First car - Focus, Corolla or Civic?

SheRa · 29-06-2008 8:53pm #1

Im buying my first car and would appreciate some advice.
Im a learner driver, Ive got €4k to €6k to spend, would like a hatchback, 5dr, and am thinking of either a Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Nissan Almera as I like the look of these cars and they seem to have a good name on boards too.

Id like to not have to replace the car for 5/6 years, I wont be doing heavy mileage on it, a few trips down the country a year, to run around in at the weekend etc.

How old a car with what type of mileage could I get away with for my requirements? Its more important to me that I get a reliable brand with a good safety record than a newer car. God I sound like an auld fella:o.

Thanks.

Captain Slow IRL · 29-06-2008 10:24pm

I'd pick the focus or corolla if I was restricted to a 5 door hatch, a civic if I was going for a 3 door. (5 doors are just fugly!) The 5 door civic will probably be the cheapest one to buy out of the lot.

The focus is probably the nicest to drive, and is pretty reliable - make sure it has a lengthy nct (like with any car you purchase) and evidence of timing belt changes when required. I think it is around 60-70k miles, and they can snap without warning. Also check for an engine managent light illuminating and extinguishing on the dash when you start the car. Wheel bearings can go in the back but it'll sound like you're in an aeroplane!

The toyota and civic are pretty solid investments as well - the 5 door version of each is an ugly car, IMO, and neither would give you too much trouble if they have been taken care of. I don't really have much to say of the almera - don't have an awful lot of experience with them!

colm_mcm · 29-06-2008 10:30pm

5 door Corolla is horrible too, only the 2002 on models are nice looking, and the OP won't be able to get one of these within budget.

Consider a Mazda 323. some nice well equipped ones out there.

bigpinkelephant · 29-06-2008 10:31pm

???? 5 door cars are way nicer than 3 doors! Plus it's soo much easier for wen you have passengers!

colm_mcm · 29-06-2008 10:37pm

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

???? 5 door cars are way nicer than 3 doors! Plus it's soo much easier for wen you have passengers!

not quite:

3 Door Corolla,
Toyota_Corolla_rear_20071004_(2).jpg

5 door Corolla

3 Door Civic
0104tur_01zoom%2B1997_Honda_Civic%2BRear_Driver_Side.jpg

5 Door Civic

in this price range, the 5 door models are not too nice looking

kerryman87 · 29-06-2008 11:42pm

I have a 5-door civic saloon for sale at the lower end of this price range and don't think it looks too bad. It's a very reliable car and has served me great going up and down to college being able to bring everything I need with me and still have space for passengers. Excuse the advertising

1999 Honda Civic for Sale :
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=55532&cat=2

JHMEG · 30-06-2008 12:14am

kerryman87 wrote: »

I have a 5-door civic saloon

That's a 4-door.

blackbox · 30-06-2008 9:00am

JHMEG wrote: »

That's a 4-door.

..:rolleyes: He's obviously not going up and down to college to study maths!

S.I.R · 30-06-2008 9:38am

SheRa wrote: »

Im buying my first car and would appreciate some advice.
Im a learner driver, Ive got €4k to €6k to spend, would like a hatchback, 5dr, and am thinking of either a Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Nissan Almera as I like the look of these cars and they seem to have a good name on boards too.

Id like to not have to replace the car for 5/6 years, I wont be doing heavy mileage on it, a few trips down the country a year, to run around in at the weekend etc.

How old a car with what type of mileage could I get away with for my requirements? Its more important to me that I get a reliable brand with a good safety record than a newer car. God I sound like an auld fella:o.

Thanks.

1.4 is the best you can do on most insureance companys... depending on age... ( Duh )

but honestly, if you need somethign you can jsut ch8uck the keys into and go... corrolla or civic... need something a bit more refined... the almera.

need something to enjoy the roads in ?? go for the focus...

Honestly can go wrong by buying Any of the listed.

G-Money · 30-06-2008 9:58am

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Ford. I don't have a great opinion about them but I've never owned one myself.

I'm driving a 2001 Almera and so far, so good (touch wood). It only has 48,000 miles on it which is quite low I think. I haven't really had any big problems with it either so far. I found out last week that Nissan did a re-call of a lot of Almera's and Primera's to fix a problem with an engine sensor that would cause the car to stall and not start again. However I checked with the local Nissan dealer and quoted the chassis number and they were able to confirm that the re-call work had been done.

