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[Auto Addict]

Sorry, meant CLK.  Don't want ragtop.  (I don't fit in MX5 btw.)

Guys here have said avoid Ford automatics.  She would like a Focus.  Target is £4K.

Sorry i replied to your slk post......which is a folding hardtop......so im a tad confused now.....coz a clk is either a ragtop or hardtop......so do you want a convertable or no  :-/

Hardtop, like this one;

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?nU=0&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&model=CLK&min_pr=&max_pr=&postcode=CV31%201HE&miles=40&max_records=200&modelexact=1&photo=1&hassearched=Y&start=1&distance=35&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200708272559349

Cheers!

Looks nice...

[Essex_Andy]

Indicator in bumper iirc. It was a (very flat) 1.6LX model.  Same with her brother's 1.8LX, the 2.0l Zetec that we had as a hire car from Dover to home when the Omega broke down in France.  Other Focus's I've driven I've been ultra careful with because they were properly owned by people.

As to Escort, I've talking any Escort I've driven, from 1.1L to XR3i's. I've crashed them all, mainly due to unpredictable handling.  (I'm talking Mk3 and later - I haven't trashed a RWD Escort)

You had a mark one focus..the mark two (indicator in headlamp) was a much better drive

From my experience (plod advanced, anti hijack, high speed escort etc etc) the focus I drove (in the manner I was trained) was a very confidence inspiring motor...though the RS turbo was a bitch when on full chat terrible torque steer

[Martin_1962]

The Focus we had (51 plate) was the first car I've driven since an Escort that you cannot precisely position in corners - its handling is too unpredictable. I cannot tolerate a car like that.

Your old focus...did it have the front indicators in the bumper or headlamp?

What model was your escort and was it standard?

Indicator in bumper iirc. It was a (very flat) 1.6LX model.  Same with her brother's 1.8LX, the 2.0l Zetec that we had as a hire car from Dover to home when the Omega broke down in France.  Other Focus's I've driven I've been ultra careful with because they were properly owned by people.

As to Escort, I've talking any Escort I've driven, from 1.1L to XR3i's. I've crashed them all, mainly due to unpredictable handling.  (I'm talking Mk3 and later - I haven't trashed a RWD Escort)

The FWD Escorts were all crap - the gearchange was terrible

organised
.1.3.5
2.4

Yes 4 was between 1 and 3 - took me three drives to kill it. Prefered the previous 216 and after Astravan. Pool cars for a previous job, I killed a 216 C reg - hit a gas bottle in the road - smashed the sump, same trip it lost the fan belt and lost an engine mount - thats the sort of pool cars they had.

I hated the indicator switches (Escraps) as well - dreadful cars

[TheBoy]

Indicator in bumper iirc. It was a (very flat) 1.6LX model.  Same with her brother's 1.8LX, the 2.0l Zetec that we had as a hire car from Dover to home when the Omega broke down in France.  Other Focus's I've driven I've been ultra careful with because they were properly owned by people.

As to Escort, I've talking any Escort I've driven, from 1.1L to XR3i's. I've crashed them all, mainly due to unpredictable handling.  (I'm talking Mk3 and later - I haven't trashed a RWD Escort)

You had a mark one focus..the mark two (indicator in headlamp) was a much better drive

From my experience (plod advanced, anti hijack, high speed escort etc etc) the focus I drove (in the manner I was trained) was a very confidence inspiring motor...though the RS turbo was a bitch when on full chat terrible torque steer

The one I had coming back from Dover was a 05 plate, same unpredicatable handling.  My neighbour has just handed back his company one, he doesn't have a good word to say about one either.  In fact, I don't know anyone who has owned a 'normal' one (ie exc ST170) who feels safe in it. Not just cornering, but incredibly easy to lock up the brakes (or activate ABS on posher models) due to hairtrigger brakes and poor front end bite.  Also, on our 1.6, it was all to easy to cook the brakes around Milton Keynes (oddly enough, I've only ever cooked brakes on Fords ).

