I've driven both new and old Focus models and to be honest I prefer the old - the new one seems to be a bigger car made from the same amount of stuff, it just doesn't feel as good (I've only driven petrol models of the new shape - and they were totally gutless). Skoda could be an option - the diesels are solid units and oyu can pick up well equipped models comparatively cheaply. But you have to be able to live with the badge
