Expert answer

Hi Geraldine,

Updated answer:

In 2015, Ford gave the Focus a major update, with new styling (check out that Aston-Martin-esque grille at the front) and an upgraded interior (new dials, fewer buttons and the option of the big, bright SYNC2 touch-screen system). The trim levels remained the same - Focus, Style, Zetec, Zetec + and Titanium with the range topped off by the sporting ST model.

Standard equipment on Focus models includes tyre pressure monitors, emergency brake assist, hill-holder clutch, 'MyKey' (which restricts speed, distance and stereo settings for the spare key - good if you have teenagers in the house), front electric windows, capless fuel filler, steering wheel stereo controls, height adjustable drivers' seat and split-folding rear seats.

Style adds a USB connection and Ford's SYNC connectivity for the stereo, manual air conditioning, body coloured door handles and power mirrors, 16-inch alloys, leather steering wheel and gear shifter and map pockets in the back of the seats.

Zetec models get front fog lights, lower, Sports suspension, a heated windscreen, sportier seats and an upgraded centre console.

Zetec + adds keyless start, drive lumbar support, 17-inch alloys, LED rear lights and a 'premium' centre console with a sliding arm-rest.

Titanium gets the same keyless start but adds dual-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, all-round power windows, mesh radiators grille, an 'overhead console' with a sunglasses holder and integrated reading lights, velour upholstery, rear cup holders and ambient lighting.

ST models get all of that plus some extra sporty bits and seriously tweaked suspension and steering, while the current limited Black Edition and Red Edition come with manual air conditioning, curtain airbags, red stitching everywhere, scuff plates and exterior bodykit, acoustic windscreen and metallic pedal covers. 

Original answer:

Ford doesn't actually make an LX Focus any more. Instead, the basic Focus model is now just known as plain old Focus, and it comes with a CD player, USB connection, electric front windows and door mirrors, remote central locking, electronic stability control and, on the five-door hatch, a rear spoiler.

Next up is the Edge model, which adds air conditioning, a 3.5-inch colour display for the stereo, a leather steering wheel, heated mirrors, trip computer with economy driving monitor and body coloured door handles. Then there's the Zetec, which, over and above the Edge gets 16-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear windscreen, centre arm rest with stowage box and 12v plug, sports suspension and sportier front seats.

The Titanium takes all that and also gives you split-zone climate control, a start/stop button, cruise control, jazzier wheels (still 16-inch in diameter though), hill start assist, LED rear lights, aluminium scuff plates, footwell lights, a rear arm rest and a leather gear knob. Please bear in mind that these are current Focus model trims, and if you're looking at older models then they will be different.

Expert answer

Hi Morgan,

We asked Cartell.ie to comment on this, as they're deeply involved in clocking legislation etc. Here's what they said:

"This is an interesting scenario. There are two issues here: 1 - On a legal level, in proposed legislation that Cartell drafted, seeking to criminalise vehicle clocking, we sought to accommodate this type of scenario in the drafting of the provisions. We certainly appreciate that a genuine attempt to represent fairly the mileage of the vehicle, where the original odometer of a vehicle no longer functions, should be accommodated by future legislation in this area. 2 - Practically, we feel this vehicle should be advertised with the true mileage, not the figure showing on the odometer. The seller can then clarify the issue of mileage where there is a query from a prospective purchaser. At Cartell we are happy to enter the correct mileage into the National Mileage Register for the vehicle, if the owner wishes to pass this along to us."

Hope that helps

Expert answer

I'm not sure I'd recommend a pickup for you, as, until the very recent arrivals of the Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger, they were all a bit crude and dreadful. They're commercial vehicles, not family cars. That said, if you want something truly rugged, then what about a Land Rover Defender 130 with a crew cab? Iconic looks and unbeatable toughness, but they can be expensive to buy and run.

Actually my recommendation would be to track down an old-shape Kia Sportage. It's surprisingly good at going off-road, comfy and decent to drive on the road and circa €8,000 should pick you up a good one, potentially with still a bit of Kia's famous warranty left to run. Not as stylish as the current Spprtage it's true, but invest in a sturdy rubber liner for the boot and you should have the ideal log-carrying device.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

We're assuming you are referring to the post-2008 Focus here, so correct us if not. The 1.6-litre models are up to 10mpg more efficient and generally have much lower emissions too to help reduce your annual tax bill.

Be aware that the 1.6 TDCi engine only had issues from 2004 until about 2008. Cars/engines made after that date should be just as reliable as the 1.8-litre.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Adrian,

It's difficult to place an accurate value on a car without seeing it, and of course the price will depend on who wants to buy it too, but with such low mileage, and assuming that it is in decent condition, this car should be worth between €3,250 and €3,750.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

Cars registered in 2005 are taxed according to their engine size, so that Focus (which has a 1,753cc engine) is taxed in the 1,701- to 1,800cc band. Since the 2013 Budget that costs €636 per year to tax.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

As is so often the case, the best answer here is ‘get a Golf.’ Or possibly a Passat. Or maybe a Volvo S80 1.6d. Any of those, if you can find them with a full service history, would fit the bill rather nicely. The Volvo is a great choice actually — comfy like an armchair, and can go 1,500km on a full tank of diesel. The Golf is probably the best value option — get one cheap, with the old 1.9 'Pump Duse' TDI diesel engine, and it’ll sit on the motorway doing 50mpg all day long, and it’ll be comfy too.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

That’s a Mk1 Focus, yes? They’re OK, but obviously the youngest is a teenager by now, so you need to be careful. Check the oil for signs of water mixing in — they do develop problems with the heat exchanger. Check that the engine runs smoothly, as the TDCi had one of the first high-pressure direct injection systems and it’s delicate and needs regular proper servicing to work well. Black smoke could mean a blown boost pressure valve. Inside, check for leaking windscreen (wet carpets), broken gear lever springs, faulty ‘QuickClear’ windscreens and inoperative instruments.

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

Not necessarily, as you can switch the mileage clock from miles to kilometres and back again. The usual tell-tale for an import is that the speedo is marked in both mph and km/h. Theoretically, all Irish cars from 2005 onwards will have had just km/h marked, but again it’s not definitive — it could be a replacement instrument pack after all.

Expert answer

Hi Fergal,

This engine downsizing is prevalent and not just by Ford, and it has been made possible thanks to advances in engine technology, such as high pressure fuel injection and turbocharging.

A close look at what's offered by Ford Ireland reveals that the Mondeo 1.6 TDCi is the 115hp version, where as the Focus can be had with that and a cheaper 95hp unit. The raw data reveals that the 115hp Focus does the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds - a second faster than the Mondeo with the same engine. Likewise, the Focus is more efficient with lower emissions and fuel consumption - though the differences are not as big as you might think.

Essentially, it boils down to the engine's torque output. This engine produces 270Nm from as low as 1,750rpm, which is more than enough to deal with a car the size of the Mondeo. Naturally a 2.0-litre diesel with the same technology will be more impressive again, but the 1.6 is just fine.

For the record, we find that Ford's 1.6-litre TDCi engine has a very narrow power band, but once you learn to keep the engine within that it never feels slow. Obviously, driven like that it won't come close to its official fuel economy figures.

Hope that all helps.