SLO, thanks for your advice. Since posting I've found a brochure for the car. Fuel consumption figures are identical but 30-60 acceleration of the 6 speed is 10.3 seconds for the 6 speed as opposed to 12.3 for the 5. I have a list of criteria the vehicle will have to meet and will stick to that. It has served me well in the past. Anything with a tow bar or electric parking brake is rejected, as are a number of body colours. No hurry to buy.

Edited by Trilogy. on 01/08/2018 at 22:41

No offence Trilogy but if you’re going to prioritise outright performance (a 2s difference will feel tiny on the road, and that was when both cars were new) then you’ll come a cropper when buying an older car.

I've just looked up the S-Max 1.8TDCI 123BHP (2006 to 2010) 0-60 times on Parkers.

5 speed is 11.1 sec. Top speed 116 mph

6 speed is 10.9 sec. Top speed 118 mph

Only 0.2 sec difference.

My last couple of works Transits have had the 6 speed box, where the previous ones have had 5 speed. I find that the 5th and 6th gear ratios are very close together and I doubt it make much difference to the fuel economy, but they can advertise it has having a 6 speed box (as more is always better!).

If I'm honest, I prefered the 5 speed as you weren't changing gear so often! In the real world, the 6 speed isn't any quicker off the mark.

FiestaOwner, I was aware of 0-60 difference, it's irrelevant.

SLO, no offence but do you really think I'd buy a tatty car just to get a 6 speed? I'd never compromise on condition or history.

Edited by Trilogy. on 02/08/2018 at 00:24

Skidpan, thanks for your constructive and informative response. Actually, the difference between a 5 speed and a 6 was even less than £300 at £200. I'm after a 1.8 for the same reason you were.

I've looked at two so far, both were 6 speed, indeed most of those I've seen advertised are 6. One had poor paint reapairs. I rejected the other one that was pretty well perfect because it had an EPB. No doubt someone will be telling me I should have bought that one because 'condition is more important than spec and I shouuld forget spec because it's not important'.

I like your comment 'finding a good one will be difficult'. I like a car buying challenge. Seven years ago finding my 1996 E300D estate in the right configuration wasn't easy. I'm glad I took my time; I got low owners (just father and daughter), FSH, interior that wasn't black and a exterior colour from my list.

Best strategy when buying 6-8+ years old is to drive a 3 year newer version in excellent order. Then test drive any in your price range as you will know what a good model feels and drives like.

Minor differences in trim and power unit/gearbox are utterly irrelevant.

GB, no I didn't drive either. I don't tend to test drive a car unless I'm seriously interested in it. Elsewhere I've read an EGR blanking plate can help the way they run. I'm aware of the stalling issue, but thanks for bringing it up anyway. I'd like to think it's something I'd get used to overcoming..............we'll see

Hmm, i think i'd want to speak to the last owner personally to find out what sort of service regime the car has seen.

Only thing i can find in the pics is wear to the top edge of presumably the indicator lever (the one with 'voice' written on it), but that could just as easily be the result of a finger ring or other decoration rubbing the switch when used.

gb, you have eagle eyes! Lack of history makes me uncomfortable, never bought a car without.

Got used to looking for such tiny things in my previous work.

Yes the missing history worries me too, my biggest fear would be an undeclared private hire (ideal vehicle) in its first three years clocked professionally before its first MOT then sold on...please don't think i suspect this vehicle has been so treated but this lack of any history at all is a little troublesome, hence why i'd like to speak face to face with the last owner to judge him and what he has to say about the vehicle.

The budget tyres don't worry me as such, i'd be looking past them at the state of the discs and calipers, are they rusty showing signs of not being touched.

Remarkable MOT history, too good to be true or was the previous owner a really good home mechanic who like many of us failed to keep good enough records of our constant servicing? 5 minutes chat would reveal the true mechanicallty minded or the wide boy.

Happy Blue! Yes it is top price for no history. I think dealer is hoping the history may yet surface. I'm in no hurry to buy, so will wait for right one. Ideally I wouldn't go for this one's colour combination.

Good point Avant, although I'd like to think the trader has already thought of that. He phoned Ford to find out about the DPF. The owner may well have had the car serviced at an indie. There are plenty about albeit not necesarily at traders with good reviews/within my search area/colour combo/number of owners limit selection. While this one seems pricey some look too cheap. Won't be buying black, unlikely to buy silver either. Hope to find one relatively close to home, but am searching up to 100 miles radius.