"New" car needed - advice please

huggermugger

Morning all

My car is now falling apart and due to change of job I need a more together, reliable car.

I want a fairly roomy hatchback as we have a dog and load up the car for self catering or camping holidays. Reliability & fuel economy are paramount as my son is going away to school in September (no, I'm not rolling in it - he's a bit of a clever clogs & got a full scholarship ) which will mean a round trip of approx 300 miles every three weeks. Plus I will use the car in my job, potentially a couple of days a week, for long distances.

I think I can spend around 6.5k, possibly more (I'll be borrowing...). Honest John has recommended a Ford Focus so I am test driving ex demos today at the main dealer. These are generally about 2 years old 10-15k on the clock but they are about 8k so I'm not sure... but they do come thro Ford Direct with a 2 year warranty & breakdown cover.

Any thoughts? Any other suggestions, please?

Tallymanjohn

Agree with Honest John - get the Focus Diesel TDCi estate - The hatchback has very little room in the rear & I think the C-Max may be a bit out of price range. Ours averages 48mpg - well over 50 on a long run & the TDCi is a very responsive, if little noisy, engine. Tax is only £110/year, even though it's a 1.8litre.

peterg1965

I dont think you can go wrong with a Ford Focus, ensure that it has full service history and get it inspected (if it is not from a main dealer). Agree that a diesel would be good but you may struggle to find a really good late model with moderate mileage. Take a look at https://www.fow.co.uk they always have a good selection of used Focus' and they won 'What Car' car supermarket of the year a couple of years running.

huggermugger

Thank you both -

Have just come back from a test drive of a 1.6 Ghia 04 plate (old shape) with 22k on the clock. "only came in last night" one owner, fsh, 3 months dealer warranty... £7500. Not a bad car at all tho more than I wanted to spend. I will have a look at some websites to compare prices. Needless to say the salesman says it won't hang around. Any comments on the price?

Being told that a diesel would cost me another 1-1.5k and they don't have any on the forecourt tho could source one thro Ford Direct.

peterg1965

huggermugger, dont fall for the salesmans patter, he only wants you to buy it then and there thats why he said it would fly out of the door! He is asking TOP money for that car, and for that much I would be wanting a full service, and at least 12 months warranty and road tax. If you were interested I would get your battering head on and try and Get at least £750 off the price and one years warranty and tax, is it a Ford Main Dealer?

DavidHM

£7,500 is a joke price for a three-year-old old shape Focus, even with good specification and low mileage.

You're much better off buying a one-year-old ex-rental with slightly lower specification for more or less the same money and going to a car supermarket to do so.

plane_boy2000

7.5 K is a joke for an old shape run for the hills.............

Also telling you 2 year old cars are ex demo is a lie. Garages only run demonstrators for about 3 - 6 months not 2 years!!!!!

Try somewhere like trade sales - they have good deals on ex rental fords. Just looked - 55 plate 1.6LX 9K on the clock - 7499

plane_boy2000

Forgot to add - will have balance of manufacturers warranty so probably 18 - 20 months left

https://www.trade-sales.co.uk

huggermugger

Thank you, guys. At the end of the day it was more than I wanted to spend anyway.. but there doesn't seem to be a lot around for 6k.

Peterg asked whether the garage is a Ford main dealer & it is - Is there any real advantage to buying from them rather than the big car supermarkets? I'm a bit intimidated by the thought of buying there.

Also - I have thought about a diesel but they seem to be about £1000 more expensive. Is it worth it?

huggermugger

Also, am getting confused - is Ghia or Zetec the higher spec? Does it really matter???

peterg1965

Ghia is the higher spec, Zetec is considered the more sporty one. Ghia should have aircon, electric windows all round, cruise control, (maybe that is just the later ones), heated screen, better upholstery etc.