9 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

Also does your breakdown provide a replacement car for as long as it takes to fix yours?

I doubt it.  But I'd kind of hope there won't be such a major issue for that to be necessary.  We're all hoping yours is an exception! 😬 

The Ford breakdown only takes the car to a Ford garage I think?  That's no good for me, I'd need to get straight home asap.  

In other news, just been to the dealer and saw 2 Active X's, one silver and one blue.  Best time to go when they're closed, didn't get hassled by any salesmen!

Despite my earlier dislike of the black trim, they do look pretty good in the flesh.  Interior looks fine too...  Is the chassis any different?  Couldn't work out whether it is or not.  Looks a bit bigger overall but that might just be the bolt-on parts.  Wherls are 18s but the tyres are 215/50, so same sidewall as the 17s on the standard Focus.  Very slightly lower than the Golf tyres (by 5mm) but hopefully the 30mm ride height increase accounts for that.  The Actives definitely get multilink too don't they?  I forgot to take my telescopic mirror to check lol.  Neither car was registered either so I couldn't check ETIS.  

5 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

 Best time to go when they're closed, didn't get hassled by any salesmen!

 

I just love that 🤣 Now, you should have left a note under their door saying you wanted to buy a car but shame they were shut (just for added cruelty LOL)

You do right Tom. I often go when there closed cant do with the hassle when your just wanting to browse. 

Usual conversation.........

Can I help you sir.

Nah pal just window shopping, if I need owt I'll give you a shout.

Ah we don't sell windows sir.

Don't think I'll bother then if they don't come with glass..............

 

 

45 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The Actives definitely get multilink too don't they?

As far as I know yes. Surely ford must’ve made progress rather than more deterioration..

Leasing/pch Vs pcp

 

https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/guides/personal-car-leasing/finance-options

 

Return a lease early

 

 

https://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/guides/ask-nvc/early-termination-ending-your-lease-contract-early

How about a nice nissan leaf on lease?? 😂😂😂 And a long extension reel so you can reach the car to charge. 🤣🤣🤣

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

I just love that 🤣 Now, you should have left a note under their door saying you wanted to buy a car but shame they were shut (just for added cruelty LOL)

I'm sure they'll have fun watching the CCTV back tomorrow!  A shifty looking guy in a hoody scrutinising a brand new car at dusk! 

 

5 minutes ago, iantt said:

How about a nice nissan leaf on lease?? 😂😂😂 And a long extension reel so you can reach the car to charge. 🤣🤣🤣

Lol, I'd happily go full electric if I lived somewhere with access to fit a charge point!  Going mild hybrid seems like a good compromise, I can still look down on full ICE engines!

 

That's why I fancy a Corolla, so I can pretend I'm helping the planet 😃

21 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

That's why I fancy a Corolla, so I can pretend I'm helping the planet 😃

Pretend is the right word on mhevs 

Buy this, with the Lexus extended warranty.

It'll never breakdown.

https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/Is-Saloon/300h-Executive-Edition-4dr-CVT-Auto-hkcez4q

27 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

Buy this, with the Lexus extended warranty.

It'll never breakdown.

https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/Is-Saloon/300h-Executive-Edition-4dr-CVT-Auto-hkcez4q

There's a big difference between warranty paying for stuff and something never breaking down.

I'd want something much newer and less boring for that price in all honesty! Maybe if I was in my 50s!

 

Something a little less boring with compliant suspension. 😂😂😂

Yeah to be fair Tom I am in my 50s 😃

On 12/28/2020 at 5:19 PM, Alex.S said:

As far as I know yes. Surely ford must’ve made progress rather than more deterioration..

Just made a discovery about multilink...  The Actives don't ALL come with it after all!!  

I've just checked a 20 plate Active X Edition 125ps MHEV and it has twist beam!  Same age 155ps MHEV has multilink.  So it may be still on power output on Actives. 

3 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Just made a discovery about multilink...  The Actives don't ALL come with it after all!!  

I've just checked a 20 plate Active X Edition 125ps MHEV and it has twist beam!  Same age 155ps MHEV has multilink.  So it may be still on power output on Actives. 

If that's true then Ford REALLY need to tell their bean counters to eff off and stop ruining one of the few USPs Ford has left i.e. their ability to often deliver a combination of grip AND compliance that most other manufacturers can't get close to.

Yes, the twist beam suspension MIGHT well offer 80%-85% of the capability of multi-link BUT the extra 15%-20% DOES make a difference to anyone that enjoys driving i.e. us enthusiasts.  If Ford do lose their chassis edge then people might as well buy a Honda, Toyota, Kia or Hyundai and end up with a vehicle that is likely to be more durable and will have the smae "middle of the road" handling/driving experience.

