1 hour ago, unofix said:

Hi Tom, what you thinking - maybe an Escort Popular or push the boat out and go for the 'Popular Plus'  🤣

Haha, well let's not discount anything yet!  

Seriously though, you can get a basic Mk4 Zetec for around £10k which probably has everything they're after.  Cheapest Vignale is around £15k.

4 hours ago, unofix said:

Jason56d - A fantastic car, I'm sure you will love it. If its the car in the photo then I see it was registered by Arnold Clark Glasgow "SF68......." I reckon that dealership must sell the most cars in the country. I live in Durham and ended up buying my Focus from Arnold Clark in Glasgow, they even transported it down to me for free.

Not that exact car, a 68 plate 182ps auto in black. Got it from a Nissan dealer in Basingstoke.

Can I just say......OMG, it is LUSH! So smooth and lovely to drive. And its a lot quicker than I expected it to be. Getting on to the M3 coming home, stuck it in Sport  mode and floored it! Blimey!!! 😉

Very very impressed so far and very pleased with my purchase.

Edit: need to change my profile photo.

Edit 2: Done!

 

Very cool !!! have fun and enjoy it.

Nice.  They do look good in black.

You need to chnbge your profile car description too. 😀

29 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

Nice.  They do look good in black.

You need to chnbge your profile car description too. 😀

Well spotted! Thanks 

I think used Vignale and STX with the 182bhp engines will be very sought after for next few years, especially seeing as how the only option now with an automatic gearbox now is a 1L 125. 

22 minutes ago, Alex.S said:

I think used Vignale and STX with the 182bhp engines will be very sought after for next few years, especially seeing as how the only option now with an automatic gearbox now is a 1L 125. 

I agree. It took me many months to find my one, albeit a MK3.5 ST-Line X rather than the MK4 (personally prefer it for the 4 cyl). According to https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/ there were 363 ST-Line X's on the road in the MK3.5 shape when I got mine, so it was pot luck that I found it when I did. I can't see people parting ways with them either due to the power and decent returns on MPG. I still manage an average of 48mpg from mine on a mixture of town and single carriageway driving (providing I don't floor it). That's on a manual box, maybe the others can comment on their MPG with the auto box, 3cyl engine?

 

There is also the independent rear suspension that you get on the MK4 with the 182ps engine, which the 1.0 only gets a torsion beam set up. MK3/3.5 gets independent rear no matter what engine you get. Probably wouldn't notice the torsion beam setup unless you're throwing it into some corners, but nice to have I guess?

 

If you get a chance to get the 182ps version, don't hesitate as it will be gone quickly. My friend has the MK4 ST-Line X with the 1.0 Ecoboost, but he prefers driving my car even though it's the old shape and chassis. Cabin equipment is more up to date, but he prefers the driving characteristics of the 182ps MK3.5.

 

Just realised how much I drivelled on, sorry 🥱🤐

 

6 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I'm not sure the OP would get the value out of a Vignale...they don't seem to be interested in spec!

You're right, not so interested in spec. Or rather, would prefer a later model than a suped up older one for my budget.

55 minutes ago, kerstilee said:

You're right, not so interested in spec. Or rather, would prefer a later model than a suped up older one for my budget.

Sorry, missed the point completely didn't I.....

 

Could always try a Zetec like Tom suggested. They have a lot more kit as standard on the MK4 Zetec compared to the MK3.5 version. Think of the new MK4 Zetec as the MK3 Titanium when it comes to kit, so more for your money.

A quick search, I found this;

 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011276546757?model=FOCUS&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&postcode=mk158ba&radius=1500&sort=relevance&aggregatedTrim=Zetec&include-delivery-option=on&make=FORD&year-from=2018&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Petrol&page=1

 

If you’re hauling a lot of weight about, then consider the 1.5 Ecoboost, but you'll need to move up to the ST Line spec for that engine. It's 150ps rather than 182ps, but it will drive the same up until 4500rpm which it then drops off, as opposed to the 182ps which keeps on pulling. Still a very good tune though;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159073482?model=FOCUS&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=mk158ba&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=ST-Line&sort=relevance&minimum-badge-engine-size=1.4&fuel-type=Petrol&make=FORD&include-delivery-option=on&year-from=2018&page=1

 

 Gives you an idea of the latest model, which has far superior leg room for rear passengers/car seats that like to stick out 😄

2 hours ago, Sam92 said:

comment on their MPG with the auto box, 3cyl engine?

