coldel Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 ...prompted by the recent BMW 'months on' thread - have to say hats off to the modest Ford Focus. I bought a 'sensible' car when Becks and I were trying for a baby, a year later sold it as things were not progressing as planned and bought something non sensible in a Zed. A month later, we got the news we had been waiting for...but, oh no, wrong car for the job! So, we needed a second car and set a £2k budget - managed to snap up a Ford Focus on an 04 plate, 1.8 petrol Ghia with 62k miles. Since then I have had this list go wrong with it: 1. I lost the plastic cigarette lighter cover Erm and thats it really. They are common as any car out there but for a very good reason. The ride and handling are great, massively specced out with the Ford Ghia spec and the boot just eats up baby buggies and bags etc with space to spare. Serviced it myself last month with parts coming to £90. Have been really surprised with it, Becks loves it, cant sing its praises enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRH 350Z Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Amen I put 126,000 miles on a mk1 Focus 1.6 Zetec (52 plate) and it never put a foot wrong! Naturally discs, pads, clutch and exhaust needed changing in that time but as you suggest parts can be had for cheap. Compared to other modern family cars it really does have excellent steering feel... and a well balanced chassis. Reviews of the mk3 Focus are generally positive but most point to steering feel as a weakness... the mk1 set the bar high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I bought a 52-plate Fiesta for the other half and i feel the same... really decent car and fun to drive. Been nice and reliable so far. I can see myself getting a mk-2 focus when the Fiesta packs up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 I managed to fit an oversized chest of drawers in the back with the seats down - its like a van in this respect. But seconding the handling, it really turns in well, no surprises awaiting you and a very upright seating position which feels pretty natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 I recently drove the missus' Kia Picanto and I will never drive it again. Truly a terrible little car with the longest clutch in the world and might as well only have one pedal seeing as they are so close together and don't get me started on the plastic steering wheel! Gear changes were nice though I also have the use of a 99 Primera which after driving the Zed feels like I'm in a lorry due to the ride height. It's a diesel and it's old, so it's pathetic too. Maybe I'm just too in one with my Zed to appreciate over cars for what they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Focii are amazing cars, it's why I'm forever singing their praises. Well, early ones anyway, the new one is an utter dog's dinner. I still miss my old mk1 1.8 TDdi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 I managed to fit an oversized chest of drawers in the back with the seats down - its like a van in this respect. But seconding the handling, it really turns in well, no surprises awaiting you and a very upright seating position which feels pretty natural. Fords rule mate......I got a 6ft bath in the back of my Cougar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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