Looking at getting a 2002/3 focus zetec 2.0 within the next few weeks, something under 60,000 miles, was wondering what peoples general opinions on them are?
And how they compare performance wise to other "mild" hot hatches i.e saxo vtr

Cheers, Jonny

 

2.0 is a good base to start on mate. They do respond nicely to tuning. Once you get a 4-2-1 manifold or similar, cat-back, preferably an enclosed induction kit or ST setup, and some mapping on it, they really can hold their own and can upset most of the smaller engined BMWs/Audis/Mercs. Put it this was I have a 1.8 RR'd at 145bhp, 127ft.lbs. Sat bumper to bumper off an Audi A3 1.8T up to 95mph (airport runway) beaten E46 320i's before, mullered just about every single C class coupe sport as they weigh about 9 tonnes and have fuck all power even the most powerful models. Had a go against a modded VTS and I couldn't pull away from it. They are nippy. But the focus has got torque due to being a 2.0, really enjoy my mid range punch. You won't be disappointed imo. What else are you looking at anyway?

 

Good cars imo i have an mk1 estate version for my family wagon and even that goes fairly well- nothing special but with a few relatively cheaply breathing mods as pani-k has listed they go very nicely and the 2litre altough not being hugely more powerful than the 1800 in terms of peak bhp it has much better low to mid range torque.
mine just a ST170 box and feed with a bluefin to perk it up a bit and has 150ft lbs of torque.

 

Cheers for the replies
Erm not too sure really, one of the reasons i want the focus 2.0 zetec is the insurance is cheap - Ł1100 fully comp a year with 1 years NCD! Where as something like a VTR is Ł1700 ish, and i think the focus's just look the part aswell especially with some subtle mods

 

Go for the focus imo, 2.0 is the one to have. Some pics to help give you a hand: