Tom_vRS

Well, 1300 miles living with my new Focus, I think its time for the promised review. I will compare it a lot to the Fabia vRS, but its key to remember they are quite different cars.

Looks:

I loved the look of the Fabia vRS, very aggressive and manly looking. However, the Focus really does appeal too, despite its more sombre looks. I have the 17" MP3 alloys which really sharpen up the appearance, but the angular looks still look really fresh, and the body coloured door handles, rubbing strips etc add to the look. I think the only thing that is missing is a rear spoiler to finish it off, otherwise I love the way it looks.

The Ghia shield badges have to come off though - they are hideous and look like a cheapo after thought!

Being a Ghia it also has a few chrome bits such as the strip that hides the number plate lights - adds a classy touch.





Looks are subjective, and I love the Focus.

Interior:


As for the appearance of the interior, the Focus is absolutely great. The dials area really clear and look nice, all the switches are close to hand, all the switches feel expensive and are nice to use. The Fabia is certainly on a par on these grounds. However, on the shape of the dash, interior trimmings etc, the Focus wins over the blandness of the Fabia. The shape of the console is funky, the cabin feels vastly roomier and airier. The glove box is nice and big, lots of useful cupholders and cubby holes. There is an armrest in the back aswell as the front, and rear electric windows, making back seat passengers feel that bit more special

Mine has full climate control with heated front and rear screens. It has a "window max" button which is a real boon for when steamed/iced up. It automatically sets the screens to heat, turns the climate to max fans and hi heat... The climate works well, but tbh I'm not over keen on climate in general, and see it as a bit of a gimmick.

Little touches like the footwell lights, lights above the vanity mirrors, head lining lights front and rear, map lights that only light up one side of the car etc all make the interior feel classy. The arm rest is very useful and I seldom put it up. All the pedals feel nicely weighted, the steering wheel is great too, feeling slightly dished. The quality is up there with the best of them, with no squeaks or rattles other than one well documented problem with the tailgate striker, which will be repaired imminently.

Mine has a cream interior, with dark grey wood-effect inlays. The inlays look quite nice with the cream overall. This really is the choice for a Ghia model, although tbh I would prefer either the leather or the dark grey trim available on other models. The velour is nice, but the colour would be a nightmare if you had little 'uns. No worse than the white of the vRS mind!

As far as comfort goes, the Focus seats are great with lots of adjustment, electric seat height adjustment, the arm rest etc. Its dead easy to get comfy and find the driving position for you. They also have adjustable lumbar support. However, the seats lack lateral support being quite flat - I really do miss the great support of the vRS seats. The CG Lock does help a bit, but I still feel short changed when driving round twisties. Another thing I like is that the seat belt height is easy to adjust with a button - I never could get the Skoda ones to work easily!

One slight disappointment is the trip computer. I like the double computer bit of the Skoda system, and it doesn't seem to update as often. I think its also missing a couple of functions, but nothing to lose sleep over!

Driving:

This really is where the Focus excells. Even with the standard suspension (I understand it to be uprated over the LX/CL etc models), body roll is minimal, yet comfort is great. You are aware of potholes, cats eyes etc, but the bumps are really well absorbed. The independant rear suspension and rear ARB really help the handling, as do the 205 tyres. Turn in to corners is super crisp, the car feels sharp and the grip really is stunning. I find I'm cornering a good 10-15mph faster than in my vRS - and thats alot.

This car is so easy to chuck about, and it really is fun. It doesn't feel front end heavy unlike the Fabia, and you have to be driving like a right tool to understeer, unlike the blancmange of a vRS. Like a rear arb equipped Fabia, lift of oversteer is provocable, and feels so controllable and safe. The steering is so communicative you ALWAYS know exactly what is going on. I think I'll be keeping the suspension standard, as the combination of comfort and sportiness is absolutely spot on, certainly compared to my vRS on Eibachs, which was shocking in comparison. The suspension really is the hightlight of the car - VERY GOOD INDEED.

The 1.8 TDCI 115 engine is a cracker. Its quite smooth in its delivery, but its really strong. It revs cleanly to the red line and feels like a torquey n/a engine to drive - great! The 5 speed box is well matched with very sensible ratios, and its a very good gearbox to use - it feels slick and slots in nicely. On a par with the Fabia 'box imho, which suprised me. I do miss the extra cog, but 70 is still only 2,200 rpm. The engine is lacking in the wallop of torque you get with the PD130, and hence feels slower. Real world I reckon its a good second slower to 60 than the vRS, the smoothness more than makes up for this though. The power really tails off around 90mph, with 120-125mph flat out. Not half bad.

