USED Ford Focus Estate (98 - 04)

My car

A lot of road and wind noise in the cabin at 70mph. Engine very noisy for a 1.8 petrol, in fact I have driven quieter diesel cars.

Inadequate lower spine support on driver's seat, poor-quality paint on bumpers, in fact after 75,000 miles there's not much left!

My car

I'm about to give up my Focus after 90,000 miles of sturdy service since January 2002.

The car has not missed a beat and still drives brilliantly now. Will do an indicated 130mph on the Autobahn and is steady as a rock to drive.

I'm squeezing about 40mpg, which is good but I do regret not getting a diesel for the mileage I'm doing.

I'm constantly putting the seats up and down for large loads and the loadbay is huge, ideal for 500kg of tiles or those Eurotunnel trips. However getting those headrests out every time is getting painful, especially as I think the grease on the uprights has dried out, which makes them really stiff.

Only problems I've had were a brake fluid leak (due a split clutch pipe) leaking PAS pump and rattle from the tailgate, all fixed under warranty.

The other problem was that the bottom filaments of the radiator fell out due to corrision. This didn't cause a leak, but did make the car sound as though it was dragging its exhaust.

It all works fine, no squeeks or rattles from the dash. The radio does switch itself off on hot days due to expansion of the middle buttons security clip and it has had an appetite for headlamp bulbs.

Overall, I would recommend them. I would choose a diesel next but I don't want another Focus - only because I want to try something different. But after the Focus, what could be better?