Focus engine questions

[daz]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new car to replace my 95 Escort 1.6 and the natural replacement is of course a Focus, however I have some questions following a test drive I had that didn't quite feel right.

The car in question was a 55 reg 1.6 LX (the new shape, with alloys) and alledgedly the 113bhp version. The car didn't start due to the battery not having enough umph, hardly a good impression for the garage.

On the test drive I was impressed by how much quicker the acceleration was from standstill compared to the old girl but once I got out of the town and up to speed I noticed that the engine seemed quite sluggish over 40mph and revving highly, taking 3000rpm in 5th to maintain 60mph on a level road when my escort does the same stretch at 2400rpm.

I know some engines are just high revver's, my parents old Rover 216 used to take ~4000rpm to do 75 on the motorway and the fuel consumption was as expected, but is this usual for a Focus? I know of the few issues they've had one is problems with the engine management computer so to look out for poor starts etc, could this have been something similar and being masked by the battery issue?

Needless to say I didn't buy the car (not least because of the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke when I opened it which was a big negative!) but I'm still looking at Focus' in general.

If it is a case that the 1.6 is under-powered what would anyone recommend? Is the 1.6 in the old shape focus any better given how its 100kilos lighter?

Any advice gratefully received!

Cheers

Daz

[vinnyvangough]

Mate had a MK1 Focus 1.6 as a loan car for a bit, and that was really nippy. I shouldnt imagine it should be sluggish.

[fontaine]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new car to replace my 95 Escort 1.6 and the natural replacement is of course a Focus, however I have some questions following a test drive I had that didn't quite feel right.

The car in question was a 55 reg 1.6 LX (the new shape, with alloys) and alledgedly the 113bhp version. The car didn't start due to the battery not having enough umph, hardly a good impression for the garage.

On the test drive I was impressed by how much quicker the acceleration was from standstill compared to the old girl but once I got out of the town and up to speed I noticed that the engine seemed quite sluggish over 40mph and revving highly, taking 3000rpm in 5th to maintain 60mph on a level road when my escort does the same stretch at 2400rpm.

I know some engines are just high revver's, my parents old Rover 216 used to take ~4000rpm to do 75 on the motorway and the fuel consumption was as expected, but is this usual for a Focus? I know of the few issues they've had one is problems with the engine management computer so to look out for poor starts etc, could this have been something similar and being masked by the battery issue?

Needless to say I didn't buy the car (not least because of the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke when I opened it which was a big negative!) but I'm still looking at Focus' in general.

If it is a case that the 1.6 is under-powered what would anyone recommend? Is the 1.6 in the old shape focus any better given how its 100kilos lighter?

Any advice gratefully received!

Cheers

Daz

hi

i have a 99 mk1 estate and when i first drove it i was impressed with the acceleration

i think the gear ratio nis diffrent to your escort and this accounts for the fast acceleration

i think this would account for thesluggishness you experience although i dont experience on my car

i can only think that on the focus you drove the clutch might have had some slip in it

[FraserLFA]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new car to replace my 95 Escort 1.6 and the natural replacement is of course a Focus, however I have some questions following a test drive I had that didn't quite feel right.

The car in question was a 55 reg 1.6 LX (the new shape, with alloys) and alledgedly the 113bhp version. The car didn't start due to the battery not having enough umph, hardly a good impression for the garage.

On the test drive I was impressed by how much quicker the acceleration was from standstill compared to the old girl but once I got out of the town and up to speed I noticed that the engine seemed quite sluggish over 40mph and revving highly, taking 3000rpm in 5th to maintain 60mph on a level road when my escort does the same stretch at 2400rpm.

I know some engines are just high revver's, my parents old Rover 216 used to take ~4000rpm to do 75 on the motorway and the fuel consumption was as expected, but is this usual for a Focus? I know of the few issues they've had one is problems with the engine management computer so to look out for poor starts etc, could this have been something similar and being masked by the battery issue?

Needless to say I didn't buy the car (not least because of the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke when I opened it which was a big negative!) but I'm still looking at Focus' in general.

If it is a case that the 1.6 is under-powered what would anyone recommend? Is the 1.6 in the old shape focus any better given how its 100kilos lighter?

Any advice gratefully received!

Cheers

Daz

Hey!

I have the exact same car (55 plate 1.6 LX) and I love it. I’ve been really impressed by its handling, speed, power (pretty quick for a 1.6) and fuel economy. The only fault I can find is that the road noise is louder in a focus compared to some other cars, but even then it's not bad at all. The revs aren't overly high, doing about 3500 rpm at 80MPH. My car has always started first time every time.

My parents continuously borrow the car to get shopping in the boot, carry passengers (leg room in the back is great) or to just generally when they don’t want to put much effort in to driving. It’s lovely to drive and as an added bonus, it is really easy!

I learnt to drive in a focus and now I have mine (I actually learnt in 2 different focus') and none of them have ever had problems or been a bother.

I would definitely recommend it to anybody.

Any other questions just ask

Fraser

[fontaine]

Hey!

I have the exact same car (55 plate 1.6 LX) and I love it. I’ve been really impressed by its handling, speed, power (pretty quick for a 1.6) and fuel economy. The only fault I can find is that the road noise is louder in a focus compared to some other cars, but even then it's not bad at all. The revs aren't overly high, doing about 3500 rpm at 80MPH. My car has always started first time every time.

My parents continuously borrow the car to get shopping in the boot, carry passengers (leg room in the back is great) or to just generally when they don’t want to put much effort in to driving. It’s lovely to drive and as an added bonus, it is really easy!

I learnt to drive in a focus and now I have mine (I actually learnt in 2 different focus') and none of them have ever had problems or been a bother.

I would definitely recommend it to anybody.

Any other questions just ask

Fraser

i totally agree with you

the combination of fuel economy , acceleration speeed ,handling and easy to drive makes the focus good value for money

the car is really east to drive and a very instinctive car to drive

very well reccomended

parts are reasonable too

[daz]

Thanks for the advice!

I found a 55 reg 1.6 Sport this w/e just gone so I had a test drive and found it much better behaved over 50mph, it wasn't struggling at all and used slightly lower rev's (but not much, 100 to 150). Anyway I was really impressed this time round and after haggling a bit I've decided to go for it and consider that for the money I've gotten a real bargain!

Picking it up on Sunday and I can't wait!

Cheers

Daz

[drewtiss]

I have the exact same car (55 plate 1.6 LX) and I love it. I’ve been really impressed by its handling, speed, power (pretty quick for a 1.6) and fuel economy. The only fault I can find is that the road noise is louder in a focus

Yup! I would totally agree on this mate! My friend let me try his car & I really notice that I could hear some annoying strange noises which is worse than my Ford Focus.

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