The Mk1 Focus was shocking! And changed the world

[@dungbetel]

Brilliant, brilliant car. Bought my 2002 facelift 1.8TdCi in 2005 with 90,000 km (55k miles) on the clock. I passed it on to my son in 2014 and it now has well over 300,000 km on the clock and it's still going strong. What a chassis. What an engine...

[@alansimpson835]

The era when Ford were absolutely on their game. The MK1 Ka, MK4/5 Fiesta, Mk1 Focus, MK1 Puma, Mondeo. All very affordable, well styled and cracking fun

[@mikenewbold1699]

bit like ur mum

[@lewis72]

IMO, Mk1 Ka Puma Mk6 Fiesta Mk1 Focus Mk3 Mondeo Cougar All had that very forward-looking New Edge style. However, I think the Cougar slightly missed the mark.

[@Herbertti3]

Proper rust buckets in rustbelt. Not single one remains intact.

[@rtyt2007]

You forgot the AU ford falcon!

[@insiderreality491]

​@@Herbertti3Not 1 spot of rust on mine, original paint and 20 years old. Every single thing works. They even had corrosion warranty. People who don't wash their cars and have winter grit stuck up in the arches in summer will make any car rust.

[@SA-zoom1]

First time I drove one of these, it was just a basic 1.6 and it made my Golf GTI feel like it had 4 flat tyres and broken suspension. It was an utter revelation.

[@julianowens4071]

I had a 306 gti6 and felt the same

[@steve0680657]

​@@julianowens4071 French = electric problems, bad in accident too.

[@waxmandr]

Never had the pleasure of 1 these. But I've had a mk2 for the last 6 years. 18000 miles on the clock. Never had any major issues. Built like a brick. I love it.

[@leedorey1490]

Absolute game changer in the hatch market. Left other manufacturers at the time trailing. Independent rear suspension revolutionised handling and control. I remember my first drive in one, within seconds I was part of the machine.

[@brianiswrong]

I was at the ford dealership in Derby (fixing a coffee machine) on the day they got there first demonstrator. I admired it as it was unloaded and the dealer principal handed me the key and slapped trade plates on and told me to ' enjoy" some country roads. As I was driving a company escort estate at the time it was like ,wow,wow,wow. And guess what my next company estate was😊

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

TC Harrisons ?

[@davidclarke9783]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. Well said

[@danmccarthy4700]

This does not look like a 25 year old car. It still looks fresh and modern.

[@smudger671]

Absolutely true. It's still a better looking car than the latest model IMO.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

I have been waiting for this review for a while as it was inevitable. The MK1 Focus is one of the greatest handling cars of all time with many redeeming features that many cars before and many years after still didn't possess. Practical, safe, reliable, handles like a much smaller car and above all else you could tell this was an engineers car not an accountants one like previous Fords. There is an argument on why this is one of the greatest European cars of all time with all of its accolades and following today. This review has been good to watch with some very good points.. except the apart regarding the automatic versions... superb gearbox very smooth and extremely reliable at high mileages. Nothing to feel down about quite the opposite it's a great option for those who don't wish to utilise the manual option, which both the IB5 and MTX75 are great gearboxes. Like most features on a MK1 they just work and work to perfection as intended. The Zetec engines are only the 1.8 and 2.0 options, the 1.4 and 1.6 are the all-aluminium Sigma, confused as a Zetec because they are called Zetec-SE (Typical Ford). Completely different engines but both rev-happy and as bullet-proof as any engine of its time as long as the maintenance was kept up. The Sigma was so good it lived side by side against it's replacement the Ecoboost until 2018. The car in question is kept in fantastic condition by Darren and part of the Focus MK1 Preservation Group of which will hopefully help more owners keep these wonderful machines on the road for years to come, numbers have plummeted since the pandemic. So the advise I'd give to anyone with an interest is to grab a good one while they are still affordable, like anything with a Ford badge and even half-decent as a car they don't stay cheap for long!

[@TheV8nutter]

Its only Matts opinion of automatics in general, not the Focus automatics me thinks !

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

@@TheV8nutter true.

[@Zeem4]

I tried searching for the Focus MK1 Preservation Group, but does it have any presence other than on Facebook?

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

@@Zeem4 nope because websites cost money which the club does not have being so small. I don't think it will enhance the club at the present time as Facebook is an excellent platform for interaction and knowledge :)

[@Zeem4]

@@usuallyfixingtinkering Ah, fair enough. I'm not on Facebook or any other social media and never will be, but that's just me.

