid out and easy to use.

Usernamealreadyexists says they are underpowered but compared to what?

My own car is an SLK 32 AMG and yes the Focus isn't as quick but if I had to commute every day, I work from home, and needed something cheaper to run than the Merc the Focus would definitely be at or near the top of my list.

I also like the Mondeo Auto but they're a bigger car.

My last hire care was one of the new small Mercs, can't remember the model but that was Focus sized and was a delight to drive, that too was an Auto but was an oil burner.

I've also had a Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel Auto that was a nice enough car but that was seriously underpowered. Floor the accelerator and the gearbox kicks down but nothing happens. It just goes for a leisurely stroll up the road. I imagine a 2.0L would have made all the difference.

nickcc

Good cars had one for 3 years, reliable and cheap to maintain.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Mr_Toad wrote: »

Usernamealreadyexists says they are underpowered but compared to what?

Compared to "other traffic". My ex used to have a 1.6 Zetec auto years ago, so I've driven it many times. It was fantastic around town and on long m/way stretches but I drove it several times up the A43 ... which is basically a string of roundabouts with small connecting stretches for the first few miles and I found it took a little too long to wind it back up to a nice cruising speed (keeping up with everyone else) and then having to brake again for the next roundabout & repeat. Obviously I could have accelerated harder, but I didn't like to make the poor little thing scream too much.

I think that the 1.6 combined with the auto gearbox has to be pushed quite hard to press along with a mild sense of urgency. I think a 1.8+ is more suited. Just my opinion!

Mr_Toad

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Compared to "other traffic". My ex used to have a 1.6 Zetec auto years ago, so I've driven it many times. It was fantastic around town and on long m/way stretches but I drove it several times up the A43 ... which is basically a string of roundabouts with small connecting stretches for the first few miles and I found it took a little too long to wind it back up to a nice cruising speed (keeping up with everyone else) and then having to brake again for the next roundabout & repeat. Obviously I could have accelerated harder, but I didn't like to make the poor little thing scream too much.

I think that the 1.6 combined with the auto gearbox has to be pushed quite hard to press along with a mild sense of urgency. I think a 1.8+ is more suited. Just my opinion!

Fair comment.

I find most of the cars I drive as hire cars etc. are slower than mine, 5.2 secs to 60, so never do a comparison. They are what they are but I have to say the 1.6 Zetec never struck me as particularly slow.

I tend to sit in them and think "could I live with this if I needed to get something sensible?" and the Focus Zetec was definitely a yes.

I wouldn't have a Pugeot 208/308 but would be hard pressed to tell you why.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Mr_Toad wrote: »

I find most of the cars I drive as hire cars etc. are slower than mine, 5.2 secs to 60, ...

"most"? OK I'll bite ... so what 'was' quicker then? I can't think of much bar modded jap crap or some seriously expensive exotica to get sub 5.

and even 5 is sloooow compare to 2 wheels :P