I guess the trouble is that enthusiasts account for such a small number of brand new 'normal' Focus sales that it doesn't make sense financially. 

Most enthusiasts will probably buy an ST or Vignale which both have IRS.  

What's worrying me is that if I order a factory 155ps Active X, they may drop the IRS on them before it gets built!  Have also for a price on the Active X Vignale now to see how much price difference there is on PCP.

Slightly off topic but If you don't mind using a broker theres between £4.5k and £5.5k off the list price of most if not all the Focus range. 

27 minutes ago, Wino said:

Slightly off topic but If you don't mind using a broker theres between £4.5k and £5.5k off the list price of most if not all the Focus range. 

Which would you recommend?  I'm still open to all options currently.

My local Ford are offering around £3k off of RRP for PCP and 0% APR.  Found it through CarWow though, it's not on thier own website.  Prices are only valid until tomorrow, so I'll have to wait until the new year to see if they've gone up at all...

Have a look at the range they are offering.

https://www.discounted-new-cars.com/search

https://www.broker4cars.co.uk/

I know all salesmen would say this but the days of haggling are numbered . With the likes of car wow , customers know it’s a few grand off RRP before they’ve even walked in the showroom. 
 

You could always ask the dealer to search what’s in stock. That way you get a new car at the new deal prices. But you can check the vin to make sure it has multi link before you buy. 
 

My ST came from stock it matched my spec just with the addition of the wireless charger which they didn’t make me pay more for. 

There's a "check stock" facility on Ford's own website. Discounts look rubbish though, like £400 off a Focus ST.

Might give an idea what's available in the system, though.

13 hours ago, Alex.S said:

I know all salesmen would say this but the days of haggling are numbered . With the likes of car wow , customers know it’s a few grand off RRP before they’ve even walked in the showroom. 
 

I can't haggle anyway...  It's fine if you look like Tyson Fury and sound like Liam Neeson.  I go in looking like Frank Spencer...  

10 hours ago, alexp999 said:

You could always ask the dealer to search what’s in stock. That way you get a new car at the new deal prices. But you can check the vin to make sure it has multi link before you buy. 
 

My ST came from stock it matched my spec just with the addition of the wireless charger which they didn’t make me pay more for. 

Isn't all the stock online now?  Discounts are rubbish on there as Roger says, it's cheaper to buy a factory build!! 

They don't seem to be making many Actives, though the 'Active X Edition' spec did only come out recently, that's the one I want as they fitted LED headlights to them.  I had a drive past the massive Ford compound in Ipswich yesterday, rows and rows of Pumas, Fiestas and some sort of SUV (Kuga maybe) but I couldn't see a single Focus Active!  Maybe there were some parked the other end...I didn't scale the fence to find out.    But there also weren't any in the demo area, on the used forecourt or in the car park of the main dealership which is a bit worrying...has anyone bought one?   

I'd forgotten about VIN check on ETIS!  There are 2 Active X's at the small dealer near me.  One in the showroom that says it's a 125 (read through the window) but the one in the car park is unregistered.  I should've taken the VIN from the windscreen and checked it!  It's got a reverse camera which is optional so I thought it'd been built for a customer but maybe not now you say yours has the wireless charger.  Why would they randomly add options to cars without a buyer out of interest?

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I can't haggle anyway...  It's fine if you look like Tyson Fury and sound like Liam Neeson.  I go in looking like Frank Spencer...  

Isn't all the stock online now?  Discounts are rubbish on there as Roger says, it's cheaper to buy a factory build!! 

They don't seem to be making many Actives, though the 'Active X Edition' spec did only come out recently, that's the one I want as they fitted LED headlights to them.  I had a drive past the massive Ford compound in Ipswich yesterday, rows and rows of Pumas, Fiestas and some sort of SUV (Kuga maybe) but I couldn't see a single Focus Active!  Maybe there were some parked the other end...I didn't scale the fence to find out.    But there also weren't any in the demo area, on the used forecourt or in the car park of the main dealership which is a bit worrying...has anyone bought one?   

I'd forgotten about VIN check on ETIS!  There are 2 Active X's at the small dealer near me.  One in the showroom that says it's a 125 (read through the window) but the one in the car park is unregistered.  I should've taken the VIN from the windscreen and checked it!  It's got a reverse camera which is optional so I thought it'd been built for a customer but maybe not now you say yours has the wireless charger.  Why would they randomly add options to cars without a buyer out of interest?

Not dealer stock. But Ford stock. Mine was in stock at the Dagenham compound. The stock is available to all dealers and the price is the same as a factory build. 
 

I went with the intention of a factory build. But they said one to my spec (plus charger) was already built and sat at Dagenham. So I didn’t have to wait. 
 

Ford build stock cars to popular specifications in spare build slots. And then stores them until a dealer claims it, much like the factory build slots themselves.