Yesterday, after 122.278 kilometres and nearly four years i said farewell to my Silver 1.8 Tddi Focus Wagon, it's going back to the lease company and will find a new owner. It served me well for all this time, never left me standing. The only problem occured last spring, but that was an aftermarket cruise control that went to the eternal hunting fields.
The Focus is a fine automobile, period! Looking back at the cars Ford made in its earlier days, this definately was the start of Ford's major step forward in design, roadhandling and overall build quality. I have never been much of a Ford fan, but this little car deserves my respect, and so does the company as a whole.
Not only the Focus, but with the whole (european) range of the Ka, Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo they do pretty well IMHO. But not only Ford itself, the premium brands of Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin are flourishing, and (opposed to, for example GM) Ford seems to be doing a pretty good job with all these great marques as well!
You wonder what my next car is?
Well, i have this five-door, black metallic 2.0 Tdci Mondeo parked in front of my house, and it is great! The engine has 130 Bhp, loads of torque, and its road handling is even better than the Focus. It is quiet, has great seats and a decent stereo/CD player to enjoy my favorite Jazz and classical CD's. I love the design and quality feel of the interior, i think i'll enjoy this car as well.