Why I Don't Like My Focus.

[hubballi]

Since I bought this 1.6 1999 Focus 2 years ago it has cost me the earth to run. It guzzles petrol and oil. I have been told that they need topping up all the time with oil. There are no leaks or anything but my Peugeot 106 never needed a single top up between changes. My Peugeot had a small rust spot that hasn't got any bigger in 10 years (my Mum now has it) . In 2 years my Focus wheel arch has bubbled and rusted looking unsightly. The boot lock no longer works (from the key or the button on the dash). For some reason when I am driving, the petrol gauge display the next time I drive the car is always lower than when I last drove it. The mileometer sometimes re-sets itself back to zero with no warning.

All in all after the 2 years experience I can say it is a nice, comfortable car to drive and reliable to start but it is sooooooo expensive to run and badly made (rust etc) I will never buy another Ford again. I have had an Escort and Fiesta a few years ago and they both rusted badly too.

[btmaldon]

Does sound like you got a bad one. I have owned loads of Fords and never had any oil consumption. I only had rust issues up to the mid 1980's, but nothing since then.

The most unreliable car I ever owned was a VW Golf and the one that drank most oil was an Alpha 156 Sportwagon with only 20k miles on the clock. And the most expensive to maintain was a Rover 800 Vitesse Sport Lux (£1,700 for a main dealer to do the head gasket).

[Nigel S]

That would be an Alfa Romeo 156 would it? Yes they can drink oil, though neither of mine ever did.

VW's can be ferociously unreliable. I don't know they continue to kid the public into thinking otherwise.

A Rover will always be a British Leyland underneath. They suffer from design compromise caused by cost cutting (Mk5 Escort anyone?).

[btmaldon]

That would be an Alfa Romeo 156 would it? Yes they can drink oil, though neither of mine ever did.

VW's can be ferociously unreliable. I don't know they continue to kid the public into thinking otherwise.

A Rover will always be a British Leyland underneath. They suffer from design compromise caused by cost cutting (Mk5 Escort anyone?).

Yes I did mean an Alfa rather than Alpha. Fantastic car to drive though. Mind you the Vitesse Sport was back in the 90's. 200BHP and fully loaded with ivory leather etc it was nice. Just a shame about Rovers build quality.

[catch]

Does sound like you got a bad one. I have owned loads of Fords and never had any oil consumption.

me neither, and I've owned five, a Anglia Van, a Cortina, a Mondeo, and two Focus

I only had rust issues up to the mid 1980's, but nothing since then

Got to disagree regarding in what time frame Fords stopped rusting more than the industry average, the Anglia van was fine, the 1973 Cortina by the time I bought it had had its front wings replaced. The Mondeo [94 on a M] after around eight years of ownership, all four door skins were rusting and parting company from the base of the door frames. The Mk1 Focus [99 on a T] suffered the notorious rear top of the wheel arch rust bubble seven years in. The Mk2 Focus rust problem on early builds, rusting front wheel arches caused by road debris stripping the paint protection off [since rectified in later builds] But right up to the end of the build process the now called Mk2.5 can rust on the internal rear bulkhead due to a rubbing rear washer hose. So the moral of the story is, hold onto a Ford long enough and it will rust.

But that said after a close inspection of the new Mk3 Focus, Ford have made a solid effort to eradicate rust caused by road debris stripping the paint protection off the wings and door sills. By having composite material sills, and front inner wing protectors that sit on and in front of the wing leading edges. You could say Fords stopped rusting big style from the inside a decade or so ago, but continued to rust from the outside because of a failure to apply a little logic around the wheel arch areas.

Mind you worst rusting motor I ever had was an A35 Van 43 years ago. I bought it because it had a collapsible lay flat rear seat conversion [my very own passion wagon] I remember prior to me taking it to the local scrappy, some people walking towards me on the near side pavement, would shy away from the curb edge and press their backs against shop windows, and walls. Though the van actually drove in a straight line, the body was inclined to point about 15 degrees to the nearside. ....happy days

[Nigel S]

Yes I did mean an Alfa rather than Alpha. Fantastic car to drive though. Mind you the Vitesse Sport was back in the 90's. 200BHP and fully loaded with ivory leather etc it was nice. Just a shame about Rovers build quality.

Were you ever a member of Alfa156.net?

[btmaldon]

Were you ever a member of Alfa156.net?

No, I was on alfaowner.com

[btmaldon]

Got to disagree regarding in what time frame Fords stopped rusting more than the industry average, the Anglia van was fine, the 1973 Cortina by the time I bought it had had its front wings replaced. The Mondeo [94 on a M] after around eight years of ownership, all four door skins were rusting and parting company from the base of the door frames. The Mk1 Focus [99 on a T] suffered the notorious rear top of the wheel arch rust bubble seven years in. The Mk2 Focus rust problem on early builds, rusting front wheel arches caused by road debris stripping the paint protection off [since rectified in later builds] But right up to the end of the build process the now called Mk2.5 can rust on the internal rear bulkhead due to a rubbing rear washer hose. So the moral of the story is, hold onto a Ford long enough and it will rust.

