Quite a few changes to the MB list on April 1st but still nothing suitable for me.  Think they can only change APs each quarter, but cars can come on and off at any time.

Nice to see the Swift SZ5 added, ideal Fiesta rival for many people on MB.  Too small for me though.

Focus orders are on hold until September I think, for everyone, not just MB.

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Quite a few changes to the MB list on April 1st but still nothing suitable for me.  Think they can only change APs each quarter, but cars can come on and off at any time.

Nice to see the Swift SZ5 added, ideal Fiesta rival for many people on MB.  Too small for me though.

Focus orders are on hold until September I think, for everyone, not just MB.

I have to order by mid September at the very latest. Extending my current lease may be a possibility though 

In 2 months time I’ll either be allowed to extend my lease or I’ll have to order a new car. The 155 auto focus ST Line Vignale  (which I’ve yet to test drive!) is my preference but seems Ford aren’t taking orders for focus . I’m really not surprised, bitten off more than they can chew it seems. For a similarly priced and probably a little better equipped option I’m back looking at Toyota Corolla! The infotainment system looks awful, poor reviews for that too. I’d like wireless Carplay amongst a fairly long list of preferences. Reversing camera, sensors etc choice seems to be a 1.8 hybrid 120bhp engine or a 2.0 hybrid 180bhp. That’s a no brainer. Interesting range the cheaper end ‘icon tech’ is fairly loaded. The ‘Design’ , big AP but adaptive cruise control, quite a lot of other stuff that the icon doesn’t have. Like ford , adding ‘Packs’ to a lower trim doesn’t work out better. Better to go up a trim level. They’re good at getting that extra £££ out of customers. 

Choosing a car used to be fun…not anymore ! 
 

 

Toyota Corolla 2.0 VVT-i Hybrid Icon Tech 5dr CVT
 

Watching a review just now…”the icon is the trim that nobody buys” 

lol 

Weird thing is the icon, excel and GR Sport all have the same engine options. 1.8 or 2L only

1 hour ago, Alex.S said:

Toyota Corolla 2.0 VVT-i Hybrid Icon Tech 5dr CVT
 

Watching a review just now…”the icon is the trim that nobody buys” 

lol 

Weird thing is the icon, excel and GR Sport all have the same engine options. 1.8 or 2L only

CVT though.... 🤮

39 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

CVT though.... 🤮

That was mentioned in the review,  a deal breaker unfortunately. I know someone had a Nissan with that type of gearbox. Just out of warranty it died ..£6k to replace (he says) . Got rid of it but costly. Just googling CVT there’s a long list of known problems. 

So lease is up October, can order in July . Looks like Ford Focus won’t be available, tbh I’m not overly impressed with the 155 MH anyway. Haven’t had the chance to drive an auto 155 focus yet but had a 155 manual fiesta for a day. Anyone got knowledge or opinions on Hyundai EVs ? Potentially going for a Kona , it’s fairly high spec for the money. 
 

I’ll try and attach a review for anyone that can be bothered reading/watching……

*the links not worked

Hyundai Kona Electric Review 2022 | carwow.pdf

Well, after owning Fords for all my motoring life* I have finally bought a Toyota.......

I was pretty sure I was going to do that anyway, but when, a coupe of months ago, I had two new wings fitted to my Focus it was certain. I looked closely at the two that had been removed and there was literally only one thin layer of paint on the inside. It just made me angry. If Ford had put some reasonable anti rust on the inside of those wings I would not have had to go to all the hassle and expense of having them done.

I keep my cars a long time and so I need a vehicle which was built for reliability and non rusting. Sadly Fords do not comply. My wife's 08 plate Yaris, on the other hand, has hardly ever gone wrong and (compared to my Focus) has almost no rust on it.

I am sure I am not Ford's target market, I would never buy a new car and I keep my cars 10 years (or more if poss), but at least my purchase has kept up the price of  used Toyota Auris Estates ! £9500 for a 9 year old Focus sized car, albeit only one owner, 35K and a Toyota approved car with a full 12 month warranty.

Would Ford ever give a full 12 month warranty with a 9 year old car ?

I prefer the styling of my 06 Focus though, simple and elegant, modern cars are so fussy and they all look the same !

* Two Escorts on a D reg and an R reg (three if you count my company car on an F reg) and then a Focus on an 06 plate.

On 10/8/2022 at 9:02 AM, Justin Smith said:

Well, after owning Fords for all my motoring life* I have finally bought a Toyota.......

I was pretty sure I was going to do that anyway, but when, a coupe of months ago, I had two new wings fitted to my Focus it was certain. I looked closely at the two that had been removed and there was literally only one thin layer of paint on the inside. It just made me angry. If Ford had put some reasonable anti rust on the inside of those wings I would not have had to go to all the hassle and expense of having them done.