I've had a few 1.6l cars, and the Focus was buy far the slowest, awful notchy box (not as bad as the ones on the old Mk2 Astras though), too much body roll in corners (probably has fairly high centre of gravity?), yet rock hard suspension (although not even that would allow anough traction at the front wheels for quick getaway).  A 2hr drive in the Focus was a real killer, utterly knackering, both as a driver and a front seat passenger.  Boot space was non existent (AA - you won't get your clubs in one) - even significantly smaller than our current Rover 25.  The Focus was the 2nd most rattly car we've owned, and we've owned some heaps (most rattly has to go to the Rover 25 though - and currently, the MV6 comes 3rd  :-?).  The economy wasn't anywhere near the Rover 25 (we had the 25 before the Focus), which was disappointing for the supposedly 'superior' Zetec motor.  I hit the rev limiter quite hard one day on it (limiter is on the redline), and it cough and spluttered for days until dealer reset something on ECU.

So, in my personal experienece, its difficult to believe, but the Rover 25 is a larger, faster, more economical, better handling, more comfortable car than the newer Focus we had.  I know ours wasn't just a rogue one, as others are the same.

I will conceed, that on the limit, the car was fairly controllable using the throttle to balance under/oversteer. However, sometimes I wanted to go at a reasonable pace without being on the ragged edge.

I have had the Rover for nearly 7 years now, and can honestly say that I haven't had any unprovoked under/oversteer, nor ABS come on except on very slippery conditions.  Alas, in the 2yrs we had that Focus, I cannot say the same (ABS never came on, coz it wasn't fitted - bloody cheapskates, but did have a few lockups under braking). Both cars would have been driven in a similar manner.

[Essex_Andy]

Indicator in bumper iirc. It was a (very flat) 1.6LX model.  Same with her brother's 1.8LX, the 2.0l Zetec that we had as a hire car from Dover to home when the Omega broke down in France.  Other Focus's I've driven I've been ultra careful with because they were properly owned by people.

As to Escort, I've talking any Escort I've driven, from 1.1L to XR3i's. I've crashed them all, mainly due to unpredictable handling.  (I'm talking Mk3 and later - I haven't trashed a RWD Escort)

You had a mark one focus..the mark two (indicator in headlamp) was a much better drive

From my experience (plod advanced, anti hijack, high speed escort etc etc) the focus I drove (in the manner I was trained) was a very confidence inspiring motor...though the RS turbo was a bitch when on full chat terrible torque steer

The one I had coming back from Dover was a 05 plate, same unpredicatable handling.  My neighbour has just handed back his company one, he doesn't have a good word to say about one either.  In fact, I don't know anyone who has owned a 'normal' one (ie exc ST170) who feels safe in it. Not just cornering, but incredibly easy to lock up the brakes (or activate ABS on posher models) due to hairtrigger brakes and poor front end bite.  Also, on our 1.6, it was all to easy to cook the brakes around Milton Keynes (oddly enough, I've only ever cooked brakes on Fords ).

I've had a few 1.6l cars, and the Focus was buy far the slowest, awful notchy box (not as bad as the ones on the old Mk2 Astras though), too much body roll in corners (probably has fairly high centre of gravity?), yet rock hard suspension (although not even that would allow anough traction at the front wheels for quick getaway).  A 2hr drive in the Focus was a real killer, utterly knackering, both as a driver and a front seat passenger.  Boot space was non existent (AA - you won't get your clubs in one) - even significantly smaller than our current Rover 25.  The Focus was the 2nd most rattly car we've owned, and we've owned some heaps (most rattly has to go to the Rover 25 though - and currently, the MV6 comes 3rd  :-?).  The economy wasn't anywhere near the Rover 25 (we had the 25 before the Focus), which was disappointing for the supposedly 'superior' Zetec motor.  I hit the rev limiter quite hard one day on it (limiter is on the redline), and it cough and spluttered for days until dealer reset something on ECU.

So, in my personal experienece, its difficult to believe, but the Rover 25 is a larger, faster, more economical, better handling, more comfortable car than the newer Focus we had.  I know ours wasn't just a rogue one, as others are the same.

I will conceed, that on the limit, the car was fairly controllable using the throttle to balance under/oversteer. However, sometimes I wanted to go at a reasonable pace without being on the ragged edge.