I dont disagree with you that Fords still had rust issues after the mid 80's. It was that I did not have any issues. May be I bought carefully or it may have something to do with the wax oil I used to apply generously underneath and inside the arches.

I would say however, having owned over 50 cars in my 32 years of driving, Fords are no worse than any other make, with the possible exception of some German models.

[catch]

I would say however, having owned over 50 cars in my 32 years of driving

That averages out at one circa every 7 months!......you didn't own em long enough to rust on you :D

Fords are no worse than any other make, with the possible exception of some German models.

Being serious for a moment, I have got to agree broadly with that statement. But I will say, I bought a year old Mondeo back in 1996, had it for nine years. Then a Mk1 Focus at six years old, had that nearly three years. Then I bought a five year old Volvo S40. And it was not until I came back to a Mk2 Focus nine months later, that I realised how poorly built they where in comparison. The Volvo was streets ahead in panel thickness, paint finish on the frame and overall build quality, and composite materials used where it mattered.

That said and because I don't buy new, I'm still a Fan of Fords. Why? Plenty to choose from in the second hand market. Meaning when viewing, if a model you like with the spec you want is just not as clean as you would have liked it to be. There is sure to be a reasonably priced alternative not to many miles away. As a rule they are mechanically reliable, with easily sourced reasonably priced parts available if and when needed.

[bottletree]

Blimey we've got some oldies on here by the sounds of Catch and Btmaldon tee hee.

[catch]

you cheeky young whipper snapper :D

[hubballi]

I have been told by a few people in the know (mechanics included) that the Focus does need a constant supply of oil. I suppose it also means you don't need an oil change when serviced. At nearly £7 a go for a small bottle coupled with the high petrol consumption it's very very expensive to run. When it went to the garage about 18 months ago a mechanic said underneath is very rusty and when the cross section that supports the rear wheels rots (I am not sure what it's called but more knowledgeable people here will know) that's the end of the car as it's part of the chases and can't be replaced or fixed.

[btmaldon]

That averages out at one circa every 7 months!......you didn't own em long enough to rust on you :D

Dont tell the missus. No, most of the time ive had two cars. In the early days when cars were cheap (now I am sounding old at a grand age of 49)I changed them every 3 or 4 months. Thinking back I have changed at least 1 of the cars every year for the last 15 years. I changed my 09 Focus Estate for the current one a few weeks ago, and I changed the old Puma we had as a runaround for the SportKA just before Christmas.

Somewhere during that lot I also had 10 Motorbikes.

[btmaldon]

Blimey we've got some oldies on here by the sounds of Catch and Btmaldon tee hee.

Careful now LOL

[btmaldon]

I have been told by a few people in the know (mechanics included) that the Focus does need a constant supply of oil. I suppose it also means you don't need an oil change when serviced. At nearly £7 a go for a small bottle coupled with the high petrol consumption it's very very expensive to run. When it went to the garage about 18 months ago a mechanic said underneath is very rusty and when the cross section that supports the rear wheels rots (I am not sure what it's called but more knowledgeable people here will know) that's the end of the car as it's part of the chases and can't be replaced or fixed.

It does sound like you need to replace it. You should be able to sell it easy enough if you clean up the top half. If you part x it, the traders rarely look underneath.

[hubballi]

can't afford to buy another car and it wouldn't be a Focus if I could. I had already spent a bit having the engine replaced after the cam belt went shortly after we bought it. That old one guzzled oil too.

[catch]

I have been told by a few people in the know (mechanics included) that the Focus does need a constant supply of oil.

"a few people in the know" a non statement if ever I heard one "I suppose it also means you don't need an oil change when serviced"

JEEZ are you for real?

can't afford to buy another car and it wouldn't be a Focus if I could. I had already spent a bit having the engine replaced after the cam belt went shortly after we bought it. That old one guzzled oil too.

Ah it's all becoming clear now, you took one of those people "in the know" to advise you when you bought a complete dog. They looked at the service book of this twelve year old car and made the observation that in the absence of a cam belt change it would still be good for another couple of years....well come on it ain't snapped in twelve years so it must be one of those wonder belts they fitted.

You then buy another worn out engine, history unknown "possibly" from the "mechanic" who "possibly" fit it for you. And who is "possibly" telling you it is normal for it to drink oil, and his work mates said that as well, so it must be true.

Now I'm trying to be kind here, though I doubt you will see it that way....... but here goes.....you obviously know very little about cars, and you are either being advised by people who themselves know very little about cars. Or they are taking you for a mug, whilst at the same time taking your money.

Tip, if your clueless and potless don't buy ten year old cars, it is a false economy, as they are or will become money pits. Besides most people run them into the ground at that age, simply because they know to replace worn out parts and service it correctly is just throwing money at a car that is not worth the cost of the parts and labour to keep it road worthy. Or they suss it's beyond reasonable cost of repair and move it on to a dealer or to a mug in a private sale.

