smaug

I go to work at about 5.20am which I think is plenty silly enough these days. I feel your pain. Been there done that. These days I've downsized to a puddle jumper and managed to get a quiet life. See how long it lasts 😉

No idea? I only notice it in the focus when the sun reflects off the windscreen. Its mildly irritating and as a feature its never worked properly so I don't know what I'm missing really. I've been told it's not uncommon for them to fail in the focus, no idea how reliable they are in other vehicles. Heated washers appeal but have to come with heated seats. Not had those since my old Nissan bluebird and I remember burning my ass 🤣🤣

I managed a caravan on the limit with my 1.6 petrol astra estate many years ago. It did well but it was hard work especially on hills. Thankfully these days I just need to carry my mountain bike and suffer the wrath of drivers who apparently still hate cyclists even when they're not actually pedalling 🤣 My brain is so fried looking at cars and deals and options. What does driving mode selector do? Does it make a difference? Do I really need full LED headlights or will basic be enough? I'm in a rural area and find my focus lights are not the best in the dark especially when it's raining. Not sure if I need a heated windscreen, one on the focus doesn't work properly and the matric style pattern is annoying when the sun shines. I do really like the extended glass on the back though. Kia are much simpler, that's your car, that's what you get, if you don't like it then jog on. Giving women lots of choices never ends well 🤣 🤣

The plan was to get it factory fitted and hopefully avoid any issues. This also means I get the race blue paint and the propus alloys..... if I get the standard spec as a faster option the risk is the vehicle may not be plated to tow and I wouldn't be able to get a towbar fitted. I've also read that it would need coding at the dealer? I know when I looked on the witter website it stated they couldn't do that 🤔

I did read your thread before I joined the forum and was surprised you got your car delivered so quickly. The dealer has quoted 52 weeks for the 1.5, 20 weeks for the 1.0. Not entirely sure why the shorter time on the smaller engine? There are a few extras I want as well as the towbar so I'm guess that will also add to the quoted lead time. Either way it has to be the right car not the one that's available faster. Several garages advertising the standard SEL available now or in a couple of weeks but I have to have a towbar which wouldn't be possible if the car isn't plated for it. What a silly idea that was. 🙄 I know the dealer has both engine sizes available so I can test drive both if I'm unsure about the 1.0 litre. 🤔 If I do order the car I'm just hoping it doesn't end up being the same issue as the octavia judging from posts on here 🤦‍♀️

I learned to drive lorries with a manual box, splitter and a clutch that needed thighs like arnie to push down. Now everything is automatic and I'm just a steering wheel attendant. I like getting in my car at the end of my day and actually driving. Eventually I will be forced into automatic but whilst I still have a choice I'm stubbornly hanging on to my manual 😉 That's interesting. I've never worried about quoted mpg as I've always managed to exceed the quoted figures (except with the kia which was awful). But that figure is definitely a challenge to beat 😉

I looked at the towing figures and was surprised to see how little there was in it. I'm not planning on it ever towing anything but it shows how capable the engine is. I know. I nearly cried 🤣

Thankyou. Yes The Hobbit was my favourite book as a child, I think I was about 10 when I got that and the LOTR for Christmas. I was always on the side of the dragon 🤣 The fabia was another one for me to look at but I feel it might just be a bit small. Such a shame as I love the colour version, the orange is lush. I am going to have a look when I visit the dealer. The modern clubman is huge. As a small BMW they're a nice car and I did think about one for five minutes but they are not really a mini 😉

OK, so I currently have a 2012 focus zetec, the 1.6 petrol 105 version. Not the most poke but it gets there, gives decent mpg and hasn't given me any real problems in 3 years. I was initially looking at another focus as a replacement but the ecoboom issues just don't appeal. I've gone around in circles, considered a mk4 octavia estate but then spotted a scala whilst out and about at work. Since then I've been frying my brain 🧠. I settled on the SEL as that seemed to give the best value for money and initially thought the 1.5 manual would be my best option. However I've been drawn back to the 1.0 110. It has more power than my current car and on paper should be more economical but I'm not sure if it has enough oomph for the driving I do. It is just me, 1 1/2 dogs and will need a towbar to carry my mountain bike. A and B roads on my commute with one half mile climb in either direction. Bit of motorway driving to Cumbria a couple of times a year plus possibly on bike trips (not often). I don't make special trips for shopping as I do that on my way home from work. Generally I don't drive less than 8 miles unless it's a doctors appointment. I don't race around like a loon, that ended when I sold my very loud much modified (real) mini clubman 25 years ago. These days I'm all about practicality, economy and comfort. Before my focus I had a kia ceed diesel (nightmare) estate and I found my driving needed an an adjustment with the switch and I rarely notice that my car is a bit of a slouch. I do have a test drive booked next weekend for the 1.0 litre. I just don't want to get in it and feel disappointed. So at the end of my long rambling post (sorry guys!) Those of you that have tried both and obviously those that have the 1.0 litre please be brutally honest about the capabilities of this little engine. I don't care if its not the fastest thing on the road, I don't mind adjusting my driving if necessary. The question is will it suit my use? 🤔