[@fraggit]

I bought a 2.0L ghia, brand new in 1999. I can definitely confirm people nearly had accidents craning to see what car it was. I bought a Lotus Elise in 2002 and that didn't get as many admiring looks that the Focus used to get. I had that Focus for 10yrs and never had to go under the bonnet, I still have the Elis, and I know what under the bonnet of an Elise looks like. :)

[@dominotr7]

My mate and i had the first two in our company back in the day. Mine was a white 1.8 Ghia S349 BWL. Did over 135k in that car loved it. My bosses wife bought it off the lease company after the lease was up and she kept for several years more. Handled so well and was a real well appointed car. So much better than the old outgoing Escort of the era. Happy days. Don’t make em like that anymore!

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

It wiped the floor with the Escort, the 1.6 and 1.8 were the ones to have. The 2.0 was strangely undergeared

[@kylobudgie9841]

🎉My dad has a white mark 1 estate LX 1.8 TDCI nearly 200,000 miles quite of rare one

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

@@kylobudgie9841 Does it have a wet belt?

[@kylobudgie9841]

@@ChrisPatrick-q6k don’t know it’s a 2004. I don’t think it’s been replaced before he’s done other jobs like gearbox and brake pipe and that

[@kylobudgie9841]

@@ChrisPatrick-q6k he bought it 10 years ago at 40,000 miles now it’s done nearly 200,000. I think it’s 198,000

[@chrispop99]

I had two of them, from 2000 until 2018. They were pretty much faultless, and brilliant to drive. The Mark 2 was too big for my garage. If they still made the Mark 1 now, I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[@chrishart8548]

The latest fiesta is basically a mk1 focus now if not bigger. The mk8 polo is actually larger than a mk4 golf now. I never thought that day would come

[@flycorvus]

High5, pal. Ford should make Mk1 Focus as Classic Focus today, I'd buy my new Turnier 2.0 Zetec. Perfect A to B car for the next twenty years.

[@bensmithkent22]

Yea the mk2 focus was or looked a huge step up in terms of size and solidity. They went hunting that vag solid style which to me the mondeo mk3 started. 05 was around the time vag literally took over in the small hatch market everybody and their mother wanted a golf.

[@zeljkojozinovic3550]

Have a 2003 1.8 tdci 85kW for 9 years now. Just past its MOT with no remarks. It has 354k km/220k miles on the clock. It has been pretty reliable in the meantime. Great to drive, comfy enough and it will be driven as long it holds up.

[@volvo480]

When I met my wife she was driving a very early 1998 Mk1 Focus (the one in the video is a facelift model) with 1.6 litre engine. She took a cloverleaf junction at 50 mph and said, while I was hanging on to the jesus handle, it could do that even faster but she only did that when she was alone in the car. She liked my car at the time (a Matra Murena) because it had rear wheel drive which "pushes you through roundabouts". She had a 3 year old son whose first word allegedly wasn't "mummy" but "car". I instantly knew she was a keeper.

[@sharonec5419]

What do ye drive now?

[@volvo480]

@@sharonec5419 she currently drives a Mk3 Volvo V70 (which is a Mk4 Mondeo in drag), my current winter beater is a Volvo S70 and my summer car is a Volvo 480. Both cars suggested by my wife as she drove 340, 440, 460, 850, S70 and S60 in the past.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

​@@volvo480oh dear,you've downgraded then.todays fords still drive and look great.having said that they have stopped selling all there best cars.glad i was around in the 80s and 90s when cars actually we're cars not just bland suv type computors on wheels.

[@markf4720]

Lol, my first word was "car" 😂

[@podmuse1994]

The Focus is so iconic to me here in America. My aunt bought one as her first car, shortly followed after my dad bought one because he liked hers, then my mom bought one but a wagon version. So many happy memories growing up in all the Foci in my life

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

It’s only happened a few times for me when I see a new model launched, but the Focus was one where it literally was love at first sight and I wanted one. In the end my wish came true a year or so after launch when I picked up my brand new 1.8 Ghia 5 door. 4 and a half years and 70,000 miles later, including a drive around the Le Mans circuit, I decided it was time for a change and stupidly bought an Audi A3 instead of a last of the line Focus. To this day the Focus is one of the favourite cars I’ve owned. The way they ‘flow’ over a challenging moorland A road here in the UK is quite remarkable. Suspension control really is first class. Glad I was there at the time. It felt special among the bread and butter. A Mk4 Golf was miles away in terms of driving dynamics. The Focus is the reason the Mk5 was so good. VW had to recover lost ground. They even poached Ulrich Eichorn from Ford, who’d worked on the Focus’ chassis. Ford really tried with this car; ergonomics, design, suspension, space efficiency, safety. A truly brilliant car. Thanks for the reminder Furious! Now, to Autotrader…

[@gg_vard]

I have a 2000 pre facelift as my first car. These days it's on main car duty as my father's Skoda has some engine troubles. Just love it to be honest 🎉

[@MePeterNicholls]

Had my mk1.5 exactly 20 years ago fresh from the factory not the forecourt. Valencia! 1.6 ghia 5 door hatch. Midnight blue. It reached 180,000 miles by 2017. And on the original clutch! Oh yes the handling was fantastic!!!!!

