I am currently learning to drive and have been looking around at first cars. I would really like a Mk1 Focus, I'm currently learning in a Mk2 1.8 TDCI which Is nice but a little unrealistic as a first motor. I have heard that I should steer clear of any Focus without the Zetec engines? Like anyone at 17 I am going to get shafted for insurance, any ideas on whats best to go for?

Cheers,

Raz

 

2litre Zetec is the way to go, bro

 

Not at the grand old age of 17 it won't be as he's quite rightly pointed out he will get shafted for insurance!

It's all going to come down to what you can afford for insurance, luckily the base spec models are quite insurance friendly! You're going to be stuck in a Mk1 (old shape) and my personal recommendation would be anything with the 1.6 engine. It'll be quick enough around town and capable on the motorway but is still pretty cheap to insure, easy to service/maintain and can be quite good on fuel when you need it to be, just don't bother trying to get mahoosive power out of it. I wouldn't bother with the 1.4 as it's extemely weedy and underpowered for what is quite a heavy car (costs more in fuel!) and the spec on the 1.4's is dire! It goes without saying you're not gonna want to mod it as your insurance will be bad enough to begin with, you don't want your insurance tarring you with the 'boy racer' brush as well and hiking up your premiums!

Once you've got a couple of years no claims under your belt you can move up to something like a 2.0 litre and start having a tinker

PS. Every Focus is fitted with a Zetec engine but there are 2 different types..........the larger Zetec-E unit which is shared with the Mondeo and the smaller 1.4/1.6 Zetec-S/SE which is shared with the Fiesta and Puma.

 

Oh. Yeah, you're right. My mistake.

 

good advice above and the 1600 is still a nippy little motor, also availabl in ghis spec so you can have the toys if you want aswell

 

1.6 foci mate

 

i got a 1.6 focus ebony 4 my first car at 20. my insurance was £1700 after searching for ages. (checked insurance after i bought the car In the second year its dropped to £550 with 18" alloys declaired which is pretty good i guess. dont go for the 1.4 as i drove my dads for a few months when i first passed and it dont move and is not very good with pettie. the 1.6 personally i think is better. just get a few quotes before you buy 1 otherwise u might have to pay a silly prices like me