USED Ford Focus C-MAX MPV (03 - 07)

My car

I have had a test drive in this car, mine is being delivered soon. I had the metalic paint, Sony Radio, 6 CD sound system and the "privacy windows" fitted as options, the total cost was just over 20,000 euros.

Far cheaper than Britain!! I will write a more detailed report later.

My car

I knew that I had to trade up in the size of car after trying to fit holiday luggage into my Ford Fiesta, so as Ford were offering an extended test drive for the C-Max I thought this just might be the right vehicle for me.

It was even better when they explained that I could also try the CVT version which had received high praise in the What Car? review.

My test drive of the CVT vehicle, which turned out to be the LX version, really impressed upon me the smoothness of the transmission and the acceleration from only a 1.6 diesel when carrying five adults.

The Ghia manual version was impressive in its finish and overall specification, everybody onboard seemed to like the ride and comfort together with the extra height.

The dealer was very happy with my request for the Ghia 1.6 TDCi but went into a decline when I added that I also wanted the CVT transmission.

On reviewing the Ford data base he stated the no such vehicles were in the UK, or being built and therefore no delivery timescale could be given.

What a disappointment, especially as there now appears to be (according to motoring press reports) a glut of C-Max models about.

On investigation with other Ford dealers, I am told that the hold up is due to:-

1 a lack of CVT transmissions

or

2 a lack of diesel engines

or

3 a clash of operation (still to be sorted) between the electric handbrake and the transmission.

A nice car if you can get one..?

My car

I have owned this car (1.8 petrol C-MAX Zetec) since a April 04 my previous car was a 5dr 1.6 Focus Zetec, which I owned for 3 years.

On the road it is very, very smooth yet very responsive and handles well on windy days.

I use my car mainly around the town with the air-con on and average 28mpg.

The cabin is spacious, airy, and the extra height and larger windows provide good all round visiblity, it is also nice and quiet and the seats are more than comfortable, good leg and headroom and plenty of storage places.

Overall the C-MAX is a pleasure to drive, with excellent safety features, I was very pleased with my 1.6 Focus but the 1.8 C-MAX is a dream to be in and to drive.

If the switches to activate the quick clear screen and rear demist where better situated, I would have given (in the cabin) a 5 rather than the 4.

My car

This car is very impressive to drive. The 2.0 petrol is quiet and refined and gives the car very good performance (once run in).

Fuel economy is reasonable for the size of engine - 25-27mpg in town and up to 39mpg on a long run.

The car is very practical with plenty of storage space, loads of room front and back and a huge boot (though I would have liked the boot to be a little wider).

The steering is excellent - light at low speeds but gives loads of feedback when pushing on. The ride is slightly firm at low speeds but overall, very good considering how good the handling is.

My only criticisms of the car are around the build quality. A few bits of plastic feel a little cheap and are creaking and rattling a bit already (after less than 2000 miles).

I haven't had many other problems. Just a mark in one of the climate control screens, squeaky brakes and a tailgate that needed adjusting to stop it rattling (all now fixed by the dealer).

The dealer has been OK so far (way ahead of Renault - my last car - but light years behind BMW - my wife's car).

The only outstanding thing is that I'm still awaiting an owner's manual, which includes my engine - you'd have thought that after 6 months of the engine being available, Ford would have printed a new manual!

Overall, I'm very pleased with the car. It's an excellent family car that's good fun to drive.