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Original poster

Do I really need a C-Max or should I save myself some cash and go for a Focus?

44 replies

Fruitbatlings · 18/01/2010 20:45

What's so special about the C-Max?
You can't get any more people in can you?
Boot on a focus seems big enough for a pram and/or shopping.

Is it really necessary to have all that extra space you get in a C-Max when there are the same number of seats as a Focus?

I don't know what to do really. I've always wanted a Focus and a C-Max is just a bigger style so I would go for the C-Max if it's really worth it...........

OP posts:
Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 13:14
OP posts:
sweetkitty · 19/01/2010 13:18

I have a CMAX about to trade it for a Galaxy but that's another story.

The CMAX is great what I like about it is the higher up seats, it's easier to get DCs in and out of car seats and I prefer driving higher up IYSWIM, the boot is a great size for buggies. Never had a Focus so cannot compare but had a Clio before and the CMAX seemed huge at first.

Seat wise I would say it's great for 2 DC but not so good for 3, once you have 3 it's a huge squeeze in the back.

mistlethrush · 19/01/2010 13:23

I couldn't believe that I couldn't sit comfortably in the passenger seat of a Focus - there is no seat height adjuster - at least in the version we sat in in the showroom a few weeks ago. We also found that the focus prices weren't that different to the Skoda Octavia prices - but you get much more car for your money with the Octavia (we needed the boot space )

Nowtheres4 · 19/01/2010 13:32

I had a focus and my mum a c-max, as a pp said the seating is higher on the c-max whihc some people find more comfortable. tbh other than that i would say not a huge amount of difference. the boot on the c-max is awkward as it is higher but not bigger, so things have to be stacked on top of each other rather than side by side.
i think the back row of seats can move back and forward to give more leg room/ boot room whihcever you need more of.
i did prefer my focus though, if i still had 2 children i would have kept my focus or brought the new low emission one for the £35 road tax. But i have 4 children now so have a Galaxy and a Kuga. The Kuga is fabulous though i highly recommend one.

Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 13:36

Octavia looks nice but the Ford showroom near me has 0% finance for up to 5 years on all used cars. This is the only way I'll get a car on finance as I begrudge paying all the extra interest!

sweetkitty - can you turn off the airbag in the front passenger seat?

OP posts:
Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 13:37

I can't afford a Galaxy £6000 is my absolute maximum spend

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Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 13:39

Just thought of another question for you sweetkitty - Even though it's a squeeze, is it physically possible to get three car seats across the back?

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MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 13:52

focus estate far better than C-max

Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 13:58

Why's that MrsBadger?

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MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 14:07

just for the boot space - they are humungous inside and no need to stack stuff

Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 14:09

will be throwing that into the mix too then! Thanks for that.
I think my biggest concern is seating. I'm a CM and have two of my own children. I might, on occasion, have to ferry around 4 children.
I can't afford a big people carrier so looking for something like a C-max which will fit three children across the back - I realise this is like looking for the Holy Grail!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 14:10

Also, a switch to turn off the front passenger airbag would be good too...

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MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 14:16

NB not sure how the cabin dimensions compare but the Focus is actually wider than the c-max so you may have more chance of fitting 3 seats in.
Dealer will turn off airbag, you can't do it yourself afaik.

Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 14:21

Really? That's interesting.
It amazes me you can't turn off the airbag in so many cars.
I used to drive an Audi estate 4 or 5 years ago (when I was a Nanny) and you could turn the airbag off in the glove compartment with the key. I thought this would be pretty standard in most cars but it seems not

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 14:27

I suspect it's in case people turn it off, get injured and sue Ford or something

Piffpaffpoff · 19/01/2010 14:30

I had a Focus and now have a Cmax and although I loved my Focus, the Cmax is just easier somehow. Yes I could get my buggy in the boot of the focus but only just, and if I wanted it plus shopping or anything else, it took a while to pack - I can literally just sling it all in the CMax boot and it just seems to swallow it all up. I like the higher seated driving position too. On the downside, the fuel economy is not as good as the Focus and it was also pretty crap in the snow. It's also not so good if you put bikes on the roof (as I do) because it's much higher up - I have to stand on a box to do it and I'm 5 8".

I have had three kids in the back - one toddler in a car seat and two 4yr olds on booster seats. Don't know if it would take three 'baby' seats in the back though.

Can't remember who mentioned the Octavia but one thing to watch with them is that we found the legroom in the back was not great. DH got fed up getting the back of his seat kicked by DS.Boot was indeed HUGE though.

MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 14:34

oh and Focus is cheap cheaply mccheap to run
mine is diesel and I can get close to 50mpg even in stop-start rush hour traffic, much more on motorways.

sweetkitty · 19/01/2010 14:37

In answer to your questions:

You cannot turn the airbag off and on yourself you need a Ford Dealer to do it for you.

It was an easier squeeze when I had a baby seat, a Stage 1 (9m-4y) and a highback booster, now I have two highback boosters and one Stage 1 it is anightmare trying to get the two seatbelts fastened and it doens't feel like there is a lot of room in the back, DD1 tends to go in the front for the school run in her booster.

I have a 1.6 petrol and it lacks torque, not that I drive fast but I notice it on hills and DP says it has no accerelation. Get a 2.0 diesel.

What else TBH if I were looking again I would go for a Picasso or even a Scenic, the Picasso seems bigger inside with 3 individual seats.

You could easily get an older Galaxy for 6K

Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 14:48

I've been put off French cars - apparently they aren't built to last...?
I had a look at the dealerships website and couldn't find a Galaxy for under £6000. Unless there are others doing 0% finance?

I think I need to take my car seats along with me to try them out.

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 14:50

(and should say mine is a 1.8 TDI and goes like a scalded cat even with a weeks' worth of lugage in - the 2.0 would be even more fun but less economical)

before I bought the Focus I test drove both a Scenic and a Picasso and tbh was disappointed with the drive and the build quality of both.

what about a Zafira? then you could have up to 5 kids in the back (admittedly with no luggage)

MrsBadger · 19/01/2010 14:51

ah missed the Ford finance offer, my bad

Nowtheres4 · 19/01/2010 14:56

it would be really difficult to fit three car seats across the back in either a focus or a c-max.
when i had mine my baby was in a maxi cosi cabriofix, and ds2 was in a britax hi back booster, and ds1 who was 9 at the time had to sit in the middle with just a seat belt, this was the same in my mums c-max, hence changing cars to a Galaxy and my mum got an s-max.

Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 14:56

I know, shame

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Original poster
Fruitbatlings · 19/01/2010 14:58

Well, with the cash I'll be saving n interest I could always buy brand new (ultra slim) car seats!

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sweetkitty · 19/01/2010 15:56

You could pick up an older Galaxy for about 2K try on Autotrader.

I have been warned off Renaults as well but have heard good things about the Picasso's.

Agree what about a Zafira if you only need seats 6 and 7 occasionally.

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