1999 Ford Focus Ghia 2.0

Summary:

Yawn yawn yawn

Faults:

Nothing as of yet.

General Comments:

Not as good as it is made out to be. Uncomfortable, hard seats, you sit too high so you feel like you're in a 4x4, dashboard WAY too big - seems like miles of plastic in front of you, you can't see the end of the bonnet.

Too quiet - so no idea of what's going on under the car, engine dull and lifeless, no character whatsoever.

However, good ride, handling excellent, very brisk well laid out dash apart from the size.

I don't think the styling is that dramatic - it just looks like another modern car - YAWN.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th August, 2000

16th Jan 2002, 10:36

Some people are never satisfied, they probably have not made the car for you yet. Did you not test drive or look at the car before you bought it? Or did you get it in a lucky dip?

3rd Aug 2002, 13:27

I had a Focus when my car was been serviced, and I totally agree!

The dashboard is huge meaning you cannot judge too well where the front end is - and I'm 6'2"!

I much preferred the Golf I was lent last time, and cannot wait until the Mk5 is released in 2003 - PRAISE THE GOLF!!!

1999 Ford Focus LX 1.8 petrol

Summary:

A brilliant car, buy one

Faults:

Only problem was quite major when the driver's door refused to shut. It turned out the car had missed a recall to have new door latches fitted and this was carried out free of charge. Better late than never.

General Comments:

A truly fantastic car, from its futuristic looks to its punchy engine. The best car Ford have ever made and what an improvement on the Escort.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th July, 2000

21st May 2001, 11:49

Update on original entry

Almost a year on the focus is still racking up the miles and has just passed 30k mark. Engine as strong as ever and NO PROBLEMS at all!

Wear and tear beginning to show up (my fault) cracked wheel trim, minor scrape on rear bumper. Flys on the motorway which has been its main habitat lately.

14th Aug 2001, 08:03

My Focus, after 34 thousand miles, can still sit at 120mph (without trying) with 5 people for around 30 minutes. So quiet is the engine that no one even knew that it was traveling so fast. I even accelerated it in first gear up 60mph with 3 guys.

Downers: it has high fuel consumption, hits minor ditches quiet hard, but this car has the best handling.

Very sharp brakes, this car is a joy to ride.

I too have suffered cracked wheel trims, this car is hard to tee-cut (moon dust silver) & can scratch easily, but you have to at least test drive it to know why it's a top seller.

1st Jan 2004, 06:43

The max speed a focus can attain in first is around 32Mph without risking serious engine damage. To get 60MPH out of first gear the engine would have been running at 13000 RPM... that is not quite within the rev range of your average ford.

(Please note, that things like this are governed by gear ratios, and do not matter how highly tuned the block is)

1st Jan 2004, 19:28

It is just about impossible for a stock focus to hit 1300 RPM. genus...

1999 Ford Focus Ghia 2.0

Summary:

The most symbolic hatch since the VW Golf

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Just purchased the car a couple of weeks ago, so a comparison with my previous vehicle is most valid.. GTV Alfa, a super coupe, however the Focus on first impressions is equally, if not more impressive. Handling is simply superb for this design of car, the interior roomy and the dash well designed, the only thing lacking is a bit of character in the engine dept. If only Ford could build engines like the Italians...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th June, 2000

1999 Ford Focus LX 1.8 Zetec

Faults:

Recalled for oil line in February, other than that it has caused no problems.

General Comments:

The Focus is a fantastic surefooted drive and sticks to the road in all conditions (so far!). Performance is not as gutsy as other cars in its class (an equivalent Astra would beat it away from the lights) but on windy roads the handling more than makes up for it. Drive it around on a quiet Sunday morning when you have the road to yourself and you get out with a big grin on your face!

Economy is not bad, proving extremely efficient on long motorway journeys. The only problem I have is the backup service (Ford Direct warranty) and the general lack of information/support avaliable at the moment. Also concerned with residual values!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th June, 2000