Ford Focus 1.4 CL (2003)

Britain’s biggest selling new car, the Ford Focus will be 5 years old in October this year. So next year the Focus is due to be replaced. But that’s next year, at the moment Ford are struggling to sell new cars and as a consequence second hand values are starting to tumble. Bargains are starting to appear. You can pick up a very tidy second hand Ford Focus 1.4CL with 50,000miles on the clock for just £4,000 off a private seller.

So if you were thinking about spending £10,000 on a new Ford Fiesta save yourself £3,000 and get yourself a 2 year old Focus. It still looks newer than it’s more recently launched little brother and in almost every respect is a better car. You also have a terrific range of engines, body styles and trims. Finding a car to suit your needs should be relatively easy.

The most popular is the hatch back, much prettier than the saloon and almost as practical as the estate you can choose a 3 or 5 door, all with a useful split folding rear seat.

The list of standard equipment includes central locking, engine immobilizer, power steering and electric front windows but ABS and air conditioning are options on most models. Most drivers will appreciate the adjustable steering column and driver seat, regardless of how you’re built you will get comfortable driving a Ford Focus.

And the Ford Focus has bags of driver appeal. On the move the steering is precise and well weighted and the ride and handling is excellent putting the car in a different class to most other cars of a similar price.

The interior fit and finish of trim and panels is good making the car feel solid. All cars also have twin front air bags and offer high levels of secondary safety.

Power comes from a broad range of petrol engines from 1.4 to 2 litre and a 1.8 litre Turbo diesel. Best bet for all round performance is the 1.8 petrol; you’ll get close to 40mpg and with 115bhp takes you from 0-60 in just over 10 seconds. Which ever engine you go for you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the low insurance groups, even the 2.0 litre petrol is only group 8.

If you fancy something quick then Ford recently introduced the ST170 and RS Focus. Both cars have a hard ride and worse fuel economy and with only a few cars around second hand the prices still remain pretty high. If you fancy one wait another 6 months and you’ll save your self some dough.

In 2001 Ford face lifted the Focus range with new headlights, bumpers and front mesh grill. A few models gained more equipment but most significant was to the 1.8 diesel, the introduction of Direct Injection boosted power from 89bhp to 113bhp and the car was transformed.

Servicing is every 12,500 miles or 12 months on petrol engines and 12 months or 10,000 miles for diesels. All cars registered after November 2000 also benefit from a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty. To look at the National stock of used Ford Focus cars visit www.Ford.co.uk

Values    Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia 5 door

2.0 litre Ghia worth about £200 more

Check the following

Spare wheel – space saver spare on later face lift models after October 2001

Steering column – adjustable for height and reach on all models

Sunroof – factory sunroof or air conditioning optional on many models

Galvanized body comes with a 12 year anti perforation warranty

Check rear exhaust – prone to rust on low mileage cars

Cheap insurance – group 4 for the 1.4 engine and 5 for the 1.6

ABS – option on all models, check in the engine bay to see if the cars got it

Power Steering standard on all cars

Locking bonnet – open using a key in the grille badge

Hatch back – looks good in 3 doors and 5 doors but the 4 door saloon is a real ugly duckling

Colours – avoid non metallic finish on all but base models

Check heated screen works on Ghia models

The one to buy 

Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia

5 door manual

2000 ‘W’ plate with 40K miles

Pay £7,000 at a Ford main dealer or £6,250 privately

© Jason Dawe Productions Limited April 2003