As above I drove a 1.6 Focus round Jersey the last few days, which admittedly doesn't allow for much testing, but I still quite liked it as a general principal. Made me think I might like a ST, but I just wondered if anyone knew if the centre armrest was in all of them as I hated it - gets in the way of the handbrake. I never use the one in my Octy either.

As above I drove a 1.6 Focus round Jersey the last few days, which admittedly doesn't allow for much testing, but I still quite liked it as a general principal. Made me think I might like a ST, but I just wondered if anyone knew if the centre armrest was in all of them as I hated it - gets in the way of the handbrake. I never use the one in my Octy either.

I think you would like the st, if we talking about the new shape one. And i belive they also come with a centre armrest.

I just wondered if anyone knew if the centre armrest was in all of them as I hated it - gets in the way of the handbrake. I never use the one in my Octy either.

My parents have a 57 plate (think it's just before the exterior facelift) 1.6 and that doesn't have any arm rest in the middle, just some cup holders than bloke the handbrake instead. Thats a 'Style' so you could have had a posher one as theirs is low in the model range.

Nice car though, just been on holiday to France in it, pretty comfy over long distances and nice as a passenger (can't comment as a driver though).

I drove a Mk2 Focus 1.8TDCI a month or so back , and loved the way it drove.

The engine pulled well and it handled very nicely.

My only "complaint" would be the trim level that you get for the money - it only had manual aircon and front electric windows plus a bit too much plastic for my liking , despite having a high list price.

I know nobody pays close to list for a Ford , but it just looked a bit too cheap.

In some ways I think the interior of the Mk1 looks better.

I will also add, i have driven a 1.8 titanium, Engine had plenty of grunt, espically for a petrol the mid range punch was more than impressive. Wonderful gearbox, nice ride, good quality plastics and finish BUT! I felt the car was very numb to drive. Lots of play in the steering wheel with an indirect feel, for me the steering was so numb it spoilt the whole drive, am sure tho it can be changed on some models. Also the clutch semt hopeless generally surprised maybe it was a friday night one, as ive heard to drive is something special. But i was alittle disapointed. Old shape focus now that is a drive!

I recently did 100miles with my friend in his mk2.5 focus estate (1.6 TDCI) and it was horribly uncomfortable. I couldn't get comfy and didn't like the quality of the plastics. Whoever said that VAG dervs are noisey should have a listen to that on chat :p

This was a brand new 1.6 done about 860miles when I got it, just about put 200 on it in 5days. The steering was really good, better than my Octy. Also felt really natural to drive - not just for me also swmbo liked it. Good gearbox. The only real downsides were as above quality of the interior, noise, and I'm not sure but the brakes didn't feel good at low speed, as in when a women attempted suicide but leaping out of a bush in a carpark. I stopped but it felt odd.

My only "complaint" would be the trim level that you get for the money - it only had manual aircon and front electric windows plus a bit too much plastic for my liking , despite having a high list price.

I know nobody pays close to list for a Ford , but it just looked a bit too cheap.

In some ways I think the interior of the Mk1 looks better.

:+1:

That's my issue with Fords and Vauxhalls. Considering how many they shift, they could make the interiors a bit better looking & spec'd and sell them at a reasonable price!