Ford Focus MK1 review: Ultimate hatchback?
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- When the MK1 Ford Focus (1998-2005) came out it was a revelation for the compact hatchback market with an incredible combination of build quality, handling and performance.
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MK2 review here ruclips.net/video/fzxTkGmNF1c/видео.html
Christi. Watching this in 2024 and mine is 25 yrs old now and still going strong
Still plenty on the road.... Where as how many MK4 Astra/Golfs do you see now...
My parents bought a new Mk1 focus in 2001. They used it for years before it went to my younger brother, and then he kindly gave it to me when I had a new job with a significant commute and I needed a car. Eventually it went back to my parents who drove it as their second car, and in the last few years it was given to my sister in law. It has done 300,000 miles. Besides the front strut bearings going and the driver window and A/C being temperamental, it has had no mechanical problems at all. The original battery lasted nearly 180,000 miles and the gearbox, engine and everything else are still going strong. Not a bad car!
I have a Ford Fiesta which is 10 years old from new, and nothing has ever went wrong on it touch wood
Mum had one of these so many fond memories with it. It was a 2001 TDCI
my mother left me her focus when she passed last year, it's been a fantastic little car.
it's seriously not little. but take good care of it
Sorry for your lost.
Sorry for your lost my mom had one too
May she rest in peace.
May your mother rest in peace
Only the people who have owned this car, know what it is. We have one in my family since 2004. Not so many things gone wrong with it, and it still goes like a champ after misshaps (me learning to drive in it, handbrake turns, chacing peugeot 106's on mountains, being involved in a serious accident), but with cheap repairs and it still goes strong!
I must agree with you on that point. Our focus has been in the family since 2003 and it is simply marvelous and just seems to keep on going without fail. Utterly superb piece of engineering.
+Gkiekas The number still around says it all, see barely any Golf's, Astras etc from the same era yet the Focus is still everywhere! Sadly looks like rust will eventually get them.
Yeah they suffer from rust on the back wheel arches cause of the design that it has that carpet thingy as protection, but it isn't so hard to fix though.
@@Gkiekas Would you advise removing the carpet thingy and replacing with another material source e.g plastic or metal sheeting?
Excellent review, Top Gear needs to see this and sign you up. All the best.
I've been driving for more than 30yrs, owned a lot of fast cars, but can say hand on heart the Mk1 Focus is the best car I've ever driven. The steering is incredible, and the way it handles bumby roads, especially bumps mid-corner, is simply unrivalled. Shame there's so few decent ones left out there..
I bought a 2000 mk1 1.8tddi last week, 240.000k new battery, new diesel 'atomizers?' new front tires full allignment report, new mot, only 750 euro. I am amazed with the ride quality, it is dead straight, cornering is scary fast, spotless interior without any cracks or wear on the dashboard, amazing bootspace for a hatch, the only downside is some rust on the fenders and the very poor seating which make long distances less pleasent. But I am very happy with it and hope to keep it for 5 years.
there's quite a few decent ones about.ive got a t reg 1.8 zetec 5 door in silver genuine 29000 miles.theres a few on ebay one with 22k etc and to be honest theres loads left on the roads yet.
@@MrTruth111 tddi in usa?.
@@teatimetel174 no:) Netherlands
I just bought an mk1 from 2004 facelift with 170k kilos and the 1.6 engine 101hp. Interior looks almost perfect. NO rust new clutch and other parts. For 1500euros
Owned my 1.8 mk1 focus for 4 years now and I honestly can't fault it. So much car for £450 and never had a single problem with it, going to be a sad day when we eventually part :(
Very good review. Bought a MK1 Focus for first time now. 3 doors, silver with 1.6 zetec engine.
I have driven a lot of cars in the past and
I'm absolutely happy with my choice. The handling is a dream and it doesn't seem slower than my two Ford Puma 1.7 I had before - although there should be 24 PS less. I really hope that this car will last for a long time.
I replaced my unfortunately rotted 2002 3 door Hatch 1.6 Zetec Trend with a 2003 5 door Hatch 2.0 Zetec Trend. Fuel consumption approx 1/2 litres more but twice driving fun ! Best time 8.2 secs to real 100 (speedo105) with esp off - that's on par with the ST version. Really amazing for only 130 hp. Handling especially in corners is a real dream, too.
