Don't know much about cars, so looking for a bit of advice.
Wife wants a year old Focus 1.0 Ecoboost, £12k max budget.
Any other makes/models she should be considering?
Apart from the usual default stuff usually recommended i.e. the plethora of options from the VAG stable (all very good but a bit.....yawn), cars i've driven recently that i've been impressed by are the Hyundai i30 and the Astra. Both drive very well, especially the Astra, have a good solid build quality feel about them and nice materials in the cockpit, but you will have to get over the brand snobbery. However in the world of FWD hatches I really think the Focus takes some beating all things considered.
We've just done a deal on a car for my wife. I was originally pumping for a Focus, but just felt like something a bit different and a departure from the usual FWD options and we've gone for a BMW 1 series with the 1.6 turbo petrol engine married to the 8 speed auto box. It certainly drives very well, the interior is the usual dull and dreary but well built affair you get from the German brands, so we'll have to overlook that. So the jury is out, but looking forward to getting it next week and getting to know it.