Hello. Thought I would post up my new ride on here as I used to have a Stage 2+ Octavia VRS mk2. After much deciding I decided to opt for a better spec car but one that was a bit cheaper to run, as I am now the sole bread winner.
I looked around and wanted something that was going to be fun to drive but good on my pocket. I read various reviews and got to like the new mk3 Focus. Having owned two previous Focus, an MP3 1.8 petrol and the Mk1 RS Focus I knew Id be getting a good car. I searched locally and went for a test drive in the 1.6 Ti-VCT 125bhp Zetec. The car was well balanced and handles well but it fell short in the power stakes. I also had a drive in the MK2 FRS and was disappointed with it, but that's another story.
After searching further a field I found one at Lookers Ford in Sheffield. This was the one I eventually purchased as I was impressed with the drive and the spec. Plus the price too! the car was on paper an ex demonstrator model. However it was actually the Business Centre Managers work horse. Brand new it would have been just over £22,000 to buy off the forecourt. They had it advertised at £15,000 and it was 8 months old at the time of purchase. I arrived and took the car for the drive and knew I had to have it. I haggled a bit, as I knew it was January and car sales are slow after the festive period so I was very cheeky and offered them £12,500 for the car. To my shock and amazement they agreed and the deal was done.
The car is the 150bhp variant of the 1.6 litre Ecoboost engine and is a peach to drive. It has low down torque like a diesel so it is pretty nippy round town. I have lost 50 bhp over my std Octy and about 120bhp over my modded Octy, but I don't really miss the power. The engine revs freely up to the limiter and sounds pretty nice too, as it has one of the Sound symposers fitted that directs the engine note into the cabin. Looking at the engine and comparing it to my TFSi lump I realised that the Ecoboost engine was actually better designed. The air filter on the Ecoboost is a cone filter inside an airbox and it is some size. Bigger than the K&N Gen II I had fitted on my FRS mk1. The std air filter fitted to my engine is the same that is on the 2.5l mk2 RS, so plenty of air going into my engine then! The Ecoboost has both cams that are variable to increase economy and power, dependant on what sort of driving you do. The injectors are mounted on top of the engine and fit between the cams for better spray dispersal directly into the chamber. The fuel is pumped out at pressures of upto 200 bar. After having the Autotech internals fitted on my TFSI, I got wondering as to why VW couldn't have fitted a better pump as std. It has the active shutter grill to help with aerodynamics and has 14 different settings for different driving situations.
The car itself has Auto Lights, Quick clear Heated front windscreen, Heated washer jets, Dual Climate, Auto Stop/Start, Auto dim rear view mirror, Active Park assist, Adaptive Cruise control, 18inch Alloys, Privacy Glass, Keyless entry and ignition start, Sony DAB 9 speaker audio system with usb and Bluetooth connectivity, Voice activated commands, electric folding mirrors LED rear lights, black front head lights (halogen, as the Xenon was only an option on the Titanium X)
All I plan on doing to it is a remap, which would give me in the region of 190bhp and still give economy. Superchips quote a 7% increase when driven normally. I get driving locally 32-35mpg and the best I have seen is 64mpg on the motorway. So not bad for a 1.6 petrol turbo.
Than you for taking the time to read about my car. I have included a few pictures below to show what it looks like.