[@Daz_Stap]

Excellent! This one is on 152k miles with its original clutch, and more surprisingly, its original coil pack!

[@insiderreality491]

I have a 2004, never been able to like any other cars these are the best all rounder ever built. Great vision all round, roomy, quite and great fun.

[@MePeterNicholls]

@@insiderreality491 had a 2015 and 2020 since

[@shaka7594]

1.4Lx 02 still on original clutch, gearbox & starter motor, rust is the main issue now

[@abrownm5brown339]

Nice review, the Mk1 Focus is a sure fire future classic. I have an ST 170 and I love it. It's not fast by modern standards but it's a lot of fun in the twisty stuff!

[@mpersad]

As you say, it was a revelation at launch. I was always impressed by the driving dynamics, on the couple of hire cars I drove in the 90s. And the way Ford used experts like Sir Jackie Stewart to give advice on the driver experience was impressive. Great video Matt, and how I wish that manufacturers were putting their efforts into delivering good value, innovative, new designs today. Regrettably, I think those days are long gone. Best of British for "Rustival", it's going to be a blast I'm sure.

[@TassieLorenzo]

" I wish that manufacturers were putting their efforts into delivering good value, innovative, new designs" I guess you don't have that many non-electric Chinese cars in the UK apart from MG, but it seems other auto makers have willingly given up the affordable car market to Chinese brands like MG, LDV, Haval, GWM (Great Wall) and BYD here in Australia. They are good value, have (some) new designs (MG3 excluded of course) and have the latest tech (even if it doesn't always work very well). Long-term quality remains to be seen IMO!

[@tugatomskanimation6370]

It's still my daily car (the F2000 SW version). Fantastic machine. Still gorgeous to this day.

[@alexflosho]

My dad had a MK1 SVT (Sporty edition in America) and he loved the thing even though he’s a huge guy. Drove it for 4-5 years!

[@Andronicus2007]

I had a 2002 Zetec 3 door between 2007-2018. I was a great car to drive, all the controls felt great, with incredible steering feel, brake feel and outstanding handling. The only things I felt could've been improved was the engine, even the 2.0L felt sluggish and the dash materials could've been of higher quality. The doorskins were covered in a nice soft material- but the dash hard plastic. The seats were also the best I've ever experienced, so comfortable- truely outstanding

[@tonybhogal8112]

My first brand new car was a 2002 Focus Ghia TDCi. Ran it for 3 years and over 100k, I absolutely loved that car. Bought a 2002 50k miles Ghia last year to add to my collection but made the mistake of lending it to a mate. He loved it so much he made an offer I couldn't refuse. I will definitely buy another one... easily one of my favourite cars of all-time. They're SO nice to drive!!

[@AJ-tj7jm]

At launch the Peugeot 306 had set the benchmark for small hatch handling and was a very tough act to follow the focus made it age a decade over night. With sports suspension it handled like it was on rails, with normal suspension it handled like it was on rails without shaking your fillings out when you hit a pothole. I had my mk1 from new, sold it 12 years ago and miss it.

[@simonlb24]

In my job at that time I had to work away one week out of every four so used to have a hire car for a week at a time, which would usually be either an Escort (ok, but a bit dated), a Vauxhall Astra (hit and miss, depending on the spec level and engine) or a Fiat Bravo/Brava (truly awful cars, irrespective of model). The first time I got a Focus I was gobsmacked! It really was a complete revelation and was leagues ahead of the Escort in every respect. It was so easy to drive, was exceptionally comfortable but also had excellent handling so you could either potter around like Miss Daisy or be a bit of a hooligan depending on your mood. Ford really nailed it with this one!

[@lukemallory7832]

I still remember the first time I saw one - walking home from school as a teenager. It was parked on the street and, yes, it looked completely nuts. I had to explain to my friends what we were looking at. Put it like this.. I can't remember seeing my first Golf or Almera...! Or Ferrari 550.

[@acwdrivingservices9877]

I remember seeing my first Mk 1 Focus,25 years ago, drive past me and I just stopped and gaped at it, wow what a car! Then when I managed to own one and again it was wow this is some car to drive! Difficult to believe today but that was the effect it had at the time.

