Does anyone have any first hand experience of owning, or know friends with, Focus ST or Megane 225 (pre 2006 facelift) that they would be able to share with me?
Am looking at both as replacement for 101% reliable Astra SRi that I have just sold.
Am already aware of MeganeSport and FocusStOwners websites that I have monitored for weeks but the info, whilst helpful, is not always impartial.
Performance/specification is very similar and Megane has price in its favour but the Focus sounds awesome and is more practical, if more expensive. Have read horror stories about Megane electrics but also the total opposite with good reliability reports too. Focus seems pretty bulletproof, prodigious thirst or otherwise!
Not interested in modifying and either car would be left 100% standard.
Thanks in advance.
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Info / advice rarely is impartial...
I have driven a 225 but for me the ride is too hard. Depends what you want. Shame your budget presumably won't stretch to the mid 2006 facelift 225, Renault addressed the quality complaints particularly on the interior which has a much more solid feel. Also some electrical gremlins were attended to, for example the window regulators.
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A neighbour has put 5,000 miles on his 56 plate ST2 now, and is delighted with it. Sounds lovely even when starting from cold in the mornings. Drinks fuel though. He reckons it won't better 25 mpg average, and dips into the high teens when driven hard.
My previous company ran a fleet of 2005 Meganes (dCi engines) up to 100k and reported very few problems with them. Obviously this isn't the 225, but most of the parts outside the underbonnet area will be shared, as will the general level of build.
I've seen rave reviews of both cars.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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Of the two cars you've listed I'd be inclined to go with the Ford.
That engine is Volvo sourced and has produced almost 300bhp in R Volvo's so a detuned version can only be good for long term reliability.
The Renault four cylinder will most likely prove more economical in everyday driving though.
As with any mainstream car you can get an absolutely fantastic car which will provide many thousands of miles of problem free motoring, or you could end up with an absolute dog.
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Not sure I'd have either. Too much power through the front wheels in that size of car. Only IMO, of course...
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Can't speak for the Focus but the Megane puts its power down in a civilised manner. Lots of electic wizardry no doubt. Purists might like more wheel spin but at £100 a tyre that's not my idea of fun unless someone else is paying...
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They both really need awd. That much power in a fwd car can only be controlled using some form of traction control that cuts the power. What's the point in that? If you have the power you want to be able to use it.
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If I were you, I'd forget about those two and go for a Golf GTi instead.
However, if you are a bit of a chav, then I'd say the Focus is the better option. I reckon it would hold it's value better then the Renault in the long term.
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I think both cars you have mentioned are good cars and i would have either over the obvious choice which is the GTI. I'm not a fan of the GTI really, its expensive all round and not really that much raw fun involved and realistically it isn't that quick. Its MOSTLY bought by quite well paid professional who think they are the nuts I would go for the Focus ultimatly, it has a good engine and its a pretty raw drive.
I'm not really biased but i wouldn't go for the Renault if i was going to own either car. I dont have much trust in french motoring and that does come from a badexperience. I'm not a great fan of fords old or new but they have created some great hot hatches in their time.
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I guess you've considered all the other competitors before coming up with shortlist of these two? I agree the Golf is a bit dull + obvious relative to your 2 choices, but I'd have the Leon Cupra R on my list too!
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Thanks for all your constructive feedback.
Firstly, the suggestion of being a chav made me grin and I am the total opposite but can understand the logic! It's the engine, handling, noise and day to day practicality that is enticing me towards the Ford. The Leon Cupra (presumably the new shape?) suggestion was a good one but this was crossed from the list early on due to access - getting in and out even with seat lowered I kept banging my head on the door opening it is so low. Golf GTi is an obvious choice but they are relatively scarce for sensible money and there is smugness about them that is off putting so I have not even opted for a test drive. I am happy to reconsider this bias if the right car appeared though.
My eventual choice has to have 5 doors so the VXR and other 3 door firebreathers of that ilk are off the list too. Maximum budget is £15k and with no trade in I am hoping to get a sharp deal. Any other suggestions would be welcomed in case I am being blinded by the hot-hatch route but it needs to be petrol and around 200bhp as a minimum. Annual mileage will be about 8-9k hence why fuel consumption is not number one concern.
thanks.
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The hot hatch route is the obvious one in terms of what you're looking for. I've had one of the first Mazda 3 MPSs in the country since February, and am very pleased with it after 9k miles. It's five-door only, faster yet at least 5mpg more economical than the Focus, thanks to direct injection, but while the 2.3 turbo four is smooth and strong (256bhp and an Audi-S3 beating 280lb/ft), it obviously doesn't sound as nice as that five-pot.
Better yet, it's well equipped (standard climate, xenons, half-leather, fine BOSE stereo) and makes a really good all-purpose road car, although I wouldn't buy one to take on track - the Megane R26 would be much better in this environment. £2k discounts are obtainable from new (£17k), so a low mileage example should be in budget.
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Nice budget to have, Smythe!
Might a new-shape Octavia vRS appeal? It´s that wee bit bigger. An Estate is parked round the corner from me and looks very nice indeed. Same engine as the Golf GTi, as I´m sure you know.
Left-field option - low mileage previous shape Octy vRS, chip it to 200PS and pocket the change for a holiday?
Good luck (he wrote, slightly enviously)
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Scooby? Chav image, I know, but you could always buy the estate...
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Estate doesn't really have the chav image. Get one with a prodrive performance pack. Better engineered and screwed together than either of the original two chioces.
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I was just going to say you could get a Scooby Imprezza Turbo for about £15k new.... 280 BHP ought to be enough to satisfy! Does have a bit of a thirst and appetite for tyres and clutches - and the insurance might be crippling....
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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Subary Forester Turbo 2.5. Well over 200bhp and far better comfort and reliability that the Ford or Renault.
Alternatively the Imprezza hatchback?
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I would of said a scooby too as i'm a massive jap car fan but i didnt think it really fitted in with your hatchback requirements.
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