Help with Focus II range

no1beemerfan

Hello,

I'm a renault man myself so don't know much about fords!

My girlfriend has her heart set on a 2005 or 2006 focus two door but it has to have leather seats and either airconditioning or sunroof and be 1.6 diesel! Oh and she'll only consider red, dark blue or black!!

Am I right in saying this will fall into the Titanium spec? And would it be a spec widely available in Ireland?

Also any tips on what to look out for greatly appreciated!

bazz26

Top of the range model on the Focus 3 door was the Titanium X. Top of the range model on the 4/5 door was the Ghia.

Even on the Titanium X leather trim was an optional extra afaik. I have never seen a 3 door Titanium X 1.6 litre TDCi here. I had a 5 dr Ghia TDCi myself and they are not that common either. I don't think a Titanium X TDCi was ever available down here to be honest. Your best bet is source one in NI or mainland UK.

This is the only one I could find that is a 2.0 litre TDCi 5dr and a UK import:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1409838

The higher spec cars generally tend to have the larger capacity engines too.

colm_mcm

possibly consider a Volvo C30? might be easier to get that spec on it, and it shares a lot with the Focus.

may be a bit pricey though, but who knows these days!

Henry Ford III

Leather would have been a very rare optional extra.

no1beemerfan

colm_mcm wrote: »

possibly consider a Volvo C30? might be easier to get that spec on it, and it shares a lot with the Focus.

may be a bit pricey though, but who knows these days!

Its a Focus she wants! And you don't argue with a woman when she has her mind made up!

I saw a fabulous 06 black Focus II Titanium TDCI in Newbridge yesterday with the leather seats and air con. Pity it was only in a car park though but I'm not sure on the engine size as it wasn't on it and I never thought of looking at the tax disc.

They are a very smart looking car and we are prepared to wait for one but I'd appreciate if someone could point out if there was any problems to look out for.

Cheers!

pburns

I'd say 2-door and leather seats etc would be an unusual enough combonation no? Don't see why a 4 (well 5) door wouldn't be better for practicality, resale etc. It's not like the 2-door Focus is a coupe style like the Astra 2-door. I'd say most 2-door Focus are vans (my mate just bought one).

Do-more

Rare bird OK, only two that nearly fit the bill on autotrader.co.uk and both are half leather.

Blue '05 25K miles.

Dark Grey (almost black!) '06 40K miles.

no1beemerfan

Do-more wrote: »

Rare bird OK, only two that nearly fit the bill on autotrader.co.uk and both are half leather.

Blue '05 25K miles.

Dark Grey (almost black!) '06 40K miles.

Many thanks for the links! These seem to fit the bill alright. The one I saw in Newbridge had full leather seats and looked really smart. I can't find any for sale in Ireland yet.

mumblin deaf ro

The Volvo S40 has the same platform as the Focus; although not available in a three-door, it does have leather, air con etc though. Possible plan B if the Focus doesn't work out.

Zonda999

mumblin deaf ro wrote: »

The Volvo S40 has the same platform as the Focus; although not available in a three-door, it does have leather, air con etc though. Possible plan B if the Focus doesn't work out.

It is, just as the C30. They're only available since 07 though so it would be a good bit more expensive. Better looking car for sure but probably less practical. Only a four seater!

20goto10

pburns wrote: »

Don't see why a 4 (well 5) door wouldn't be better for practicality, resale etc. It's not like the 2-door Focus is a coupe style like the Astra 2-door. I'd say most 2-door Focus are vans (my mate just bought one).

