Focus 1.4 - How Are They To Live With?

[stuarthouston]

Hello all,

New member here, first post!

I currently drive a 1998 Fiesta 1.25 LX, but a mate is soon to be getting rid of his 1999 Focus, and I've got first dibs when he does...

...if I want it that is.

Ostensibly, it seems pretty tidy. No rust (unlike my poor Fiesta!), 40-odd thousand miles, decent service history etc. Same tax and lower insurance than my Fiesta appeals to me, but I've heard the 1.4 engine isn't great.

Before I bother him for a test drive (he's based a couple of hours from me) can anyone with experience of this engine give me an honest opinion of how it is to live with? I'm not a speed demon by any stretch, but don't want something that'll be dangerously slow trying to get past lorries, or struggle too much with a couple of extra bodies on board.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

All the best,
Stuart

[mjsilverstone]

Hi Stuart,

I currently drive a 2004 1.4 Focus with just over 100,000 miles on the clock. I must say, it is a nice car to drive, it's sooth and comfy, but it is underpowered and you certainly notice it going up hills. Having said that It's a good car as a run around but hard work and frustrating on long journeys and even more so with extra bodies on board.

It wouldn't be my car of choice, I only brought it because my 1999 Mondeo gave up the ghost and it was cheap and I'm now waiting for my new Mondeo to arrive..

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

Mark.

[stuarthouston]

Thanks for the input, Mark!

That's basically my reason for purchase too. The little Fiesta, for all it's done me proud, is getting pretty scruffy, and has nearly 120,000 miles on it. The Focus seems like it has a few more years left in it, and I'm about to sign up for another two years of postgrad study, so will be skint for a couple of years yet! Just slightly worried I'll miss the relative zip of the 1.25 Fiesta, although I guess beggars can't be choosers, and I did drive an 8v Fiesta for 4 years, and there's no way it can be as asthmatic than that!

Best,

S