Which car to buy?

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May 24, 2012, 05:37:51 AM

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[Steve P]

I'm after a Focus 2.0 TDCI hatch. 2.5 to 3 years old & preferably under 25K miles & £8.5k.
Other options considered.

They're really aren't that many out there but currently I've three options.

1. Jan 07 ('56 plate) zetec climate, Blue, about 14,500 miles, about £7950, available 22nd Feb.
2. Mar 07 ('07 plate) zetec climate, Blue, about 21,000 miles, about £8,050, available 30th Mar.
3. June 07 ('07 plate) ghia,          Red,   about 27,000 miles, about £8,400 (but will negotiate down I think), available now and local to me from a Ford dealer. This has been a Sales managers car.

1 and 2 are not local to me but both by the same Co. that specialises in ex - Co lease / fleet / motability cars.

Can't decide whether to wait for option 1, on which I have a reserve, transfer the reserve to option 2, or go now with No. 3. This is out of my (arbitrary) boundaries but is on the newer plate with better trim.

Opinions please.

[iain1775]

go for whichever one gets you to Afan on 19th Feb

[nickb]

great to drive fantastic engines,it worth checking under carpet in rear boot as the hatches leak through hinges,this affected loads of hatches but not all.
My 06 plate leaked badly but cos it was 13months old ford would not honour repair under warranty,so £500 fix or sell car i sold car bought japanese.Ford may have sorted leaks on cars built post 2007 but its shocking that leaks are not covered after 12months.
The estates are a nice looking car big boot  
ghia looks the best deal as loads more toys better sound system,the zetec doesnt have things like electric rear windows.I had the Zetec(Climate)Tdci and it was fine but no luxuries.

[tank_rider]

Mileage on a modern diesel really isn't a problem and that engine should be good for 200K if well looked after.  Whichever option you go for make sure it's had the recent recall for the fan done, so that's one thing less to worry about.

Are you going to do above average mileage?  If so then starting mileage makes less of a difference, and more toys would make things a bit nicer for all that time you are in the car.

[iain1775]

maybe make BigTex an offer for his Focus, I hear a rumor he may want rid

[Steve P]

go for whichever one gets you to Afan on 19th Feb

That would be 3 then. I went to see it this afternoon.  Not been fully prepped yet but looks good. 27.8k miles. Price down to £8,250, serviced & MOT'd (I know it doesn't need it yet but they say they'll do it). Anything needed to get it though the MOT free for 2 years. Balance of Manu's warranty to June 30th. Taxed till end of March.

great to drive fantastic engines,it worth checking under carpet in rear boot as the hatches leak through hinges,this affected loads of hatches but not all.

I checked under the carpet & it looked fine but I'll mention it tomorrow.
What is the £500 fix?
Leaks not covered under the 3 yr manufacturers warranty then? That's bad.
The windscreen seal was just being replaced when I was there so that's been done...

Whichever option you go for make sure it's had the recent recall for the fan done, so that's one thing less to worry about.

Which fan?

Are you going to do above average mileage?  If so then starting mileage makes less of a difference, and more toys would make things a bit nicer for all that time you are in the car.

Estimate I'll be doing 12-14k a year.  That's why the 14.5k zetec appealed. It would still be playing catch up on the mileage for years.  But I take the point about the mileage not being an issue.  Others have said the same & pointed me at the ghia. I've left a deposit on it. Test drive tomorrow.  

[grgos]

go for whichever one gets you to Afan on 19th Feb

 

[tank_rider]

Which fan?

I'm not sure exactly, think it must be the radiator fan though as it's affected by corrosion from salted roads, have got a mate with an 06 plate 2.0 TDCI hense me knowing about it.  If you're getting it from a main dealer then just ask and they will tell you/make sure it's been done.

[nickb]

I checked under the carpet & it looked fine but I'll mention it tomorrow.
What is the £500 fix?
Leaks not covered under the 3 yr manufacturers warranty then? That's bad.

to get it fixed it would have cost me £500 as boot hatch would be removed then basically they slap sealant on hinge plates and re attach hatch,i was concerned when Ford told me this fix was not guaranteed to work.
I had a strut mount fail and ford replaced it no questions so warranties are fine but unbelievably water ingress is only covered for 12months.It only affected a tiny percentage but a tiny percentage of Focuses is still a lot of cars.The weather has been awful recently so if its bone dry round spare wheel etc then its fine and will always be fine.
I think the Focus is one of the best hatches out there and always enjoy driving them
 

[iain1775]

there can only be one make of car for the discerning Commencal rider

A Toyota

The bikes may break but the at least brakes won't break

[Steve P]

Yep, just like a Commie, can only go faster, not slower.
Cracking cars.

[Ant]

All that's different with the ghia is the softer suspension, and the softer seats, and also you get cruise control and sometimes 4x electric windows, that's about it. Oh, and a little more colourcoding.

I'd just get the zetec, firmer suspension, less body roll, nicer seats, and a steering wheel that looks like this..



compared to the ghia which is like this..



And if you're after boot space, make sure it's got a spacesaver in the rear, i have a full sized spare in the boot of mine, and i lose about 6-8" of depth to the boot.

[w00dy1980]

I've a 1.6 Tdci zetec climate.  Bought it last summer as I wanted something capable of doing big miles safely and in relative comfort as I was heading down to the Alps.  It's really no hotrod but the fuel economy great with it currently getting around 500 miles to a tank and that quick-clear windscreen's a blessing at the moment.  Looking to sell it around June time and fingers crossed won't have lost all that much in depreciation.  Can't recommend it enough really.

[Steve P]

Hmmm,  Firm suspension of the Zetec versus the softer feel of the Ghia...

[tank_rider]

Cruise control wins hands down for me, that's one of the things I love about the touran, that it is standard fit in all models. I do quite a few long motorway trips and it makes a huge difference to tiredness and fuel economy.  If you do very little motorway or large A road driving then it's not worth it. Some people don't get on with it but I absolutely love it and wouldn't have a family car without it now.