Angelheart 76 is there anyway to stop them rotting out? I’ve just picked one up with some corrosion but not much. Would pay to keep it at bay! Amazing car
@@conorf8091 If its only surface rust I'd sand it, use primer on the area and spray paint it. If you don't want to do it yourself and want a professional job done then go to a body repair specialist. BUT Do not leave it to get worse for too long!
Went through a lot of comments and couldn’t find one saying anything bad about this car. I too am a proud owner of an MK1 Focus and it just handles beautifully, I planing on keeping it as long as I can hold to it.
There was one guy who reckoned it's not that great. But he then went on to say the Citroen C3 has incredible handling, which sadly for him rendered anything that he says as null and void. Poor guy man, I'm sure there's help groups or something. I suppose if he drives a Citroen he's already familiar with AA meetings.
i own a mk1 focus for 7 years now , its an 1.8 tddi 2002 90hp , now i hit 250,000 , im very happy with it and its awesome car and pretty fast, controlable and usable at the same time. have a nice night.
6 years ahead of the game ace. People starting to realise these are gonna be a future classic.
I'm always ahead of the game... I predicted the end of the Mondeo 5 years ago and look what went on last week. And I bought my 205 GTI 10 tears ago for a couple of hundred quid. Nostro-car-us.
Tall Paul i have owned a 2001ford zetec 1*8 since 2013 and still only done 98645 miles only replaced discs bushes tyres other than that everything is as it was when it left the ford i absolutely love it 👍👍👍😊👍
Look after it man, keep her going and treat any rust sooner rather than later.
@@shanepatrick641 Hi shane to right that's hopefully what intend to do luckily ive got a mate whose a machanic who can also weld and is fairly priced otherwise I wouldn't be able to keep it on the road 👍
yea ford focus mk1 100cv 1.6 zetec. my first car and still using it after 8 years like the first day.
+Leebak Prime i have one from 2004 and its great to drive. it is the ultimate hatchback for sure.
Mine 15 years and still good
Ever since I was born, my mum had a 2003 Ford Focus Sedan CL 2.0 and this car will forever hold a special place in my heart. I wish that very specific measurements and specs for the engine inside it were better preserved online, making the engine is a pain.
I bought one of these for €500, had 300K miles on it but god damn it is such a good car to drive, the feeling you get through the steering wheel is just unbelieveable!
I can only agree, we have 2003 Ghia 1.6 with 10 000 miles on it, rust free and very well taken care of. Bought it for only £300 3 years ago, not charging, turned out to just be a cable to the alternator that was eroded. Best car deal i ever made. 20 years old and still handling like a champ, it's simply an amazing car. And MK1 seem to be the best one, it's not for sale and never will be... 😉
Would agree the MK1 is the best, I'd do your best to protect the underside of the car as unfortunately that's whats finished off so many of the MK1 models in the last couple of years.
Changed my MK1 of 14 years for a MK7 Golf a couple of months ago. The Golf is fine and can't fault it (though would quite happily revert back to a proper handbrake) but do still pine for my Focus. The driving experience was just wonderful.
i would never sell a Ford for a Volkswagen! i would rather buy a newer Ford
I have 2003 MK1 1.8 TDCI (115 hp) and its literally bulletproof (except few electrical issues that were easy to fix over the years) it has done 220.000 km and still going strong
I have 2001 same engine with 295k km, nothing wrong with it at all, i’d go anywhere with it
I was fortunate enough to pick up a 1 Owner 1.6 Ghia saloon last year, I’ve had 8 now, and although they were all (until this saloon) completely shot to pieces, you could still feel that magic, that addictive handling and feel that nothing else has. This current car has had EVERYTHING done at the Ford main dealer, next to no rust and feels better than my 2013 BMW 1 Series in many ways, even on 91,000 miles. My dream car always has been a MK1 Focus RS..... I want one even more now.
mcgrubb Nice, always thought the 2.0 would make a great track weapon. I reckon a 2.0 Saloon would be a hilarious sleeper!
Every day i come across a new Mk1 review from the U.K. , i get more and more jealous of not having the diesel motor trim in the U.S.
Great cars especially the 3 door versions, can still find the odd 54/05 plate with low miles good condition around well worth buying
bashar al asaad My 53 has 70k on it
My 04 has 53k genuine. 😊
Local dealer is selling part ex on e bay, a 1.6 3door on 05 plate 85k, could well be my next car as it's very cheap.
I have had one before and are very good cars, also really like the mk1 and MK2 Mondeo's.
