What do you really get from a used car from 25,000-100,000 kroner? We in Broom are now taking a closer look at this.
We have gathered a bunch of typical cheap cars and give you our best advice: What you should know about them, what are the pros and cons and not least: What you should watch out for.
This time the car is the Ford Focus, more specifically the previous generation that was shown for the first time in 2010. Ford’s car in the Golf class then grew a lot bigger and got a very useful station wagon – at the same time as the good driving characteristics were continued.
By the way, Focus took over for Escort in Ford’s model range and was an immediate success when it debuted in 1998.
– Five-door station wagon is most common in the used market, but there are also many station wagons to choose from.
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What should you know about Focus?
The Ford Focus has always been among the most fun-to-drive cars in its class. A little “BMW-light”, but at nice prices.
Ford put great resources into the third generation. At this time, Europe was a bright spot for the brand and the ambitions for Focus were great: This was to be a bestseller and a serious challenger to the VW Golf.
The five-door station wagon and station wagon were first out. The latter has an impressively good space for this class to be. The luggage compartment swallows away 490 liters. The rear seat is also spacious, including a very good width. The Focus was actually as wide as the VW Passat of the time, it benefited the interior.
Otherwise, it is the driving characteristics that most Focus owners highlight when they have to tell about their car. Both the chassis and steering testify that the Ford engineers had literally focused on making a car that loves to drive. Several of the competitors at this time were rather sad in this area, here Focus stood out.
The 1.6-liter diesel engine was a common motorization here at home. In the beginning with two different power outlets: 95 and 115 horsepower. The car clearly deserved the latter. In any case, we are not talking more forces than necessary. Ford’s 1-liter Ecoboost petrol engine is also common. It is not exactly a power plant, but it is at least economical in terms of consumption.
This Focus generation came at a time when car manufacturers were rolling out a great deal of new comfort and safety equipment. It is also noticeable on the Focus. Here there was a lot to choose from, a good deal was also standard.
In terms of interior, it is noticeable that the car is no longer the latest. Ford went for a dashboard design characterized by many buttons and switches. Today it looks quite messy, while the material quality is quite simple.
Ford also added more sporty versions, both ST and RS. These naturally cost a good deal more than the “everyday models”, but these too now provide a great deal of money for the money.
By the way, this Focus generation also came as an electric car. Unlike almost all competitors, it was a car that was barely visible on the registration statistics in Norway. Short range and no possibility of fast charging in the beginning, ruined a lot for Focus Electric.
Forgot electric car, but can it be a smart buy?
– This is the third generation Focus, the first came on the market back in 1998.
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What do you have to pay?
You can now get the most affordable copies from around 20,000 kroner, then we are talking almost without exception about a five-door station wagon. Quality and condition can vary enormously in this price range. Here it is therefore important to check the car carefully. A fresh EU control is worth its weight in gold here.
For NOK 50,000, we start sniffing at current station wagons, preferably from 2012–2014. The mileage is often somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000. These are also cars that can vary a lot. Some are characterized by many owners and tough use, others have lived quiet and protected lives with good care and follow-up. The latter are clearly also the safest purchases.
If we double to 100,000 kroner, there is really a lot to choose from. You can for example get 2015 models with relatively low mileage. On the engine front, you can get a 2-liter diesel engine in this price range, it gives a nice surplus of power in the Focus. At this price, most things should be taken care of with services and follow-up.
By the way, ST is now approaching NOK 150,000. Its a lot of fun for the money!
Focus RS: – A driving experience you will soon forget
– This is what it looks like inside. Not exactly minimalist!
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Who bought it as new?
Many of the buyers were families with small children who had more than enough to spend their money on – and who wanted a reasonable station wagon at a good price. A good portion of these cars were actually used. With lots of things in and out daily, Mariekjeks leftovers that were pushed further and further into the seat covers and rarely washing and shining (this is not even what mothers and fathers of young children have the most time for.
Sometimes it was probably also sloppy with services and follow-up. Therefore, it is very important to check the history.
Focus was also a fairly common company car, as it snuck under favorable tax limits. And then a good number of copies were bought by well-adults, where the kids had moved out and you no longer needed a very large car. These are in many cases the best second-hand purchases.
Plus
Good to drive, good price and lots to choose from.
Minus
Typical common sense purchase, there is not much here that makes the heart beat faster.
– Ford also made sporty editions, this is the Focus ST.
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How wrong can it go?
Being a cheap car, this Focus generation is a safe buy. The quality is generally good, nor is there a lot of gadgets and fancy equipment that can break. In the very beginning, there were a number of rust problems. They should be repaired long ago when the car has grown as much as it does now.
As always, previous owners can be the biggest danger. Cars that have been through three or four families with small children and were last serviced six years ago, you should be careful with. It is important that the car has been followed up all the way. Do you get a little bad feeling? Then just look around for something else. There are many cars for sale on the used market!
What do the owners think?
We at Broom have asked the owners what they think of their Focus of this generation. As many as 73 have responded and given a grade. Click here to find out what they mean:
Evald drives the Focus as a taxi – and it is NOT completely normal!
How good is the Focus as a used car? See more in the video below:
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