I'm thinking of buying the missus a focus as a run around. I'm goin to look
at a 2000 1.4LX, is there anything I should look out for? Any one have any experence of them, I'm just lookin for something reliable for her.
Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

personally i think they are a safe bet of a car to have....i would go for a 1.6 though which is what my wife has,i think the 1.4 would be gutless.

 

Was thinking about the 1.6 but over here it's very hard to find a 1.6 5dr most are the saloon version, which I dont realy like the look of.

1.4 will be good enough for her, she's driving a 1.4 megane at the moment
so I doubt she'll mind.

Any one else know about them?

 

watch for worn rear wheel bearings, front drop links, also check for damp in the passenger front footwell caused by poor fitted pollen filter cover and rust mostly at the base of the rear window and where the wing mirrors meet the window rubbers .

 

 

Going to look at a 2000 1.4lx with 100K on the clock but has full service history from the garage that is selling, its priced very well and looks clean
at first glance, what do you guys reckon? would you buy a car with 100K on it or hold out for something with less milage and a bit more money?

 

100k is perfectly fine. my mum's 1.8lx has got over 102k and runs like new.

the black top zetec engines will run for over 200k if well maintained. its other stff though like worn bushes that you have to look out for...and the dreaded rust. my mum's is also a 2000 (w reg.)

go for it mate. been the most reliable car ever! never broken down...shit, bet it does tomorrow now lol.

engine wise just open the oil filler cap an check for gunk an creamy gunge. should be spotless and see clean metal. cam shouldnt be warn either.

the 1.4 is definately under powered though!!! and may have been owned by the odd boy racer!

 

the 1.4 is definately under powered though!!! and may have been owned by the odd boy racer![/quote]

Cheers Mate,

Car has been a family car since new, Tha garage sold it to the first & Second owner. Not too worried about it being under powered as I wount be driving it much , as long as its safe for the missus and two kids I dont mind.

I'm holding out for a nice ST Mondeo for myself !!! Some chance of getting one over here in Ireland !

 

It would be good if you could find a 1.6 though mate. They are better on fuel than the 1.4 and not as gutless. Other than that they are a fantastic car. I wouldn't swap mine for anything.

As for mileage have a read of this mate as long as it's been well looked after it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Cheers Benni,

I would like the 1.6 but they are vertually impossible to get in the 5 door
version in Ireland, all the 1.6's I've look at are the saloon, and personally I hate the look of them. Plus over here your road tax is based on your engine size, the 1.4 is about €100 a year cheaper to tax.

The ST Mondeo I'm looking for (2.2 Diesel) will be nearly a grand to tax,
thats why there are f all of them around.

 

safety wise the focus is excelent. pretty dam sure its a 4 star car so go for it