Is it me?

Could it be the make of tyres?

I have noticed that my 1.6 Focus Flight Mk1 has a strange quirk of handling - enter a corner a bit quick and the back end tries to break free and attempts to overtake the front.

This can be mildly disconcerting!

Of my previous cars, ranging from Morris 1000 Van, MGB, Ford Anglia, Citroen Picasso, Vauxhall Zafira, Vauxhall Cavalier, Vauxhall Viva, Ford Granada, Honda CRV, Fiat 128, Matra Talbot Rancho, Talbot Sunbeam, (Not in order!) etc etc the only one with similar characteristics was a Ford Cortina Mk 1 1200cc. During the winter I had to carry either a bag of sand in the boot, or a couple of paving slabs to stop the back end wandering all over the place.

I suppose it's nice to see that Ford are trying to keep in touch with their roots!

Mk1 Focus was known for the ability to do lift off over steer. But it shouldn't catch you out.

But, yes, make sure the tyres are good, the suspension isn't worn and the alignment is good

This is the problem with independent rear suspension.  It's great when it's new.  But there are so many points of movement as the bushes wear out that the handling becomes awful over the years.  The proper fix for this is to replace all of the bushes on the rear end, then have wheel alignment done for both front & rear.

It may also depend on what you've got used to most recently.  If you've had a 'planted' car for a few years then going back to one with LOOS can catch you out.  I had this effect with 306's a few times over the years when switching back to those from understeering cars.

5 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I had this effect with 306's a few times over the years when switching back to those from understeering cars.

Yes, mid -80s/early 90s Pugs especially 205/309 GTIs were noted for lift-off oversteer.😀