Hi ! Soon I will get my driver's license and I intend to buy my first car. I need it to be reliable and cheap to maintain and repair.

Lately, I've focused my attention on the Ford Focus MK1. According to many topics from various forums and the opinions of some auto publications I have read, these cars can be found at prices ranging from 400 to 1500 euro in decent conditions. The engine I chose is 1.6 16v patrol (Zetec). I would like to get some confirmations regarding all of that being true.

Also, I got a few questions :

1.Is the interior really as bad as some owners claim?

2.Being my first car, I don't know what kind of costs should I expect per year. Can someone approximate for me a value?

3.I could get the possibility of raising my budget to 2000-2500 euro for Ford Focus II (the car I also learnt to drive on). Should I go for the Focus II if I could? Are there any differences speaking of maintenance ? Is the 1.6 from Focus II the same from Focus I ?

4.What are some common problems specific for this model?

I mention I got prepared another 300-500 euro for oil, filters, timing belt, interior detailing, maybe new brakes and tires. Will it suffice ? (assuming I won't get scammed with the problems the car I will buy has).

You can get a mk2.5 for that budget and most issues of the 2 series are fixed in that version. I had one on a 2008 plate for a few years and it didn't let me down apart from needing a new battery. The timing belt on the 1.6 is changed every 100, 000 miles or 8 years whatever comes first. The 1.6 is the sigma engine which is a bored out version and is now known as the duratec and is similar to what was in the Ford puma. I managed to get my timing belt done for £80 from a local mechanic due to the other parts running via the auxillery belt so that was all they needed to change. You might be lucky most is done before you get it.

Oil and filter: https://www.opieoils.co.uk/f/2355/976/2008/engine-oil-filter.aspx

Pollen filter: https://www.opieoils.co.uk/f/100263/976/2008/cabin-pollen-filter.aspx

With budget brakes and tyres you should manage it. Maintenance is pretty similar to the mk1. Common problems:

Happy motoring and good luck on passing!