2007 Ford Focus ST3 2.5 turbo petrol

Summary:

OK, but never again

Faults:

Nothing in the time I had it.

General Comments:

I really liked it at first, but I would never buy a front wheel drive car with this kind of power again; it's great in the dry, which is not very often in the UK. If the road was even slightly damp, it would result in the traction control kicking in, or turn that off, and wheel spin in the first 4 gears.

The fuel economy was an eye opener after running diesels for 5 years; quite similar to a V8 Lexus I once had. Only did 16mpg in the winter, though was around 22mpg in warmer weather.

It was really nice to drive in a steady manner, the gearbox was slick and the handling good for a front driver.

The heated leather Recaro's were a nice touch, as was the Sony stereo. I miss the xenon headlamps also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2011

17th Apr 2012, 05:21

Thank you very much, I'm 17 looking to buy my 1st car (doing it early because family has auto I want manual) and am looking at the Focus Zetec, TDCI and Golf and so on. The Focus are the ones I'm looking at closer due to price being around $4000 AUD cheaper.

So good to see someone post about a car they have had for more than a couple of months! Most of what I see here is people who have had the car for less than 6 months, which they really haven't had time to experience any downfalls, so give raving reviews, which can be misleading.

2007 Ford Focus Zetec 1.4

Summary:

Car of the decade for a reason

Faults:

Nothing, I've only replaced tyres.

General Comments:

Staggeringly good car. Supremely reliable, extremely comfortable, fantastic to drive, the grip and handling are amazing.

I traded in my Golf for it last year, and in 15 months I've clocked up nigh on 40,000km (25,000 miles) and it hasn't missed a beat. Not even wear on the interior. I'm not what you call easy on a car either, and the handling characteristics of the Focus make you want to throw it into bends, so it hasn't had an easy 15 months for it.

The way this thing handles is amazing, you'll have to really push it to make it understeer. Even if you do, you've got really controllable lift off oversteer to counteract it. It's a slow car in a straight line, but you'll trouble a lot of much faster cars in the bends. If you want something faster, get a bigger engine.

Space is fantastic, it's a wide car (and feels it in town and when parking mind) so it feels very airy inside. And space is the back is more than ample. I'm 6'2" and in my seating position, there's even room behind me for an adult. The boot is huge too. Never been wanting for space.

If I had any criticism it would be the engine's fuel economy, it's quite thirsty in town. Good on the motorway mind. But it's a small engine in a heavy car, so it's not a big surprise.

If you're in the market for a medium car, get a Focus. I cannot recommend it enough.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th September, 2010

9th Mar 2014, 12:08

Still got the car, and after nearly 5 years and 220,000km (130k miles in old money), I've just replaced the first part, the alternator (a known issue). It being a Focus, plenty of refurbished units are available, so it was sorted cheaply and within an hour. One thing I will say is that the car does go through a lot of bulbs. Not really a big problem.

Still adore the car, and I will keep it until I've run it into the ground.

In reply to 9th Mar 2014, 12:08

10th Mar 2014, 13:23

Wow, are you still on the original clutch?

5th Aug 2016, 21:20

Final report on the Focus. 325,000km and someone ploughed into the back of the car. It is now dead. A few bumps and bruises, but with the speed of the impact (I was stopped and the car hit at about 80kph), the fact that we walked out is testament to how solidly the car was built.

It's been replaced with a 2013 Kia Pro Cee'd.