Just bought a 2004 focus for £1300. Black, alloys, 54,000 on clock. Absolutely inmaculate. One owner since new. Best money I've spent
Checking in a year later haha. How's the Focus been treating you mate?
@@DanielDanij2010 must've gotten into a horrific accident
Love this vid . My dad bought a mk1 in 2008. He died I 2019 and I took ot over . Will always be my dad's car. I've basically turned it into the car he always wanted
Nice one- what have you done to it?
We picked up a mk1 focus for 400 and its solid. So happy with it. 6 months and counting
Nice one.
I had one of these. A Y Reg 1.8. Handled like a go-kart and incredibly solid.
We had the Focus Mk1 back in 2000.. and the body and interior design, the hole package kicked ass. Everybody turned their head and focused on the car. All other cars even BMW and Mercedes looked outdated when parked or driving next to the Focus.
This model is Iconic and made me fan of Fords generally.
I remember desperately wanting one as a first car, but the only ones I could afford were in the back of Autotrader... In the salvage section!
I always assumed they would be abit rubbish. But I drove my mother in laws 2001 automatic 1.6 3 door Zetec afew times last year and was amazed by how natural and crisp the drive was. Every turn, lane change, braking and the 1.6 with auto box hitting kick down was happy to sing and whisk it to 70mph on the dual carriageway very nicely indeed.
It was funny how a 19 year old run of the mill car with drum brakes, corrosion underneath and probably afew worn bushes and ball joints could drive so well.
The jatco/mazda/ford 4 speed automatic box started playing up this year (common solenoid problem) so we sold it for £110, but I was very pleased to see on MOT history check that it's still on the road so must of been an easy cheap repair. Though I would prefer a cable operated bonnet release, the Ford badge key hole is abit feeble and tricky to use.
Love the mk1 focus, the mk1 RS would be my dream hot hatch even today
I owned an 04 Focus Edge tdci for 4 years 2005-2009 and sold it with 120k miles on it as it was starting to feel a bit tired. I loved that car and it drove really well and never went wrong.
I'm 6'2 1/2" and I drive with the seat all the way up and I've still got loads of room in the car. It's a bloody brilliant ride and it's superb. Excellent video.
+Rocket I am also exactly that height. It's a good height I feel. Tall enough to be over the 6fters but not too tall for 'how's the weather up there?' and also I'm just about able to get in an economy seat on a plane without having to pay for extra legroom.
Love this vid and your presenting style. I've a mk1 1999 1.6 zetec se. My dad bought it in 2008 and passed away in 2019 so I inherited it. It's kn 134k now and still drives like a new car. Keep up the good work and your reviews are epic
Thanks Daz! Future classic no doubt.
I totally agree! I own a Focus Ghia sedan 1.6, german edition, built in november 2000, that works like new, even after almost 17 years! I love this car and I don't think it will be replaced soon - it's just too good, too sporty and amazingly comfortable! A car with both soul and personality...
Just watching this six years later, they are getting quite rare now. Think rust, mileage and scrappage has killed the majority off. I remember they were ubiquitous when my family had one almost 20 years ago. Wouldn't mind running one for six months for fun.
Do it man, at least once. I had a 1.8 LX and it was a great car. 😃
One of the best cars Ford ever made. I had a Mk1 facelift, great car. In 15 years ownership 1 broken electric window winder, fixed it myself.
fun fact: Im getting my grandma's focus station 1.6 with 70000 kilometers which is quite cool
If you are still active on yt, can you please give me an update on your focus
After watching this went out and bought a 1999 Focus Sedan Ghia with 131.000 mi or 212.000 km. for £806,92 or €1050. Still drives and feels good even for a 16 year old car.
Awesome!
+Nicolas046 Nice choice on getting the 4-door saloon/sedan. I've had my 2002 1.6LX saloon for over 5 years now. Before it the longest I'd had a car was a year, and I've had BMWs, Mercedes etc. etc. The Focus is, by a long way, the best and most reliable car I've ever had, it's been faultless, which a lot of people find surprising considering my car was built in Spain. The only things that have gone wrong on it were an idle air bleed valve which caused the revs to hang up at junctions and the factory CD player stopped taking CDs, but they all do that and at least it packed up when there wasn't a CD in it. It lives outside all year round, I live near the coast and it hasn't deteriorated bodily at all, even in places where paint damage has left bare metal, the original Colorado red paint is still bright and shiny. I think the saloon handles better than the hatchback, the hatches have always felt a little more skittish to drive to me but I think the extra weight at the back of the saloon makes it a bit better planted. ..
