I’m looking at a couple of options for a new car. I have an estate at the moment so want one again although not necessarily as big as the honda accord I have now.

Had a look online at the weekend at a ford focus estate and been quoted a good price.

There’s two models I’m looking at – the 1.0 ecoboost 125 and the 1.5 ecoboost 182. Not sure which to go for, obviously the 182ps appeals more and there’s less than £1k difference in price. Any experience of either?

Also with the seats down can I slide a bike in the back with both wheels on?

Will be a couple of weeks before I can go and look at one in a showroom so any feedback would be good. Ta.

Had one briefly, still had to take the front wheel off the bike.

Ah that’s not ideal then. Must be a fair bit smaller than I thought.

Must be a fair bit smaller than I thought

They are not a big car.

You would have to be looking at Mondeo size to get a bike in with wheels on, and even that would be only just!

mmm I may have to rethink then, no point in an estate car if I can’t fit big stuff in. May have to go back to the stw favourite octavia vrs.

On my 2nd one. Wide, flat boot opening with no wheel intrusions so fairly big things just go in.

My FS 29er goes in without taking the wheels off.

The back seat bases lift up and the backs then fold flat. But you lose some length.

You can buy a nifty double sided mat with rubber on one side and carpet on the other. It is normally folded over to show carpet but unfold it and it reaches to back of front seats and can be clipped on.

FS 29er didn’t fit in the my Octavia estate as the wheel arches intrude. Struggled even with a road bike.

Road bike goes straight in the Focus estate.

Now have an ST estate 😈

Road bike goes straight in the Focus estate.

That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, cheers servo. That sounds more positive. ST looks good but I’m old and need luxury so looking at the titanium x spec.

I looked at one this weekend too and thought it was disappointingly small. Honda civic tourer on the other hand is HUGE by comparison. In fact the Honda civic hatchback has a far bigger load space than the focus estate.

Honda civic tourer on the other hand is HUGE by comparison

Had a honda for 12 years so want a change plus its ******* ugly.

I’d have been surprised if you couldn’t, I used to be able to get my bike in the back of an Escort estate BITD, hardest part these days is wiggling bars through the opening.

That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, cheers servo. That sounds more positive. ST looks good but I’m old and need luxury so looking at the titanium x spec.

My previous car was a 1.6 ecoboost Titanium X estate 2013 and it was a good car. The face lift ones are nicer cars and the new Sync 3 is very good.

Mine was the 180 bhp one which I think must be similar to the new 1.5 litre one. Good power and good fuel economy, never saw less than 40 mpg, mostly 42.

My ST3 has similar stuff to Titanium X but has full leather seats while the old one was part leather. I don’t have front sensors or auto park. Suspension is a bit firmer though.

I am not a spring chicken myself but my wife and I really like the ST 🙂