I seem be averaging 53mpg as opposed to 46/47 in the vRS. A good 5-10mpg better in every situation. The tank is a bit bigger too at 52l, so 500 miles on a tank is an absolute doddle, with over 600 achievable on a run I should think.

The brakes are poor . The same lack of bite and feel as the vRS. They are powerful, but I think these need improving. I'm sure an upgrade is more than possible. However they don't hamper spirited driving and I'm yet to have fade, I just prefer more bite and feel through the pedal. A 312esque upgrade could be on the cards.

Other Ramblings:

The boot is bigger - although the spare is only a space saver.
The quality of the interior is on par with the Fabia, but a couple of bits like the weight of the doors and the rattle from the tailgate take the shine off things. Still impressive though and the inside is a nice place to be.
The lights are great, although I dont like "pull on, pull off" for switching between beams. A minor niggle.
I miss the fan washer jets of the Fabia.
Point to point, the Focus is 1mph slower than my remapped Fabia vRS was. I think I can beat it by 1 or 2mph when I've upgraded the brakes and learned the limits. Its easier to drive quick, and doesn't bump steer.
The chassis could handle so much more power - not something that could be said of the Fabia.
Service intervals of only 12,500 miles should make it a bit lighter on the pocket, as should the 8yrs/100k cambelt interval.

I really do love this car. I hope the ticking noise from the flywheel and the wheel bearing noise will be fixed under warranty... The main things I miss about the vRS are the ability to feel like a complete hooligan with lots of torque, wheelspin etc... and the seats. Thats it. So all in all, I'm a lot happier. I think the Focus is a good all round car, and I think I will keep this for a long time.

*and relax*

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

Tom_vRS

A couple of bits I've just remembered having re-read...

I miss cruise control - not available at all on this TDCI engine in the Focus.
The CD player with dash 6CD changer is great. I may get a small sub, but the head unit is pretty good, and the speakers more than up to the job!
You need the key to open the boot, or press the button inside - slightly annoying.

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

Tom_vRS

No replies? Gutted...

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

texasjohn

It was a nice write up.

I read it earlier but was too lazy to put up a reply at the time, sorry Tom!

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Xbox 360 gamertag: TexasJohn74.

tonystop

Excellent write up I have also liked the Focus and in my view the Mark 1 is so much better styled than the Mark 2 what happened to the fresh daring design that made the mk1 Focus such a great car? I would easily purchase one tomorrow. The 1.8 zetec seems good to me. When I was looking to purchase I looked at the Focus Sport which came with these wheels and the 115ps tdci engine, it was too expensive at the time, hence the Fabia.

Enjoy your car, much better than your Corsa!

Tony

Tom_vRS

Totally agree. I think a facelift 1.8 Zetec for about £3500 is a superb buy, would be top of my list for "cars to run into the ground to make money on the company mileage scheme" cars...

Thing is, I didn't consider anything other than the vRS when I bought it, what a muppet I was!

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

fatbob

I also thought of getting one of these but couldn't find the right package when I needed it. So I ended up with my vRS, I almost wish I had been more patient after reading your review as I could do with a little more room and a larger boot. Like tonystop I prefer the mkI shape Focus, but now I will need to be patient again if I want one. (Maybe I can persuade swmbo to trade up and at least then I can get the occasional shot of one)
Great review by the way!

Fabia 12v

Excellent write up Tom... and Focus is a bloody good car

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First Car: Skoda Fabia MK1 1.2 12v Comfort
Replaced with: Volkswagen Golf MK4 GT 1.9TDI
Replaced with: Seat Ibiza MK4 Sport 1.9TDI
Replaced with: Volkswagen Polo MK5 Ltd. Edition Sport 1.4 16v

Kelly

The thing with the Focus's that if you want to be fussy with engine and spec, especially wheels and climate, with the right miles etc, you have to be VERY patient, and prepared to spend top dollar. But it really is worth it.

Ghia spec is lovely, although tbh I would love some sportier seats. When funds allow I'll be on the look out for a written off one with a dark interior and sports seats for a swap!

(Tom - kellys pc!)