I drive a 2 door MkII (no leather seats). It was a couple of hundred more for the 2 extra doors which I would very rarely use. The cabin room is better on the 3 door. You've a massive door, window, arm rest. Unless you plan on taking regular passengers there's no need for the 5 door imo. BUT....with a baby on the way I'm no regretting that choice :-) There'll be no problem getting in and out of it, in fact with the seat pushed forward you actually have more room to get in and manuvre baby seats etc but problems will arise when someone parks too close to you as you will need more room to swing the door open.

pburns

20goto10 wrote: »

I drive a 2 door MkII (no leather seats). It was a couple of hundred more for the 2 extra doors which I would very rarely use. The cabin room is better on the 3 door. You've a massive door, window, arm rest. Unless you plan on taking regular passengers there's no need for the 5 door imo. BUT....with a baby on the way I'm no regretting that choice :-) There'll be no problem getting in and out of it, in fact with the seat pushed forward you actually have more room to get in and manuvre baby seats etc but problems will arise when someone parks too close to you as you will need more room to swing the door open.

In fairness I don't understand the mentality of spending >20 grand on a new car & scimping a couple of hundred on a 2-door. I just think the 2-door would be a bit of an 'orphan' and harder to sell s/h (unless like the OP gf someone gets an idea intheir heads).

no1beemerfan

pburns wrote: »

In fairness I don't understand the mentality of spending >20 grand on a new car & scimping a couple of hundred on a 2-door. I just think the 2-door would be a bit of an 'orphan' and harder to sell s/h (unless like the OP gf someone gets an idea intheir heads).

You be surprised at the amount of two door cars out there. Many people go for these as 4 or 5 door cars give out a family car look which they don't want.

The two door Focus looks smarter and we won't be using the back seats that often and don't plan on having children for a long while yet!

20goto10

pburns wrote: »

In fairness I don't understand the mentality of spending >20 grand on a new car & scimping a couple of hundred on a 2-door. I just think the 2-door would be a bit of an 'orphan' and harder to sell s/h (unless like the OP gf someone gets an idea intheir heads).

There's plenty of people who want 3 doors and have no need for 5 doors. As I said, the 3 door is the better option unless you actually need 5 doors (i.e have a family).

Are you seriously suggesting someone should consider other peoples tastes when choosing a car? All that matters is what you want. There will always be like minded people when it comes to reselling.

Henry Ford III

3 door high end models are considered sportier. Can you get a 5 door Focus RS? I doubt it.

Zube

20goto10 wrote: »

Are you seriously suggesting someone should consider other peoples tastes when choosing a car?

"The day you buy is the day you sell", so yes, lots of people do.

I used to laugh at them and buy what I liked, but last time out the salesman actually talked me out of ordering a green car. He told me he'd offer me €1500 less for a green car at trade-in time.

Now, I don't actually plan to trade that car in, I plan to keep it forever, but you never know, and €1500 is a lot of cash.

20goto10

Zube wrote: »

"The day you buy is the day you sell", so yes, lots of people do.

I used to laugh at them and buy what I liked, but last time out the salesman actually talked me out of ordering a green car. He told me he'd offer me €1500 less for a green car at trade-in time.

Now, I don't actually plan to trade that car in, I plan to keep it forever, but you never know, and €1500 is a lot of cash.

That's one man who didn't like the colour. But I do get your point. If its any way garish you're best to avoid it. Thats common sense. There's no common sense in choosing 5 doors over 3 doors simply because you think it will increase the resale. I actually think it will be the opposite. Why would anyone pay over the odds for something that is common? If you don't lower the price I'll move onto the next car, and believe me there's plenty of choice when it comes to the Ford Focus. But lets take the OP as the opposite example. They are looking for a very specific car. Chances are if they find it the seller will have the upper hand when haggling. It's not like they can just walk away and go somewhere else.

no1beemerfan

20goto10 wrote: »

But lets take the OP as the opposite example. They are looking for a very specific car. Chances are if they find it the seller will have the upper hand when haggling. It's not like they can just walk away and go somewhere else.

We'll just have to let on we're after any 3door focus to the seller so!

But if you worry too much about what the next buyer will pay for your car you'll end up in a boring 'everywhere' car your not 100% happy with.

As long as its not garish most cars'll sell on at a reasonable price, not because its got 3 doors instead of 5.

We just prefer the focus in 3 door and don't use the back seats that often.

ianobrien

Henry Ford III wrote: »

3 door high end models are considered sportier. Can you get a 5 door Focus RS? I doubt it.

