Not been doing much to the car lately apart from cleaning it in between rain showers. I've decided that I'm changing car in September, so as well as saving for the wedding, trying to save as much as I can for this new car. Not sure what I want yet, possibly a MK2.5 Zetec S 1.8. Seen a few which look great for around my price range. We'll see though.

Meanwhile, wrapped my car key in our new spec carbon wrap:

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Some carbon for the wife's key too:

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Ok so I've had a bit of a revelation here folks. I didn't realise you could reset your MPG the way you can reset miles since last fill up. Duh!

So when I was driving round thinking I only get an average of 26mpg I coulda been sitting on a higher figure. The readout is starting to settle at around 39/40mpg now. Well pleased.

Makes my wanting for an ST that little bit more painful though lol

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Up from 27.1 :)

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How about this in for window tints today:

Honestly, the owner didn't know it's a kit car lol seriously, he believes he owns a Ferrari. It was hilarious.

If you zoom in on the pic of the roof/interior, it clearly says Toyota on the glass lol Ferrari MR2-F3T/OYOTA55.

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Its not a Ferrari but it is more reliable ;)

Folks I've been given the opportunity to change the car. I've had my eye on a MK2.5 1.8 ZS or an MK2 ST. The 1.8 will be more economical than the ST obviously so that's a plus. Not sure how much more than my 1.6 though. Has to be a 5dr though as I've gotten so used to it now with my own.

Here's the links to ones near me:

http://www.usedcarsni.com/145044054?show_all_photos=1

http://www.usedcarsni.com/144907132

I know I've done this before with the Mondeo I posted but it's for real this time. Work starts on putting mine back to standard this weekend.

I like the idea of a MK2.5 cause it's face lifted and certain things have been revised over the MK2. The styling of the ZS is far superior to the MK2 as well.

BUT

An ST is an ST. I do still like the looks of the pre facelift so a pre facelift ST is perfectly fine. I've already read the ST buying guide about 4/5 times so anything you ST owners would add?

What's it like as a daily driver? Is it reliable? Will it last me for say 3/4 years? What's average mileage for a 2007 model?

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To be honest, I wouldn't go for any of these two. Here's why:

New car should be an upgrade worthy of the word "upgrade" - so not just exterior, but interior features too. So I wouldn't settle for anything with lower than current specs. That means that features as all 4 power windows, automatic A/C, heated seats, rain/light sensor, better stereo, etc. should be standard.

Looking at the listings at that website, there are some even MK3s available for the price around GBP 8 - 10.000,- so I would rather consider one of those. Although I'm really confused that so much of them only have manual A/C for example - how is this possible? I'm not sure we even have that avaiable here in Slovakia...

This one looks very nice:

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2012-Ford-Focus-1-6-TITANIUM-143614924

So considering all this, I'm not sure that upgrading from MK2 to MK2.5 (or even another MK2) is really an upgrade...it would be if your current car is a total wreck and the new one would really be new...and packed with features.

I myself was tempted to upgrade from MK2 to MK2.5 around the time when the MK3 came along (the MK2.5 prizes dropped), but I didn't go for it eventually - even the seller at Ford dealership told me it's not that much of an upgrade going from MK2 to MK2.5.

If you'd find a MK2.5 ST, 5 door, not older that 2011-2010, with decent mileage and packed with better features as you currently have, and of course a good price tag, then you should consider it, otherwise, as I said, I would rather stay with the current car or go for the MK3(.5).

Oh and for the styling issue of MK2 vs. MK2.5, may I suggest this:

http://www.european-parts.net/catalog/images/mk2sp2fb.jpg

- with the chrome frame around the center grill and the fog lights of course. That's what I got for my car as well and it looks perfect. And you'll basically never see a car like yours after doing this...

To be honest, I wouldn't go for any of these two. Here's why:

New car should be an upgrade worthy of the word "upgrade" - so not just exterior, but interior features too. So I wouldn't settle for anything with lower than current specs. That means that features as all 4 power windows, automatic A/C, heated seats, rain/light sensor, better stereo, etc. should be standard.

