£15k for fast family car

£15k for fast family car

Author
Discussion

tomvcarter

1,091 posts

193 months

Monday 17th October 2016
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Audi B7 RS4?

Vroom101

828 posts

133 months

Tuesday 18th October 2016
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Have you driven the Focus or Mondeo?

I've not tried the Mk3 Focus ST yet, but I know a few owners and they all seem pretty happy with their purchase. As for the Mondeo, I own a 57 plate estate. It has the Volvo sourced 2.5 five cylinder from the Mk2 Focus ST, and is a very good steer. There's a huge amount of room in the boot - plenty big enough for a dog + stuff.

Here's mine:



They stopped offering that engine in around 2010 and replaced it with the 240bhp 2.0 Ecoboost engine. This is only available with the Powershift (Ford speak for dual clutch) transmission. A workmate had one and was very pleased with it.

If you (and your other half) can get over the 'Essex Chav' image, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. I am an Essex Chav, so suits me down to the ground biggrin

IanCress

4,409 posts

166 months

Tuesday 18th October 2016
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blearyeyedboy said:
Thanks, That's helpful to know. I'm surprised about the ride. Which version did you have (R Design or other?).
Mine was an SE with the 17" wheels. Apparently the 18" R-Design models are worse but I haven't tried one.

blearyeyedboy

Original Poster:

6,291 posts

179 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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Vroom101 said:
Have you driven the Focus or Mondeo?
Driven a Focus (nice, but deal want right so I'm still looking). Not driven a Mondeo since a diesel Mk2 owned by my mum. I would seriously consider that, thank you.

I grew up with Fords and would be quite happy with one on my drive, like a lot of my street in fact. Chav comments purely tongue in cheek- I grew up in inner city Cardiff, which makes most of Basildon look posh! biggrin

Mopey

2,396 posts

155 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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What about a hot Saab.... not as new but a 93 or 95 estate is very roomy

blearyeyedboy

Original Poster:

6,291 posts

179 months

Friday 21st October 2016
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Done the deed!

After years of driving a Skoda... I've bought another!

Octavia VRS petrol estate, black pack and navigation and a few other toys.

In case anyone else is considering the same: It's not quite as much fun as the Focus but there really isn't that much in it- in spite of these hype that surrounds these cars, let's face it, they're both heavy FWD estates with electric powered steering, and they're not going to drive like Caterhams. But the Octavia gives you a nice environment to be in, seats aside (which are only OK rather than instantly fab like some rivals). But what surprises me is that it's the Focus that feels like a last century interior. The Octavia was a good place to spend a few hours coming home, even on the M25. It's a good car to do a long trip in. I know that a lot of people don't like driver aids and Lane Assist but I haven't found it that intrusive when I tried it. (Perhaps my lane discipline's good anyway!) wink

Heated seats, lots of space in the back and powered tailgate all meet with blearyeyedgirl's approval. This is a Very Good Thing. :-)

I spent a lot of time not seriously considering the Skoda because I didn't want something too much like my old car... but I was genuinely chuffed at what I could get. Sometimes there's a reason why the obvious choice is the obvious choice!

(Edits for fat finger typing moments last night!)



Edited by blearyeyedboy on Saturday 22 October 10:32

Chainsaw Rebuild

2,006 posts

102 months

Friday 21st October 2016
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Enjoy your new car op!

I am baffled by the notion of a Mondeo being chav though? Surely it has a better image than a Skoda.....

blearyeyedboy

Original Poster:

6,291 posts

179 months

Friday 21st October 2016
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^ I have no image problem with either.

briang9

3,279 posts

160 months

Saturday 22nd October 2016
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Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Enjoy your new car op!

I am baffled by the notion of a Mondeo being chav though? Surely it has a better image than a Skoda.....
Do those who think Skoda has an image problem still think this is the 1970's?

Good choice OP, hope you enjoy it.

blearyeyedboy

Original Poster:

6,291 posts

179 months

Saturday 22nd October 2016
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^ Thanks!

I'm pretty brand agnostic. This particular car has a similar vibe to a Volvo 850 T5 (if not its lovely engine sound, sadly). That's a good thing- it's sensible enough, and silly enough.

ZX10R NIN

27,604 posts

125 months

Saturday 22nd October 2016
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Well done OP glad you got sorted.

blearyeyedboy

Original Poster:

6,291 posts

179 months

Saturday 22nd October 2016
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Thanks ZX10R NIN

Chainsaw Rebuild

2,006 posts

102 months

Saturday 22nd October 2016
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briang9 said:
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Enjoy your new car op!

I am baffled by the notion of a Mondeo being chav though? Surely it has a better image than a Skoda.....
Do those who think Skoda has an image problem still think this is the 1970's?

Good choice OP, hope you enjoy it.
I don't think Skoda are rubbish, and like I said; OP enjoy your car. Skoda are seen as a budget VW by some. I was more baffled by the notion of Mondeos being chav really.