[artscot79]

"a few people in the know" a non statement if ever I heard one "I suppose it also means you don't need an oil change when serviced"

JEEZ are you for real?

Ah it's all becoming clear now, you took one of those people "in the know" to advise you when you bought a complete dog. They looked at the service book of this twelve year old car and made the observation that in the absence of a cam belt change it would still be good for another couple of years....well come on it ain't snapped in twelve years so it must be one of those wonder belts they fitted.

You then buy another worn out engine, history unknown "possibly" from the "mechanic" who "possibly" fit it for you. And who is "possibly" telling you it is normal for it to drink oil, and his work mates said that as well, so it must be true.

Now I'm trying to be kind here, though I doubt you will see it that way....... but here goes.....you obviously know very little about cars, and you are either being advised by people who themselves know very little about cars. Or they are taking you for a mug, whilst at the same time taking your money.

Tip, if your clueless and potless don't buy ten year old cars, it is a false economy, as they are or will become money pits. Besides most people run them into the ground at that age, simply because they know to replace worn out parts and service it correctly is just throwing money at a car that is not worth the cost of the parts and labour to keep it road worthy. Or they suss it's beyond reasonable cost of repair and move it on to a dealer or to a mug in a private sale.

all cars rust personally some prventative treatment is a must that i do on every car thats to remove all the arch liners get the car on a ramp and waxoyl underseal the lot protecting the chassis and underside is a must i put 4 coats on and thats me never had welding needed on any car yet though the focus mk1 has the issue with the rear doors rusting at the bottoms simply bad design water gets chucked up there at sopme force if say youre doing 60 or more mph mudflaps help but dont eradicate it ive got 2 tiny bits on both rear doors no rust underneath arches are solid and its 10 years old soon like all cars its what you do to them and how you look after them that makes the difference. i have to say ive noticed many buying cars they shouldnt ie if theres no belt change i walk simple as that electrics that werent checked etc so thats more to do with the prevoiuos owners my foci has been the most reliable car ive had no starting issue s regular services new leads and plugs the clutch which was worn and new rear bushes for a 10 year old car thats not a lot

[jessy]

nice friend ..your post is very informative.........

[artscot79]

nice friend ..your post is very informative.........

all fords need a good waxoyl and underseal mate especially the rear end brushing it on the rear suspension parts is worthwhile and on the bottom ring of the rear springs as they rust down inside the cup.the arch liners are easy to remove with a torq driver and inside gets a good lagering of the stuff the rear arch liners are material and soak up water so while they are off spray them with the waxoyl underseal especially the edges and insides where they sit on bare metal water just bounces off and doesnt get soaked in rusting the rear arches the door bottoms could do with what vw use its a clear hard plastic strip thats fitted over the paint and stops dirt and grit from chipping the paint demon tweeks used to sell it

[cressws1]

Standard annual oil service here and never even see it dip below the maximum mark. 25,000 miles a year. Castrol Magnatec.

[hubballi]

Sorry for believing a mechanic at an established garage about the oil needing topping up. What was I thinking ? Ok, I may not be very knowledgeable about cars but there is no need to be rude. As there is no way I can afford a new car I will have to make do for now. We bought it for £900 off a good friend's daughter who had no trouble with it (yes, really). The cam belt is now notched up as experience.

[bottletree]

My first 4 cars were very cheap. It's what i could afford at the time, but in the coming months they ALL cost me thousands and thousands. I bought 8 year old cars for around the £500 to £1500 mark. Eventually the costs of constant repairs were so high i could have bought a brand spanking new car and got change. Now i never get less than a 3 year old car and touch wood they have lasted really well with hardly any repairs.

It wont be long mind you when a lot of us wont be able to afford to drive, even if we were given a car for free.

[catch]

Sorry for believing a mechanic at an established garage about the oil needing topping up. What was I thinking ?

You bought a 10 year old car that was drinking oil from a friends daughter....some friends you got. There is no record of the cam belt being changed, you then run it for a further two years until the cam belt snaps. You then buy a second hand, condition unknown engine that also turns out to be worn out.....yes what were you thinking !

But instead of facing up to the reality that you made bad buying decisions one after the other. You come on a Focus Forum not only displaying your complete ignorance of what needs to be done oil service wise, but moaning in so many words that Ford Focuses are crap. When the reality is the Focus has been the best selling car in Britain since it was first manufactured. It would not have attained that top spot if its engines drank oil.

I'm on this forum to offer advice to fellow car owners as my signature testifies. I don't just post when there is something I want to know, then disappear into the blue yonder. Some people in life are givers and some people are just takers. Now sometimes you come across people who are just not prepared to accept the reality, because the reality proves them wrong.

I gave you some constructive criticism, I prefaced it by saying you would no doubt not see it as such, turns out I was right. Anyway that's it from me regards this thread.

[hubballi]

I didn't run it for 2 years without a cam belt. It went about a month after I bought it. I then got an engine swap from an 04 model which had a lot less mileage. 2 engines that drank oil and a rusting body, a boot that no longer opens. It's a wonderful car !