[@admiralbeez8143]

I remember back in 1998 when I was visiting Germany from Canada and being amazed when I saw the Euro Ford Focus, when we Canadians were stuck with Tempos and Escorts.

[@ianjenkins4641]

I was selling these in the early 2000’s. You could get a year old Zetec 1.6 5 door with 12k on the clock for £8995 with Ford direct warranty. These sold like hot cakes. Fantastic cars. Good times indeed.

[@BryanGullickson]

Amazed at the small engine size in the UK market cars as the Focuses in the US either came with the 2.0L I4 SPI/CVH lifted from the North American Escort making a whopping 110 HP or the 2.0L I4 Zetec making 130HP which the later came standard in any ZX trim cars mated to either a 5 spd manual or a 4 spd automatic

[@Carrera-gp9od]

You got the 2 litre here too. Also the 2.0 turbo rs

[@ianjenkins4641]

And the 2.0 duratec in the ST170. Peach of an engine.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

​@@BryanGullicksonso you have bigger engines with less power,thats a bit crap init.

[@BryanGullickson]

@@ivanfernyhough3851 not really as most people here in the states that were buying a Focus were buying it as a little economy car that for the most part was going to be driven in town and maybe occasionally on the highway/interstate so we weren't truthfully concerned about power what we were concerned about was MPG and reliability which the lower compression ratio delivered it also meant that god forbid you gave the car to someone who may not be good at keeping up with the maintenance the engine wasn't going to turn into a ticking time bomb if someone missed an oil change or went over the mileage a bit

[@TheV8nutter]

Another great film. Thanks Matt, wish it was a bit longer ! The Focus I own, was subject to a video produced by Jay emm on cars some time ago. He also predicted a future classic. So get saving them folks !

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

100%

[@berkotropia]

I made one of my best deal in my life when someone sold his Focus mk1 2001 for £150 because he just wanted to get rid of all the cost of cars after no more driving. The person wanted to scrap it! The car is immaculate and has 35.000 miles only.

[@focus82grothm.84]

On my third Ford focus now, a Mk4 2018 St-line 1.0 EcoBoost 125hp. My first was a Mk1.1/2 02 focus 1.6 100hp trend and the second was a Mk3.1/2 2015 focus titanium x 1.0 ecoboost 125hp. Excellent cars with a stellar handling 😃💖 Thank you very much for this lovely review that made a big smile on my face 😃👍

[@stevestone4346]

I’ve had my 1.6 zetec since 2015 and still love driving it. It’s now 23 years old and has been the most reliable and enjoyable car I’ve ever owned in 43 years of driving. It’s a three door which to my eyes is by far the best looking. The interior plastics is of much better quality than the MK 2 and 3 versions.

[@jefemuga416]

this guy absolutely flooded this car with compliments. almost convinced me to get one.

[@RoyCousins]

Focus Mk.1 1.8 Zetec (I had two): best part - the handling / worst part - the uncomfortable seats (better seats in the Mk.2 and better again in the Mk.3).

[@nolappel6274]

This car has a special place in our family My parents have owned 3 of these mk1 ford focus cars in the past, 3 diesel stations and now the stil own a petrol hatchback automatic. Since I was 3 years old I have been driven in one. and now I,m almost 25 and do own a ford focus mk1 sedan 33k first owner. Bought it without thinking. And I do really love it Probably one of the best cars ever made.

[@TheGhiaDriver]

I have a green saloon on a Y reg, 2.0 Ghia. It was my daily when I was younger and now a weekend car. What a magnificent car it is to this day. Love these, its a forever car.

[@dglcomputers1498]

My Gran had one from new in 2000 only getting rid of it in 2016 when she stopped driving, nice car to be in and was a bit different to the Volvo 340GLE it replaced. It wasn't a fancy model like the Ghia in the video but being an LX it had enough plus she had the optional climate pack which gained the heated front windscreen and heated mirrors. At now over 108,674 miles it seems to still be on the road as it's taxed, tested and insured. It's also the only car I've driven properly as in the last year of ownership my gran got me to have a go at driving it, though on the last outing with me (and the only time with my mum and sister in the car as well) the fuel pump failed!

[@allenmontrasio8962]

I used to own a panther black, 3-door, 2-litre Zetec. It was bloody brilliant. Sold it when my daughter was born and I still miss it.

[@romac9516]

My 1999 Focus Ghia was the car I regret selling. Sublime.

[@MrOvershoot]

My late wife had a 3 door 1.8 Zetec Mk1 Focus that was just such a playful car to drive. We had a fantastic holiday on the west coast Scotland in 2004 where we both wanted to drive as with the Focus driving dynamics & flowing roads of the Western Highlands combined to make for a once in a lifetime road trip 😁

[@Daz_Stap]

Funnily enough, this may be doing exactly that later this year.

