Ford focus NZ new, where are they made?

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160 posts

Master Geek

#1692992 20-Dec-2016 21:00

sbiddle:

meesham:

I think they come out of Thailand. You need to be careful with the older ones with the Powershift dual clutch gearbox, they were problematic (the newer ones have conventional autos).

Ford are replacing the clutch in the Powershift's even if they're out of warranty. I had mine done on my 2013 Focus a few months ago.

The current gen clutch they're replacing it with is a vast improvement.

Do you know if Ford NZ are replacing the clutch in import Focus'? As I have 2014 Jap import model.

sbiddle

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#1693006 20-Dec-2016 21:25

540trickzter:

sbiddle:

meesham:

I think they come out of Thailand. You need to be careful with the older ones with the Powershift dual clutch gearbox, they were problematic (the newer ones have conventional autos).

Ford are replacing the clutch in the Powershift's even if they're out of warranty. I had mine done on my 2013 Focus a few months ago.

The current gen clutch they're replacing it with is a vast improvement.

Do you know if Ford NZ are replacing the clutch in import Focus'? As I have 2014 Jap import model.

No idea. All I know is that I got the impression the dealer that did mine had been doing quite a lot of these. Ford NZ sent out a letter a few months ago advising of the important ECM software update for the clutch. The dealer I went to was just replacing the clutch for anybody who was seeing issues.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1693238 21-Dec-2016 13:42

I see it sbiddles way.

$3-4k markup on almost all cars.

if you are buying a low mileage NZ new car, you get it checked over, you check for head gasket and transmission issues, and do due dilligence. $3-4k covers most cars in this price range for majors, certainly a head gasket, if an auto, a trans rebuild, if not a DRG thats well under.

i get the CGA thing, but it doesnt last for ever, what if your car goes after 18 months and you have paid a $4k premium now you have to pay $2k to fix it, you have paid 100% the worth of the car.

i saw an ST170 that surprisingly didnt look thrashed. Im not sure what they really offer over the standard 2.0.

Even the fiesty fiesta, despite feeling a bit plastic feels like a better car than the Demio.

sbiddle

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#1693262 21-Dec-2016 13:54

I still loved driving my Focus, it was a really nice car. My new one is similar but I still much prefer a manual.

I've driven quite a few rentals over the last few years and can't understand why cars like the Corolla are so popular. IMHO they're absolutely terrible to drive in comparison and I always feel like I'm going to slide off the road.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1693312 21-Dec-2016 15:10

You are twisiting my arm, ford have come a long way from that early 90s hatch back, forget the name? Laser was it, my ex had one and it was off the road more than on, i think it was 90s corolla got its name.

Sbiddle do you agree, if you know the signs of a bad head gasket, slipping clutch and oil leaks, if you get it check by vtnz, there really isnt much more you can do and better off saving the $3k from the dealer?

Smithy100

180 posts

Master Geek

#1693390 21-Dec-2016 16:31

Service records are key. Also look at consumables - ensure they're not too grotty (ie: oil), and look at the quality of tyres used. That can tell you a lot about the owner... even better if you get to meet them and see for yourself.

The other key thing to check out is the body and any signs of accident damage - particularly serious. Minor scrapes are to be expected on an older car but not something like the Focus I parked next to yesterday that had had a respray from the A pillar forward and not done very well (I'm not panel beater but it was obvious to me), which is unacceptable on a 2/3 year old car.

And above all, trust your instincts.

sbiddle

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#1693397 21-Dec-2016 16:56

TeaLeaf:

You are twisiting my arm, ford have come a long way from that early 90s hatch back, forget the name? Laser was it, my ex had one and it was off the road more than on, i think it was 90s corolla got its name.

Sbiddle do you agree, if you know the signs of a bad head gasket, slipping clutch and oil leaks, if you get it check by vtnz, there really isnt much more you can do and better off saving the $3k from the dealer?

I'm not a mechanic so can't really comment on that.

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rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1693596 22-Dec-2016 04:13

sbiddle:
540trickzter:

sbiddle:

meesham:

I think they come out of Thailand. You need to be careful with the older ones with the Powershift dual clutch gearbox, they were problematic (the newer ones have conventional autos).

Ford are replacing the clutch in the Powershift's even if they're out of warranty. I had mine done on my 2013 Focus a few months ago.

The current gen clutch they're replacing it with is a vast improvement.

Do you know if Ford NZ are replacing the clutch in import Focus'? As I have 2014 Jap import model.