I keep my cars a long time and so I need a vehicle which was built for reliability and non rusting. Sadly Fords do not comply. My wife's 08 plate Yaris, on the other hand, has hardly ever gone wrong and (compared to my Focus) has almost no rust on it.

I am sure I am not Ford's target market, I would never buy a new car and I keep my cars 10 years (or more if poss), but at least my purchase has kept up the price of  used Toyota Auris Estates ! £9500 for a 9 year old Focus sized car, albeit only one owner, 35K and a Toyota approved car with a full 12 month warranty.

Would Ford ever give a full 12 month warranty with a 9 year old car ?

I prefer the styling of my 06 Focus though, simple and elegant, modern cars are so fussy and they all look the same !

* Two Escorts on a D reg and an R reg (three if you count my company car on an F reg) and then a Focus on an 06 plate.

We’ve got a 2010 Vauxhall Astra, the paint on it is far superior than the paint on my 2019 Focus! Had a F plate fiesta back in the 90s … the paintwork was as poor on that as the 2019 plate. Ford seem to think owners don’t have a problem with it…. Clueless, out of touch management. 

What I did see a few days ago from ford fiesta trend base model. I know, a crap photo, but it's got active park assist!!!! 

Really??  on a fiesta whatever the spec. If you need that on a fiesta you shouldn't be driving. 

13 hours ago, iantt said:

What I did see a few days ago from ford fiesta trend base model. I know, a crap photo, but it's got active park assist!!!! 

Really??  on a fiesta whatever the spec. If you need that on a fiesta you shouldn't be driving. 

Wouldn't want to scuff those lovely steels!  

Mmmm. Never had active park assist but will admit to being grateful for the rear sensors and camera (very cheap option when I ordered mine).

Mk 8 Fiesta rear visibility isn't great anyway, but mine has factory rear privacy glass and in some lighting conditions it goes so dark, even in daylight, it may as well be a van!

I've had factory privacy glass in most of my more recent cars but never this dark. 

6 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Wouldn't want to scuff those lovely steels!  

But rear passengers could use the window winder handle to lower the glass to watch for kerbs. 

2 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Mmmm. Never had active park assist but will admit to being grateful for the rear sensors and camera (very cheap option when I ordered mine).

Mk 8 Fiesta rear visibility isn't great anyway, but mine has factory rear privacy glass and in some lighting conditions it goes so dark, even in daylight, it may as well be a van!

I've had factory privacy glass in most of my more recent cars but never this dark. 

I thought the dark privacy glass was to remain anonymous if your driving a ford. 

Just seen a Mk8.5 ST in the flesh...what's happened to the ride height?  Thought it was an Active with an ST badge until I saw the wheels! . Needs a front splitter imo.

1 hour ago, iantt said:

But rear passengers could use the window winder handle to lower the glass to watch for kerbs. 

Window winder ? Upmarket back on the day.

Can anyone recall the push outwards type that was on a hinged bracket.

Don't think it was Ford though ......

12 minutes ago, Wino said:

Can anyone recall the push outwards type that was on a hinged bracket.

Still found today - some versions of VW Up!, for instance.

I've had a few 3 door cars with hinged rear windows, don't think I've had any hinged in rear doors though!

On 10/9/2022 at 7:58 PM, iantt said:

What I did see a few days ago from ford fiesta trend base model. I know, a crap photo, but it's got active park assist!!!! 

Really??  on a fiesta whatever the spec. If you need that on a fiesta you shouldn't be driving. 

I'm not so sure about that. My wife has a Yaris and times without number I have been tightening my sphincter as the front swung round and I really am not sure if it'll hit that car or wall or whatever that's right there. Personally I think it's modern cars, you cannot see the extremities like you used to on a MkII Escort !

I had a triumph with hinged front triangular window. And had a mini with sliding windows 

53 minutes ago, iantt said:

I had a triumph with hinged front triangular window. And had a mini with sliding windows 

Showing our age here, but me too!😀

Ditto. And wire rope internal door handles .

This question might have got lost in my post ! :

Would Ford ever give a full 12 month warranty with a 9 year old car ?

(i.e. a Ford approved used car around 9 years old)

46 minutes ago, Justin Smith said:

This question might have got lost in my post ! :

Would Ford ever give a full 12 month warranty with a 9 year old car ?

(i.e. a Ford approved used car around 9 years old)

Yes they'll cover up to 12 years or 120k.

https://www.myfordprotect.co.uk/faq.html#headingFifteen

I missed the chance at ordering a top spec Hyundai Kona EV for a very reasonable advance payment (motability) 4 months ago. It nearly doubled in price in 3 months, now been removed from the scheme.

I was reading a 1 year old Kona has the exact same price/value now to a factory order! One year lead time last I heard.