[@Andyface79]

I had a facelifted one of these, an 05. 3 door hatch pretty basic. I think the only upgrade it has was A/C, and that was only because I lived in Kansas where it was hot half the year. It had a manual box and crank windows. It was really really fun, it handled well and having a 5 speed was a hoot. Very different from driving most American cars.

[@Christophergriffiths1972]

I remember when they first arrived on the scene. I was working at Hertz Rent A Car and we had loads of those delivered. They were such a good car and still are, and such a great chassis. You could throw them cars around and they would stick to the road like glue.

[@angeloverton7063]

We still have a mk1 focus estate. My dad bought his first one in 2003 and his second one in 2013 that we still have. My parents absolutely love it and it has always been a cheap and loyal family car.

[@rogerdickinson6944]

Great video, this was a brilliant car at the time. What made it look so different was having the lights high up at the back and the rounded bodyshell. We were so used to hacktbacks looking pretty much like saloons. I remember my mum had a rover 400 with the 1.4. it was totally gutless and when the headgasket went it was traded in for a focus. They were everywhere at the time, if you walked around the housing estate so many driveways had a focus. My mum wanted one for ages, and when she got one it was a 18 month old 1.6. I remember her saying how much better it was than the old rover, she said she could zoom around in it. I would love to drive one and see what the fuss was about, not many good ones about now though. Rust is the main problem!

[@vgl402]

I still have mine 2004 mk1 1.6 3door and i love driving it!

[@maxidyne]

Remember it well when it came on the market! Didn't look anything like it's predecessor the Escort, it was so modern and different than anything else. And it still looks fresh. The local Ford garage had a signal red one when it was launched, you saw it driving everywhere, people all made test drives in it. They sold a lot of them the first years. Nowadays they are rare, almost all gone sadly.

[@ThatLeeNoble]

Love my MK1 Focus, just happens to be a silver Ghia on an EY plate too although mine is 52 reg. 😁

[@simonp9075]

One of the best cars ever made. Shame they are all now being scrapped at an alarming rate. Will soon be a much sort after classic.

[@yaz1691]

A very coherent and striking design that has stood the test of time very well, making everything else look 2yrs old when it was released. A definite future classic - wouldn’t be surprised if prices start to rise in the next 5 years. I had a pre facelift estate, a ‘cheap banger’ with 135k on the clock. Engine was sweet as, drove like new, tight as a drum. Went and handled better than a small estate had any right to. A fantastic car in every way.

[@djemmay]

After owning mk3/4/5 Fiesta’s, I bought an X reg Zetec Collection 3dr in Panther Black. The 1.8 engine was quick compared to the Fiestas, but it was the superb handling which made it so fun to drive. I loved that car!

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

The Zetec Collection is one of the rarest versions remaining!

[@gbode7762]

Someone in my home town bought a Saleen tuned Focus. Kid-me thought it was the coolest thing

[@alextoft9199]

I saw an immaculate Mk1 Focus when travelling for work. I would have bought it if I could. Poor thing was sat rusting in the corner of a used car place. I asked for the keys. Remote locking still worked. Hearing the click of the old screwdriver type key in the ignition and that Zetec engine fire up got me straight away. The smell as well. I love it when a car transports you back in time and triggers nostelgia like that! We had lots as hire cars when they were new!

[@jaspal666]

In 2002 I had a US Spec Focus automatic sedan as a rental. Hated it. But I read about the Focus SVT version, ST170 in Europe. They were on sale… took a test drive and loved it. Bought a silver 5 door.

[@rieger.design]

Had this car around the year 2000. It was amazing. Great looks and great handling

[@duncanbrown7021]

Had a 1.6 V reg ghia 5 door hatchback, followed by a 52 plate TDCi ghia estate. Loved the estate, especially the 6 disc CD player. There was always plenty of power on tap and the continous turbo meant pretty much zero turbo lag.

[@andrewthornton2562]

Just sold the third one I've owned. Sublime cars, bar rust. Brilliantly designed all round.

[@Zeem4]

You'll see my daily driver 52-plate at Rustival! I inherited it in 2021 when my dad passed away. I'd borrowed it off him a couple of times before that, and the handling and ride immediately blew me away. I''ve never driven anything else as good. As an example, I recently had to drive from Louth to Mablethorpe for work, a trip that takes about 30 minutes along twisty rural roads, and I had so much fun it felt like 5 minutes.

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

I'm taking my owned-from-new Y-reg 1.6 Ghia to Rustival. See you there!

