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