More advice needed, re replacement for a Mum's Taxi

[Labrat]

Hi. I'm looking for a replacement for my wife's car which was recently written off.
I was thinking of a Ford Focus Model LW. not sure of the difference between the Mk1 and Mk2.
The terrifying thing is that reviews of owners all state that the gearbox is a pile of crap just waiting to fail. I see a lot of these cars around. Are they really that bad?

The owner reviews are driving me (pun intended) to consider a Mazda 3 hatchback.

Please offer suggestions. The Mazda does not seem to have good rear vision. Might need a reversing camera.

Labrat

[NX74205]

Buy a manual. Problem solved.

Or if you want auto, get an LZ Focus instead.

Personally, I have never had an issue with the PowerShift transmission, so I wouldn't mind buying one if necessary. But like any used car, you need to do your due diligence.

[Qwerty321]

Originally Posted by Labrat

Hi. I'm looking for a replacement for my wife's car which was recently written off.
I was thinking of a Ford Focus Model LW. not sure of the difference between the Mk1 and Mk2.
The terrifying thing is that reviews of owners all state that the gearbox is a pile of crap just waiting to fail. I see a lot of these cars around. Are they really that bad?

The owner reviews are driving me (pun intended) to consider a Mazda 3 hatchback.

Please offer suggestions. The Mazda does not seem to have good rear vision. Might need a reversing camera.

Labrat

Honestly as far as Mum's Taxis go if your looking for a small car go for a Mazda 3 or a Toyota Corolla. At base level Corolla is better, but kitted out (especially if your looking for a bit of power) the 3 is the better choice. If you want something slightly larger then go either Camry or Mazda 6, I'd say the 6 is hands down better than the Camry in almost all applications aside from price (in NZ atleast).

For the 3/6 you'd be a fool not to get the hatchback/wagon forms. They look amazing (particularly the 6) and are extremely practical. Camry's I think only come in Sedans, and for the Corolla's the sedans look quite hideous so hatch all the way.

Reliability is pretty good for both of them. I know one of my friends' mums has had a 6 since the early 2000s, and apparently apart from an oil change every year they've had to spend absolutely no money on it. It's currently at 205,000km's and still fairly solid. The only complaint is the gearbox must be modelled after me, cause it's always late . In all seriousness though, that's the only issue (more just an annoying design flaw really) and it's only ever noticed by my mate when he drives it cause a teenagers accelerator has two settings ; off and on. They do have a rear view camera installed though. Worst case just buy the car and get an el cheapo aftermarket one installed that mounts with a little see through screen on the rear view mirror.

[Brazen]

What's your budget?

[Crazy Dazz]

How old is your wife, and what does she use the car for?
Do you ever need to drive it? Will it be auto or manual?
And yeah, budget?

[Labrat]

Hi. Sorry about the long delay in writing. After a long search, we eventually went with the same model (LV Focus CL 2 litre hatchback) Price was one of the main considerations.

I am very happy with this model, but I do wish it had cruise control.
I would have thought that in these days that all cars would have cruise control and blue tooth as standard.

Wayne.

[Giant Cranium]

just get it added aftermarket

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Labrat

Hi. Sorry about the long delay in writing. After a long search, we eventually went with the same model (LV Focus CL 2 litre hatchback) Price was one of the main considerations.

I am very happy with this model, but I do wish it had cruise control.
I would have thought that in these days that all cars would have cruise control and blue tooth as standard.

Wayne.

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

just get it added aftermarket

Maybe its a European thing?
My XR4 doesn't have it either, not even as an option.

If it was even optional on the Focus, you'll be able to retrofit it. Just need the bits and somebody to reprogram the computer. (Dealers can usually do it, at great expense.)

I doubt anybody does aftermarket anymore. Generally it involved sticking magnets on the drive-shaft, plus a vaccum powered throttle-actuator.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Maybe its a European thing?
My XR4 doesn't have it either, not even as an option.

If it was even optional on the Focus, you'll be able to retrofit it. Just need the bits and somebody to reprogram the computer. (Dealers can usually do it, at great expense.)

I doubt anybody does aftermarket anymore. Generally it involved sticking magnets on the drive-shaft, plus a vaccum powered throttle-actuator.

These days i guess you're right. Back in the day... my first car i had aftermarket cruise in in it, and prior to that the old man had it fitted to his, and they were just tapped into the speedo input and brake switch. The accelerator moved in and out with the motor that was fitted to it and as weird as it was, it worked. There was no gearbox compression braking in those though, they coasted hard downhill

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Maybe its a European thing?
My XR4 doesn't have it either, not even as an option.

If it was even optional on the Focus, you'll be able to retrofit it. Just need the bits and somebody to reprogram the computer. (Dealers can usually do it, at great expense.)

I doubt anybody does aftermarket anymore. Generally it involved sticking magnets on the drive-shaft, plus a vaccum powered throttle-actuator.

you crazy

its fly by wire, heaps of aftermarket cruise options