Hi, I am currently downgrading my car and am wondering which of the following is a better buy...
Megane 1.6 Dynamique 5dr, 06-reg, 15,000 miles, £6,600.
C4 1.6 VTR+ Coupe, 05-reg, 25,000 miles, £6,600.
Focus 1.6 Ebony 3dr, 03-reg, 33,000 miles, £5,000.
The Focus is the better driver's car, but with the lack of warranty I am a bit worried about future bills, though I am aware the Megane is possibly far worse in this respect, it'll have a warranty til Feb 09, and is the facelifted version (so perhaps they fixed some probs?). I like the look of the C4, but have no idea about reliability of the cars. They are all well equipped in different ways, the Focus with leather heated seats and screen, the C4 and Megane in safety stuff and various extra little things, see-me-home lights, cruise control, etc. I prefer the Megane's gearshift, but the Citroen's steering and pedals are better, though the Focus is better handler (though with the harshest ride).
Obviously I don't want to pay over the odds, or spend more than I have to, but which is the better car?
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In my opinion the C4 3 door is a very nice looking car, but according to HJ car-by-car breakdown some C4s have been troublesome.
If you can live with not having a current model then I would go for a Focus and if necessary get a 3rd Party warranty for circa £250.
£5k for a Petrol 1.6 is probably at the top end of the price scale. By way of comparison Car Giant had a 04 ST170 for £5.2 couple of weeks ago ? albeit with more miles.
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There are lots of Focuses around - maybe take your time and find a newer one for £6,000 or so?
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We have a C4 coupe and it's a really nice car. Spacious and very comfortable to cover distances in. For a base model it's well equipped.
The Focus feels like a much older car than the C4 or Megane, but does drive well. Ask yourself though, do you want an amazing handling car or something that is a relaxing place to cover distances? Only you know the answer.
The Megane has pulled off an amazing trick of having an interior that feels even more cheaply put together than the Citroën. A couple of colleagues have very high spec Meganes and they controls and plastics would be rejected even by Citroën.
Moreover though, given the technology in these cars and the manufacturer's reputations for electrickery that would be the major concern for me.
The only thing that gives grief on our C4 is the stupid "speed control unit faulty" error. Dealers can fix this in seconds flat (ours is a 05 - 55 plate) but it does require a trip to their computers. Not so much an issue under warranty (except our local dealer went bump so it's a pain to drive to the next nearest), but if I start to have to give them £70 a shot to fix this my sense of humour will fail dramatically.
If it were my money, I'd go for the VTR.
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Dahonist
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Thanks for all the replies.
I chose this model of Focus for the economy/insurance etc of the 1.6 petrol, and the special edition as it was the best equipped version by far. I have owned a 1.6 LX, and I really loved it.
With the C4 my major concern is that it will be out of warranty early next year, and it seems an expensive option, when the Megane, a year younger can be had for the same price...but which is reallly the better car of these two, I don't know. The C4 seems to have the superior chassis, whilst the Renault has the superior gearshift and engine by far, which adds a lot to the overall experience in my opinion. Neither are as good as I remember my old Focus, but ride and refinement is much better.
I guess key in my decision between the two French cars would be whether Renault actually made any technical adjustments in the facelift re: electrics and such, as even a certain independent mobile repairman commented the Megane is the worst car for reliability on sale today in his personal opinion.
Also, does the 1.6 petrol Focus II drive better than the 1.6 TDCi, as I have one of these which I find inferior to the Focus I, and just as unrefined re: road/wind noise.
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The electrically heated front screen of the Focus would swing it for me. I wouldn't want to go back to a car that didn't have one.
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L\'escargot.
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Photos and specs were shown in Auto Bild last week of the new Megane,Espace and Scenic so present models should start to attract special offers.
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The electrically heated front screen of the Focus would swing it for me. I wouldn't want to go back to a car that didn't have one. --
While I like the way these screens work, the fine wires in the screen really bother me - I find my eyes focusing on them while driving - so I would never buy a car with a heated windscreen.
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My C4 coupe has been perfectly reliable (only 8,500 miles so far). If you are worried about the warranty, Citroen will extend the manufacturers warranty. A year ago we extended the warranty on our C8 with them for only £179 (special offer). Bargain!
I like the fact that C4 coupes are rare on the roads. Unlike Focuses and Meganes ... The interior is refreshingly different, too. I would tend to go for the newest car you can find for the money - it will always feel fresher.
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I've had the same age Focus and currently own a 2005 Megane 1.6
Quite simply - don't buy the Megane. Especially the 1.6 VVT which is riddled with inbuilt faults that Renault either don't care or are incapable of fixing. (and they are all expensive faults out of warranty) Its the first and last Renault I will own!
The Focus I enjoyed driving and it gave reasonable ecomony and pretty good reliability. No experience of the C4 but a mate of mine ran one for a year and was pretty impressed!
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While I like the way these screens work the fine wires in the screen really bother me - I find my eyes focusing on them while driving - so I would never buy a car with a heated windscreen.
If you've made up your mind that you can see the wires then you'll carry on doing so. I've had heated screens since 1999. If I deliberately try to see the wires I can do, but normally I look through the screen and don't focus on it.
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L\'escargot.
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If you can see the wires then you could be slightly short-sighted. I focus on them if I take my (distance) glasses off but with my glasses on there is no problem.
If you are not short-sighted then your eyes must be trying to focus up close for some other reason. As you get older it will become more difficult to focus up close such that when you are 50 or 60 you may not see the wires.
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I was 18 when I first had one. Could easily see past them. I really do miss it, and as said earlier may swing it for the Focus. Ideally I'd have a late-plate Focus I Edge, but unfortunately they did not come with the heated front screen, and in a Focus, I really feel this is a strong selling point.
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