Short journeys mainly...32.9mpg. . But I know long motorway journeys are much higher figures.

btw about multi link suspension, most mk4s don’t have it. Even my stx 1.5L 182...torsion beam.

2 hours ago, Sam92 said:

MK3.5 ST-Line X rather than the MK4 (personally prefer it for the 4 cyl).

I’ve driven a mk3.5 . Once. Why is the 4 cylinder better? You’d be surprised with the performance of the 3 cylinder Mk4 182 engine. It’s the Mk4 I meant re being sought after. Seeing as they were discontinued in uk less than 2 years after being launched! 

1 hour ago, kerstilee said:

You're right, not so interested in spec. Or rather, would prefer a later model than a suped up older one for my budget.

Do you have a budget in mind?  And any spec that you would particularly like at all?  Climate control for example, is only standard on Titanium and above.

 

3 minutes ago, Alex.S said:

Short journeys mainly...32.9mpg. . But I know long motorway journeys are much higher figures.

btw about multi link suspension, most mk4s don’t have it. Even my stx 1.5L 182...torsion beam.

I’ve driven a mk3.5 . Once. Why is the 4 cylinder better? You’d be surprised with the performance of the 3 cylinder Mk4 182 engine. It’s the Mk4 I meant re being sought after. Seeing as they were discontinued in uk less than 2 years after being launched! 

32.9mpg on shorter journeys isn’t too bad at all.

 

I read on AutoExpress that all 1.5 Ecoboost and 2.0 EcoBlue versions had multilink suspension, although I read that at the time of launch so could of been wrong info or perhaps changed.

 

As far as the 4 cyl being better, I never said it was, I said I preferred it. Having driven both, I think the 4 cyl sounds better and the power delivery feels smoother. This is a characteristic of a 4cyl due to it being a balanced engine with no area of non-firing in the cycle. This also means they perform better at lower revs.

3 cyl engines are known to sound rougher as they are unbalanced and rely on momentum of the crankshaft due to the lack of the 4th pot to keep the power flowing, so they can struggle more at lower revs than the 4cyl.

3cyl all the way for cheaper maintenance costs and fuel savings, but for performance and refinement, the 4cyl is a better bet. Solely depends on what you want from your car.

My thoughts when shopping for a focus was the zetec is fairly well equipped. 
Is there not a very basic one..focus style or something I’d avoid but zetec 🤔 

2 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

32.9mpg on shorter journeys isn’t too bad at all.

 

I read on AutoExpress that all 1.5 Ecoboost and 2.0 EcoBlue versions had multilink suspension, although I read that at the time of launch so could of been wrong info or perhaps changed.

 

As far as the 4 cyl being better, I never said it was, I said I preferred it. Having driven both, I think the 4 cyl sounds better and the power delivery feels smoother. This is a characteristic of a 4cyl due to it being a balanced engine with no area of non-firing in the cycle. This also means they perform better at lower revs.

3 cyl engines are known to sound rougher as they are unbalanced and rely on momentum of the crankshaft due to the lack of the 4th pot to keep the power flowing, so they can struggle more at lower revs than the 4cyl.

3cyl all the way for cheaper maintenance costs and fuel savings, but for performance and refinement, the 4cyl is a better bet. Solely depends on what you want from your car.

Fair enough.

re the mls , ford dropped it May 2019 on most of the range. 

Multilink is now only standard on Vignale, Estate, ST and 2.0 EcoBlue.

It was previously fitted to all 1.5 EcoBoosts (regardless of output) but dropped in Spring 2019.

2 minutes ago, Alex.S said:

Fair enough.

re the mls , ford dropped it May 2019 on most of the range. 

Don’t feel like I was ranting, I wasn’t, was just trying to pack in loads of info and thoughts/opinions 😂

 

Didn’t know they discontinued the MLS though. Assuming it was a cost saving exercise. 
 

And I thought you mean the MK3.5 was sought after as well, as the ST-Line X came out a year or perhaps 2 before they ended that model. I remember it coming out around the first half of 2017 as I was in the dealership at the time and saw one in there. Still, took me months to find that spec with that engine. Plenty of 1.0 about, but the 1.5 was impossible to find 🙄

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Multilink is now only standard on Vignale, Estate, ST and 2.0 EcoBlue.

