12r

You have to remember that Ford are quoting 115 PS for the Ti-VCT. One PS (or pferdestärke) is 0.98632 bhp so the most optimistic output is 113.4 bhp. This is at 6000 rpm though and off-idle the Ti-VCT probably makes no more than 30 bhp. If the air-con is taking 10 bhp out of this, it's not surprising the car feels lethargic. But hey what a great air-con :D Fan on #2, recirc on and it's blasting cold air within a minute !

Yup German Colorado Red and the colour match is perfect. Unfortunately the finish itself is spoiled by large areas of orange-peel on the roof and tailgate :roll:

:shock: It'll polish out :) FWIW a Tesco van reversed into my Focus a few weeks ago, putting a nice big dent in the bonnet and a crease through the grille and bumper. I have to say the repair work is just awesome. A new bonnet that is a perfect colour match but best of all the paint finish is like glass ! All I need now is a dent in the roof and another on the rear three-quarter to get rid of the factory orange-peel :wink: No pain, no gain 8)

Saw a nice orange ST at lunchtime parked right alongside a fully-specced '06 3 series and you know what, the ST looked pretty damn good 8) Fit and finish were comparable and given the choice I would've taken the ST any day. That Electric Orange looks great in the sunshine.

Let's just say the Focus is not without it's niggles :). Having said that you'd be unlucky to get one with all of those problems and in general the quality seems to be improving. This forum often paints a bleak picture but you have to remember that many people come here with problems and don't post otherwise. You might find the Focus a bit of a shocker coming from a Clio; Mrs.12R has a Clio which is absolutely indestructible and never, ever goes wrong.

Where shall we start ? :roll: * make sure it's the same colour all over * listen out for creaks from the tie-rods * watch out for the waterfall when you open the tailgate * don't worry about the instrument lights staying on * make sure the weather strip around the windscreen is in place * the fuel consumption will be awful until it's done about 5,000 miles Otherwise it's a great car 8) Let us know how you get on with your 1.8 petrol.

OK the mk2 Focus is getting popular now and I've seen all of the colours - silver, blue, red, black, orange and even a couple of white ones. But I've not seen a Focus in green. Anybody seen one ? Or bought one ?

I'd go for: * black headlight surrounds from the Zetec * front fog lights * colour-coded door handles and bodyside mouldings * steering wheel accents from a Sport or Ghia * Ghia or Titanium gear knob

'Kin hell :shock: :shock: £180 ? Take the car in ? They are definitely havin' a larf :roll: The Colorado Red mirror covers on my Z-Climate have already been clipped a few times. Last time I asked they were £35 each.

My 3-door has a 'ripple' in the passenger window :shock: . Only visible from the back seat, as pointed out by my nipper :lol: .

A great game for those boring motorway journeys - see if you can get the instantaneous fuel consumption up to 99.9 mpg :lol: Tip: neutral throttle at 55 mph - watch those mpg's go!!!!!!!

Jeez, not painting the bottom of the doors :shock: is pushing it even by Ford's standards. FWIW my ZC is painted all over (albeit with a slight orange-peel effect). The inside of the bonnet looks like it's been done with a rattle can :wink:

My Z Climate is the first car I've owned without a sunroof. Although the air con is good, I miss being able to open the roof :(

An ST2 or a diesel estate :shock: ? You're right - there's no choice :)

Hardcore - an underbonnet question :lol: I never heard of incompatible antifreeze - hell, a few years ago you could've topped it up with Austrian white wine or more recently grated carrots :shock: As long as you maintain the 50/50 mix it'll be fine. Check it when the engine is cold, keep it off your skin (it's poisonous) and off the paintwork.