[@Thanos.m]

I'm not a ford person but I have to say mk1 focus has one of the best rides in its class that I've ever driver on been in to date. It drives just drives superbly.

[@al557uk]

I learned to drive in an MK1 Focus and liked how it drove so much I bought one!

[@paultasker7788]

I had the 1.6, 3 door. A lot i liked. It handled sweetly, was well thought out inside, long gearing gave good economy and it was reliable. However it had an achilies heal. Excessive tyre noise. Very loud on a cruise. So when a good deal came up on a mark 2 i upgraded. That was a 1.8 and was a lot quicker. And 1.8 mark 2 is a nice engine too. But something had been lost even though in most ways it was superior. More refined, better built inside. It just didn't drive with the agility of the mark 1. The focus had grown up. And was leas loveable. I regretted swapping quite quickly. I'd hired mark 2s on holiday with 1.6s in and they were slower than my mark 1. I'd always preferred my 1st generation afterwards. I thought 1.8 would change that. It didn't. Key to open bonnet felt classier than a flimsy pull catch too. Having to use key or press button to open the boot less good.

[@simongarner2036]

The 1.4 and 1.6 were the new Zetec engines developed with Yamaha. The 1.8 and 2.0 were still called Zetec but were the older Zeta engines carried over from the Escort. I had a 1.8 and my mate had a 1.6. Interestingly there was not much in the 0-60 times between them, despite the 1.6 having 103bhp to the 1.8’s 115. The 1.8 had much more mid-range shove though, making it much more drivable in my opinion.

[@mikefoley360]

Lamborghini Murciélago uses the side repeater indicator from the mk1 Focus (Mat Armstrong)

[@rawry100]

I had a 2004 MK1 focus I absolute loved it took it to the isle of wight amazing drive 👍

[@neilmustow368]

I did see a 2004 Mk 1 Focus this week going to work Matty so rare now 👍👍👍👍 just a revolution family hatch back in 1998

[@kylobudgie9841]

🎉My dad has a white mark 1 estate LX 1.8 TDCI nearly 200,000 miles quite of rare one

[@tonysmith7825]

My wife had a red MK1 focus with a 1.6 zetech engine. Sadly we had to scrap it after it failed it's last MOT catastrophically. I was particularly sad to see it go as I enjoyed driving it so much.

[@julianowens4071]

I had one of the first 1998 zetec,I loved it,handled extremely well in its day,I could get it onto 3 wheels

[@charlesshamseldin9555]

I still daily drive a mk1 here in the States and she is now 19 years old. She still shifts beautifully with the silky mtx-75 with no grinds, and the 2.0L motor (with the mazda derived Duratec) is still a sweet free revving lump -- and combined with an aftermarket turbo kit makes for an entertaining daily driver that is shockingly quick. Will drive it as long as I can get parts for it.

[@Boating_David]

Had a silver (of course!) 1.6 Zetec and loved it, would have another today as a run around if the right one turns up !

[@James-ld2jc]

I've had a couple of these, a very early 1.8 estate and a 1.6 hatchback (5 door). They were good cars, especially the estate. Great cars to drive

[@philipalbert3272]

Richard Parry Jones was the genius responsible for this car. Great man.

[@Ricketik65]

In between a whole bunch of about 16 Citroëns I owned one of these and it was brilliant. The looks, the packaging, the handling, all were amazing. Ford hit the nail on the head with this one.

[@jesseerosenbaum527]

I wanted one when I was in high school. A buddy had a 2.0L 3dr ZX3 in red and when I drove it I sighed when I had to climb back into my MK1 Escort GT (1990) Now 25 years later, I finally own my ZX3 and I have modified mine heavily. I absolutely adore this car.

[@matthewwalker8238]

My dad bought one of the very first mk1 focus’s in Northern Ireland it was ordered and delivered and he changed his mind and got a mk1 3rd in blue I think it was a 1.6 sport of some description, he had 3 mk1s in total before getting a new mondeo, I learned to drive in the 3rd one, brilliant car

[@sharonec5419]

Well at least you got ti learn to drive in the Focus and not the Mondeo. If it had if been a Mondeo mk3 you would have hated driving. Honestly that thing drove like a tank not very nice at all

[@Swans_And_Ducks]

For me it was the change over from the 90s cars to the modern cars we drive today in respect to driving feel.

