Well... my impressions of the Focus...

Engine... Refined, doesn't feel as gutsy as my old Passat 110bhp TDI used to.

but sounds very un diesel like, ( My father who has driven VW diesels for the last 12 years did'nt notice until I pointed it out. ) Power comes in around 1300rpm and tails off around 4000rpm.... It has enough grunt to make rapid progress both on the twistys and the Motorway making overtaking a doddle.

providing you are in the power-band..

Chassis... Car handles very well, but there is a lack of confidence on my part

( I know how my Octavia vRS handles corners etc etc ) I don't seem to be getting to know the Focus as well. The steering is nicely weighted but the feedback seems to be no better than my Octavia... Having said that this car is very easy to drive.

The level of damping is good, firm but not harsh..

The brakes aren't as effective, but to be fair they are no where near the same size etc...

Interior quality, The Ford does not have the solid feeling the Skoda has, the plastics etc are cheaper feeling...

The headlights are better on dipped beam..

the Stereo is better there is BASS and it does'nt turn itself DOWN....

The Styling is still quite fresh, but I don't like the single reversing light, its not that powerfull... it feels a size wise more in the Fabia class than the Octavia... So until I drive a Fabia vRS to compare...

Would I buy one....

Not a new one.. I would consider a used one.. but they are way to common and lose there value rapidly,, So unless Skoda or the VW group make a DUD car then I will continue owning VAG cars.....

Cheers

Dazz

So the vectra has now gone back. The focus is a far better car imho.

Well... my impressions of the Focus...

Engine... Refined' date=' doesn't feel as gutsy as my old Passat 110bhp TDI used to.

but sounds very un diesel like, ( My father who has driven VW diesels for the last 12 years did'nt notice until I pointed it out. ) Power comes in around 1300rpm and tails off around 4000rpm.... It has enough grunt to make rapid progress both on the twistys and the Motorway making overtaking a doddle.

providing you are in the power-band..

Chassis... Car handles very well, but there is a lack of confidence on my part

( I know how my Octavia vRS handles corners etc etc ) I don't seem to be getting to know the Focus as well. The steering is nicely weighted but the feedback seems to be no better than my Octavia... Having said that this car is very easy to drive.

The level of damping is good, firm but not harsh..

The brakes aren't as effective, but to be fair they are no where near the same size etc...

Interior quality, The Ford does not have the solid feeling the Skoda has, the plastics etc are cheaper feeling...

The headlights are better on dipped beam..

the Stereo is better there is BASS and it does'nt turn itself DOWN....

The Styling is still quite fresh, but I don't like the single reversing light, its not that powerfull... it feels a size wise more in the Fabia class than the Octavia... So until I drive a Fabia vRS to compare...

Would I buy one....

Not a new one.. I would consider a used one.. but they are way to common and lose there value rapidly,, So unless Skoda or the VW group make a DUD car then I will continue owning VAG cars.....

Cheers

Dazz[/quote']

As a Focus TDCI 115 owner, I would like to commend you for giving a fair review of the focus. Nothing gets up my nose more than other car forums that simply slate it because its a ford and because of their brand snobbery they cant admit its a good car. I have noticed that the power delivery is much smoother than the kick that VW groups cars give, but regards the Passat 110 having came across much of these on the road it is a bit faster. It is about neck and neck with the PD115. It definately isnt as quick though as the Fabia VRS that I drove. Very nice car, great spec for the money and the kick that PD130 engine gives in such a small car just made me laugh. Very economical too. I would love a spin in a chipped one I will definately consider one when I change the Focus.

Cheers

P.S. Octavia VRS are very nice

I had an early Focus TDCi a while ago as a hire car (driving "dern Serf")...and I must admit, it was great on the motorway. It overtook cars VERY easily, and you were doing 100 before you knew it!

It was the first "performance" diesel car I ever drove and I thought the engine was great. However, having considered buying a Focus sometime in the past, I'm glad I didn't. They ARE a little too common and lacked something I couldn't quite put my finger on at the time, but now realise it was "soul"!!!

P.S. Octavia VRS are very nice

Dude

As a Focus TDCI 115 owner, I would like to commend you for giving a fair review of the focus. Nothing gets up my nose more than other car forums that simply slate it because its a ford and because of their brand snobbery they cant admit its a good car. I have noticed that the power delivery is much smoother than the kick that VW groups cars give, but regards the Passat 110 having came across much of these on the road it is a bit faster. It is about neck and neck with the PD115.

Brand snobbery...on a Skoda forum?? Just feel lucky you dont drive BMW.

As far as quickness of your Focus goes, the Passat isnt really a like for like comparrison as its bigger and heavier. A more equal rival would be a Golf or Astra.

I know what you mean though about the boost coming in though, all VW,s with a TDI under the bonnet have done it to one degree or another, but I would say the Superb with pd130 is simply gorgeous at it, and really suprises quite a few.

I have driven my parent in laws Focus turbo deisel. I have to admit I do not know what its bhp is. It is reasonably quick, but does not compare to even my wifes 75bhp petrol octy. Also it is very very noisey. It is like driving a tractor or very basic deisel van in terms of engine noise. Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. Also in terms of Ford Deisels, last summer I drove from Bristol airport to Torpoint in Cornwall in a petrol Pug 307 and the reverse journey in a Feista turbo deisel. Despite the Feista being both diesel and smaller it cost me just as much to refill it before handing the car back.

Not impressed with Blue Oval oilers at all.

The one you drove was probably the TDDI which is much worse than the TDCI.

For the Ford though they are well spec'd as you can get the Tdci in the same spec as the ST170. I was going to go for one until I saw the Furby Vrs...

Darren

My last car was a Focus 1.6 16v - It was quick, and generally speaking handled really well - the only real problem I had with that was the understeer when cornering - particularly in the wet - although I believe the TDCi engine is heavier and this problem is not so bad. I have driven a Mondeo TDCi and it seems a good engine.