Practical City Friendly Estate

[DickP]

Hi,

First of all I am writing this from my phone so it may not be well written, so apologies in advance.

Following on from a past topic in Car Buying, I am wanting people's take on the city centre friendly estates in terms of driving.

I made a post about the frustrating characteristics of the Focus Titanium estate mk3 2.0 Tdci as posted here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

What I don't want to end up with is a car that has the same or similarly annoying behaviours. But at the same time I would like similar practicality, performance and economical running (maintenance, parts etc).

By contrast my fun car is a Clio 182 which is not the most city friendly car but is a doddle to use in the cities through stop start traffic etc even with its excessive turning circle (for a car of its size anyway).

My budget would be whatever I can get for the Focus (estimated 5k) plus some cash if needed. Average mileage is around 24k per annum and I do a lot of outdoor sports including cycling etc.

Are the alternatives like the Golf just as bad? Are they worth the much bigger premium over the equivalent Focus?
Does the bigger Mondeo mk4.5 exhibit the same tendencies?
I may look toward the Astra J as someone once suggested to me on here although the interior does now feel dated (even though I did have one once as a company car!).
Help. :-)

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say remap your Focus as these characteristics can be mapped out it's a much cheaper than buying another car & if you want to see if it's only a Focus thing test drive a few other cars before buying.

[DickP]

Hi

The car has already had the treatment which improved the pedal delay a little but not much and there is still the annoying blip anti stall. Another poster on some ford forums had a custom map done and it didn't eradicate the engine driveability frustrations either.

I put it down to being an early Euro 5 engine but I'm not a mech engineer.

It also doesn't resolve it's very aggressive brake assistance though.

Basically after 12k in the car I'm not getting on with it but don't want to change and end up back in the same situation. Bitten once etc.

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

The brake assistance is pretty much on every new car I'm afraid for me VAG cars are the worst for this, what's your annual mileage? If it's low maybe you can go for a petrol?

[DickP]

Hi

I average 24k per annum.

I appreciate you did suggest the Astra J in a past topic of mine too.

Are the brakes really that bad on new cars? How come I don't see them all kangarooing to a stop as people try to modulate braking around the city if they're that bad?

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

People just get used to it also a lot of city cars are now automatic so no issues with the anti stall.

I'd be looking for a Euro6 car my pick would be the 308 in auto GT form.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Jamescrs]

ZX10R NIN said:

People just get used to it also a lot of city cars are now automatic so no issues with the anti stall.

I'd be looking for a Euro6 car my pick would be the 308 in auto GT form.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Probably completely irrelevant to the OP but I've driven one of those at work and I find the rev counter on them completely bizarre, it sweeps from right to left instead of left to right, never known a car do it before, interestingly (or maybe not) I also drove a 508 GT line and that doesn't do it so it seems confined to the 308

[ZX10R NIN]

There's always the leftfield 508 Hybrid diesel estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you can live with a spacious hatchback:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[DickP]

Hi,

I do like those suggestions. I have been in a 308 GT before and thought it wasn't bad apart from the seats seemed a bit firm and gave me a sore back. But that might be the adjustment not having been right

They are however about twice what I paid for my current car and so I would have to stump up another seven grand in cash to close the gap (presuming I could get what I want for the Focus).

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

You never mentioned a budget.

[DickP]

Hi,

Yes you're right looking back at my post. I had only mentioned what I think I could get for my current car.

I do like your suggestions mind. They're definitely good alternatives to the fleets of German branded cars in the city.

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

The hybrids are superb on fuel you're looking at a real world 60mpg in a city (50mpg if you're in central london) centre.