Thanks for the considered write-up Justin - most appreciated. I guess I need
to go an speak to Mr Ford!

50+ mpg isn't bad at all. My TDCI does 46ish, but then again I am something
of a lapsed boy racer (lead right foot etc).

Cheers again,

Andy M

Had my 1.6 TDCi Ghia for about a month now, been out in quite windy weather
and never noticed much of a problem but of course, because the side area is
much greater than the Focus (which I swapped for the CMax) then with a
direct cross wind it would affect it more. I have found that the
electric/power steering is extremely accurate and gives great feel and feels
good to drive - it also seems to absorb the slight gusts of wind when they
come directly from the side. Never had any problems in very wet stormy
motorway conditions when passing trucks etc - if anything, even less than
the "real" Focus.
Have done a couple of thousand miles in last month and a half and would say
that not once in that time, driving on both motorway and narrow North
Yorkshire Moor and Yorkshire Dales roads, would I ever describe the handling
as a bit suspect. It is remarkeably accurate with bags of feel for the road.
A great car, much underestimated. I thought it was not worth considering
until I had a 15 miles test drive when I was sold immediately on the CMax. I
was after the 2 litre TDCi but after test driving the 1.6, I was more than
satisfied with the performance. Can see over the hedges and walls now and I
have just done a brim to brim measurement and I got 51 mpg (the computer
said it was 49.5) so I am well pleased with it overall. Just a couple of
minor problems but have a look at the Ford Focus Owners Club (FFOC)site,
haven't seen a mention on there of suspect handling in the wind (not that I
might have missed it of course) - lots of useful indicators on that site as
to whether the owners are pleased or not.

Cheers,
Justin