Ford Focus Hatchback (2005 - 2011) 1.6 Ghia 5d (2005/05) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Joe & Josephine Average. We're a family, in a family car, what can you say? It's practical, but smart (apart from the tiny finger marks on the paintwork and the biscuit crumbs on the back seat...).

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

I guess they think it's OK, but can't fit in a third back seat passenger to give people lifts, which can be a pain.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I'd buy it again, as it ticks all the right boxes for a family car. It's safe, fuel efficient, insurance & tax (group 7; Band D £145 a year) are reasonable.

What are you likely to buy next?

If the family grows to more than two kids, it'll have to be a 7 seater next.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

March 2005

Did you get a good deal and why?

Haggled til my throat was sore and got a great deal on price plus many extras for free (including isofix & baby seat, not even on the extras list)

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Safety rating excellent, liked the look of the new model

What was the dealer like?

Friendly, but drove a hard bargain, pretty much what you'd expect. After sales care excellent.

What's it like to drive?

Good road holding capabilities, a smooth quiet ride, but acceleration not the quickest, can need to drop a gear sometimes.

What's it like to park?

Easy to park, fits in most car parks easily. Visibility good.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Minor problem with a strange grinding noise on the front wheel, think it was a steering rod fault, or possibly the sleeve, but it was under the one year warranty and swiftly sorted. Recently (car 3 years old) had a problem with the boot catch - would not open manually only on the blip, but this was swiftly fixed quite cheaply.

What's most practical about your car?

Quite a big boot, so we can fit the pushchair or toddlers bike in it and still plenty of room for the monthly food shopping. Can fit two kids seats in easily, but would struggle with a third baby seat.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The swishy 'see-round-corners' headlights are quite useful on all the windy roads as we live in the country, plus the auto turn-on headlights & wipers features are excellent.