+gosportjamie Sounds good, I've not driven the saloon but often saloon variants of cars tend to handle a bit better that the hatchbacks because the bodyshell is much stiffer. I remember at the time the MG ZS come out many of the reviews stated that the Saloon was much sharper to drive, if a bit less practical.
CarambleTV Yes, that's certainly true, the benefit of having solid structure between the rear strut tops. The saloon version of the MG ZS had quite a successful career as a British Touring Car Championship racer too...
Well here we are 1 year later with 235000km / 146022mi on the clock and still going strong.
Styling wise the focus is not my thing at all but I've always been a fan of them since the first one I drove. I agree with the reviewer here 100%. Car snobs hated them because here was a work-a-day car that was better than a lot of more expensive cars in driving satisfaction and handling. Last one I drove was a hire car down in Cornwall in about 2008 and it was a blast on those great B roads and it was sure footed as anything. I'm not even a Ford fan and have never owned a Ford but credit where credit is due.
2008 hire care would of been a mk2 prob facelift.good to drive to but cant beat the mk1
tj Hayter All fords are good to drive, but the Mk1 focus really had that special edge
My piece is a Turnier, 1.8 Zetec Ghia.
I love the multilink rear suspension.
I've never driven a Mk1 but I find my Mk2 great to drive on twisty B roads,
I picked one of the 5 door 1.6 zetec models up as a project for £150!! I think that’s an absolute bargain
I have had two MK1 Focus' and I'm 22 years old. First had a 1.6LX and now have a 1.6Zetec.
Awesome awesome car.
I'm now comfortably passing it onto my little sister knowing that it's a reliable and safe car.
Definitely recommend to anyone, as I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(And the MPG is so nice!)
I've got a 1.6 automatic zetec estate. Love it. Probably one of the best cars I've owned 👌
110%
I have one from 2004 with 1.4 engine, it has a slow start but enough speed at open road (ok that kind of engines are about economy).. very good suspension and fun to drive..Good review!
we own a 2002 focus hatchback, it stills a charm to drive.
Really considering a Mk1 for my first car a few months after getting my licence. It's really like all the car you'll ever need. Plus seems fun to work on and get involved with mending and upkeep!
+Siyath Widyaratne do it! Not much mending to do on them though, if you want something like that you might wanna get something old skool like a MK1 Fiesta.
I would definitely recommend them :) I had a Corsa 1.0 which was nothing but trouble, now got a Focus 1.6 LX (02 plate) and not a single bother for a year and a half now. The spares are dirt cheap when things do go wrong and the engines go beyond 150k easily if it's looked after and the belts are changed on time. I feel very confident it will go wherever I take it which couldn't be said for the Corsa :)
Cheers for the comments guys! My family runs two Mk3 Mondeos which have been amazing for years, and for the first few months I reckon I'll use em to get used to driving. Seems we're a Ford family :)
+Siyath Widyaratne I'm just editing a video on the MK3 Mondeo atm...up soon.
looking forward to it!
Upload again plz your vids are the best
Thanks. Yeah I will, maybe post pandemic!
@@CarambleTV ye do your vids are the best compared to every other reviewers
Great video review. I've had a MK 1 Focus since 2005 and I continue to appreciate its fine qualities.
Great review and perfect car. I love my focus mk1 and always will!👌👌
Whitney Houston wrote a song about hers.
@@CarambleTV 😊 That's right... But seriously your review is perfect and the focus mk1 is a legend.
@@arnaldomendes6755 This one is still going strong too. Starting to corrode a bit now sadly underneath. Might have to do a bit of resto work... but I also need to get my Clio 182 back on the road!
my first car. a 1999 1.4 petrol. i gave it to my dad for a mondeo. it now has 325.000 km.never failed. love it.
+ford for ever My dad had his first breakdown in the Focus recently after 8+ years of ownership. The battery was knackered, it's the factory fitted one which is 11yrs old.
Would you do a review on the st170? Providing you can find a good one. I absolutely love mine but it’ll be interesting to see your thoughts on the way it drives to a standard mk1 focus. Great review by the way 👌🏻
Err... I suppose if I can get my hands on one! I drove quite a few MK1 RS years ago but only very briefly an ST170 (prior to getting my Clio 182) really nice motor but at the time I just didn't think it felt 'that' quick? While the Clio felt like a factory hot rod and I've still got in 10+ years later.