No idea. All I know is that I got the impression the dealer that did mine had been doing quite a lot of these. Ford NZ sent out a letter a few months ago advising of the important ECM software update for the clutch. The dealer I went to was just replacing the clutch for anybody who was seeing issues.

Typically the only time an import would get done was if it was a recall by the manufacturer. Aka the Takata airbag recall being done at present.

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1700413 9-Jan-2017 08:34

I saw a VERY clean one yesterday. 06 model

One issue, under the cargo cover to the tyre well the metal looked like it was kind of all welded up and mish mashy, kind of like the first layers of fiberglass before you gelcoat it but thicker and metal. There was no sign of it being repainted and I dont know how you would get 1ftx1ft patches like that if it was damage in a car that has definitely not been in an accident. All I can think of is thats how they build up the top area of the well closer to the seat side. I wish I had taken a pic, hard to explain.

Was also a bit of water in the wheel well but he said he had a water bottle in the back come undone, and he seemed suprised himself as it was under the spare wheel which he had never taken off and how else would watter get in there, was a little bit of mold on the under side of the wheel well starting to appear, as it had been garaged clearly the water has nowhere to exit. All the seals to the hatch were mint, like brand new, so I can only believe what he said is true.

I also noticed the exhaust was sooty, and it got a bit wet when started up from cold in the garage, blew a bit of soot the first rev then seemed clear, but when wiping with my finger it was like black paint. I know gas does burn off a bit of water to start before the pipes get hot.....

Any ideas?

Dratsab

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#1700460 9-Jan-2017 10:18

Could be a car that does a lot of short drives or could be a car with piston rings that are starting to wear. A simplistic check is a test drive which consists of a long downhill coast. Give the accelerator a reasonable nudge at the bottom and watch in the rear view mirror. If it smokes noticeably, avoid it.

Always get a mechanical check done too if you're serious about buying. Engine pressure in each cylinder is something they'll check which will give you a much better idea of the engine state.

Coil

6614 posts

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#1700463 9-Jan-2017 10:39

TeaLeaf:

I saw a VERY clean one yesterday. 06 model

One issue, under the cargo cover to the tyre well the metal looked like it was kind of all welded up and mish mashy, kind of like the first layers of fiberglass before you gelcoat it but thicker and metal. There was no sign of it being repainted and I dont know how you would get 1ftx1ft patches like that if it was damage in a car that has definitely not been in an accident. All I can think of is thats how they build up the top area of the well closer to the seat side. I wish I had taken a pic, hard to explain.

Was also a bit of water in the wheel well but he said he had a water bottle in the back come undone, and he seemed suprised himself as it was under the spare wheel which he had never taken off and how else would watter get in there, was a little bit of mold on the under side of the wheel well starting to appear, as it had been garaged clearly the water has nowhere to exit. All the seals to the hatch were mint, like brand new, so I can only believe what he said is true.

I also noticed the exhaust was sooty, and it got a bit wet when started up from cold in the garage, blew a bit of soot the first rev then seemed clear, but when wiping with my finger it was like black paint. I know gas does burn off a bit of water to start before the pipes get hot.....

Any ideas?

You sure you didnt see the sound deadening sticky stuff they use on seams. It like a 1-2 inch wide glue strip they use around the sheet metal joins. Otherwise just normal sound deadening, Can look rough and be painted body colour.

Condensation sitting in the cold exhaust and sitting in the mufflers. Anything will be sooty, Just make sure it doesnt have buildup of carbon or is oily.

ObidiahSlope

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1700511 9-Jan-2017 13:35

Vehicle Identification Numbers(VIN) are useful for tracking country of origin information.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number#Country_codes

Exception; Used imports are issued with a new VIN number with a New Zealand prefix as part of the compliance process.

Obsequious hypocrite

Athlonite

1828 posts

Uber Geek
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#1700516 9-Jan-2017 14:10

Bought a 2005 Focus LS 2.0ltr Manual (made in South Africa) from a lady in wellies for $4800 through trademe at the beginning of the year so far so good done a couple of trips away to Marton in it from Napier sat on the road well cornered well and used just under half a tank for a there and back trip (my old Rolla would have used a tank and a half on the same trip) I also find it great on gas round towning aswell

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1701455 11-Jan-2017 15:13

Is the focus zetec considered european or asian or american from a Mechanical Insurance perspective? This one is made in Germany, NZ New.

trig42

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#1701474 11-Jan-2017 16:26

I'd say European.

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