Hi all,

I've had a Ford Focus Ghia Saloon 1.6 petrol 1999 for 15 years now, I think it's finally time to retire it - exhaust is on the way out, there's some fair signs of rust and brakes will need doing in the next few months...

I'm thinking about a 2012 or so used Titanium to replace it (I don't really want to go down in features from the Ghia, and am thinking cruise control and parking sensors would be welcome additions). Auto parking would be nice (is there an easy way to spot if a car has it from the photos?)

I've been looking on parkers and there seem to be a few choices near enough to me in the £8,000 to £10,000 mark, which seems like it's probably an okay price range - this is the search I've been using:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/for-sale/search/used/ford/focus/hatchback-2011/_/postcode/g521ab/distance/60/from/5000/to/10000/keywords/titanium/rpp/100/

I'm tempted to stick with petrol (only do about 5000 miles a year and DPFs sound horrendous) and a manual, although the prices on the powershifts do look interesting (I'm guessing they may be ex-mobility?).

There's a fair range available - not sure if a low mileage 2011 model would be better than a higher mileage 2012. The Ecoboost (and it's low tax) seems like an interesting concept...

If anyone has any advice on things to watch out for / avoid or any general guidance it would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Joseph

color="#0000FF"]Hi welcome :)

I bought my 2012 1.6 ecoboost titanium about a year ago. Noting in particular to watch for apart from clutch problems on ecoboosts. Check they don't judder in 1st when hot or make a whooping noise when you do multiple hill starts in quick succession - mine did this but fortunately the clutch was replaced under warranty. Not many are though.

The 1.6 ecoboost, although more expensive to buy is an absolute peach and pulls very well. I've driven others with the 1.0 ecoboost and whilst it's adequate the 1.6 ecoboost is better IMO. If you get a 1.0 check to see if the cooling hose recall work has been done - some have failed causing a coolant leak and the engine to lunch itself.

You can tell if a car has auto park if it has front sensors as well as rear ones (known as the convenience pack). I've got rear ones only but have never had a need for front ones tbh.

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If you only do low mileage I'd go for the newer higher mileage car, providing it's got a full service history on it of course.

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I would go for the 11 plate lower mileage myself, less general wear. 1.6 ecoboost is a great drivers car, power when you need it, never had any major issues in the three years i had mine, you should get rear parking sensors on a Titanium (i think), front one's can depict Auto parking.

Hi

About this time last year I changed my 2000 reg. 1.8 Focus estate for a 1.6 61 reg. Titanium Focus hatchback. 125 petrol

I made a number of mistakes, I assumed all ford focuses were good as I had very little problems with my old car. I have had loads of problems with other makes of cars in the past. I normally do my own servicing and repairs, so I have a bit idea what to look out for. I normally keep my cars for 10 years so I keep them in good condition. and do not flog them.

I find the new mk3 focus is a lot different to my old car, I found it difficult to get used to at first.

What I would do different

1/ Go for a test drive in a new car, the same spec I would like to buy

2/ Go for test drives in a number of second hand cars with different mileages on

You should then have a bit idea which second hand car is best

Engine power, clutch, gearbox, brakes, steering, general handling, body condition, tyres, interior

I tend to buy a car with 20 to 25 K on the clock about 2 to 3 years old always petrol

Remember the more gadgets the more to go wrong, I fitted a reversing camera to my car which I find handy, some of the later models they may come with the car.

I am happy with the car at the moment just carried my first oil and filter change, booked in for m.o.t. this week.

What still concerns me

1/ Clutch

2/ Gearbox

3/ Relays, battery going flat, but you do not have a choice

The engine I felt was under powered at first but I drive it differently to my old car and it is ok. The brakes are very severe, can easily get into a skid on ice or slippy roads.

The more miles a car has done the possibility it may have been flogged at some time, it is an unknown and can be a gamble.

Good luck,

Barry T

Thanks Barry, Preee andDave for your comments; I'm having another look at things in light of that.

I've also decided to stay away from the powershifts, sounds like they can also be a cause of trouble (which would explain their seemingly cheap pricing I think...!).

The more miles a car has done the possibility it may have been flogged at some time, it is an unknown and can be a gamble.

Good luck,

Barry T

Not always. Cars can be low mileage, but hardly looked after, and used for only very short town journeys requiring lots of cold starts. Lots of strain on the components, including steering, if this is the case. However, a high-mileage car might have only been used for motorway commuting, which is far better in comparison.

Of course mileage does make a difference, but the cars history matters even more - was it used as ex-motability, a taxi, ex-rental car, etc.

Hi Steve

You made some good points, I used to flog my cars on the motorways, when I was younger , late for appointments, car not always serviced on time.

I would always prefer a genuine low mileage car, to a motorway car with 100k on the clock that's why they are a lot cheaper to buy.

If a low mileage 2 or 3 year old car is serviced at regular intervals its stands a good chance of being ok . A high mileage 2 or 3 years old motorway car with 100k on the clock stands a chance of being badly used at some time.

It all depends on the way we drive, that's why you need to compare different cars to judge which is the best, we all know stopping and starting a cold engine is not good for it, but once its warm its ok, that's why they make stop/start cars.

To be honest I hate having to change my cars, its always a gamble buying second hand , I wished I could afford a new car each time even that can be a headache for those that can afford it.

I agree with most of your comments but there are two ways to look at every thing, I am not saying not to buy a high mileage car, I have bought plenty in my time, very cheap and then repaired them my self, they have at times worked out to be cost effective for me.

Barry T

All good points. Also check the gearbox is smooth and selects all the gears easily - I had a problem with mine being stiff into 1st and reverse. A bit better with new clutch but not completely right. The clutch problems on ecoboosts even made the 'Don't get mad get Dom' programme on the BBC!

Standard titaniums don't come with parking sensors though at all. Mine has them, but look to be dealer fitted (as opposed to factory fitted) by the previous owner.

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The 1.6 ecoboost and 2.0 tdci also have the exhaust trim and upgraded brakes (rear discs instead of drums and slightly larger front brakes too)

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