@@CarambleTV yeah I agree it’s more progressive power, the black leather Recaro interior are the ones to have
@@Generalkenobi325 Do you mean Recaros on the Focus or the Clio? In the Focus I think the Recaros are much better but the ones in the Clio are quite different, I've heard off a few people that they're not very comfortable for daily driving on the Clio, but I assume better for track stuff.
@@CarambleTV in the focus yeah, very comfortable for a long drive but also very supportive, and there heated!
I think a 1.6 mk1 Focus could be just about the best balance of comfort/handling/performance you could buy for less than a £1000 and probably much more than that.
Yep. That's a fact.
+plutonia00 I have a rust-free 04 1.6 with some light tuning, st shocks, brakes, ghia leather interior and wheels. I've had it for 3 years. I can easily afford to buy a newer car and it is debatable that any modern car is an improvement! I added a pioneer headunit for satnav,dab,bluetooth,flac. I have massive 6x8 components in the door. Both have the best factory placement I have seen for speakers in any car. I would like a car change but what? Mk2? ugly,Mk3 bloated, Golf V possibly though they are heavier and you feel that in driving. A e46 or e90 3 series, shit in the snow.
+plutonia00 true as fuck :D
Miss mine. Replaced with Mark 2 and just wasn't the same. Conservative and sloppy in comparison to the sharp mark one
Got about 126k on my '04 1.8 Focus Edge. Had it from new - put full WaxOyl treatment on it straight after. Replaced the cat (rotted), front n/s wing (ditto) - got a really solid one in the right colour (!) for £30, bolted straight on. Honestly can't think of anything else it's needed apart from consumables. New oil + filter every 10k.
It's starting to feel a bit baggy now, and it rarely sees north of 3.5k on the tacho. Actually there's no need - there are useful squirts of torque at about 2.5k - 3k for 2nd, 3rd and 4th that whisk it up to 60. There's more power higher up, but I've never felt that happy using it - it's comfort zone is obvious, and in any case, it gets thirsty when worked hard. Like the guy said, I'll run it until it crumbles around me. Reckon I've got a couple of years left before it'll need any welding - then I'll scrap it and maybe get a Fiesta ST. Having said that, they've really chucked the salt around this winter - bit worried the annual spring hose down is going to reveal all sorts of cosmetic trauma. I never wash it and the kids have trashed the interior. It's a pit, a shed, and looking grimmer by the month. But I can't get rid of the damn thing. Never usually get sentimental about vehicles - certainly never refer to them as "she" or name them. This Focus has been bloody dependable though, and there's loads of feedback coming up through the front tyres. If you can be even remotely smooth on the controls, it handles decently and is pretty forgiving. After 14 years I think I'm nearly ready for something else though. ; - )
I wouldn't scrap it, waste of a car. Let someone else carry the torch (so to speak 😉)
@@shanepatrick641 Too late - it got scrapped a few months ago. It was shagged and leaving oil on the block paving; mechanic mate reckoned it had a porous sump. I could've run it for longer but the MiL's car came up for free ('07 Prius) so it was a case of one in, one out. The Prius justifiably gets a shitload of stick, ditto their owners, but one things for sure - they're ridiculously comfy. The seats are cosseting and soft, and the suspension is like air not spring. Incredible. Sure, it's soggy and slow - but if you're not in a hurry they're plush and lovely. The full auto box dodgem car thing is mad. A child of three could drive this thing. Some of the trim and interior fitments are flimsy, but the paint seems thick and there's no rust on the shell (bits underneath though. I like it a lot - as much as my old Focus? Probably, yeah.
I have watched this video a couple of times over the past 2 years and you have nailed this homage. My focus passed the MOT recently after 15 years but I have started looking for a replacement just in case. But so far have not found anything like it. I even prefer it over the new MX-5...how can it be so hard to find something better than an almost 20-year-old focus?
True dat.
Because it's analogue and everything else is now digital. Two words hydraulic steering.
I can now say I finally own a 2005 MK1 ford focus 1.8 😀 it's surprisingly quick and eager. Only downside is cosmetic issues but mechanically it runs like a dream.
Boom! 2005 too so last of the MK1 models. A shame that rust seems to be taking hold of a lot of them now, I think a lot will vanish very quickly in the next couple of years.
