bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

How many models?!!

My STi wagon is possibly on its last legs so am looking at a sensible replacement (as I have the 'non-sensible' Type R too

Budget: ~£3

Use: 5miles each way commute; occasional longer weekend use (120 milers); couple of French holidays a year

Just myself, partner, mountain bike and possible dog arrival

So, which one?

Thanks

Brun

Just a Focus or open to other sugggestions?

CREWJ

A4 Estate
3 Series Estate
Mundano Estate
Accord Estate
Impreza Sport Wagon

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

I am open to others, yes. It's just a Focus is one of the few 'decent' cars I can fit into. It has alot of head room which I need

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Now the Sports Wagon is something I wouldn't have considered

Also, I was thinking I could possibly do without an estate. Wouldn't the folded down back seated area of a Focus be similar to a Wagon's rear area?

Thanks for the input

Andy916

iTrader: (8)

At 3k budget ST170 Focus would be a possibility, if you can find a decent one. Good combination of poke and mpg for a 'warm' hatch.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

I'm thinking maybe I will need to go petrol - wouldn't the 5 mile commute **** the particulate filter?

CREWJ

Ah so you are after a hatch more than anything.

Golf
Astra
A3 <- Good choice in a diesel
206/7
Citroen Xsara
Fabia
Leon

DT-SPD

iTrader: (7)

Early Focus 1.6 TDCi 110ps , great MPG and reasonable performance. Doesnt have DPF so no worries there.

R12CYS

St170 mph poo just flogged mine, excellent car though insurance is cheap and they arevreliable. You could easy get one for your budget but shop around their is loads of them.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

How would an ST170 do on a France run mpg wise?

Got to say the 1.6tdci is looking favourite

How easy are both to live with. I'm guessing the 170 is more fun?

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

I'm struggling to find a decent Focus 1.6 TDCi with less than 100K. If I up'd the anti to £4K would this alter things all that much?

stara

Wearing a top-hat when motoring is so last century, the modern man about town dons a flat cap and a sensible pair of stringback gloves.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

R12CYS

Full tank is about £55 and you should get around 300 miles out of that. on a long trip maybe 30 ~ 40 more, if you want mpg forget the 170, but for you shorter journey you should get a half decent one for 3k. The diesels hold their money, easy 4 k for a half decent one - 2 very differant cars.

You should decide which fuel then look again, the 1.8 diesel should be much cheaper and thier is plenty around. My other half has a diesel megane, excellent on paper mpg ect but not as a nice to drive as the focus.

What the tax on any ford petrol they are usually high, not the case with diesel though.

Hope this helps mate.....

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Yes it does, thanks.

I remembered I looked into moving away from the Scooby fold a while back (what was I thinking?! God's Turban! Ended up buying an Integra Type R... dear oh dear, that lasted a whole month before I bought an STi Type R ).

Anyhow here's the Pistonheads thread

I suppose the ST may well be thirsty, but if I was doing a 1000mile French trip at an avg of 28mpg (£180), Focus TDCi avg 40mpg (£131) is just £49 difference...

Am I kidding myself or is that what it boils down to?

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Bought a 3 door 2l Zetec (sports suspension, hey ) today. 2004 44K miles, £2400. Should do 40 mpg

Need to decide what to do with the Wagon now. After 4 years ownership it will be with a slight moist eye I'll see it going, but really I just want some cheap(er) trouble free motoring for a while. That's how I'm going to justify to myself giving up on the wagon

jef

iTrader: (13)

stay away from the 1.6 diesel turbo focus

turbo issues and not easy to get repelacements, dependant on year

had experience myself