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

My car

NOT AS FAMILY FRIENDLY as you might expect. Bought an 06 model this year, with 17k on the clock. It was a replacement for my wife's 3 dr Clio, as we had just had twins. Chose C-max for sharp drive, equipment, and diesel performance. It also has a boot big enough for our double buggy. HOWEVER, the issue of child seats is quite complicated, and I would URGE you to check this before you buy. 1: Our 2nd-hand model didn’t come with ISOFIX points as standard. Garage offered to install them free of charge, but took several weeks of trying to find correct parts & much debate over whether it was even possible to retrofit these points. 2: Rear seatbelts are only just long enough to go around our child seats (Jane Rebels). Anything bigger, and you’ll struggle. Issue now is trying to find a 9 mnth+ car seat that can be mounted in the car. We were naive enough to think that ANY ISOFIX seat can be mounted in ANY car with ISOFIX points. In reality, it's much more complicated, and stores such as Mothercare will not even sell you a seat unless your car is approved by the seat manufacturer, eg. Britax. This c-max simply comes up with 'No Information', and Ford recommends that seats are secured with an additional 'top tether' strap. Whilst our garage did fit the main ISOFIX mountings, it doesn't look like we have the anchor points for the tether straps, it's very difficult to get definitive information. Great car but don't assume that it's a family friendly car, just because it's an MPV.

My car

I have owned this car for just 24 hours but I think its important to report what people really think about its first impressions then if a problem develops that can be part of a follow up report, this would help other readers to make up their own minds about each model!

This engine is a free spinning delight don't look at its on paper figures it lies about it, it spins as sweet as the 2.0 model in gear acceleration from first trough to third is just great for this little engine, the handling is better than my BMW 520 I kid you not I think this is down to the weight of the car most models are around 1500 kg but this one is 1325kg and of all the cars I have had this is the most fun I have had in my first 24 hours of ownership ok its not an BMW and you do hear external noises my 25000 miler had wind deflectors fitted and it does make a huge difference compared to the other models tested my model also had the single cd Sony extra and if you turn the volume up a little you can't hear what's going on outside the car, what a stereo system! Returned 467 miles for a full tank (55 lts) in one days mixed driving (sporting) = Brilliant!

Only one problem and not sure if it is one yet but when I turn off the car the lcd display stays on all the time which must drain the battery will ask ford technical about this and report back.

Kind Regards.

My car

I bought an 04 C Max Ghia 1.6 tdci as I was trying to find a good balance of space and economy. Plus points are it meets those requirements, big car feel on a mid size platform, good driving position. The overall economy is what you expect from a modern diesel, around 45 mpg in mixed use, real world driving, it gets much better on a long run. The ride is firmer than you expect as is the level of road noise, even in a well trimmed Ghia. The paint scratches easily. There are concerns about tdci reliability, I have had no problems (so far)but they can cost a lot to put right if they go wrong. A good car, very well designed, but do Ford build it consistently well?

My car

I have had this car from new 3 years under mobility and apart from 1 recall rear windscreen motor and new tyres everything fine .Touch wood 2.0tdci engine giving 48mpg on mixed driving great when cruising on long run not so good on short runs .replaced stereo with sony unit far better and stain protection for seats. local ford dealer been fine. like everything you look after it regular service ect it looks after you.