Then I've put down my chips at the right time! (so to speak) like the more recent commenter said and I've seen a video where some guy reckoned these will be classed as classics some time in the future.
By the way mine is the LX trim model deep Rosso red, it came with a tow bar so I might take it off one day. Cosmetic issues is mainly paint related in some parts the base coat has come off to reveal the primer so needs a touch up.
Do you still have yours??
@@shanepatrick641 It's only gone a few weeks back. Sadly as it's not ULEZ it could not be used as daily (and I've still got the 205 and Clio to look after!) Got a 2010 MK 2.5 Titanium now, with the 1.8 Duratec.
@@CarambleTV I assume you live in London or a big city of some sorts? Shame dude. But those MK2 focus 1.8's are pretty quick to.
So you're a collector eh? You'll be sitting on goldmines real soon. 😀
@@shanepatrick641 Nr Birmingham so ULEZ coming in soon. :-( . I got the 205 10 + years ago for about £700. It's probably worth about £10k+ now which is bonkers. Clio used to be my daily but got an offer on a cheap Merc Diesel C320 CDI which financially ruined me with so many issues! I kept the Clio just in case I didn't get on with the Merc so just as well!
This is a brilliant review. I got one of these after my golf failed on me and not looking back... good little cars to learn to maintain yourself also
I have a Focus Stationwagon Mk1 from 1999 with 290xxx km's on it. It still going like a champ! I see online allot of Focus models that are on sale with 400+ thousand kilometers on it. Then I can say that my Focus stationwagom with 288thousand is brandnew hahaha
Youre not mad brother. My dad bought his low mileage one i 2008. He passed in 2019 and i inherited his pride and joy. 2024 its stull running great. 1999 original mk1. Ive tried to upload a pic but cant work out how 😢
Nice one! If you haven't already it would be worth treating the underside with some anti-rust treatment like Lanoguard or similar They're ok bodywork wise but underneath can get messy.
Great car Ford focus mk1 .fun thu drive and great experiențe and great joi especial whit the 1.6 16v and 110hp zetec engen .
Nice video. What engine does this car sport?
Ta! it's a 1.6 Zetec Petrol.
well you've just made me happy :-). needed a new car and I was really tied between a 2004 mk1 or a 2005 mk2. In the end settled on the mk1. Is a lovely car but i was worried if i'd made the right choice
Did you make the right choice?
@@AntJoseph_ Well I've had the old girl 4 years now and I still love it :). Ended up with a 2001 reg, but drives like it just left the show room. Rust has been an issue, needed a new front subframe and sills have been welded twice. But as to be expected from an 19 year old Ford
Skyrat oof the rust part is sad but glad you’re happy with it!
It was affordable, roomy and fun to drive. It was the last of its kind.
I bought a Focus with 10,000 miles on the clock I kept it for 15 years I drove thousands of miles in it, i now have a mk3 Focus witch I’m not greatly in love with ford should start up manufacturing the focus mk1 again.
I bought a 3dr 1.8 in pepper red in 1999 on a T reg. It's difficult to explain now just how much the Focus moved the game on as far as everyday cars are concerned.
I got a Mk 1 Ph 2 2003 Focus from November 2016, bought it with 53000 miles / 85000 km for €3000 / £2500 and driving it is a pleasure !
I got a 1.6 zetec engine and it's efficient, pushes really good.
This os the best car I've driven !
I have a focus mk1 and is really nice looking car, btw the black colour looks really bad.
It's 1.6 102hp and I love driving it, despite it's a not big engine, it has a perfect size of the steering wheel that combined with the engine sound you feel as a driver makes you enjoy accelerating and an interesting drive experience... Thanks for the video
And sound proof...as another down side. It cand be a bit noisy inside on long trips and winter tyres. Other than that I agree with everything, great review for the old little Focus. It still holds on pretty well...if looked after drives like new.
Alex Radulescu that can be fixed with dynomats
My dad owned all generations of the focus that were available in brazil (till mk3.5) and he still owns a mk2.5 he bought new and doesn't have any intention of selling it so he got a mk3.5 as a daily. The focus is an odd ball car that you can only understand after driving one. Independent of the generation you always feel like the car has been designed with incredible attention to detail and if you like taking turns a bit more excited you will love it and if you don't you will start liking. now that i finally got to the point of buying my first car after trying all options available i found myself looking over and over for a mk1 ghia 2.0 zetec it simply is the best option available where i live (my main option was actually an manual 328i e36 but since drift culture has hyperinflated the prices)
It's an incredible team behind the MK1 Focus, and lots of Fords around that era. A lot of it is down to a bloke called Richard Parry Jones, he's a rally driver and enthusiast and led the development at Ford.
