Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec estate
by David Holden
After six years of driving a Nissan Primera 1.6, we started to look for a replacement. As the only thing we wanted in this new car was enough room to carry plants around, we set out looking at mini-MPVs, and the Renault Scenic was our top choice. After testing the Scenic, Vauxhall Zafira, Nissan Almera Tino and Citroen Xsara Picasso, however, we decided that we'd look at an estate car, as the mini-MPVs were not to our taste.We took one look in the window of Arriva Ford of Halifax, and we knew which car we would be getting. There, looking at us, was a nearly-new (2000 X), Pacific Green Ford Focus Zetec 1.8 estate. Further inspection revealed that it also included the Climate Pack (air-con, heated/electric mirrors etc), the Reflex Pack (side airbags etc), two years' full RAC cover and a Ford Direct warranty. We saw it on the Thursday, drove it on the Saturday, and had it on our drive the following Tuesday, at a reduced price of £10,295 - £700 off, due to a 'Sale'. After two weeks with the car, it has just been into the garage to have various faults fixed, including leaking boot pistons, and a rattling and un-earthed radio.One final thing to say: always ask to see the log book, because when we got ours through, it revealed that it was owned by none other than a hire-car firm! One owner maybe, but one thousand drivers!
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