I had a hire car focus a few years back with heated windscreen, and must concur, it is infact awesome!
What sort of mpg were you guys with the 1.8 Focus getting? Bearing in mind I split half half motorway and country roads, I'm a little concerned a thirsty car could severly hurt the pocket!
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What sort of mpg were you guys with the 1.8 Focus getting? Bearing in mind I split half half motorway and country roads, I'm a little concerned a thirsty car could severly hurt the pocket!
On the motorway, being a good boy, 35+ mpg
Round town, aircon on, <27 mpg
On country roads you should get nearer 35mpg cos you dont have to change down from top too much.
Alastair (Spelt my name right this time)
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It is amazing how often this forum falls in discussing the virtues of the Mondeo/Focus.
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Get an Alfa 156 1.8 or 2.0 for about £5k. This should get you a Y or 51 plate. then spend the remaining £1k on insurance and enjoy:
great handling.
34mpg average - 38mpg on the motorway.
very comfortable
looks superb.
There you go!
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If you are doing 20K per year it will cost you a lot to fuel if you go the petrol route advocated here. Re the Leon 90TDI : I had one and 55mpg is a given. There is little difference in acceleration 30-50 and 50-70 over the 110TDI. The difference is you will get a three year old with 30-40K from a SEAT dealer at the price you indicated. If you are going to have a drive in the 1.6 try the TDI as well back to back, there's plenty around.
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Actually - I'm going to surprise you now. Don't get the Focus. The 1.6 is too slow. Others think I'm wrong but it really is too much hard work to get anything out of it.
The 1.8 would be the next logical step but if you hammer it, you'll see low 20's mpg wise and you'll pay for it!
Great car but as mlj says - if you like to have fun in it, 20k in a 1.8 isn't going to be very wallet friendly.
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Adam
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You should get a nice 51 or 02 plate Focus TDCi for your budget, stonking performance and 50mpg +. Diesel is probably the way to go for 20k per annum. On the otherhand I reckon a 1.6 Focus would feel pretty sporty after a 1.1 Saxo, handles fantastically well and would do 40mpg on a run. The 1.8 and 2.0 are quicker though not as crisp and free revving.
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I didn't find the 1.6 particularly special after my 1.25 Fiesta but I'll grant you. It will feel a whole lot sharper/faster after an 1100 Saxo.
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Adam
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If you go Focus TDCI avoid the TDDI: different engine- slow and not fuel efficient. Endorse Cheddar's comments on the TDCI- but make sure you know what you are trying if you do.
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Yes, still stuck on the Ford product again. How boring life would be if everyone took the advice mostly given in this forum, which is to buy a Ford.
I have been on the receiving end of such advice for more years than I care to remember.
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Machika,
Yeah ok - It can get annoying when everyone chimes in with "FORD!" but you're getting just as annoying slating them all the time.
Dizz doesn't have to buy one simply because they've been recommended.
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Adam
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Machika, Yeah ok - It can get annoying when everyone chimes in with "FORD!" but you're getting just as annoying slating them all the time. Dizz doesn't have to buy one simply because they've been recommended. -- Adam
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But they do generally chime in with ''Ford''. This forum is full of threads like where the recommendation is nearly always a Mondeo or a Focus.
However, I am not slating them all of the time (or at any time actually) but there are many people in this Forum who get very shirty about any criticism of Fords, even when it is only supposed criticism. I am not denying that the Mondeo and Focus are good cars, so I am not critising them. It is the never ending suggestion that nothing else quite matches up to a Ford and that people who buy other makes end up with countless problems. It was the same in the days of the Sierra and Escort. I have lost count of the number of people who told me what wonderful creations the Sierra and Escort were.
If you want to see criticism, find a thread on French or Italian cars.
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Fair enough.
I don't think a Ford is a one size fits all car by any means but for the small family car class, I think the Focus is one of the best.
The Mondeo is pretty good for a large family car too if not a little boring - there are other more exciting to look at if not as capable as a Mondeo.
In any event, good luck with your search Dizz. If you are looking at a Focus, the TDCi wouldn't be a bad bet certainly.
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Adam
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It is amazing how often this forum falls in discussing the virtues of the Mondeo/Focus.
Suggest something else then!
Dizz, a smallish turbo diesel hatch ought to fit the bill. It should have the economy and the in gear acceleration. How about:
Seat Ibiza
Skoda Fabia (already mentioned)
Citroen C2
Peugeot 206
Renault Clio
Or are these too small? Presumably most of your driving is on your own.
Alternatively, you could get a medium sized car e.g. Mondeo, Peugeot 406 with some miles on it and has depreciated a lot already and run it into the ground.
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You may not have noticed but I often do suggest something else. In my case it is often a Citroen but something else would be just fine to at least consider, without condemning it out of hand. Anything but the same predictable recommendation that it has to be a Ford Mondeo or Focus or, in the case of a smaller car, a Fiesta. I am not anti Ford but I am anti 'it can only be a Ford'.
