Plus 1.4 TDCi 5dr Hatchback

Comfortable reliable workhorse, definitely not flashy.

Owned for almost 3 years now, bought as 8 year old, 4 owner, Cat D repaired with 116,000 miles. Now got 131,000.
Interior is well scuffed but it has done innumerable tip and builders merchant runs. Fabrics are dirty but would probably clean up OK - I just can't be bothered.
Been basically 100% reliable, always started, etc. Only glitches have been intermittent EAC warning (and twice going into limp home mode) which is easily cured by stopping, turn off, restart and happens very rarely. Sometimes the temperature reader goes mad - when going from low-normal to mid-normal it will give an overheat warning for about 20-60 seconds and then clear itself. Oh, and an aircon pipe that must've been damaged when it was crashed broke and I've never got it fixed or the system refilled.
Had the cambelt and waterpump replaced together at 120,000 miles and 10 years - just due a pair of tyres now, had 2 rear shocks but it is often heavily loaded.
Boot is huge and practically shaped, includes lashing points. Operates via key at right of numberplate, remote fob or a button on the dash. Has a good smooth lip free and low level access. Seats fold down to give a lip or will push forward a bit to drop completely flat. Doors open wide and the height is good for the elderly or infirm to get in and out. Legroom is fine, headroom generous. You can, just, squeeze in an 8 foot by 2 foot load of DIY if you use the fold flat facility on the front passenger seat. There's also a handy bucket type storage under the passenger seat base.
Driving position is good, steering column tilts, seat base is height adjustable at the rear end which is handy on a long run to ease stiffness. Controls are light and positive, occasionally slightly balky reverse. Heated front screen is wonderful.
Doesn't burn oil, garage bills have been fair, hasn't needed any welding or engine work.
Only £30 to tax for a year, insurance similar to the 1.4 petrol Escort I had before. Fuel varies from 50mpg at a steady 80mph cruise laden on the motorway or stop/start urban crawl (eg Christmas queues), through a normal use 60-70mpg, peaking at about 90mpg on a lightly laden long drift at 50mph on the motorway. I usually reckon on 450-600miles per tank depending on where the use is.
If the revs drop below about 1500 then it can feel very gutless and shudder a bit in the higher gears, but rarely need more than 2200-2500rpm.
Pretty quiet at speed considering how boxy but quite a lot of noise from tyres on concrete motorways. Too tall and softly sprung for spirited driving but that's not how it is intended. Feed into a corner gently and it'll grip and corner much better than you expect.

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