I have had the Rover for nearly 7 years now, and can honestly say that I haven't had any unprovoked under/oversteer, nor ABS come on except on very slippery conditions.  Alas, in the 2yrs we had that Focus, I cannot say the same (ABS never came on, coz it wasn't fitted - bloody cheapskates, but did have a few lockups under braking). Both cars would have been driven in a similar manner.

I did say the mark 2 focus drove better than the mark3 (which an 05 plate should be)

All I can say is re abs...if a person is  driving and activating abs unless in an emergency then the driver isnt driving as well as they think

[theolodian]

I did say the mark 2 focus drove better than the mark3 (which an 05 plate should be)

All I can say is re abs...if a person is  driving and activating abs unless in an emergency then the driver isnt driving as well as they think

True in theory, however you'd be surprised how many cars mask bad brake balance with ABS.

[TheBoy]

All I can say is re abs...if a person is  driving and activating abs unless in an emergency then the driver isnt driving as well as they think

I couldn't agree more.  And I know I should drive a little slower around the lanes, seeing as farmers cannot keep their sheep in fields  

In virtually all vehicles I've had, the only ABS/lockups I've had have been in ice/snow, and a gravel carpark once.  I did have a lockup in an Escort which resulted in a head on.  Both Mrs TheBoy and I, however, have had lockups in the Focus  

[DaveL]

Just handed in my 52 plate Focus TDCi estate. Agree with the handling, crap brakes and stalling at junctions even after trips to 'Dealer' for software updates. Had loads of torque steer when accelerating from stop.

Just taken delivery of another Focus estate TDCi, its free so what can i say, hit the brakes like i was used to with the old car. Peeled myself off window screen.  

Still it is early days and once the local 'dealers' have had their hands on it will be back up to my low expectations.

On the case of F**d Autos, run a very high mileage Mondeo estate and it has no problems with the mechanical parts. Have serviced the car myself since the car was out of warranty all of 10 yrs ago.

To be honest all cars have some problems, some you can live with, others you can't.
 8-)
DaveL

[Essex_Andy]

The latest Focus is a co-build between ford and volvo..basically a volvo floorpan with slightly different body panels.

The ST uses volvo running gear and engine

[Martin_1962]

I did say the mark 2 focus drove better than the mark3 (which an 05 plate should be)

All I can say is re abs...if a person is  driving and activating abs unless in an emergency then the driver isnt driving as well as they think

True in theory, however you'd be surprised how many cars mask bad brake balance with ABS.

I agree - also covers up weight balance as well - ie empty car or full boot

[tunnie]

4k?

I'd go Astra G.

Not the most comfy car in the world, only good for 20 min runs max. But well built and the 1.6 is nippy.

Bet the Mrs would love an MX5 but like you, I can't fit in them.

That Merc posted looks nice but 5k 110k miles?

Spend 3k on a facelift megga, and 2k on driving lessons  

[theolodian]

4k?

I'd go Astra G.

Not the most comfy car in the world, only good for 20 min runs max. But well built and the 1.6 is nippy.

Bet the Mrs would love an MX5 but like you, I can't fit in them.

That Merc posted looks nice but 5k 110k miles?

Spend 3k on a facelift megga, and 2k on driving lessons  

She doesn't want something too big, Focus size.  TBH, not really interested in any other VX's.  Need to look at Honda/Toyota I guess.

[tunnie]

Watch out for early Civics, the early old shapes had horrendous noise from the rear door. So much so when i mum was looking at them i though the back door was not shut correctly, but it was ....  

Maybe a Pug 206? Millions of them about, my old boss had one. Hell of a lot better than the Megan he replaced it with.

[theolodian]

I'd like something 3-5 years old or thereabouts.  Needs to have decent safety.  A little worried about French automatics, clit is tempting if she is willing to go with a manual.

[hotel21]

Daughter just got a 307CC 2 litre.

Was a bit sceptical at first but, to be fair, seems quite a good car for the cash.

Dearer than the cash you have to spend but also had the 206CC for a demo first.  Both are OK and, with summer on the horizon, winter is the time to buy the convertables....

B