2004 Ford Focus Edge from UK and Ireland - Comments

Stereo did not work from new.

Having been given a budget for a new company car I was not really keen on getting a Focus as there are just so many on the road. However, after taking a look at the Focus Edge (basically a Zetec with 16" Alloys and a few other extras) I was quite impressed with the way it looked. It was also great value for money compared to rivals like the Megane & Mazda 3, as air conditioning and CD player came as standard. Now having owned the car for 7 months I feel I definitely made the right choice.

The thing that really took me by surprise was the handling. To sum it up in one word, incredible. The sports suspension and low profile 205/50 tires make sure that the car stays planted firmly to the road with minimal body roll. This does however have two drawbacks. Firstly the overall ride is not that refined and secondly it makes you drive like a complete hooligan at every opportunity.

I was a little disappointed with the performance of the car when I first had it, but as the engine has loosened up it has become more responsive. It does still lack punch at low revs and needs to be thrashed to get the most from it, this is probably part due to the very long gear ratios which I feel for a 1.6 engine are far too long. If your budget can run to it go for a 2 litre model.

The interior is quite funky and feels very well put together with no rattles so far. The seats are supportive and the driving position in near on perfect.

I can't really comment on dealers as the car still hasn't had it's first service. What I can say though is that they were extremely helpful when I took the car to my local dealer as the CD player didn't work after it was delivered. A mechanic came straight out and fixed it within minutes.

If you're on a budget, love exercising your right foot down country lanes and need the space of a family car, then this is the one for you.

I too own a ford focus edge and I've just had my first service (12500 miles) even though I took it in at 13400! oops! The service was done within two hours and I was happy with what they had done, except not valet it! The thing is I payed £12500 for it and 6 weeks later they dropped the price by 2 grand. I was unhappy to say the least, now a year on you can pick up a 1.8 petrol or a 2.0 diesel for what I payed 13 months ago! so believe me it pays to shop around!

It is annoying they dropped the price, but you can't think about values when buying a new mass-market car.

Focus values drop really quickly in the first couple of years and then level out, so just keep the car for a bit and enjoy it. Even a tatty early car (T plater) with six figure mileage will set you back £3k with decent, lower mileage cars starting at £4k. Daft thing is, they're only worth £4k at 4 years old, but depreciation seems to halt thereafter.

My advice would be to keep it for about 6 years, enjoy it, and stop worrying about what it's worth.

Having just bought a very late Edge TDCi I'll add that I am delighted with it. After years of driving larger Company-owned fleet cars for business, the "small car" for my retirement feels and drives like a much larger model. A "small-car with the big-car feel" if you like! It is much better built than any previous Ford I've driven, with all the panels fitting tightly and an excellent paint job. Well-done Ford.

I to have an Edge and its probably one of the best cars I have had overall, the quality is excellent. I paid £8,600 new for it in March 2005 and for the money its some hell of a car. The 1.8TDCi Diesel engine goes like stink when you want it to, and its so quite, you would never know it's a diesel when motoring.

I think the ford focus edge is a great car and is a great car to have. Not sure about the dealer, as they do not want to no when I have a problem.

I also have the focus edge mine is the 1.8 petrol and it goes like stink, mine is the three door and looks good. I picked mine up for £4500 with 30 000 miles on the clock, seemed like a good deal. overall good car by any standard I'd say.