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Mrs Tom_vRS

sharkrider

nice write up Tom... I just hope it lasts... lots of positive comments on here, but I still hate them, not for any asthetic, or performance reasons, just because when I worked for the AA they had to give me three new ones in three months, because they all broke! (two were the old 1.6 engine, one was the 1.6VVT with 118bhp, that broke after only 400 miles [immobiliser problem] and had to be sent back to Ford, the dealer couldn't fix it.)

let us know how the reliability goes

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Fiat Grande Punto Sporting (158 bhp 314 lbs/ft) in Red....

Furby vRS , black magic,passenger airbag de-activation switch, (now gone, but not forgotten!)

superskib

I tried a Focus 115 TDCi in Zetec trim before I bought my Fabby TDi Elegance. I agree the engine is a beaut, more refined than the PD lump but the build quality wasn't comparable. It was when the new Ford TD engine was installed in the Focus and they wouldn't budge on the £14500 list price.
May Fabby was £12K + a good price for my 13 year old Astra so it was no contest. I have not regretted it even though I have had a few probs with the Fabby ie new turbo (on warranty) and several minor things since the warranty ran out to a cost of about £400. I have averaged 59.8 pg from new over 33K miles.
I am looking forward to the new Fabia - especially if they put the DSG gearbox in it.
Cheers Gibbo

bengie

nicely put tom, i love the focus, think its an excellent car

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owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

andypandypoos

You'll need different (ST170) hubs/knuckles if you want to upgrade to bigger brakes

Are you sure the Ghia has different suspension to the CL/LX? I know the Zetec does

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Note: This statement was most likely made with a usual dry sense of humor. It was in no way made to offend anyone who may be easily offended. If you find yourself offended by such a statement, you needed more hugs as a child, or more beatings. Whichever you didn't get enough of, you need more of. Probably beatings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bohdi This was never about the money, this was about us against the system. That system that kills the human spirit. We stand for something. We are here to show those guys that are inching their way on the freeways in their metal coffins that the human sprit is still alive

como estan, puta?

Tom_vRS

Yep, Zetec and Ghia have the same suspension - on the facelift anyway.

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

Tom_vRS

Bummer. I think upgraded pads and disks and fluid will be on the cards then.

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

Kelly

Tom if this car is as good as you say in the review why do you keep moaning about it...hehe

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Mrs Tom_vRS

Tom_vRS

Moaning? Eh? What have I moaned about?

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

Kelly

Yes moaning... ummm about the wheel bearing, the clutch and that it aint clean anymore hehe.

Oh and the fact you have kerbed 3 of the wheels?

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Mrs Tom_vRS

The Arch Bishop

Nice write up! We've the TDCi Sport 115 3dr which is now up to 30'000 miles without the slightest glitch. It's a very tough package but the allloys are mullered already.... Not a fan of 17" alloys. Ruins the ride, makes the car feel clumsy and are a nightmare for even tiny curbs! Have to disagree about the stoppers though, ours were almost too sharp to start with but are losing their edge now so I think fresh pads are the way forward. Wish the sport had more toys though. The Ghia sounds more like it!

Tom_vRS

I think the alloys sharpen up the ride no end compared to the poxy zetec I drove... lol. I'm sure 16s would be the best compromise, but I think for the looks its worth it.

One of mine is kerbed, and one has cracked, so I've ordered a brand new one, and will get another one soon so all 4 are mint

I'm sure the brakes are fine, just in need of a fluid change methinks.

Still loving the car though, will be even better when the flywheel gets changed under warranty later this month!

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

banjoman

Hello to all. A very impressive review from Tom re his Focus. I know it's an old thread but maybe somebody can pass a comment. Because of dealership problems, (I am near Brighton) seriously thinking of changing to another make and the focus sounds good. How do you think it would compare with what I have now which is the Octavia L & K 1.9TDi Hatch. This is a very nice car, but it's over 50000K now and time to consider a change. Any comments would be very much appreciated

ric04vrs

hi Banjoman , i think you'll find the Focus a smaller car , i personally would have the PD1.9TDI engine over any Ford diesel engine , were you thinking of the MK1 or MK2 Focus , the newer ones are better , but obviously more expensive , the older ones have less electronics to go wrong

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not so bored now

Wardy

Doesn't seem to make sense to me that, if all that's wrong is the dealer? Is there not another one you could use instead?

Steve

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Wardy's Fabia vRS
xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+


"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen
"If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

ric04vrs

i think Skoda dealers on the south coast are few and far between , if there is actually one now

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not so bored now

Goochie

Strange that - because he told us you'd done that