I have seen a petrol 1.6 Ford Focus Zetec from 2008 for £1795 for sale - MOT : https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=HG08WJN&checkRecalls=true

Also I have seen a 1.0 Eco Boost Focus from 2014 for £2200 for sale - MOT : https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=WN14WCM&checkRecalls=true

On paper the 2014 looks the better deal for only £400 more, but I am worried about the Eco-Boost, I am 30 stone, so although I never take anyone else in the car it is a bit like carrying 3x 10 stone people around all the time and all on one side. I remember the nightmares of my 1.0 Fiesta from the 90s.

I am guessing the fact eco boost road tax is only £30 I will save the difference in car cost compared to the 2008 within 2 years. 

Is there much difference in road noise between the 2 models ? 

Also is leg room width the same ? The 2008 looks narrower in the middle (better), for some reason the 2014 has an extra plastic holder to the right of the gear stick. The 2014 also has 17" wheels which is a bit annoying as there are so many potholes around where I live. 

Both private sellers, the 2008 is from a friend of a friend and the 2014 seems to be some guy whose facebook is all in Romanian with no visible connection to the area it is meant to be for sale in, or even the UK as a whole, which worries me a little (Facebook marketplace). 

Below are some pics.

2008.......

 

2014......

 

They are two completely different cars, built on different chassis's.  There is literally nothing the same between them.

I moved to a 2012 Mk3 from a 2008 Mk2.5 expecting them to be the same.  I was sorely mistaken!

The Mk2s are louder inside.  Particularly road noise from the rear.

I felt like the Mk2 had a bit less leg room, but I do see what you mean with those pictures making it look like the Mk3 has less.

 

With respect though, neither of those engines will be suitable.  They both only have 100bhp.  The 1.0 has a bit more torque at 170Nm.  While the 1.6 has 150Nm, so only 20Nm difference.

They did also make a 115bhp version of the 1.6.  And a 125bhp version of the 1.0.  Either of those would be slightly more suitable, but realistically I'd avoid both of those engines altogether in this case.

 

(Also the 1.0 has wetbelts, which are overdue & on borrowed time if not already replaced.)

I owned a MK2 1.6 Duratec for almost 7 Years and a MK3 1.0 ECOboost for over 8 Years. Below my conclusions and advice:


* The MK2 has the bulletproof 1.6 Duratec engine. When properly/periodically serviced It is totally reliable. It is however a bit underpowered for a heavy car like the Focus MK2. Ford solved this by using short gear ratio's. This results in relatively high RPM's and a considerable amount of engine noise at motorway speeds. This also affects fuel economy. The (dry) timing belt of this engine needs to be replaced every 8 Years/100.000 Miles (whichever comes first). This means that based on age the timing belt should have been replaced in 2016 and 2024.

* The MK3 has the 1.0 ECOboost engine. When properly/periodically serviced It should also be reliable. Consider higher maintenance costs for preventive replacement of cooling system parts (like the coolant reservoir, reservoir cap, degas hose, etc.). It is worth the consideration to convert the hoses to the much more reliable MK3.5 hose design. The wetbelts of this engine needs to be replaced every 10 Years/150.000 Miles (whichever comes first). This means that based on age the timing belt should have been replaced in 2024. If not these should be replaced as soon as possible! The costs involved are significant. Whatever you do you should never buy a 1.0 ECOboost with an incomplete or questionable service history!

* The MK3 is much quieter than the MK2. The MK3 has much better sound insulation.

* Both the MK2 and MK3 are build on the same platform and roughly have the same dimensions. The MK3 offers less leg space for the driver and front passenger due to the shape of the dashboard and the wider center console at knee height. The MK3 also has less boot space.

* The MK2 has a better build quality. However being developed in the early 2000's it clearly shows its age. The MK3 is a much more modern car and offers nicer materials and more modern features.

* Both cars have the exact same 5-speed IB5 transmission which is reliable but being developed in the early 90's it is also outdated. This transmission has a non synchronized reverse gear which can make selecting the reverse gear a bit difficult. Another point of concern is that the IB5 transmission was never designed to handle the amount of torque of the 1.0 ECOboost. On a 1.0 ECOboost failure of the IB5 transmission is not uncommon. The 125 HP version of the 1.0 ECOboost has the much stronger 6-speed B6 transmission. This makes the 125 HP version a better choice.


Personally I would not buy a MK3 1.0 ECOboost of this age/mileage. Even if the car has a full service history and both wetbelts are replaced (wit proof of it) the risks involved remain substantial. In case of engine failure (which is not unlikely on this type of engine) the costs for a new engine will be higher than the current value of the car.

Buying the MK2 is much less risky. It is however still a 17 Year old car and increasing service costs can be expected due to age (for example suspension parts, clutch, etc.). Another point of concern can be corrosion.

My advice? Don't go near the 1.0 Ecoboost, unless you are prepared for a very large bill when the timing or oil pump belts let go (circa £3,500 for a replacement engine). I would never buy anything with a wet timing belt (just Google wet timing belt problems).

The apparently small price differential to the Mk 3 will soon widen if (as is probably the case) a wet belt replacement is needed (£1000 or so at an independent, double that at a Ford franchise). 

Provenance wise, the Mk 2 seems a more genuine car, the Mk 3 sounds rather dodgy!

I've only owned a Mk 2, a friend had both and his comments on space were in line with Wilcos. 

As for leg room, the Mk2 centre console is tight against the driver's left knee. 

A few other people I know who have Mk2s said this to me.

I had also thought it before they mentioned it. 

Thanks everyone, fantastic help.