I have a 2005 MK1 1.6 103 HP Zetec with 150k miles, and yes, obviosuly it looks old but is a great car to drive in city.
They still look pretty sharp considering it was launched in 1998!
Good review. After my beloved puma rotted away i recently found a 2005 3dr mk1 Focus, 100000 thousand miles but very well looked after for 1200 quid. Been 99% reliable for over a year only thing that has failed recently is the rear wiper motor which is common. The cars so well cared for the MOT tester commented on how solid it was when he spotted the mileage. It still drives and looks like a 2 year old car. And has barely a spot of rust even underneath it is spotless.
MonkeyHunch1 Do you still have said Focus?
@@DanielDanij2010 Sorry this is a very late reply but i still have the Focus in 2020
Don't know if everyone is aware but these mk1 focus' are going at absolute steals on mainstream auto sites as I started looking for ideal first cars for example a post 2000 car in average condition can go for as little as £350 so grab yourself a bargain while you still can
the ones before the 2001 facelift the best looking
I bought mine for £350 in 2017 the 1.6 engine.
I've spent a shit load in my current 3 years ownership another topic!! but its not rusting underneath and it drives fantastic.
@@ps36081 Is it worth the investment? I'm thinking of getting one within the next two years.... (That's when i turn twenty five)
@@shanepatrick641 cars as an investment no
Buy a Focus 1 yes and no in terms of condition.
If you can find a good solid one then yes
(Be prepared to physically look under the car)
It will be a really good solid drive if you find one that's been looked after.
Then it will be an investment.
Car tax is £205 for the year.
Otherwise if you can find a Fiesta style climate from 2006 onwards with the 1.4 then tax is about £140 per year and you get the quickclear, AC plus the Sony Stereo.
@@shanepatrick641 as an investment if you have money put it in shares or save it.
If you want a car you can enjoy driving day to day on any road......get a Focus.
Mk1 Mondeo was arguably just as groundbreaking for Ford in the 1990s, huge leap forward from the Sierra and also rewrote the class standards.
Agreed... Maybe I should get hold of a MK1... I did do a video on the MK3...
CarambleTV Having owned both the Mk3 and Mk1 the Mk1 is the better built car, no stupid climate control system either!
In the USA be sure to get the zetec dohc. The US market had two engines available and the sohc had a fatal valve seat problem
On my drive is my old trusty Mk1 1.8 Zetec. It has no MOT at the moment, my MK2 facelift ST is my daily drive, and don't get me wrong, that thing has got under my skin. But I have a lot of affection for the Mk1. It didn't grip as well but it handled better. It just feels a complete package whereas the ST feels a normal car with a big motor. It was such a great drive, it never let me down and it was quieter inside than the ST. I absolutely love the thing.
+Chris Stansfield time to get an MOT on it...cars don't like being sat.
yeah... I know. I'll get around to it in the near future.
good review I'm hoping to buy friends car this year 100,000 miles but looks and runs excellent, I don't mind working on it myself if it does go wrong. thanks again.
The Mk1 focus is definitely a drivers car. I'm on my 8th and 9th.
9th! What have you been doing to them all?
@@CarambleTV gave 3 to my kids,sold 4 to buy 2 SVTS, known as the ST170 in other markets.
@@dennisthemenace49 A nice, proper future classic the ST170.
I now have a 15 reg Mk3.5 which although it isn't quite as sharp to drive as the Mk2 I had was it is still good fun on twisty B roads. I took it on a 600+ mile trip when I had owned it 2 days and had great fun taking it over Exmoor
Nice. I've just also bought a 2015 3.5... will have to do a video when I get the chance...
@@CarambleTV I look forward to seeing it
One of best cars of all the times.
Great review. What do you think about one of those lovely's mk1 1.8 with only 30K Kms for 5K€? Looks like new, I think I'm falling in love...
i bought my mk1 focus 1.8 zetec in silver for £550 back in june 2019 and its a genuine 29000 miles.a steal.
