> These 1.8 Tddi diesels seem to be slated quite a lot. Anyone got anything good to say about them
No.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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My uncle has a tddi and it's not that bad. It's a bit unrefined but it's not nearly as bad as people say and returns 50+ mpg with minimal effort put into economy.
So I wouldn't rule one out as such, but wouldn't insist on having a diesel.
The 1.6 is a good all rounder but the peach, if you can, is the 2.0 - not least because of the standard ABS and traction control (not that the 1.6 needs traction control; maybe the 2.0 does, I don't know).
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(not that the 1.6 needs traction control; maybe the 2.0 does I don't know).
The way i drove mine it needed it ;-)
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I don't think you can go too wrong whatever you choose as long as you follow the usual advice and insist on a fully service/maintenance records (particularly with the parafin burners). for £3.5k there are plenty to choose from.
Have you considered the styling though? estates have loads of room and their harder suspension give a slightly firmer ride (which some prefer). We have the 1.8 estate and it is the perfect workhorse for us. The 1.8 is not much quicker than the 1.6 but somehow seems smoother and performance isn't effected so much by bigger loads where as the 1.6 will soon run out of puff. Having said that I'd probably go for the 2.0 now.
Our other car is the tdi salloon. Not a popular style but reflected in the price and grp 6 insurance. comfort and driveabilty is perfect for my commute and as a 2nd family car. The boot is v big compared to the hatch so unless through-cabin hatch is a must this might be worth considering. I personally don't have any issues with the rather agricultural diesel especially as I get 450+ miles a tankful at about 50mpg.
Let us know how you get on.
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I'm on my second 2.0 petrol Ghia and I can heartily recommend one. I get a genuine overall average of 39 mpg, driven with gusto. Ignore owners' claims for other engines based either on a single journey or on a single "tankful". But whichever variant you choose, just make sure the seats of that variant suit you.
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L\'escargot.
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I had a 1.8 LX V reg - great car, quick enough. It did do early 40s mpg on motorway runs, but round town this dropped to mid 20s. As L'escargot says check the seats - the base of drivers seat on my LX was collapsing after 50,000 miles making long journeys very uncomfortable and one of the reasons I sold it.
On an older one I'd check the cambelt and tensioners have been changed too - a colleague's belt went at 53,000 miles, also on a V reg.
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L'escargot says check the seats - the base of drivers seat on my LX was collapsing after 50 000 miles making long journeys very uncomfortable and one of the reasons I sold it.
I was thinking more of the shape of the seats. I much prefer the flatter versions as found (I think) in all variants except the Zetec. To me the Zetec "bucket" seats feel as if you're sitting on .......er......... the rim of a bucket!
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L\'escargot.
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>To me the Zetec "bucket" seats feel as if you're sitting on .......er......... the rim of a bucket!
I'd have thought you'd like that - the escargots in my jardin certainly seem to. };---)
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I'd have thought you'd like that - the escargots in my jardin certainly seem to.
I've reminded them that they should be eating your greenery, not idling about on your bucket!
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L\'escargot.
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I had a T-reg 1.8 Focus once, and it was horrible. One of the horrible things was the engine. I get the impression that the 1.6 is a much nicer motor - nice characteristics and powerful enough.
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carled, I purchased a used S reg. (late 1998) Focus 1.6 (100ps) LX in 2000, sold it mid last year for a used 05 reg. Focus 1.6 TDCi (a 51/49% decision), the 1.6 petrol engine in 100ps and 115ps are both silky smooth.
I had zero problems with the 1.6 LX, servicing is straight forward. The engine is smooth and economical, I averaged overall 45mpg during the summer months and 42mpg during the winter months. If you use super unleaded you'll noticed the 1.6 pulls better than 95 octane but mpg stays about the same probably as a result of using the extra performance gain. I'd recommend the 1.6 petrol engine over the 1.8 which is more vocal and has poorer fuel economy.
The chassis setup of the LX and Ghia is bias towards comfort, if you want better handling and don't mind losing a bit of comfort then check out Zetec chassis. Also note the petrol engine name references, Ford used the Zetec name for it's engine range as well as for a particular model name. For example, the 1.6 LX has the same engine as the 1.6 Zetec (i.e. the 1.6 Zetec engine).
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