I guess the only problem I have had so far with my Almera was to do with the boot. On my 2001 model there is no keyhole in the boot door to unlock it, nor is there a handle inside the car to pull to open it either. It's totally dependant on the central locking. I could unlock all the doors but for some reason the boot would not unlock. This seemed to go away itself but then a few days or weeks later it happened again. I bought the car 2nd hand but the garage gave me a 1 year warranty on it so I brought it back and they fixed it quite quickly. There basically was a wee box with two arms that come out of it that pull the lock open and push it closed. They replaced that unit and that was it. It actually took longer for them to get the internal bodywork off than it did to replace the part. I think replacing the part itself took about 2 minutes.

I think with a Toyota you would be grand enough too. My folks have a 2001 Corolla but I don't like driving it that much. I like the brakes on the Almera much more as you barely have to touch them.

SheRa · 30-06-2008 11:26pm

Thanks for all your help. i saw a few 5 dr Civics today and they aren't the most attractive I have to say. Think I'll veer towards a focus. I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers.

colm_mcm · 30-06-2008 11:32pm

S.I.R wrote: »

but honestly, if you need somethign you can jsut ch8uck the keys into and go... corrolla or civic... need something a bit more refined... the almera.

Could you go into some detail on how the Almera is more refined than a Civic, Corolla or Focus?

omb0wyn5ehpij9 · 30-06-2008 11:32pm

I have a civic for sale at the moment, it is my first car, and would highely recommend getting one!

[snipped]

kerryman87 · 30-06-2008 11:45pm

BrynW wrote: »

I have a civic for sale at the moment, it is my first car, and would highely recommend getting one!

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=60390&cat=2

That's the link to my civic!

Quiet You, I'm trying to make a sale

JHMEG · 01-07-2008 12:13am

colm_mcm wrote: »

Could you go into some detail on how the Almera is more refined than a Civic, Corolla or Focus?

I'm very much a fan of the Almera in terms of no fuss A-B motoring, but I find myself in agreement with Colm on this one: how exactly (or even vaguely) is it more refined?

Masada · 01-07-2008 1:35am

That I would like to know, and i have one outside the house right now., they suffer from some small electric faults and the fuel pump is a common failure. The brakes can give trouble on the older ones too.,
The focus I wouldnt touch at all given the choice, fords reliability has fallin dramitically in recent years, my bro is an avid ford fan and so far hes had the 2000 model break down from, believe it or not, a cracked ECU board. he now has the 2006 one and the 2006 transit connect, the transit water pump died and over heated the engine, the focus cut out recently with an ECU fault and is sitting in fords service centre at the mo.,

My other halfs mother had the older corrola 5 door and it was actually a realld solid car, she traded it for the verso which was plagued with probs from the day she go it and ended up just selling that and getting the new plasticy corrola saloon,,.,
Those civics arnt the best looking car i must admit but they are pretty much bullet proof.,

peanuthead · 01-07-2008 1:41am

blackbox wrote: »

..:rolleyes: He's obviously not going up and down to college to study maths!

Were you joking when you said this?????

cabrwab · 01-07-2008 9:31am

Forgot to leave the ol'opinion when i orginally read this.

Corrolla or civic if you can, although i wouldn't have the 5door of either.
i think the corolla from that era (01) while boring, takes abuse from learning driving, i didn't learn how to drive in one but my girlfriend did and she found it great, this was after driving her dad's avensis.

Id say the civic is more fun to drive and fairly bullet proof too.
Focus disappointed me when my dad got one as a company car, they aint bad, think i was expecting more "puma" from it!
Its still a ford!
He had no problems with it.

pburns · 01-07-2008 10:00am

Pah! Focus, Civic and Corolla are all vastly over-rated piles of ****e...

What you need is a Renault Megane. Great car, sticks to the road and goes on forever

r3nu4l · 01-07-2008 10:36am

To be perfectly honest I think that for a first car the OP should consider a Fiesta, Corsa, Clio or other supermini...

As first cars there is nothing wrong with them and he's likely to get something newer for his money.