The underpinnings of the focus mk1 are indeed very good. if you happen to find one in good and non rusty condition (getting rarer each day) it actually really deserves to spend some money on new tires and inevitable chassis replacement parts (shock absorbers will be toast, as well as many bushings). driving wise it will feel like a much younger car when in proper condition. more firm audi a3 8p than dandly golf iv like. oh, and it will probably outlive all of said audis T(f)SI engines...
avoid the 1.4l, its slow. the 1.6 is okay with good fuel economy, the 1.8 is surprisingly quick and a good choice. the 2.0 can get thirsty in town.
I got one 90 hp with 4 electric windows,sunroof and it really drives good
Love my focus the shape does it for me as well as the comfort
good review. I have a 2.0 litre duratec engine in Brazil, year 2007 with 110k km. I love it. I bought 0km. You are luck living in UK. In Brazil, the new version (same in EU: mk3) cost approx. USD 30,000...
what engine has the car you testdrive ? 1.6 or 1.8?
1.6
I own a Ford focus 2000 year model. It's a 2.0l with 5 speed manual. 131hp
I love it! It feels soo sporty and I have been thinking of upgrading to a mk2 but dont know what engine to go with?
Samir Alim I've got a MK2, I went for the 1.8 Zetec (with climate pack) Good balance of performance/economy. 1.6 in the MK2 is a bit underpowered, 2.0 is a bit thirsty and not much more performance than 1.8. After having bad experiences with diesel reliability I avoided all the TDCi models! Too many DPF/Turbo etc issues.
CarambleTV Ahaaa okey. Thanks for the advise! I wil chek it out ✌
+Samir Alim I've put up a video now with the MK2 if you want to check it out...
+Samir Alim stick to the MK1 and upgrade it(tune it up) instead!!1 There's plenty of brands & performance parts
I owned an 2002 1.8 tddi and it was tank really good car but the steering was a little hard
This Ford is meant to be a station wagon...it looks more like a Star Trek Shuttle than a car. That's why I like it.
yes, so true, I have a mk1 hatchback 5 door, but wagon is nicer looking.
i totally agree with you. thank you for this video
I really like Fords, they are good looking cars for the price and very reliable and cheap to run.
brought a 2003 ghia diesel wagon 113hp for my first car, Call it what you will its really nice and easy to drive, Fairly quick aswell :D
my sentiments exactly ive got a 2.0 ghia saloon and the mrs has a 2001 1.6 hatch. some people take the piss however they more than likely haven't driven one.
I'd like one someday, I bet that thing can go can't it?. I'm currently driving a 2004 Fiesta 1.4 TDCI at the moment...
@@shanepatrick641 I like the 2.0 because it's bomb proof when properly maintained.
@@FordForTheWin That's also what i'm looking for, reliability. Plus I'd prefer a naturally aspirated engine, how many miles has yours done? Is it easy to service?
160,000 miles so far easy as pie to service .
We have had two mark 1 focus the first one we given to are son the second is my wife’s 2003 1.6 ebony which she has and from new her uncle used to work at Ford factor in Liverpool so she got a big discount it is a runout model which came with lots of extra features Leather seats a top of the range radio and other stuff it has only done 64.000 miles because my cars do all the work because they have been diesel so great on mpg but the focus is still a better handling and ride then most new cars out there today
MK3 Focus switched to electric rather than hydraulic steering. Sadly no where near as sharp as the MK1.
I hope these don't start disappearing from the roads like Escorts. I mean the Focus was a brilliant car and is still an excellent car for today honestly.
Great video, I never had one but drove plenty and they should really be considered the best car of the 1990s.
Considering they were placed in dealerships alongside the final Escorts (of which I owned plenty) I never understood how the Escort survived in any way post-Focus.
The 90s Escort (in all standard flavours) was truly horrendous.
the Mk1 has aged well and is still today a very sophisticated car. A 2000 Focus is more quiet than a 2008 Polo. They did a great job on the Mk1, just so sad they didn't protect it from rust better. Would it been galvanized, that'd be the next Audi 80.
Onwed a hand full of these and recently just picked up another one
A revvy 1.6 litre engine cuppled with addictive handling characteristics
Make it one of the best non performance based family bog standard cars ever made
This year the mk1 will celebrate its 20th birthday. How many family cars can survive for all these years of everyday commuting? Not many.
Hey man, why did you stop posting? You had pretty decent success...
Would love to but it's hard finding the time! I still make a lot of content but I'm on the other side of the camera...I'll try this year!