Just sold a 1.6 petrol and got a 1.8 TDCI, everone tells you how well these engines pull, how fast they are and how cheap they are to run. I must agree, they are quick and boy do they pull, but what folk dont tell you is how you always seem to be in the wrong gear, how you cant get in top gear unless your doing 45-50...forget 5th whilst in town, and how easy it is to stall, i have never stalled a car as much as this one.... very different than a petrol focus. Dont get me wrong Im no old timer ( well i hope not ) but in town where most of our driving is i like to take it steady, nothing stupid, i find the TDCI wanting to go all the time, not content with relaxed urban speeds, the engine wants to pull, more diesel, another gear and before you know it your doing 60 in a 30...! its the only time it feels happy. Im not surprised a friend with one has had one of those road angel camera detector fitted. One of the biggest suprises was the fuel consumption, our old 1.6 petrol averaged about 430 miles to the tank full, the diesel.....wait for it......430 miles...!! Believe me, i was expecting a lot more than that, Im pretty sure there the same size tank.
<br>As with the old focus, the handling is spot on, nice ride too without being too harsh, overall, the focus is a good solid car, nice looking and very practical, things to look out for include worn wheel bearings, a common problem, 90 quid each at a ford dealer, and speedometer sensor...90 quid. As good as it is, mines going up for sale, just cant get used to that engine. |