[@Generalkenobi325]

One of my favourite things about the mk1 focus is the Stunning layout of the dashboard and the lovely Matt finish that they have on the top , really put some thought into building these. Fantastic car

[@anthonystevens8683]

I had a 'T' plate MK1 Focus 2.0 Ghia and it was brilliant. Prior to that I had a 1,25 'R' plate Fiesta that I was more than happy with until..... I had a Focus as a courtesy car when my Fiesta was in for a service. Within around a week I had the Focus. Mine pumped out 130 brake if I recall correctly and did 0 to 60mph in a quoted 9.3 seconds but my word it was a thirsty car. The car you review is a mild facelift model with separate high beam lights and an updated front bumper with the 'angry' lower grill and inverted fog lights, the dual filament headlights on mine were pretty poor. The great thing was the car really handled but was also comfortable as you mentioned. If it wasn't for the tailgate ending up with a super annoying rattle that I adjusted more times than I can remember that would sort it for a short while along with the thirsty engine I would have kept it longer. I ended up trading it in for a slab sided Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi that also handled well with the same power with a lot more torque that I kept for 10 years. I still miss that Focus though after seeing this review. Many thanks for sharing.

[@fatwalletboy2]

In 2002 i bought an 02 plate ex demo 1.6 zetec 5dr for £10,200. Loved it.

[@Valera_Scotland]

I had a 1.4 petrol MK1 in my 20s. Not a fast car, but i remember the test drive, after my Peugeot 406 was written off, and i was thinking "oh my GOD this is so nice to drive!" The car died may years later but I'm now saving for a 1.6 or 1.8 petrol... honestly can't wait to get it in the next year or so

[@dmmcharrie2698]

Had the 2.0Ghia like this one, regretted selling it, but replace it with Mk2.5 2.0TDCi Titanium love both!

[@GentilsGarage]

Great review Matt. I owned 1 many years ago and would happily have one again as a classic. Still as good today as it was when it was launched. One of my best friends still has his early ‘99 car and will never sell it.

[@blackhawk5279]

This mk1 focus is a fantastic example and is becoming a retro classic. When these first came out, they revolutionised what a hatch back should be and set a new bench mark for road handling which at the time was only afforded to sports cars. And with this Ford proved with its upgraded suspension and chassis design that you don't necessarily need speed to enjoy the drive. I wouldn't mind one of these myself now!

[@blueman46]

i had a 2003 MK1 1.4 LX back in 2016 and loved it, it went quite well despite being a 1.4 and the handling surprised me as well, a brilliant little car especially the quick clear front screen on cold frosty mornings

[@michaeltutty1540]

The design of the Mark I Focus still stands out from the crowd. Thing is that it does so for all the right reasons. The looks always appealed to me, no matter the body style. They worked beautifully. Of course, this side of the Atlantic Focus was a subcompact car. There are virtually no hidden faults in the car. The key word is virtually. There is one to be aware of. If the car starts feeling like the rear has something screwball going on, get it to a mechanic quickly and have the front subframe checked where the control arms mount. They had a habit of breaking. Happened to a friend on his estate. Accelerating across an intersection, the left front wheel, control arm and piece of chassis rail broke loose. The rest of the car was immaculate, and it had been in and out of shops trying to figure out the handling in the back

[@zzhughesd]

Insane came back to back Escort. Focus was so so so good.

[@RussellSmithOmegaW]

I had a 2.0 Ghia as my one early indulgence back then. We went on many an adventure together. It did everything I needed, and very well.

[@Jo3man96]

I actually never sat in a mk1 focus until I was 19, an older brother of a mate of mine had one, and he gave me a lift home when I was drunk. Tempted to buy one as a daily driver, probably the estate, as my parents have dogs. Although I’m also tempted to get something a bit less normal, like a 156 sportwagon or a Toyota Alphard.

[@paulrollings6573]

I had a 2001 Focus 2.0 Ghia from 2003-2008. I still maintain it was one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Smooth powerful engine, superb handling, everything about it was a step up from every car I’d previously owned. The fuel economy was probably the only downside but that was my choice in wanting the bigger engine. I’d buy another if I could find one in mint condition.

[@jefferysmith3930]

We never got them this fancy in the US as it was viewed as a budget small car. They were definitely cost cutted down in the trim department for our market. My sister leased a new ZX3 3 dr. 5 spd. in ‘00 on my recommendation. She loved it. The high up entry and exit/seating was so much different from any other small hatch on the US market at the time. Not sure where US market cars were built but they suffered through quite a few recalls. Since they were a “cheap car” in our market They have all but disappeared from the roads.

[@TassieLorenzo]

The US automakers always seem to have this idea that the 'best' way to make a cheap small car is to take a small car and just make all the parts cheaply... Maybe it is do with their higher fixed costs than other auto makers in the North American market due to the Unions and their legacy pension payments and so on, I'm not sure. It doesn't seem to do US-brand US/Canada/Mexico-made small cars many favours in terms of their reputation for quality!

