New mk3 Focus. Has anyone had experience with them?

Munkyman

Munkyman

Munkyman

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Hi there,

I've been looking for a first car for a while and recently been looking at the new Focus. However, I don't know anyone who has one nor have I seen a single one on the road and would like to know peoples opinions on them.
 
I've not driven one but I just thought i'd add - you're looking at something North of £15K to get your hands on one of these, and I just can't see it justifying that cost yet.

I mean after all, you could get a fully loaded, well looked after Mk.2 for half that, and I can't see the Mk.3 being twice as good (to justify the cost) if you understand me. :)

I'd either drop the budget and get a nice Mk.2 or look elsewhere with that kind of money.
 
Tute's right. The Focus is one of the most popular cars in the country and splashing out on a new one is ridiculous. Get a well specced MK2 for £10,000 less than an ok specced MK3.
 
Not yet but I am hoping to next weekend. It ticks all the boxes for what I need it for but I haven't heard anything about what it's like to live with day to day.

Thanks, i'll give that a read :)
 
I think you're going to struggle beyond reviews as not many people have actually taken delivery and lived with it long enough to form solid opinions. :)
 
Tute said:
I think you're going to struggle beyond reviews as not many people have actually taken delivery and lived with it long enough to form solid opinions. :)
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Yeah, that looks like it might be the case. If I do decide to get one then I might just go for what they have in the showroom to save waiting the 12+ weeks to get one.

Brookert said:
some people aren't fond of the looks, but I think they look great
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Yeah, they do look quite smart
 
I'd be asking for an extended test drive at your local Ford dealer. They probably won't be having trouble shifting them but it's the type of car that you want to know how it handles the shopping trip, kids, ride comfort and how easy it is to drive. Providing you're a respectable looking chap see if you can get the keys for a couple of hours or something without the salesman and form your own opinion.

Going on what I've read though they are fantastic cars, and a logical step up from the Mk2 which is also a great car for what it is.
 
Really? I from the reviews I read people seemed to think the cabin was too cluttered, leaving it feeling small and the typical Focus handling seemed to be somewhat missing.
 
Hi, yes that was me, however, due to a unexpected serious operation, I've had to put things on hold. However it is a great car to drive and much much more refined than the outgoing Mk2.5, equipment levels are very good as well. If you have any doubts about the car I suggest you read the group test in What Car's june issue, for what it is worth. They describe it as 'simply one of the finest cars you can buy, full stop' against the golf and astra. Dealers are already giving some discount on them as well, hopefully I won't get flamed again....
Chris
 
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My girlfriend's mum took delivery of a brand new mk3 focus a few weeks ago, also on motability. They love it - from what I can glean, its a very solid car. Well built interior, which is a nice place to be, and it looks very tidy from the outside. Well worth a test drive IMO. Theirs is the 1.6TDCI, honestly, i had difficulty telling it was a diesel!
 
-westy- said:
My girlfriend's mum took delivery of a brand new mk3 focus a few weeks ago, also on motability. They love it - from what I can glean, its a very solid car. Well built interior, which is a nice place to be, and it looks very tidy from the outside. Well worth a test drive IMO. Theirs is the 1.6TDCI, honestly, i had difficulty telling it was a diesel!
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How long did it take to get it from the time they ordered? I'm planning to go petrol, I don't do enough miles to justify the need for a diesel
 
Hi, I've been quoted up to 15 weeks from the factory. You might want to consider the diesel despite not doing the mileage. In the Zetec the performance of the 1.6 is fairly ok, plenty of grunt so you can be lazy with the gear changes around town and the mpg can be up to 64mpg as well plus, in the Zetec, equipment level are good . I drove one and it felt quite 'peppy' despite having come from my remapped Mondeo.
Chris
 
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My Dad is also getting one on Motability (well, my Mum is but he'll be driving). Should have it Tuesday so I'll give you some impressions and pics.

He's gone for the 1.6l TDci with Titanium spec.
 
Raikiri said:
My Dad is also getting one on Motability (well, my Mum is but he'll be driving). Should have it Tuesday so I'll give you some impressions and pics.

He's gone for the 1.6l TDci with Titanium spec.
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Thats the spec i'm going for but with the petrol instead :)
 
MikeHiow said:
Are they still putting the 115PS Ti-VCT engine in the new ones? If so, prepare for shocking fuel economy.
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Would that be the standard 1.6 petrol? I struggled to get 25mpg from that and it was on a nice A-road NSL thing that I usuaully get 55-60 in from my tractor. version. And I was actually trying.

I had one (1.6 zetec Mk2) as a courtesy car when mine was in for a service. I put a tenner worth of petril in, which would get me 100+ miles on the trip computer on my car, more than enough for my commute to/from work. It got me 53... and it couldn't even manage that with a gentle right foot.

That engine is awful. The car still didn't feel like it had much power even when I put my foot down to burn the extra tenner of fuel I had to put in it to get home from work.
 
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