Buying a used Ford Focus (2002-2007)

Released onto the European market in 1998, the Ford Focus generated awards and gushing praise but took four years to make an appearance in Australia. By that time, the benchmark for excellence in the category had shifted and Australians were forced to wait until 2005 to experience a truly involving Focus range.

During 2001, its final full year in the Australian market, the Mazda-based Laser contributed a solid 15,374 sales and captured 9.5 per cent of the small-car market. By 2005, Focus sales had dipped below 11,000, its share had been halved and those sales were split approximately 60/40 between the swoopy Hatchback version and the relatively conservative sedan.

At launch, the LR Series Focus offered CL and LX models with sedan or hatchback bodies and the automatic-only Ghia sedan. Manual-transmission cars came with 16-Valve, 1.8-litre engines that generated 85kW and 156Nm. Automatics got a 2.0-litre with exactly the same power but 6Nm of extra torque.

Performance-driven buyers were offered a 96kW, 2.0-litre Zetec version. Alloy wheels with low-profile tyres sharpened handling and body skirts added some sporting appeal. For six months from September 2004 a Zetec R version was added.

At the opposite end of the price scale was another short-lived variation; the stripped back SR. Introduced during April 2004 and withdrawn a year later, the SR offered a driver-only airbag and manual windows winders but kept alloy wheels and air-conditioning. Prices for a five-speed hatch began at $19,980.

Almost a year after launching the main Focus range, Ford rekindled interest with a ‘hot-hatch’ ST170 three-door. At $37,000 the ST170 was no bargain and if you didn’t like Imperial Blue metallic paint, too bad because that’s all there was.

The ST's 2.0-litre engine had larger valves than the standard model, variable valve timing, and dual-stage induction. Power climbed to 127kW and smart multi-spoke alloys and a six-speed gearbox were standard.

Significant change came in 2005 with the launch of a dramatically different LS series. These cars were larger in every respect than the LR and a 107kW base engine finally delivered performance to match the model’s other virtues. The revised hatch was over 300mm longer than the car it replaced and 140mm wider. Expansion of such magnitude came at a cost and the weight of a basic five-speed increased by 117kg.

A new pricing structure for the largely South-African sourced range saw Ford slash prices by up to $1600 and list the revamped CL manual with air-conditioning at an attractive $20,990.

At $24,990 the LX packed a significant amount of gear into its enlarged package. Standard equipment included antilock brakes, side-front airbags, 16 inch alloy wheels, power windows and cruise control. The slow-selling Ghia survived as well; still above $30,000 but with leather trim, power front seats and a CD stacker to entice buyers.

Adding some comfort and safety to the price-leading CL meant choosing a Smooth or Safety option ‘pack’. These combined to include alloy wheels, fast-glass, side airbags and antilock brakes for an all-up $2190.

In 2006 the XR5 lifted Focus to the pinnacle of small performance car rankings. With 166kW from its Volvo-supplied five-cylinder turbo engine, a six-speed gearbox and spectacular 18-inch alloy wheels it was a minor hit with buyers, even managing to steal sales from the AWD turbo crowd.

Useful features included head airbags and traction control. The computer-controlled hydro-electric steering could be remapped through three increasingly-sharp settings. Best news for buyers was a $36,490 base price which undercut (by $500) the earlier and significantly less powerful ST170.

One owner described manual shifting an automatic in pursuit of more performance as; “Like having a turbo button on a shaver – the buzzing gets louder but it doesn’t do anything.”

Zetec versions with their 96kW perform a little better; especially noticeable in automatic form. The stiffer suspension and lower-profile rubber deliver improved grip without any serious affect on comfort.
 
Where a Focus of any kind will shine when compared to cars of similar size and price is in the ride/handling compromise. This factor was significant in its 1998 European Car of The Year win. Independent, ‘control-blade’ rear suspension in a class where the competition mostly runs beam axles, precise steering and excellent brakes produced a car that really does entertain the enthusiastic driver. Even driven well within its limits, a Focus will make ‘A to B’ travellers feel secure under virtually any road conditions.

Space available to front-seat occupants is good but LR models disappoint with poor seat shape and support. The strange dash layout might attract fans of the quirky but is less efficient and more difficult to learn than more conventional designs.

Rear passengers will find the Hatch seat angle a little abrupt and combined tyre and road noise wearying. Later cars provided improved space and comfort, including improvements to air-conditioner delivery.

Sun streaming for a few hours through those big windows makes the Hatch a very hot place to be so choose one with air-conditioning and ensure that the stream coming from the vents is properly chilled.

The turbocharged XR5 is one of the best front-wheel drive performance cars in existence. It puts huge slabs of 40-profile rubber onto the road and the front brake rotors measure 320mm.

Even with 166kW on tap this Focus is a 1442kg porker and takes 7.6 seconds to reach 100km/h. Once underway though, it’s a rocket that will out-accelerate an XR6T Falcon and run door-to-door with the lighter Subaru WRX. The Focus will operate on 95RON Premium fuel but only gives it best when fed the recommended but costly 98RON.

Relatively low gearing affects fuel consumption across the Focus range. Early automatics need to be gently driven to even get close to their notional 8L/100km City Cycle figure. Later, 2.0-litre cars with greater torque and altered gearing will average around 7L/100km.

Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 14/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 15/20
Wow Factor: 15/20 (XR5)
Overall Score: 74/100