Financially embarrassed after a disastrous short term affair with a 10 year old Impreza Turbo,which dropped a bottom end bearing, I had to seek sanctuary in a "normal" and "sensible" car. A cheap MK1 FOCUS 1.6 Zetec became available and I took the plunge.
Well, I have to say that from a starting point of zero expectation, this little Ford has proved a pleasant surprise. I remember reading Autocar when the Focus came out and how they raved about it. I thought it was just journo bias gone a bit mad, but I've got to say those boys were right. For a bread and butter car, the FOCUS was in it's day and still is a blindingly good steer! The ride, steering and handling are all top drawer and in fact beat all the modern hatchbacks I tried this year -new shape Civic CDTI and Leon FR hang your heads in shame! No-one apart from Ford seems to make a family hatch ride well these days, the Leon was boneshakingly hard.
Compared with the Scooby as well, there are more shocks! The Focus has better turn in, better high speed body control (yes really), better damped body roll and very nearly as much grip. Being a 1.6 litre petrol car, there is of course no power, but also minimal weight up front, so this little terrier dives into roundabouts and corners harrassing more powerful breeds.
I can only say that as a starting point to take on a track day for a novice, this car has got to be worth a shout. Ok, its VERY slow, but you can use all the performance, not scare yourself and have a ball in the process. Its taught me a lesson that some of the most fun cars are not the quickest, but simple, lightweight and basic FWD hacks. Its a shame that the trend these days is bigger engines, wheels, tyres etc and more reliance on power and grip for entertainment, rather than sheer balance and brio!
Well if I'm getting carried away by such a normal humdrum car, please forgive me but it's cheered me no end to know that you can have such fun on a budget. Right, time for my medication....
Well i would not be embarrased about the impreza as i would take any subaru over
a ford any day. I do not see subaru asking for a bailout but ford definitly
needs one. Everything ford makes is should be sold in mexico where they are used
to driving junkers.
Ford can survive because, at least for European market, they have some really
good cars that are in tune with times and as good as Japanese offerings.
About the article, well, I really enjoyed it! Right from the first sentence
"Financially embarrassed after a disastrous short term affair with a 10 year old
Impreza Turbo" to the last one "please forgive me but it's cheered me no end to
know that you can have such fun on a budget. Right, time for my medication.... "
:D
I wish they brought the european focus, fiesta, and mondeo to the US but the
only problem I have with that is that I cant look at such horrible drivers
driving such good cars. I have to say how the hell do these people get there
license!
Well they make better cars over there because the people do not like to drive
shit like they do over here. If the BIG3 did that in the first place noone would
talk about quality. Everybody makes fun at KIA but some idiots dont know that
KIA sells more cars worldwide than honda!!!! Everybody else improved while the
BIG3 keep fading. GM ZR1 and CADDILAC are very nice, the rest are cheap junk.
Dodges VIPER is nice,the rest are junk. Fords GT is nice, the rest are junk. If
they were all nice things would be different. And dont give me this initial
quality bullshit because that means its good until you buy it.
Ford should have been extinct a long time ago with the dinosaurs they build,
especially their suspension.
In reality, you're saying, that since Ford makes ONE car with bad suspension, it
should be extinct. I'd have to say, that is just plain friggen stupid stupid.
Well for all those who do not like anything with exciting performance, sporty
design, or anything that can be raced around a track for fun or race, should buy
a lifetime membership to the museum.
Just chipped in my beloved 106 gti for a ford focus 1.6 zetec and am chuffed to
bits with it. Fed up with fixing the french car and peugeot main dealers are
terrible.
The ford is a great steer and a top mile muncher. Great mpg, around 50 at the
mo.
I think this is the real world performance car for the credit crunch! Well done
ford....
YEah man... Ford of South Africa made the mistake of bringing only the 2.0 Ghia
Focus Model (mk1). And it lost in terms of sales. Now its Focus everywhere in
neighboring Botswana as people import used Focus from Singapore. They are
bargains and seems they are loved so much...cant wait till I can get one myself.
A pity our dealer is whack here in Botswana!
Financially embarrassed after a disastrous short term affair with a 10 year old Impreza Turbo,which dropped a bottom end bearing, I had to seek sanctuary in a "normal" and "sensible" car. A cheap MK1 FOCUS 1.6 Zetec became available and I took the plunge.
Ford can survive because, at least for European market, they have some really
good cars that are in tune with times and as good as Japanese offerings.
I wish they brought the european focus, fiesta, and mondeo to the US but the
only problem I have with that is that I cant look at such horrible drivers
driving such good cars. I have to say how the hell do these people get there
license!
Ford should have been extinct a long time ago with the dinosaurs they build,
especially their suspension.