| We've all sat in traffic jams, and through the haze | | | | than any other car maker. So even though we're |
| of frustration and traffic reports on the radio, | | | | only halfway through, let's recap - great sporting |
| have had our eyes wander over the surrounding | | | | heritage, most customer satisfaction awards, |
| metal stretching back for miles. The blue oval of a | | | | trendy design, reliable and reasonable. Just in case |
| used Ford, or box fresh one, invariably stares | | | | you need more reasons, let's see how a typical |
| back at you - and with good reason. For years | | | | used Ford, in this case a Focus, stacks up against |
| Ford has outsold its rivals, with a new or used | | | | its competitors. |
| Ford delivering everything a car buyer could want, | | | | Featuring more pyramids in its design than an |
| with cutting edge design, reliability, practicality and | | | | Egyptian desert, this family hatchback is Britain's |
| crucially; value for money all included. Take the | | | | best selling car since its birth in 1998, overtaking |
| Ford Ka for instance. This car is more popular | | | | the Escort, which was, of course also a Ford. You |
| among women than a small dog in a sparkly | | | | can pick up a newer face-lifted 2006 model for |
| handbag and despite being 12 years old, it remains | | | | less than £10,000. With that you get a 1.6 |
| so futuristic looking, an extraterrestrial should be | | | | litre engine, surrounded by the safest car of its |
| supplied as standard. | | | | class. Not only is it safer, but check any critics' |
| A perusal through a selection of the remaining | | | | opinions and it beats all comers as an overall |
| Ford range has the population well catered for | | | | package. Just to drop a further statistic in, for the |
| too. From said Ka, we have the lovable Fiesta | | | | same money you could have a Volkswagen Golf |
| hatchback, the mid-size Focus, the motorway | | | | that is a further two years older, that'd be |
| stallion Mondeo and the kid transporter - the | | | | coming to the end of its warranty and with a |
| Galaxy to name but a few. Throw a few 'ST' | | | | lower specification. Probably in beige with a pipe |
| badges onto the Fiesta or Focus and you'll also | | | | and slippers too. |
| have enough whiplash inducing acceleration for the | | | | Let's imagine for a moment, you've done the |
| performance purist. After all, Ford know a bit | | | | deed and your used Ford has ousted the dog as |
| about racing too - they supplied the engines for | | | | the family's most loved pet. How far from a |
| many Formula One cars from the '60's right up to | | | | dealer are you if all I've said is a big fat lie and |
| 2004, many carrying the much worshipped | | | | your car has a problem? Unless you're based on |
| 'Cosworth' badge. Not only that, they power the | | | | the outskirts of Mars, you won't be far and for |
| entire field in the USA's Champ Car series which | | | | peace of mind it's nice to know they're nearby |
| includes the famous Indianapolis 500 and have | | | | should the unimaginable happen. The JD Power |
| scored points in every World Rally meeting since | | | | awards also cover servicing and after-sales care |
| 2002 (92 consecutive races!) clinching two | | | | so you can look forward top notch care when |
| championships as a result. Ford boring then, well | | | | your car is due for a service. Nice to know Ford's |
| not quite… | | | | customer service has improved since Henry Ford |
| So, enough setting the scene - why buy a used | | | | famously declared you could have the world's first |
| Ford? The best recommendation has to be | | | | production car in any colour, as long as it was |
| commuters. No seriously, because those that pile | | | | black. |
| on the pounds at corporate dinners, also pile on | | | | In conclusion, Top Gear named the Ford Mondeo |
| the motorway miles, relentlessly, year on year | | | | 'Car of the Year 2007'. Admittedly it was because |
| with their Fords happily on cruise control. This | | | | it was the only car that at least one of the |
| means simply that companies happily add Fords to | | | | presenters didn't dislike, but this is the point I've |
| their annual line-ups due to their near bullet proof | | | | been trying to drive home throughout this article. |
| reliability and cost effectiveness. Ok, so when the | | | | Name your favourite car design, favourite interior, |
| cruise control is switched off whilst sitting in a 25 | | | | best handling, fastest or most spacious cars and I |
| mile jam and the motorway looks like the world's | | | | doubt Ford is going to outscore Ferrari, Bentley, |
| largest used Ford showroom, you may want | | | | Lotus or Volvo in these categories (Volvo being |
| exclusivity. However, follow this logic and you'll | | | | the most exotic obviously). However name the |
| stick with a walkman rather than an iPod, an Atari | | | | car that best fits your criteria (not to mention the |
| computer rather than a Nintendo Wii and a clothes | | | | majority of Britain) and I'd put a sizable amount |
| mangle rather than washing machine. The best | | | | of my pauper's income that it'd be Ford. We may |
| inventions are always the most popular - so what | | | | all want to be with one half of Bradgelina - Brad |
| if everyone wants a Ford with an iPod adapter? | | | | Pitt and Angelina Jolie to the uninitiated, but in |
| Ok, time for the science bit. In 2006, Ford | | | | reality Sharon from number 25 is the best bet - |
| produced 6.6 million vehicles and as of 2007, has | | | | she's got some nice curves, is reasonable to run |
| more quality awards from JD Power (only the | | | | and crucially - she won't breakdown and stick a |
| biggest customer satisfaction survey wizards) | | | | vile of your blood around her neck. |