Evening all,

I've joined your forum looking for some guidance on my search for a mk3 Focus.

I'm coming from an '02 e46 BMW 330ci, where I've been an active member on e46zone for a few years. Unfortunately the drive shafts have corroded on my pride and joy so I'm looking for something newer and more reliable.

I've narrowed my search to a Zetec S, as I love the look, I hope you can help with which engine to go for? Basically I want epic mpg and less than £30 tax/year, so that leaves me with the 1.0T (125) ecoboost, or the 1.6tdci, what are people's opinions on these engines. I'm reasonably familiar with the ecoboost and my mrs is on her 2nd mk7.5 Fiesta :)

Look forward to hearing from you all

Mike

Focus is a good choice! I personally would go for petrol as I prefer petrol power and there are many good reports on the 1.0. How many miles do you do a year?

Hi and Welcome

Thanks for your reply Chris. I do around 8000 a year so not too many. I've never owned a diesel so swaying towards the petrol, just the only zetec S in my price range at my local dealer at the moment is the diesel...and I'm very impatient :D

How is the reliability of the 1.0 after a few years, planning to keep the car for a good 4-5 years

With that mileage its best to go for a petrol, it'll probably work out cheaper overall and you won't have to worry about the DPF. Try and hold out a little longer for the Ecoboost. ;) What colour do you fancy?

The Ecoboost has only been out for 3-4 years but reliability seems good so far. :)

Good to know, cheers. I think you're probably right. I quite like them in panther black, not had a black car before, but there seem to be so many nice ford colours. Our fiestas have been midnight sky and now deep impact blue. Just not a fan on silver or race red particularly.

What about candy red? It's more of a cherry red and quite classy IMO. ;)

Looks lovely with the Zetec S body kit.

Hi welcome :)

Welcome to the site Mike! Check out private sale cars too that still have manufacturers warranty remaining. I recently bought a black 2012 Focus Zetec S 1.6 Ecoboost for £9000 which was a good price compared to forecourt prices and it still had warranty remaining for that peace of mind!

Hello & welcome Mike, I'm a diesel man due to the miles I cover (work & family taxi).

I own a Panther black focus titanium Nav & what I can tell you is its a pain in the !Removed! to keep clean (as are all black cars).

Prior to this we had a black pickup (wife's colour choice) & I said never again, however she wears the trousers (& I'm not brave enough to say otherwise) so I'm at the cat wash regularly. 😊

Thanks for the warm welcomes :)

Black does concern me, but i'm a religious at least once a week DIY washer so not 100% put off. Just found one in Micastone Metallic, which looks amazing on the pics, but a tad overbudget.

Chris - is that your candy red in your profile pic? Does look very nice!

Would you consider 30000 miles on a 63 plate fairly hard going on the Ecoboost engine?

Unfortunately not, however I hope to get one just like it next year. :)

30,000 is a little high...depends on your budget really but as long as there is full service history i wouldn't be concerned.

So, just sold my BMW, pending collection, which leaves me free to find my new Focus :D

I have two to hopefully view this weekend, but might only have time to get to one of them with work commitments.

1st car, 62 plate black zetec s with 9000 miles, 17'' wheels and privacy glass as an extra

2nd car 13 plate ink blue zeroes s with 13000 miles, the nice 18'' wheels and rear parking sensors

Where do I go first!!

Tough one....which engines have they both got?

Welcome to the site! I like my Zetec S in black with 18's. I think they look rather boring with 17's to be honest so go for the 13 plate especially if similar money!

Yeah I agree with Wes, would it be possible to post a link to the adverts on here? I assume they're on Autotrader?

I tend to agree about the 17's, the 18's are a lovely looking wheel.

Here's the 13 plate http://m.csmc.co.uk/used-car-ford-focus-hatchback-1180

The black one isn't online yet, the garage have only just had it in.

Thoughts on the price, a tad high?

Looks good! Yeah I'd say a bit high....see if you can get £500 or so off....

A tad? I paid £9000 for my 12 plate 2 months ago but it was private sale. Haggle hard and get up and walk out once they stop negotiating. If they let you drive off then thats the cheapest you could get it, if they shout you back then theres a bit more to come off. I use to be a salesman at Ford and because of that i make a terrible buyer now!:)

I looked at a 13 plate with wheels and tints last November for £13000. They are for sale on ebay from £9500 for 13 plates from dealers.

Just had a look and whilst that combo isn't readily available at the moment, I saw a Deep Impact Blue ZS with those wheels for the a same price....and it was a 14 reg with 11,000 miles!

So I'd say that 13 plate was overpriced.

14 plate with 7000 miles on ebay for £10495!

Got any links guys? All in my area seem to be around this price. Could be curse of the Cotswolds!

Here's one...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506023961647?atmobcid=soc4

Only problem is that it's in Milton Keynes...but gives you an idea.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?isRefine=true&_pgn=1&_nkw=focus+zetec+s+ecoboost&_dcat=9844&loadLocalAspects=true&_sacat=9800&cnm=Cars%2C+Motorcycles+%26+Vehicles++(43)

Hi there i have just joined but see you are pondering over what car to go with next so i will jump in and say a fiesta 1.0 ecoboost red or black edition as i have had one two days and it is unbelievable on fuel and £20 a year tax with 140 bhp.I did have a megane 2.0 diesel gt for 4 years which i thought was good and nippy with 150 bhp on tap but the fiesta is more torquey absolutely fantastic i say,so get one!!!!