The Ford Focus is like the school prefect - top of the class in every respect. The handling dynamics show that it's been swotting up on physics, and the reasonable pricing indicates that mathematics is a strong point. Moreover, the much-improved dashboard plastics demonstrate its aptitude to chemistry. It's even good at sports - the ST sees to that. Unfortunately it is like the prefect in one other crucial aspect. Looking back, can you remember a prefect that wasn't ugly?
Fuse 13E had blown again. I had no speedo, no rev counter, no fuel guage. A small but crucial impediment to safe driving. It was getting annoying and impossible for the garage to fix. Apart from this the Focus was a lovely car. OK, the gearstick gave me a cold knob in winter and a hot one in summer. The parcel shelf collapsed at inopportune moments and opening the boot in rain would flood the boot. However the responsive engine, nimble handling and great styling more than made up for it.
We don't know we're born, really, do we? This is your optimal practical purchase at around £8k and a year old. So what business does it have being so much fun to drive? Even this basic engine is punchy, every bend can be fun, and the ride lets you know exactly what is underneath without jarring - a neat trick. Shame the MkII styling is a bad translation of the MkI's clever language - some soul was lost chasing the Golf's perceived solidity. Less of a revelation than the MkI, but a better car.
Had a chance to compare long term rentals back-to-back over many miles on the same roads. LX has a noisy boomy engine and nasty trim, but ride truly superb - glides from crest to crest. Zetec engine much quieter and smoother but doesn't feel a lot faster. Trim of Zetec much more acceptable, but ride ruined by 'sports' suspension - it sinks into the dips so you really feel the road's profile, yet the handling really doesn't feel any better in any normal conditions. Choose carefully.
