Focus vs C-Max vs Mondeo

mossstitchmama

We have both a C Max and a Focus Estate.

I prefer the driving position in the C Max, it is marginally higher up than the Focus, and I think you have better all round visibility.

The Focus has a larger boot, especially when you fold down the rear seats, but the C Max is taller. You also have the option to either fold the rear seat seats forwards or remove them completely.

I love my 06 reg C Max and the in laws have a 10 reg one. The only downside is that they seem to let water into the wheel well in the boot. I cannot for the life of me figure how it is getting in and how to stop it.

Also, make sure that you have a spare wheel, some only come with a repair kit. Mine has the skinny spare.

Hope this helps

Lum

Chorlie wrote: »

I now use a Ti-Lite which is fully Titanium and is a lot light than the Kuschall to lift in and out of my car, I now have to take it apart and lift it over my body onto the passage seat rather than put it into the boot since my condition has got worst.

I don't think she wants to change her chair right now. We've had the Kuschall a few years, at the time it was the only chair we could find that would fit her car and also take power assisted wheels.

The weight of the Kuschall isn't a huge issue for her, it's about the same weight as the e-Motion power assisted wheels she keeps on the back seat, which I also struggle with. She uses the same method as you, chair on the passenger seat, and the wheels on the rear. This is in a Nissan 200SX.

But that's no good when we travel together, there we use the Quickie Helium and Spinergy wheels, even with this on my bad days I sometimes struggle, the chair suddenly feels like someone strapped a couple of housebricks to the underside.

The combination is generally fine. When we travel together and she runs out of spoons, I can usually push her. When she's alone the e-Motions are a must.

The trike, I think she's already orderd it.

@mossstitchmama

Thank you. I think the larger boot in the Focus is more important to me than the increased height, especially if I plan on getting a roof rack! Lower seating is also better for transferring in an out of a wheelchair.


I'm waiting for replies on exactly how much each of these is going to cost me, but right now I'm leaning towards the Focus or Mondeo estate.

Chorlie

These may help you get the chair / trike in & out of the car easier.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Folding-Telescopic-Lightweight-Wheelchair-Travel-Mobility-Scooter-Channel-Ramps-/111227994608

JonathanA

If there isn't much in it price wise, I'd go for the Mondeo. Having sold my (old shape) Mondeo estate last year, I can definitely say it was a fantastic car. I doubt the running costs on the Mondeo will be dramatically more than the Focus estate. The load space in the Mondeo is more, so you may find everything you need to get in will fit.

pstuart

We've just changed a Mondeo Estate for a smaller car, tried the Focus etc., nothing comes close to the Mondeo for the ride and the sheer quality of the whole car - we felt like the rest were like children's toys in comparison

Ended up with a VW Tiguan, but thats another story.

Lum

Mmmn, I'm generally happy with my current Mondeo econetic hatchback (Basically a Zetec with different gear ratios). Though I'm a little annoyed that the current gen Zetec is less well specced than mine.

Subject to the contribution I have to make not being something stupid. I think I'm basically decided on the Mondeo Zetec BE Estate 1.6 TDCi

I'm guessing the lease cost for the two is the same because the resale on the Mondeo estate is higher. Company car tax is probably higher on the Mondeo though.

Edit: Looks like the difference in tax is £30 a year. Sod it, I'll get the Mondeo. Kind of tragic that my car upgrade is to basically the exact same car, only in estate form and a different colour, but at least I know it'll do the job, with the added bonus that I'll now be able to carry 4 passengers, wheelchair and luggage.

bigjl

Can't really go wrong with the current Mondeo.

The only negative is that the new one about to be released in the UK is much nicer looking.

Lum

Don't really care about the looks, and I imagine that the reason the current one has such high equipment levels is because the new one is about to be released.

Subject to work answering my questions about costs with numbers that are acceptable to me. I'm basically decided on the Mondeo. The cost difference between that and the equivalent Focus estate makes it a no brainer really.

Herzlos

If the cost difference is negligible, then the Mondeo is the way to go.

Lum wrote: »

I am actually seriously considering Focus and a trailer! Not sure I'd want to do long motorway trips in a Fiesta as that's the only car that has ever made me travel sick while driving, I'm guessing due to short wheelbase, high seating position and lorry ruts.

I'll have to book some driving lessons though as I've never towed and my licence was issued after the cut-off, but put bluntly it seems a more cost effective way to do it than to take what is looking like a couple of grand out of my salary to cart a bloody trike around a couple of times a year!

Edit: Oh crap, the Focus Zetec doesn't even have cruise control, *cries*

You probably don't need an updated license to take that trike on a trailer, as it doesn't look like it'll be very heavy. You just need to keep an eye on the total maximum weights (car + trailer), but I imagine a 6x4 or maybe an 8x4 would take both trikes and can presumably be re-plated to work with the car under the license restrictions.

It'd still be worth getting some lessons though, but they really aren't hard to manage once you've got used to it and got your confidence up.

But if you're only needing the space a couple of times a year, and have somewhere to store one, it's definitely the way to go. Or you can just hire/borrow one.

alleycat`

Lum wrote: »

I now just have to figure out how to translate this into English:

"Drivers can trade up to the maximum of one grade above and pay the difference between the WLC of the vehicle that they select and the Benchmark Value at their grade. This difference will be deducted through payroll out of net pay as a ‘Private Use Contribution’ (PUC)."

I have no idea what a WLC is, or what my benchmark value is and my fleet people aren't answering their email.

Edit2: The Focus Titanium also has LED rear lights which is a negative for us as my partner is able to see the flickering which will annoy the crap out of her when we convoy.

Each "band" will have an approved cost to the company.
Entry at say £350, next band at £410 (and probably around £50 increments there on in).

You'd be expected to pay the difference between the £350 and £410 (in my example) lease cost.
So if the mondeo worked out at £368, you'd have to pay £18 per month additional contribution.

There is obviously also the P11D hit against your tax but you said that wasn't a major concern.

HTH

Edit:-

A better way of saying this.
You are band 1 and have a max spend of £350 a month
You can buy up into Band 2 which in this example has a max spend of £410 a month.

The mondeo falls into band 2 at a cost of £368 a month.

You pay the additional £18 a month as sacrifice from your salary.

You also need to consider should you leave you might be expected to pay up all of that additional "buy up" in one hit.