1999 Ford Focus Reviews - Page 6 of 14

Fitting around one of the rear license-plate lights corroded.

One of the ignition coils failed at 52500 miles (only fired on 3 cylinders when this happened).

Leak from power steering pump - pump will have to be replaced as the seal cannot be purchased separately.

Great, zippy performance both in urban areas and on the open road - always first away from traffic lights, overtakes confidently on motorways.

Great stylish, roomy interior - every passenger has commented on this on getting into my car for the first time. I have found interiors of friends' cars (BMW 320i, VW Golf) drab in comparison.

Very responsive handling - driver can really 'feel' the car as steering and gearshift are both very smooth and solid.

Zetec model has several nice aesthetic touches including 'Focus' scuff plates on door sills, silver dash dials, silver handbrake and gear-knob, chrome exhaust trim, sports seats.

As my first car I will always have fond memories of this great motor when the time comes to sell her on :)

Been a very reliable car over the last two years with three small niggles, each fixed by the dealer without charge:

- Knocking noise from air-recirculation motor on ventilation system. - Motor replaced.

- Corrosion in the rear license plate bulb lenses. - Lenses and bulbs replace, and new gaskets.

- Drivers seat material pulled away from the forward release handle (3dr) - Drivers seat cover replaced.

A fantastic drivers car that gets much better the more you push it.

The steering communicates everything to you.

Nice roar from the engine when pushed, and very responsive for overtaking.

The seats on this model (Zetec) are fantastic and really hold you.

The Ford CD player is one of the best sounding systems I've heard in a car from the manufacturer.

Very reasonable costs to service at a dealer.

I've driven a range of good performing cars - VW Golf TDI PD's, Vauxhall Astra SRi's, Peugeot 307's and even BMW 5 series, and every time I want to get back in the Focus!

Inside looks a little shabby now. The previous owner smoked heavily for the first 80,000 miles. Little bits of plastic trim have come away from the interior.

The timing belt change at a main dealer was not completed correctly - several bolts had not been replaced, leaving tensioning pulleys loose. The rubber sheared off the belt, and the job needed doing again.

I'm a bit too tall to drive comfortably for hours at a time. In fact my old Astra was better in that respect.

No intrinsic problems though. Generally reliable.

Good performance for a standard model (i.e. not RS or modified car). Accelerates well up to about 80mph. Ford quote 0-60 in 9.2secs, which I can concur with. Achieved 120mph, but I slowed after that as it was a little scary! Very stable on the road, and traction control provides a little extra safety feature useful if the drivers is too hasty.

Lots of room inside, useful for moving house. Can't split the rear seat pad, only the rear seat backs, so this could be more flexible.

Air-con is effective, and the audio is pleasant to listen to.

Can see why it won so many awards, and has been imitated elsewhere.

Does about 32mpg when driven enthusiastically. Get about 36mpg on the motorway at 85mph.

Many minor interior trim problems Stuff just pops off and won't go back on. This included parts of the headliner and pillar covers.

Trunk wouldn't shut, but they fixed it. Now it won't open cleanly.

4 Recalls.

Remote stopped working.

Dealer recommends new engine after only 27,000 miles (and several months out of warranty)

I have to admit that most of the bugs that we have had with this car are small potatoes, considering it is a low-cost runabout. I half expected problems of this nature and in fact, I'm happy that the problems have been insignificant.

Being a long term Ford owner, son of a Ford owner (Ford Anglia!) You come to know and expect such things. I'm a cheapskate bum and I buy cheapskate bum cars. The fact is, that the Focus is a nice little runabout for the cash. Not as good as my fiesta XR2, but not bad.

I fear this relationship with Ford ends today. The dealer tells us that the tappet-rattle noise that we hear is actually a failing "long block" (all upper engine parts. A mere $2200 covers the cost of this transplant. About a quarter of the value of the car.

I've had the cruddiest of engines (I'm talking Mini 650cc and Deux Chevaux 650cc air-cooled) last for far longer than 27,000 miles. Even with spotty care. maybe I'm old fashioned, but I expect a regularly-serviced engine to last a tad more than 27,000 miles. or am I being unreasonable?

So long Ford. Hyundais are starting to look good.