My Focus Mk3.5 Review

[Martyb1973]

Had my car a few months now so like my previous Astra I though I’d do a review of the good and bad. It’s a 1.0 Turbo Zetec 65reg. 

Pros

Love the front end, looks aggressive. Much better looking than the Astra K I had. Very quiet car to be in at any speeds. Nice adjustments on the seat. Heated front screen is a clever idea. The Sat Nav is so much easier to use than the Astra, well laid out. Handles far better and tides nicer too. 

Cons

Why six speeds, the Astra used 5 spread wider apart and it worked better. Asking me to go to 5th at 32 mph. Trim, hard plastic on the door, some of it is so cheap. Little features I miss like auto door locking or windows opening holding the unlock button on the keythob. 

Overall

The Ford is a surprisingly better car than the Astra which I wasn’t expecting. It’s far more comfortable and nicer to drive. Getting 52mpg helps too. So far so good.....

[Luke4efc]

27 minutes ago, Martyb1973 said:

Little features I miss like auto door locking or windows opening holding the unlock button on the keythob.

The Focus has both of those. Auto door locking needs setting up with Forscan, global window opening just requires a bit of getting used to (or setting up). You should just be able to press unlock (or lock) once then hold it down and they should all open/close.

Many 6 speed gearboxes are like that though, infact my mates Astra VXR is just like that. Not sure why they do it though.

[gillyallan]

Had the 5 speed in my fiesta 100hp and found it hated 5th till about 50mph. Maybe a little earlier.

My focus 125hp having the 6 speed does seem the opposite end and like you say a lot of early on gear changes. Seems to me they needed a compromise of the 2 setups. I think out the two though I now prefer my 6 speed.

 

I think global opening/closing of windows will only be there if you have rear electric windows. I think on 2 window setups it doesn't work?

 

[DJ_Andy_M]

19 hours ago, gillyallan said:

 

I think global opening/closing of windows will only be there if you have rear electric windows. I think on 2 window setups it doesn't work?

 

You would be correct.

[Gitfinger]

I find 2nd is too low a ratio to be able to use to accelerate when rolling at slow speed, without labouring the engine so I end up having to go into 1st when moving, which I don't like doing. My 1.8 Zetec 5 speed could start away in 2nd no bother, however, I do like the 6 speed box though, as it is nice and quiet when cruising down the motorway, it's just a pity 2nd doesn't have a slightly higher ratio. Hope I got my ratios the right way round!