Ford Focus Zetec S 2008 Pictures

I`ve recently had the misfortune of driving one of these as my megane 225 got took out by a wagon. I was given a 1.6 petrol model. I know I am used to a bit of meat under the accelerator with my current car being a 2ltr turbo and previous was a 2.3 V8 however the Focus, I have to say, would have been beat off the line by my Grandma in her disabled scooter! I found the engine to be extremely flat and often embarressing as various egg boxes pulled away from me. I did a long journey in it (Manchester to Bournmouth and back). At 70 on the motorways the engine sounded as though it was riding on the rev limiter although it was only idling at 4k. Yes I must admit that the zetec trim does look the part - from a distance without your specs on!!!! Inside was impractical. The only cup holder was right behind the gear change. The seats had no substance in them leaving me extremley uncomfortable after only 20 miles of my journey. I found I was having to make frequent breaks just to get the feeling back in my bum and legs. The drivers seat could be altered to stiffen the lumber up but there was really no difference. The seats also had little annoying plastic strips running all down the lumber. I think this was to make it look `cool` but all they achieved was me sticking to the seats and getting annoyed. The passenger seat felt as though you were sitting against a deflating air bed. To be able to reach anything from the passenger seat you had to be kissing the windscreen as when the seat was pushed back for leg room I couldn`t reach the electric windows (button looked like an after thought) radio, glove box etc etc. In summary - if I would have actually given Ford my hard earned doller for this car I would feel violated. I have driven the Fiesta (same year) and that has a lot more bite to it than this has. The only plus point I can give you is that I never achieved the Ford whistle while on the motorways!
Rachel Rowlands | 04 November 2011 |