Hi, as I currently had '13 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium currently around 104k miles w/ full service history and belt done. (Because I bought that Focus for £2k which is crazy cheap for Titanium model).
I was likely selling possible this year or next years depend of saving, because I am not 100% putting trusted 1.0 EcoBoost as long term ownership.

I wanted Focus 1.5T Ecoboost sadly they are worth over 7k! I can't afford that because it's way out of budget, so my Focus should valued around £3k - £3.5k according to AutoTrader so my budget would be £4k to £5k.
Btw, don't recommend Fiat or french, due my disliked brand also Fiat giving our bad name their issues of reliable problem. I prefer around Focus size wise.

I originally thinking might be VW Golf or Ford B-Max. Not sure if Volvo would be ideal but as it's my dream car to own Volvo.

But I'm here to ask you, if you got any suggestion to help me to find right car that I can kept for long time without worried breaking bank.

So, my prefer:

• Focus size wise. It's right size, not too small or too big.
• Good leg room, I'm 6ft tall.
• Cheap to run.
• Petrol is ideal for me since I done 4k miles per years. Don't mind diesel but less likely due fuel cost.

I might forgot other prefer but I'm welcoming to listening your feedbacks, it can help lots for me to making decision right vehicle to buy.

4 minutes ago, Tomush said:

Not sure if Volvo would be ideal but as it's my dream car to own Volvo.

I'm that case, how about a Volvo V40? Based on the Focus platform from when Ford owned Volvo and early petrols used Ford engines, but Volvos own 2.0 engines from around 2012.

A friend of mine bought one after several years in a Mk 3 Focus and found it very comfortable and (not to be recommended) very good in a crash! I believe Volvo had beefed up the safety aspects  in their usual fashion and the car was repaired, rather than written off, as he expected. 

He's now moved on to a VW T-Roc, as his one criticism of the V40 was a smallish boot, but was otherwise very satisfied with it.

https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/v40/hatchback/used-review/n789#what-is-it-like

3 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

I'm that case, how about a Volvo V40? Based on the Focus platform from when Ford owned Volvo and early petrols used Ford engines, but Volvos own 2.0 engines from around 2012.

A friend of mine bought one after several years in a Mk 3 Focus and found it very comfortable and (not to be recommended) very good in a crash! I believe Volvo had beefed up the safety aspects  in their usual fashion and the car was repaired, rather than written off, as he expected. 

He's now moved on to a VW T-Roc, as his one criticism of the V40 was a smallish boot, but was otherwise very satisfied with it.

https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/v40/hatchback/used-review/n789#what-is-it-like

Yea it’s true but V40 somewhat made smaller than Focus, it’s more sorta Fiesta sized. Hm, speak of Volvo, V60 could bit better? It’s more Focus Estate size wise.

as I have checked around marketplace Nissan Qashqai one I think 2015 model one, it’s caught me attention their stylist but I’m only worried is engine as I’m unsure where is engine are French or not as I awared that Renault is teamed up with Nissan (But I assume Nissan is no longer with Renault since I heard rumours that Nissan now with Honda).

6 minutes ago, Tomush said:

Nissan Qashqai one I think 2015 model one, it’s caught me attention their stylist but I’m only worried is engine

2015 Petrol.

All made and built in Sunderland, England.

1 hour ago, Tomush said:

V40 somewhat made smaller than Focus, it’s more sorta Fiesta sized.

The v40 is the same length (4369 mm) as a Mk 3 Focus, and a few mm wider over the mirrors. The Fiesta is considerably smaller.

1 hour ago, unofix said:

2015 Petrol.

All made and built in Sunderland, England.

Hmm sound good I could get 2014 - 2015 one if I’m lucky.

 

Is it’s 1.6 one? Also not sure how expensive is with maintained parts would be.

37 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

The v40 is the same length (4369 mm) as a Mk 3 Focus, and a few mm wider over the mirrors. The Fiesta is considerably smaller.

Hmm I have seen V40 as belong someone else as it’s seen be quite lots smaller… only disadvantage Volvo are high insurance group rate.

9 hours ago, Tomush said:

Hmm I have seen V40 as belong someone else as it’s seen be quite lots smaller

Funnily enough I've had a few test drives in V40s and felt the same about the interior at least. I suspect the added safety mods ate into the interior space. 

It sounds as if you're actually wanting wanting something bigger than Focus size, anyway.

As Qashqai has been mentioned, used review (2014 - on) here:

https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/used-review/n804

 

 

9 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Funnily enough I've had a few test drives in V40s and felt the same about the interior at least. I suspect the added safety mods ate into the interior space. 

It sounds as if you're actually wanting wanting something bigger than Focus size, anyway.

As Qashqai has been mentioned, used review (2014 - on) here:

https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/used-review/n804

 

 

I drove one of sale car Qashqai before it’s fairly nice to drive. Reviewer said it’s low cost… but didn’t say nothing if that meaning maintained cost… don’t worry I be used manual on Qashqai so I won’t be getting crappy CVT.

 

As I aware I need advice anything beater or former taxi.

 

(I use be car mechanic at used dealership before company gone busted.)

Or a Volvo S40 saloon, around the same amount of interior room as a Focus.

1 hour ago, eddie eastwood said:

Or a Volvo S40 saloon, around the same amount of interior room as a Focus.

That and the equivalent V50 estate, were both replaced by the later V40 hatch I referred to earlier, in 2012. Might be getting a bit old for the OP now, though?

I think you could be right on the interior space though. Another friend of mine has had Volvos as long as I've known him and he had a couple of V50s. From memory (not the most reliable yardstick!) I don't recall they seemed as tight as the later version inside.

My friend then went on to a string of V60s and now has an XC 40. His missus now has mobility problems and the higher seat position is better for her.

I've seen V60s on AT from around the £4k mark but they tend to be on 6 figure mileage at that price.

How about B-Max one? THey have 1.4 petrol engine which same as my old Fiesta but it's seen be 80hp bit underpower of size wise.

50 minutes ago, Tomush said:

How about B-Max one?

It's based on a Fiesta platform so only just over 4 metres long, but a lot heavier.

For the 1.4 B-Max Ford claimed 13.8 secs 0-62 and 20.4 secs for 31-62 in 4th. For the 1.4 Fiesta they claimed 12.2 and 16.2 secs respectively.

Recent thread on a similar topic: https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/158234-recent-b-max-owner/

 

 

 

Other thing popped up my head, VW Golf which other Focus rivals one. Anyone thought VW Golf one?

If you want a car to last and last, buy a Toyota Corolla or Auris within your budget

Or keep the car. It is a nice a car if properly maintained.