2001 Ford Focus LX Estate 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Good, honest, and reliable, without setting the world on fire

Faults:

Ignition coil went at around 50000 miles. Apparently it is a common fault.

Radio is giving trouble. Not sure if it's the radio unit itself or the antenna.

General Comments:

This 1.4 petrol estate is a very practical and reliable car. Loads of space when the back seats are let down. Reasonably economical and very reliable.

This model a bit bare on the extras however. No air con. and no CD player. Why car makers think people nowadays need a cassette player instead of a CD player is beyond me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2008

2001 Ford Focus Estate 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Generally OK

Faults:

Persistant Knocking Noise from the front when travelling slowly over rough ground. Dealer said they adjusted the anti-roll bar. No use.

Ignition coil went at 58000 miles.

General Comments:

Good all rounder. Estate is very spacious with the seats down. Was able to fit two wheelie bins in the back easily. Performance is average.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st March, 2007

13th May 2007, 05:33

Considering the Ford Focus Estate has been granted "Best Used Car 2007" I found this review disappointing. There must be more "informative" reviews out there? Many Estates that I have seen have covered over 100K and are also in very good condition. Fuel consumption varies a great deal, but I suggest this is down to individual driving methods rather than the actual car.

30th Dec 2008, 17:44

In response to the comment, the review in question related to a 2001 Focus not a 2007 Focus. Ford changed model in 2005.

As stated the car still has a knocking sound from the front, the ignition coil did fail at 58000 and the performance is still average with a mpg of around 40. Can't see what the previous commentator is getting so worked up about.

And my driving is fine by the way!

2001 Ford Focus Ghia estate TDDi

Summary:

Underrated, superb reliable diesel car

Faults:

Waterpump @ 100k.

And that's it. If you're being picky, a sidelight blew at 125k and a numberplate light bulb at 111k.

General Comments:

I really like the Focus TDDi's. Excellent, reliable engines. Tad noisy perhaps, but I have added some sound deadening into the doors and underneath the carpet and quite a few people think it's a petrol now as far as noise is concerned.

The turbo has a very smooth delivery and if you give it the beans and change up around the 3k mark you can make excellent safe progress with it.

I don't think i'd be able to get any lower than 40mpg with mine. On average I get 51mpg and that is with a performance air filter, 205 width tyres and lowered suspension; not to mention the weight of a not-insubstantial driver and stereo install!

I chose it over the TDCi's as they are nowhere near as reliable- they seem to blow injectors very regularly and would cetainly not be as reliable as mine is @ 130k. I would also definitely not recommend an Astra DTI 1.7 as that's what I had before. Huge turbo lag and the fuel pump/ECU are very badly designed.

I do my own servicing on the Focus- the Ford garage is full of monkeys.

The standard velour interior was nice enough- its the Ghia estate, but have replaced this with leather which is more supportive. Stock stereo is rubbish and so are the stock springs- the car rolled a bit too much, especially with the 185/65 tyres.

Plastics inside are durable and cope well with odd scratches and the overall quality is good.

I would recommend a TDDi Focus, not TDCi.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th February, 2007

29th Dec 2010, 04:34

I agree that the Ghia diesel estate is a good robust car, and I too get 50+ mpg. However, in the last 2 weeks it has been using water. Myself and the mechanic can't find any leaks, and the exhaust is perfect! Maybe somebody has had a similar problem.