It was previously fitted to all 1.5 EcoBoosts (regardless of output) but dropped in Spring 2019.

The Vignale and ST are top spec so should have the more expensive suspension. The estates maybe cause bigger car 🤔 but why the 2.0L diesel hatchback? 

4 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Multilink is now only standard on Vignale, Estate, ST and 2.0 EcoBlue.

It was previously fitted to all 1.5 EcoBoosts (regardless of output) but dropped in Spring 2019.

At least they left it on the ST, would of been shocked if they didn’t. Was it just to cut costs, or not deemed necessary?

4 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

Don’t feel like I was ranting, I wasn’t, was just trying to pack in loads of info and thoughts/opinions 😂

 

Didn’t know they discontinued the MLS though. Assuming it was a cost saving exercise. 
 

And I thought you mean the MK3.5 was sought after as well, as the ST-Line X came out a year or perhaps 2 before they ended that model. I remember it coming out around the first half of 2017 as I was in the dealership at the time and saw one in there. Still, took me months to find that spec with that engine. Plenty of 1.0 about, but the 1.5 was impossible to find 🙄

Mine was a factory order. My local dealership couldn’t even find one for me to test drive! Macklin motors (Bristol street down south). Leased it without being able to try it. Did some serious research tho! 
Rant all u like pal 😂 

11 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

At least they left it on the ST, would of been shocked if they didn’t. Was it just to cut costs, or not deemed necessary?

Bit of both lol...it was cost cutting, but justified by the fact the vast majority of Focus buyers wouldn't notice the difference.  Don't forget most are bought by the general public as cheap A to B cars, us on here only make up a tiny proportion.

 

11 minutes ago, Alex.S said:

The Vignale and ST are top spec so should have the more expensive suspension. The estates maybe cause bigger car 🤔 but why the 2.0L diesel hatchback? 

Good question...and not one I have a definite answer for lol.  Possibly for a higher towing capacity as that's the one you'd buy for a caravan?  Or it may just be the same reason as the estate, larger loads/more weight expected in the boot.

1 minute ago, Alex.S said:

Mine was a factory order. My local dealership couldn’t even find one for me to test drive! Macklin motors (Bristol street down south). Leased it without being able to try it. Did some serious research tho! 
Rant all u like pal 😂 

I can imagine it was a factory order, only way you stood a chance of getting one. I saw on other threads on here that dealerships were struggling to get any in for demo cars, shows how much people want them, or that they don’t make enough...

I asked my local dealer to let me know when they had one (when MK3 was the latest), bugged the same guy for 3 months straight until he rang me saying one was coming next week with optional extras, didn’t even ask for a price, said I’d take it 😂

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

the one you'd buy for a caravan?

It’s possible. But would that not be all about bhp ? I don’t know what bhp is in the 2L diesel . I’d guess at about 150 🤷‍♂️

3 minutes ago, Alex.S said:

It’s possible. But would that not be all about bhp ? I don’t know what bhp is in the 2L diesel . I’d guess at about 150 🤷‍♂️

Or is it more for potential body roll whilst towing? Guess it would stop the car bobbing about as much, so it turn would stop the caravan following suit via the tow bar? Torque will be the main reason I think the 2.0 would keep it tbh, I’m not sure what the new 2.0 has, but the old one in the MK2 had 236lbs of torque, the same as the 2.5T ST at the time 😩

3 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

dealerships were struggling to get any in for demo cars,

In 2019 that was very true. I found so many outstanding reviews of the Mk4 182 from bloggers to owner reviews, I knew it’d be very good. Wasn’t disappointed! Was kinda stressful leading up to getting it delivered knowing even if I didn’t like it I’d be stuck with it for 3 years! 

Just now, Alex.S said:

It’s possible. But would that not be all about bhp ? I don’t know what bhp is in the 2L diesel . I’d guess at about 150 🤷‍♂️

Bhp only sells cars.  It's torque you need for towing!

It is only a measly 150bhp in the standard 2.0 EcoBlue but has about 30% more torque than the 150bhp EcoBoost.  It's the torque that would also potentially make the car unstable if you plant your foot into a corner...