The reason for the 2 door being preferred for the sportier models was simply 30 years ago, the 2 door bodyshells were stiffer than the 4 door ones and thus more suited to competition.

It all comes from that.

Henry Ford III

ianobrien wrote: »

The reason for the 2 door being preferred for the sportier models was simply 30 years ago, the 2 door bodyshells were stiffer than the 4 door ones and thus more suited to competition.

It all comes from that.

I know. MkI & II Escort RS models were all 2 door. Best Sierras were 3 door Cosworths, Escort Cossie was 3 door only. I could go on (and on and on)

bazz26

Focus ST comes in 5 door, a 5 door ST looks odd though imo.

Anyway back on topic.

mik_da_man

I had a focus Titanium 1.6 (Petrol) with full leather
They are a very rare car here, AFAIK mine was one of only a handful sold in Ireland, very nice car.

Pic:



Also I'm not sure if the 3 Dr Titanium came in a diesel here.. I'm pretty sure it was only the 1.6 Ti-VCT Petrol (115 PS)

But I may be mistaken....

no1beemerfan

The side skirts and spoilers on the front bumper aren't standard are they? She looks relly well......what was she like on juice?

My girlfriend will be doing around 600 - 800 kms a week and thats why we're after the 1.6 diesel.

EPM

mik_da_man wrote: »

Also I'm not sure if the 3 Dr Titanium came in a diesel here.. I'm pretty sure it was only the 1.6 Ti-VCT Petrol (115 PS)

But I may be mistaken....

Think you're spot on there about it only being available with a 1.6 Ti-VCT in this country.

Plenty of UK ones have the 1.8 or 2.0 tdci though.

If her mileage is mostly on open roads the 1.6 petrol isn't bad at all. My dad regularly gets 46 to the gallon out of his and his is the heavier Ghia saloon. It's a nice engine too

Kenny_D

Good choice with the 3 door. I love mine. Think it looks a lot nicer than the 5 door. Loads of room on the inside if you dont plan on having anyone in the back:

no1beemerfan

EPM wrote: »

My dad regularly gets 46 to the gallon out of his and his is the heavier Ghia saloon. It's a nice engine too

Thats not bad! I've heard that the 1.6 diesel returns 63mpg which would be fantastic!

@ GStormcrow, your car looks really well!

mik_da_man

no1beemerfan wrote: »

The side skirts and spoilers on the front bumper aren't standard are they? She looks relly well......what was she like on juice?

My girlfriend will be doing around 600 - 800 kms a week and thats why we're after the 1.6 diesel.

Nope not Standard :P

I got a factory fitted kit, Skirts, Spoiler on rear, Different front & back bumper, Dal exhaust and 17" Wheels
She was ok enough on juice - about 35/40 mpg, and I like the loud pedal

Do-more

no1beemerfan wrote: »

The side skirts and spoilers on the front bumper aren't standard are they? She looks relly well......what was she like on juice?

My girlfriend will be doing around 600 - 800 kms a week and thats why we're after the 1.6 diesel.

The wife has a '08 1.6 TDCi Focus (UK import) for a few months now, she commutes cross country, Tullamore - Mullingar daily and with more running around town at the weekend, she now averages 4.5 litres/100kms (63 mpg) each week, down from 5 litres/100kms (56 mpg) when she first got the car.

On a long run 4.0 litres/100kms (71mpg) is easily achievable.

no1beemerfan

Do-more wrote: »

The wife has a '08 1.6 TDCi Focus (UK import) for a few months now, she commutes cross country, Tullamore - Mullingar daily and with more running around town at the weekend, she now averages 4.5 litres/100kms (63 mpg) each week, down from 5 litres/100kms (56 mpg) when she first got the car.

On a long run 4.0 litres/100kms (71mpg) is easily achievable.

Cheers for that Do-more. We'll hold on and wait for a diesel then. It looks like we'll have to go down the uk import route also. I suppose our market is too small to bring in high spec popular cars!