Have put down a deposit on a 5 month old Zetec 1.6, but am wandering if I should hold out for a 1.8. In your opinion guys, is the 1600 a tad underpowered?

The 1.6 100PS Focus is generally sufficient if, for most of the time, you're driving yourself and one passenger in the front. With 3 passengers in the back and one in front, the engine will have to be pushed hard when you are overtaking on the motorway. My previous car was the 2006 1.6 Zetec TI-VCT 115PS which is now available only on the Zetec S. Though I replaced it with a newer 1.6 100 PS they feel more or less the same when you're cruising.

I drove a hired 1.8 version and it is very sprightly but not very economical. You might like that so it might pay to test drive it or the 1.6 115 Zetec S. You could do a lot worse with the 1.4 80PS.

Hi, my little 1.6 3dr is preaty nippy as it is, may only have 100bhp but its enough for a focus unless your a nutter behind the wheel. It also keeps up with my friend's 1.8 mp3 edtion. its a cloce call but in the real world a 1.6 should cope.

reently had a 1.6 hire car and it felt underpowered definately slower when overtaking i found it necessary to rev harder and use the gears more the 1.8 which i have is pretty nippy and with 70 plus miles from 2.2 gallon of petrol its not that bad on economy.what car recommends the 1.8 saying the 1.6 is underpowered and the slight difference in economy is negligible. road tax on 1.6 is cheaper its 2 seconds slower 0-60 its down on hp and torque top speed 115mph 1.8 124mph fuel economy is 40mpg 1.8 is 36 mpg