[@glennbutler3271]

I still own two, an RS and a 2.0 Ghia auto Estate, both with very low miles, love them, had 5 all told, an exellent design and a real step up for Ford back in the day.

[@verved1]

I actually remember seeing a prototype MK1 in full camo driving around where I live back in 97/98 and had no idea what was until of later. When my 45 packed up in 2013 (yup gasket) wife gave strict instructions no more Rovers so brought a 53 plate 1.6 MK1.5 auto. Hands down was the best car I ever owned or drove, it was a little pocket rocket and never ever let me down. I seriously regret getting rid of it. As for the MK2 Focus there an absolutely shed. I’d have another MK1 in a heartbeat (love a 75 but wife will kill me).

[@sharonec5419]

Or divorce you lol.

[@sharonec5419]

Thats not a Zetec Focus its a Top of the Range GHIA model thats why it has things like heated seats, chrome door handles and digital Air Con.

[@denisripley8699]

I bought Focus 1.6 in 2000, a personal import from Eire equivalent to CL specification (it didn't have any spec markings). Superb ride on steel wheels with the taller standard 15" tyres. (Someone told me that the so called 'sport' suspension on the Zetec model was nothing more than stiffer 16" tyres ?) Never been a fan of finnicky alloy wheels.. so it had slab-sided wheel trims which were easy to keep clean). Traded it in after 13 yrs, used daily.. no problems, just wear & tear. Only visible slight rust was at the bottom of the rear window - a common fault caused by poor fitting at manufacture. It still had the original exhaust despite every MOT from yr3 stating 'slight corrosion on rear box'. The original battery gave out after 12 yrs. Nothing else failed or broke, even the bulbs were original !

[@2200hls]

My Father had a 51 plate focus (LK51TTE). He got it from my grandad who had it since new, it did 280,000 miles before sadly residing in a scrapyard in 2016

[@billeves4627]

This is an example of Ford's New Edge design being done well. As opposed to the Australian AU Falcon which was a catastrophic failure.

[@TassieLorenzo]

I like the AU1 XR6 and XR8 with the triangular side skirts and double-tier rear wing as a "pure" expression of the AU design language! The Forte was unfortunate, however.

[@ewaf88]

My then Girlfriend had one in 1999, and she put me on her company insurance At the time I was driving a Citroen Xsara, and her MK1 2.0 Ghia was a revelation. It was light years ahead of the Citroen, and I eventually got one myself A truly great car

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

My first car was a nearly new Mk5 facelift Escort, which I suppose was OK for a first car, and I had it for a few years, but when the Focus appeared, I thought 'Wow!' that's what I'm going to have next. Bought a brand new 1.6 (they're quick enough where I live!) 5-door Ghia in 2001, and I still have it, albeit now mostly reduced to 'runaround' duties. Ford put leather seats in it by mistake (neither me or the dealer ordered it) and I got that 'extra' for half price! It'll be at Rustival on March 9th all being well, in all it's glory, with rust n' all! (They all rust...) Merch ordered too...

[@sharonec5419]

I would say the leather seats in the GHIA were standard. Sounds like you got rode at the time if you paid for them. Of course this depends on your market. I still woukd nit have paid for them do. It was Ford's fault not yours.

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

​@@sharonec5419in the UK, the Ghia had velour seats as standard. Leather seats was part of the extra cost 'Luxury Pack' which also included electric rear windows (manual as standard, except on the 2.0 Ghia). As I bought it new, and had ordered it to my spec - I chose other 'extras' to be fitted (apart from that 'Luxury pack'), and had to wait 3 months for it, so I know what they came with. If I hadn't paid for it, I would have had to wait even longer for another to be built to my requirements. I was getting the car for a hefty discount in the first place anyway.

[@louisboshoff9142]

Matt, why did you not mention the ST! In South Afica that was hugely popular having a 168 kW Volvo 2.5 five cylinder. I owned a Kuga 2 5, based on the Focus platform. Try to drive a 2.5 ST, surely it was popular in the UK as well ????? The Volvo modular engine was a magnificent design. Everybody thinks that the red top is the best Volvo engine.

[@usuallyfixingtinkering]

that was never fitted to a MK1 that was the MK2

[@vespaveloce1924]

The handling was great. Not just for a family car, but good full stop. We had them as police cars in the early 00’s, and driving them all day every day, I developed quite the soft spot!

[@MichaelBradley-j6z]

My partner and I had a mk1 focus tddi 1.8 best car we ever had . We had for 12 years we bought it with 36.400 miles, and we traded it in with 165.000 miles on it the engine was never touched. Would love another one .