Focus Newbie - LR or LS??

[mattyW]

Hi Guys,

Found this website while looking for info about the Focus. I'm interested in buying one but I don't know whether to go for an LR or an LS. I've got about $20k to spend. I need to get an Auto as the mrs can't drive a manual and I can't really be arsed with trying to teach her in a new car, in fact, I've been driving our current auto for so long now I don't know if I could be bothered myself.

Questions I have are:

My old boss has a 2003/4 Auto LR and he reckons he has had to shell out $800 for new brake pads and discs each year for the past two years. Anyone else had a similar problem? Makes me nervous about the LR....

The new LS has this semi-auto box which I reckon would be a good compromise between fun and laziness. Anyone think its worthwhile? I drive a 2.5L VW Passat for work sometimes and the tiptronic seems quite good.

Finally, Is a 2006 LS with 16ks really worth $5k more than a 2004 LR with 25ks?

Thanks,

[amlohac]

I have the older focus, in auto. The auto box in the old one is a bit s.hit really, but then again...its an auto.

Your boss sounds like he is being conned by who ever does his breaks, or cant drive, or is a wan.ker. My original stock pads were replaced at 30,000kms which is VERY early if you ask me. BUT i had my second set right up untill 2 weeks ago and the car has now nearly done 90,000kms. I also got my pads upgraded to slotted rotors, they didnt need to be tho, i just like to spend money on my car! Also 4 new pads for the focus DO NOT cost $800, not even the ford ones cost that much, and ford parts are expensive.

I havent driven the new focus, but its more powerful and is actually cheaper than the old one was new. There are other guys on here tho that could give you an opinnion on that, probably biased tho lol!

In my opinion, just get the lower end LS focus with the auto, if your not worried about looks or doing it up and its just a runabout car it would be $20k well spent.

Thats my 2cents anyway.

[FRA]

Originally Posted by mattyW

My old boss has a 2003/4 Auto LR and he reckons he has had to shell out $800 for new brake pads and discs each year for the past two years. Anyone else had a similar problem?

We had the same problem with our brakes on both Focus, Theres no way the rotor would need replacing each year.
The fuel economy in the 2.0L is up to S@#$ house so it wouldn't be worth your money.

[Zetec20]

Go LS, they're bigger, better looking, more powerful, about the same on fuel, and if need be you can buy my 20's i have for sale :P

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by mattyW

Hi Guys,

Found this website while looking for info about the Focus. I'm interested in buying one but I don't know whether to go for an LR or an LS. I've got about $20k to spend. I need to get an Auto as the mrs can't drive a manual and I can't really be arsed with trying to teach her in a new car, in fact, I've been driving our current auto for so long now I don't know if I could be bothered myself.

Questions I have are:

My old boss has a 2003/4 Auto LR and he reckons he has had to shell out $800 for new brake pads and discs each year for the past two years. Anyone else had a similar problem? Makes me nervous about the LR....

The new LS has this semi-auto box which I reckon would be a good compromise between fun and laziness. Anyone think its worthwhile? I drive a 2.5L VW Passat for work sometimes and the tiptronic seems quite good.

Finally, Is a 2006 LS with 16ks really worth $5k more than a 2004 LR with 25ks?

Thanks,

If you are looking for an Auto, you simply cannot go past the LS.. as it has much more functionality, and has a more powerful, yet more economical engine attached.

In my opinion, the LS is definitely worth the $5k over the LR..... Best active safety feature ever are ABS brakes... Try and get a model with them.

[Lagom]

To be honest, I've heard about brakes being quite consumable on the LR Focus. Having said that, that was from a friend working at a car rental company, so that might be another factor.

To be fair though, this same company doesn't have anywhere the same number of brake problems with their Corollas than their old Focuses.

Having both an LR and a LS in the driveway -

If you want a more "go-karty" handling, but less power/mediocre auto go the LR.


If you want a better all round experience, go the LS, I wouldn't concider the CL tho. Spend the money to get an LX.

Quality may be a determining factor as well -
LR - Made in Germany or UK not sure
LS - Made in South Africa

With the LS you miss out on heated mirrors and other cool things avaliable on the Euro Focus

[mattyW]

Thanks for all your comments guys. When I said $20k before I meant a changeover of about $15k using my beaut 95 Hyundai Excel. I went and took a look at a 2005 LS LX today but he pretty much laughed me off the forecourt when I asked whether he could do me a $16k changeover - $19.5k was his best.

Then I went to see a 2004 LR LX and it was quite impressive actually, in good nick, 3 to choose from, $14k changeover. Think I'm going to go with the LR - upgrade in a few years time maybe when there are more LS's around.

I know the LR is a little sluggish but it should be heaps better than a 1.5L excel and lucklily, I haven't driven the LS yet to really experience the difference. Also, I 've heard that the focus handling is much better than a lot of its competitors so I think I'd still prefer it to a Corolla or an Astra. I didn't have time to take out any of the LRs today but I'm going back down tomorrow when I have more time.

Your forum has helped allay my fears about the brakes which is great. I've got quite a trustworthy mechanic at the moment so I guess when it comes to changing them I should think about putting on harder aftermarket equivalents rather than what ford tells me I should have. All this talk about ECUs has made me wonder whether he can actually service a focus though??

Thanks again,

Matt

[FRA]

Originally Posted by mattyW

I've got quite a trustworthy mechanic at the moment so I guess when it comes to changing them I should think about putting on harder aftermarket equivalents rather than what ford tells me I should have

It's good to have a good mechanic that you can trust, aftermarket brakes are heaps better then the standard Ford brakes.

Originally Posted by mattyW

All this talk about ECUs has made me wonder whether he can actually service a focus though?? Thanks again,Matt

Theres no need to worry about the ECU when getting your car service done.

mattyW,

What city are you in?

[mattyW]

Sydney - we ended up buying an LR yesterday. Got a reasonably good deal. I got less for the excel than I would have liked but then that's what happens when you trade I guess - first time i've used a car yard.

[FRA]

All the best with your Focus.
Hope to see pic.

[WizBang]

I got the wife a auto LS focus back in 03 and never had to change the brakes on it yet (it's just hit 45,000 km's ) other than a fewdum things that has gone wrong with it it's not a bad car so I think you will be happy with the one you are getting .Hope to see photo's of it really soon

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Having both an LR and a LS in the driveway -

Yeah but Chris in your case I can definately say the LR is the better of the two :

[Uni]

Originally Posted by wazza3710

I got the wife a auto LS focus back in

i think you mean LR ;)


Uni/.