Ford Focus as a family car

[Witchypoo]

Having written off my car last week I need to get a new one. My 5dr Corsa was far too small anyway and I am considering getting something larger that will be suitable for me, hubby, 7mth Scarlett and pos. no.2 in a year or so. Does anyone have any comments on the Ford Focus as a family car? I have a budget of about £10k once my insurance comes through...

[cerys]

Witchypoo, we've got a Focus saloon and have been really pleased with it. We got the saloon because we wanted to be able to get the buggy etc in the back without taking the parcel shelf off. As baby no 2 is due in the summer, there should be lots of space for a double buggy in the boot and 2 children in the back!
Don't know what you're like at parking - I'm pretty crap, so I don't even try to parallel park as the car still feels long compared to previous ones we've had! DH doesn't have any such problems...
The power steering is good, and I could ask DH what the fuel consumption etc is like, if you like (sorry, I sound like a complete girly, don't I )
There's a passenger airbag, so car seats have to go in the back, but there's lots of room.
We imported ours through Virgin cars and saved lots of money, but because it was brand new it's depreciated loads in 18 months. It cost just over £12K, if I remember rightly, but I'm sure I have seen second hand ones advertised for less.

Let me know if you want any more info!

[Harrysmum]

We have a five door hatchback and it's our second Focus - we loved the first one so much we had no doubts about getting another when it was time to change. No problems getting our Britax buggy in and out of the boot without moving the parcel shelf and it seems to swallow luggage, asking for more. Good for tall people - lots of head room. Fits three adults in the back without being too much of a squash (assuming small child isn't travelling). Switching from a 1.8 to a 1.6 has dramatically reduced fuel consumption (which was pretty good anyway) on long journeys and it's a couple of insurance classes lower. We bought ours on the Ford options scheme which we like but might not suit everyone. Very nippy and easy to park (tight turning circle). Air conditioning is fab and the pollen filters do work. I recommend to everyone who asks and would buy a third.

[bea]

i love my focus!!! (5 door hatchback!) we bought it way before baby was born and i just loved the style and design of it... disregarding fuel consumption and all those things which i eave to the old man! Sorry for being such a girly!

however i always wish that the boot was a bit bigger! maybe i pack too much!