Currently looking at buying a Ford Focus, Manual, Petrol my budget is around 8.5K.

Which years has Ford updated the EcoBoost engine with a chain, and fixed all other issues, would 2017-2018 be reliable? Or even the MK5 Focus's if I see one within budget. Thanks

None of them are 100% reliable.

All Mk4 Focus (2018 onwards) have the chain engine.  But they all still have a wetbelt for the oil pump.

Mk5 Focus hasn't been released yet.

44 minutes ago, geekofbroadband said:

Or even the MK5 Focus's

It's fair to say "if" and when a Mk5 Focus is made it will be a little more than your budget of £8,.5K

You could possibly get an early Mk8 Fiesta or at least a Mk7.5 for your budget.

Oh sorry I meant to say MK3 and MK4 Focus, not 5 😁

 

Quote

You could possibly get an early Mk8 Fiesta or at least a Mk7.5 for your budget.

So the Fiesta's Mk7.5 and over are "safe" chain?

None of the Mk3 Focus' have the chain engine.

None of the Mk7 Fiestas have the chain engine.

Even early Mk8 Fiestas have the wetbelt engine.  

If you want a Fiesta with a definite chain then all of the MHEVs were chain.

Ah ok so really I can't avoid it, just pray and look after the car well 😉

59 minutes ago, geekofbroadband said:

Ah ok so really I can't avoid it,

You can, by not buying a Ford (or other car with wet belt such as a Peugeot "puretech")😀. FWIW I had a 2018 wet belt Fiesta for 5 years and it was faultless, but that was bought new and serviced annually.

Plenty of non-Ford options around, as discussed on this other current thread:

 

2 hours ago, geekofbroadband said:

Currently looking at buying a Ford Focus, Manual, Petrol my budget is around 8.5K.

Which years has Ford updated the EcoBoost engine with a chain, and fixed all other issues, would 2017-2018 be reliable? Or even the MK5 Focus's if I see one within budget. Thanks

If you intend to be this model then 2016-2018 are better.

You have to take care (carefully) that it is well - properly maintained.

Especially the wetbelt. Either it should be changed or you should make sure it will be changed.

The wetbelt is in oil so the engine oil should meet requirements.

Thanks for the replies guys but I think I've deviced on a 10th gen honda civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo SR or 3rd gen mazda 3 2.0 Sport Nav.

Spending 6-8k on a car with a questionable/meh engine doesn't feel right to me when I can get those 2 for not that much more. 😅

10 hours ago, geekofbroadband said:

Thanks for the replies guys but I think I've deviced on a 10th gen honda civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo SR or 3rd gen mazda 3 2.0 Sport Nav.

Spending 6-8k on a car with a questionable/meh engine doesn't feel right to me when I can get those 2 for not that much more. 😅

You know the 1.0 VTEC engine also uses a wetbelt, right?  

25 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

You know the 1.0 VTEC engine also uses a wetbelt

Ah, but it is a Japanese wetbelt. Honda, the power of dreams 🤣

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

You know the 1.0 VTEC engine also uses a wetbelt, right?  

Well mentioned.

1 hour ago, unofix said:

Ah, but it is a Japanese wetbelt. Honda, the power of dreams 🤣

Unfortunately that doesn't seem to make it better when you see threads like this:

https://www.hondacivicforum.co.uk/threads/10th-gen-timing-belt-replacement.86325/#replies

Usually the most durable cars although not absolute are Toyota.

I heard a story recently about a Civic that almost blew because of thermostat out of a sudden.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

You know the 1.0 VTEC engine also uses a wetbelt, right?  

You're right I forgot about that, Ideally I would want a 1.5 VTEC then, which doesn't have a wetbelt, that one actually seems reliable but most of them 10K+, Mazda 3's seem like the best bang for buck, solid 2.0 naturally aspirated engine + no wet belt too. 😁 

I have a 2005 vauxhall astra 1.6 right now, which is apparently the worst car brand you can buy and the type of people who buy them hate themselves 😅😅 (so I've been told)

17 minutes ago, geekofbroadband said:

Mazda 3's seem like the best bang for buck, solid 2.0 naturally aspirated engine + no wet belt too. 😁 

A purely anecdotal comment but a former colleague of mine has been happily driving Mazda 3s (and their predecessors) for over 40 years now and still swears by (as opposed to at) them!

17 minutes ago, geekofbroadband said:

I have a 2005 vauxhall astra 1.6 right now, which is apparently the worst car brand you can buy and the type of people who buy them hate themselves 😅😅 (so I've been told)

Years since I had one now, but I had a string of Vauxhalls in the 80s and 90s and was very pleased with them, doing over 100k in 3 years in one Cavalier. I've never suffered from self-loathing!😀

I've always suffered with self-loathing but only ever bought 2 Vauxhalls.     First one broke driving away from the sellers house and was returned within half an hour.  Next one I had delivered, left on the drive a couple of days, and it broke the moment I pulled off the drive...   Come to think of it, first car I ever experienced a breakdown in was my Dad's Cavalier!

19 hours ago, geekofbroadband said:

Currently looking at buying a Ford Focus, Manual, Petrol my budget is around 8.5K.

Which years has Ford updated the EcoBoost engine with a chain, and fixed all other issues, would 2017-2018 be reliable? Or even the MK5 Focus's if I see one within budget. Thanks

It depends on what you need or desire.

Speed: even a 1.0 chipped can do the work.

Really fast: then 1.5 chipped to 2.0 which again aren't very very fast.

Room - space: focus mk3 is comfortable but mk2 has more space.

Economy - consumption: 1.0 is the most economical, but not very economical as a 1.0 version model. Expenses about maintenance are normal except the wetbelt or some 1.5 issues.

Modifications: all of them can be modified nicely.

Each one of these can be a nice everyday car. If properly maintained then even a 1.0 can be a very nice car generally.

 

 

23 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Mk5 Focus hasn't been released yet.

Didn't think there was ever going to be one, isn't the focus a discontinued line?

27 minutes ago, mburdett555 said:

Didn't think there was ever going to be one, isn't the focus a discontinued line?

Yes, Focus production is ending this year.

Though I wouldn't be surprised if a Focus sized EV with a different name replaes it.