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Wow. All of this has certainly given me a good deal of food for thought - thanks all.
I've been having a look at a few reviews here and there as well, and I think as it stands there will be a lot of test driving to be done!
As it stands, I think I will be looking more seriously at the diesel side, although I will take out the 1.8 focus to see how it goes.
Thanks all - I'm off on hols on Sunday, so hopefully I can get a drive or two on Saturday, and then spend the Monday after my return on a serious days driving - I'll let you all know how it goes!
My shortlist looks like:
Leon 1.9 tdi
Ibiza 1.9 tdi
For both of those I may do a second run with my brothers in as we head off around and about for footie and rugby most weekends, so it'll be good to see how the Ibiza compares to the Leon!
Fabia 1.9 tdi
Focus 1.8 - both petrol and diesel
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Beware of the tdi unit out of warranty! Just replaced the turbo on mine due to power loss (very well documented on this site in the technical forum). Fortunately just in warranty, the bill apparently well over £1000!! Only 25000 miles. Lovely motor otherwise though but not convinced of overall cost of ownership long term.
Baz
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What about (and don't laugh) a Xsara or 307 Hdi? Good mid range grunt, good fuel economy and low insurance?
The image might not be great but you may well get a much newer car for the same money, especially the Xsara?
Or is that my cue to leave?
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What about (and don't laugh) a Xsara or 307 Hdi? Good mid range grunt, good fuel economy and low insurance? The image might not be great but you may well get a much newer car for the same money, especially the Xsara? Or is that my cue to leave?
There is no need to be defensive or apologetic when suggesting French cars.
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Baz, Which TDI are you referring to on which your turbo went?.
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Octavia 110tdi, 03 reg. Intermittent loss of power, then a severe loss of power, limp home mode etc, diagnosed efficiently by local Seat& Skoda dealer, replaced under warranty. Seems ok now, much more powerful (but a noticeable dip in fuel economy!), fingers crossed. Not sure whether to keep for any length of time outside warranty having researched the Tdi woes and repair costs on this site!
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News to me: I have had three VAG TDI cars and done over 200K without any problems at all. The turbo on a diesel should last a lifetime if the car is serviced on schedule.
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Don't get a French car - they seem to be made to go belly up the second they are out of warranty!
I'd also steer clear of Alfas, they're just too unreliable... Have a look at this article for an idea of reliability:
www.whatcar.com/News_SpecialReport.asp?NA_ID=21456...5
What about something like a 1.6 Corolla - they have reasonable power, torque and fuel economy and you could pick up a 3 year old model well within your budget?
And one other option - a 1.7 Ford Puma - 0-60 under 9 secs, 38MPG, but insurance could be the killer here - group 12. But have a look.
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And one other option - a 1.7 Ford Puma - 0-60 under 9 secs, 38MPG, but insurance could be the killer here - group 12. But have a look.
A 1.4 Puma may be a better bet, it's group 9. Apparently (i have no experience of these cars, but love the look of them) the difference in real world performance is not much.
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The 1.7 feels so much quicker than the 1.4. It's the same with the Focus 1.6 and 1.8 - on paper it's virtually nothing, but real world they feel light years apart.
The Puma is great fun to drive and I think they look pretty good too compared to a lot of the tripe that's on offer these days.
And HJ gives it a pretty good write up too.
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Here we are again, back to another Ford after giving all French cars a slating once more. There is nothing wrong with a Puma but it is the same old story, give all French, Italian, even sometimes a German product a good old kicking and then suggest a Ford as the only logical choice (I know, I know, a Japanese car was also mentioned, but only briefly).
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Chill out M - you have one view they have another - it doesn't matter. I've never really understood why anyone would get upset about the label on a car or its country of origin. I'm sure Dizz will make his own mind up and if you're happy with what you've got, great, what's the problem?
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I am not bothered about anyone's personal choice, if people want to choose a Ford, fine. I may even select a Ford next time, if I can be convinced the CVT transmission will be reliable. It is the constant criticism of most of the competition to Ford products which rankles with me (a lot is not mild criticism either), whilst at the same time portraying anything from Ford as beyond criticism.
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The only reason I am slating French cars is that the 2 I have owned have been awful. Numerous faults at great expense (compared to the value of the car) does not leave a good impression. 2 years of hassle-free Ford motoring makes me want to recommend something which in my view is a superior product. If Renault or Peugeot had performed as well as the Ford did, I'd be singing their praises also - it's got nothing to do with badge snobery or anything else - just experience.
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have a go in the Ford Puma, should be able to pick-up a tidy one in your price range, engine sizes are 1.4, 1.6, 1.7. All handle very well, 1.4 a bit underpowered but still OK & might just suit your insurance needs. All do pretty well on petrol consumption - the 1.7 averages aroud 35mph.