Looking at the listings at that website, there are some even MK3s available for the price around GBP 8 - 10.000,- so I would rather consider one of those. Although I'm really confused that so much of them only have manual A/C for example - how is this possible? I'm not sure we even have that avaiable here in Slovakia...

This one looks very nice:

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2012-Ford-Focus-1-6-TITANIUM-143614924

So considering all this, I'm not sure that upgrading from MK2 to MK2.5 (or even another MK2) is really an upgrade...it would be if your current car is a total wreck and the new one would really be new...and packed with features.

I myself was tempted to upgrade from MK2 to MK2.5 around the time when the MK3 came along (the MK2.5 prizes dropped), but I didn't go for it eventually - even the seller at Ford dealership told me it's not that much of an upgrade going from MK2 to MK2.5.

If you'd find a MK2.5 ST, 5 door, not older that 2011-2010, with decent mileage and packed with better features as you currently have, and of course a good price tag, then you should consider it, otherwise, as I said, I would rather stay with the current car or go for the MK3(.5).

Oh and for the styling issue of MK2 vs. MK2.5, may I suggest this:

http://www.european-parts.net/catalog/images/mk2sp2fb.jpg

- with the chrome frame around the center grill and the fog lights of course. That's what I got for my car as well and it looks perfect. And you'll basically never see a car like yours after doing this...

Some good points made there. The reason I was thinking of mk2.5 over the mk3 is I wasn't so sure on the styling of the mk3. I'd like to transfer over some of the mods I already have ie. my ICE and springs but this won't be possible, at least for the ICE anyways.

And the ST is an ST lol

In still looking around incase a Titanium MK3 pops up.

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Been looking around tonight at MK3s just out of curiosity. Found this one:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/8969560

Going to go have a look tomorrow. Looks in good shape. Full dealer history and sat nav.

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looks minted going by pics not to sure about colour though

looks minted going by pics not to sure about colour though

Lol Black would be the only colour for me on a MK3.

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Loving that black MK3 you found! 18"s, sat-nav, auto A/C, etc., it just has it all :) ... that would be great upgrade! Oh and I agree with the black colour for the MK3! One of the veeeeeeeery few that look good on the MK3.

Just fit an ST rear spoiler on it and it's perfect! :D

Right folks I have a few things for sale over in the 'buy sell' section. Check them out, I may tempt you lol

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Have you bought a new car?

Have you bought a new car?

Not yet but mines sold their on Friday night :(

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Sold? That went very quick, must have been a fine example sir :)

Sold? That went very quick, must have been a fine example sir :)

Well I truly believe it was a fine example. I kept it very clean and it always got what it needed. I removed all my mods before selling though, couldn't let them go with the car. Just sold the Mondeo TitX alloys this morning too. I now have for sale an Eonon head unit, ST spoiler and RS LED Taillights. All need gone to fund this new car lol

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Have you decided what your going to go for now?

Have you decided what your going to go for now?

Hopefully I'd like to be heading back up the road to pick this up at the end of the week:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/8969560

Went to see it last Tuesday. Cracking car, loads of kit, very comfortable and comes with sat nav and the best looking alloys that come with the MK3. Plus it's black. Mmmm.

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Are u from Ireland kpg?

Yunii

Hopefully I'd like to be heading back up the road to pick this up at the end of the week:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/8969560

Went to see it last Tuesday. Cracking car, loads of kit, very comfortable and comes with sat nav and the best looking alloys that come with the MK3. Plus it's black. Mmmm.

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Looks very tidy indeed.

Are u from Ireland kpg?

Yunii

Yep, up north. Derry/Londonderry.

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Never crossed the pond on that side.

Yunii

Well. It is done :)

Extras include keyless start, sat nav, cruise control and dual climate controls.

What a car. Literally just home from a long drive after picking her up and all I can say is she is faultless. Came with full service history and every tax disc plus stamped book from the dealer.

One happy boy right here.

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