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From: Chris Whelan on 1 Jul 2010 06:18
On Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:36:05 +0100, john hamilton wrote:

> "Chris Whelan" <cawhelan(a)prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:b5IWn.40837$U%7.377(a)hurricane...
>> On Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:37:58 +0100, john hamilton wrote:
>>
>>> Would anyone know in what year the Toyota Corollas switched from
>>> timing belts to timing chains please. Since we are thinking of buying
>>> a used one, and would need to know if it ( a belt) has been renewed.
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> 97-02 - depends on engines size; 1.3 and all diesels are belt, 1.4 and
>> 1.6 petrol are chain.
>>
>> 02-07 - all petrol are chain, all diesel are belt.
>>
>> Source: Autodata.
>>
>> Note that it's not unknown for the chaincam ones to shatter the plastic
>> sprockets, leading to the same damage as a broken belt. This has
>> happened on some cars under three years old.
>>
>> Variable valve timing engines can apparently suffer from high oil
>> consumption after 40K - up to 1 litre every 600 miles. Chris
>
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ell after hearing about that oil consumption , I have to tell you I'm
> looking for a cheapish six or seven year old medium sized car, with the
> emphasis on *reliability*.
>
> Is it now down to a 1.3 or 1.6 ford focus, or something else that you
> would you recommend ? Thanks.

ITYM 1.4 Focus?

In the main, Corollas are reliable, but dull. Allegedly, some UK built
ones are not so reliable.

I need to declare an interest; I've owned two Focuses over the last 11
years, and would buy another tomorrow, so my comments need to be seen in
that light.

The Focus has an excellent reliability record; Google will tell you more.
I had my first one from new, a 1.8, for 10 years. I did 100,000 miles in
it. Apart from routine servicing and consumables, it cost less than
100UKP in parts.

It never failed to start, and never broke down. The only thing that
stopped it unintentionally was driving it into the back of a Discovery,
or I would still have it!

I replaced it last year with an '03 1.6. The 1.6 engine is slightly
smoother, slightly more economical, but I sometimes miss the extra
performance.

The 1.6 has a tall top gear. 5th is almost a "motorway only" one. I don't
find it a problem, but if you regularly travel with the car fully loaded,
and mostly on hilly main roads, the 1.8 would be a better bet.

Forget the 1,4; you will have a job finding one, and they are just too
slow.

Lots of these cars have been sold, so you should have lots of choice;
find a good '04 one in a spec you like, service it properly, and I doubt
you will be disappointed.

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
From: Stu on 1 Jul 2010 06:25
On Thu, 1 Jul 2010 11:12:06 +0100, "Mrcheerful" <nbkm57(a)hotmail.co.uk>
wrote:

>and did you know that mice like to eat the plug leads? I have seen it twice
>now (on different cars)
>

No, I didn't! Best not to throw the old ones on the garage floor,
then? ;-)


Stu
From: Stu on 1 Jul 2010 06:30
On Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:18:24 GMT, Chris Whelan
<cawhelan(a)prejudicentlworld.com> wrote:

>The 1.6 has a tall top gear. 5th is almost a "motorway only" one. I don't
>find it a problem, but if you regularly travel with the car fully loaded,
>and mostly on hilly main roads, the 1.8 would be a better bet.

No such issue with mine. It will happily cruise in 5th at 45 and at 70
it's doing about 3250rpm. Maybe they changed the gearboxes on the new
shape?


Stu
From: Mrcheerful on 1 Jul 2010 06:44
Stu wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Jul 2010 11:12:06 +0100, "Mrcheerful" <nbkm57(a)hotmail.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>> and did you know that mice like to eat the plug leads? I have seen
>> it twice now (on different cars)
>>
>
> No, I didn't! Best not to throw the old ones on the garage floor,
> then? ;-)
>

These were eaten on the car !!!


From: Chris Whelan on 1 Jul 2010 06:44
On Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:07:49 +0100, Stu wrote:

[...]

> The 1.6 Focus we've only had for a few weeks but so far I'm pleased with
> it. The only real weakness I've found out about so far is that the HT
> leads only last about 40k miles. Mine is at that mileage now and running
> OK so far. I've replaced the plugs but not the leads yet - I'll probably
> do them before the weather turns cold.

Yes, but the plugs last 40K as well, so the cost over the life of the car
isn't so bad.

BTW, leaving the leads until it misfires can cause the ignition coil to
fail, and they are over 100UKP, so it might be best to do them sooner
rather than later.

Chris

--
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