I owned one following ownership of a saxovtr - Puma better car in all respects
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The only reason I am slating French cars is that the 2 I have owned have been awful. Numerous faults at great expense (compared to the value of the car) does not leave a good impression. 2 years of hassle-free Ford motoring makes me want to recommend something which in my view is a superior product. If Renault or Peugeot had performed as well as the Ford did, I'd be singing their praises also - it's got nothing to do with badge snobery or anything else - just experience.
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Well, I have had 11 years of hassle free motoring with a Xantia, although I accept it doesn't prove anything. Whilst our C5 hasn't been perfect, the few faults have only been minor, with the exception of the rear axle, which was replaced by Citroen free of charge. So that is two and a half years of ownership of another Citroen that has been pain free too. I accept that Citroen did a terrible job with launch of the C5 but it is wonderful value for money.
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Bazza - Was your turbo failure perhaps related to the type of oil used? If yours was a PD, they need very particular spec oil don't they? It also seems that many garages don't appear to know this, having read threads on this issue in the past.
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Bazza - Was your turbo failure perhaps related to the type of oil used? If yours was a PD, they need very particular spec oil don't they? It also seems that many garages don't appear to know this, having read threads on this issue in the past.
Hi
Well, not sure, it has a FSH with Skoda and it's not the PD unit as far as I know. From what I've deduced on here, the failure was the control mechanism rather than the turbo unit or bearings themselves. Apparently this is a common cause of the symptoms I had. As it was under warranty, it was a straight replacement. Out of warranty, I'd have shopped around for maybe a competent independant or specialist to take a look.
Baz
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Spoken like a true diplomat VM.
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Adam
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I have a Mazda 323 1.6 which I have had six years now. It is an excellent little car which has never had any faults at all. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to any one.
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Pumas are nice to look at and drive. Getting in and out can be difficult without banging your head on the roof and water from the boot drips into the car when you open the hatchback.
Ther's nothing wrong with Citroens, Peugeots or Alfas. I think they are all wonderfully reliable and the JFPower and Which surveys which say otherwise are just the product of owners who suffer from chagrin from buying foreign cars. An the German surveys regarding the Ford Focus being the most reliable cars are just chauvinistic choosing or cars made in Germany.
I also believe Rover made wonderful cars and if we all had bought Rover 45s Longbridge would still be open:-)
Seriously , French car design and styling tend sto emphasise looks and ignore practicality of design. Ford electronics and electrical connections: although technically less advanced than that of the French they are in my experience much more suited to a lengthy life. Anyone who has experienced the remote controlled plippers of Citroen/Peugeot in the 1990s will know what I mean..
madf
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Seriously , French car design and styling tend sto emphasise looks and ignore practicality of design. Ford electronics and electrical connections: although technically less advanced than that of the French they are in my experience much more suited to a lengthy life. Anyone who has experienced the remote controlled plippers of Citroen/Peugeot in the 1990s will know what I mean.. madf
I have experienced the remote plippers of Citroen since 1994. Eventually the batteries had to be replaced and the contacts on one of them had to be repaired. However, it is not a big deal on an eleven year old car if they don't work any longer, as the car can still be locked and unlocked with a key. The rev counter on our Xantia gave up the ghost a couple of years ago but that is no loss. The electric windows still work as does the electric sunroof.
The suspension system on Xantias has always been labelled a maintenance black hole but that is not my experience. It just needs proper maintenance, as does the suspension of any car. The hydraulic pump has been replaced at a total cost of £300 and one of the valves had to be replaced after it seized up; that cost very little. Lately a section of hydraulic pipe fractured (the only time ever) and had to be replaced, which cost very little also. All in all, it has been a very low maintenance, low cost car over 11 years. It is also a joy to drive.
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I had a major problem with the plipper of my Dad's new Peugeot 405. I dropped it down a grid.
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Adam
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I had a major problem with the plipper of my Dad's new Peugeot 405. I dropped it down a grid. -- Adam
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Trust Peugeot to provide a plipper that can't behave itself.
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Tell me about it. You wouldn't have got that from a Ford key that's for sure.
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Adam
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Tell me about it. You wouldn't have got that from a Ford key that's for sure. -- Adam
You mean you wouldn't have dropped it, or it wouldn't have fallen through the grid?
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I mean that Ford keys are so well built, it would never have slipped from my grasp. However, if in the unlikely event that it did, the very fact that it was made by Ford would mean that it would never have dropped down the grid.
I....was being sarcastic.
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Adam
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I mean that Ford keys are so well built, it would never have slipped from my grasp. However, if in the unlikely event that it did, the very fact that it was made by Ford would mean that it would never have dropped down the grid. I....was being sarcastic. -- Adam
I never would have thought it!
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