Just a thought.

/I do realise that for some people, these cars are considered too kiddie but as first cars they are perfect.

Masada · 01-07-2008 7:07pm

maybe space and the ability to carry passengers is a priority for the OP? theres plenty of decent small cars out there but if thy not what your looking for then its pointless.,

SheRa · 02-07-2008 12:06pm

Thanks for all your replies guys.
Im female btw, I think some of you thought I was male:).

I dont want to get a clio, fiesta, yaris as I have to say they are really unappealing to me.

I have seen a Corolla hatchback 5dr I like, its a 2001 luna, with 55,000 miles. Im going to go the dealers at the weekend to see it. Its €5000 but I hope to bargain it down. Any pointers on the max I should pay (if I do decide to buy it) for it? Thanks.

S.I.R · 02-07-2008 1:32pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Could you go into some detail on how the Almera is more refined than a Civic, Corolla or Focus?

Its quite simple actually, For you see, fords are Mazda's so that straight away means you don't buy one, the civic... underpowered, under steers like crazy and well, it was and still is a W.I.P. the corolla is an ok car, its a nice h/b but the interior sucks, almera's has decent road going ability's , decent looking and Very reliable.... and the interior isn't as depressing as a toyota interior.

Simple enough decision imo.

also Shera... hmmm make sure its the Vvti engined one or do your best to remove his ego/genitals as with a 1.4... you need any power you can extract without modding it and adding to your insurance.

SheRa · 02-07-2008 2:35pm

S.I.R wrote: »

also Shera... hmmm make sure its the Vvti engined one or do your best to remove his ego/genitals as with a 1.4... you need any power you can extract without modding it and adding to your insurance.

Its not Vvti. A few of my friends have 1.4l cars without Vvti, and the power is fine.

I have absolutely no wish to mod it:eek::eek:. Im not a modified car fan at all I have to say.

Whose ego/genitals are you referring to btw?

Trinity · 02-07-2008 3:17pm

I have a corolla, although not a hatchback and i have to say i love toyota cars, they are reliable. You get up, go out, they start. I had a yaris before this and again, no problems at all.

zilog_jones · 02-07-2008 4:13pm

S.I.R wrote: »

Its quite simple actually, For you see, fords are Mazda's so that straight away means you don't buy one...

Ha ha ha, oh wow!

SheRa wrote:

Its not Vvti

If it's a 2001 Corolla 1.4 petrol it has to be VVT-i (4ZZ-FE engine). Toyota did not sell a non-VVT-i 1.4 - it replaced the 1.3 litre 4E-FE engine along with the facelift in 2000.

SheRa · 02-07-2008 4:25pm

zilog_jones wrote: »

Ha ha ha, oh wow!

If it's a 2001 Corolla 1.4 petrol it has to be VVT-i (4ZZ-FE engine). Toyota did not sell a non-VVT-i 1.4 - it replaced the 1.3 litre 4E-FE engine along with the facelift in 2000.

Thanks Zilog. I just presumed that it wasnt a Vvti as it wasnt mentioned on the spec. How much would you pay for it?

colm_mcm · 02-07-2008 11:00pm

S.I.R wrote: »

Its quite simple actually, For you see, fords are Mazda's so that straight away means you don't buy one,

Fords are Mazdas? no they're not. they share technology and rebadge a few cars over and back, but that doesn't make the Focus a Madza, even if it did, what's wrong with Mazdas? they're fantastically reliable, in fact a 323 of that era would be nigh on imposible to beat for reliability. aside from that, how can you possibly say that the Focus is to be avoided, it's proven to be a very capable car, in terms of looks, handling, safety, and packaging. It's also highly regarded reliability wise.

S.I.R wrote: »

the civic... underpowered, under steers like crazy and well, it was and still is a W.I.P.

Aren't all evolving models of cars a W.I.P? again, I can't imagine how you'd rank an Almera higher than one.

S.I.R wrote: »

the corolla is an ok car, its a nice h/b but the interior sucks, almera's has decent road going ability's , decent looking and Very reliable.... and the interior isn't as depressing as a toyota interior.

Last time I looked, most Almeras were without ABS, and side airbags, the engines were thrashy and whiney, the gearchange was rubbery and not enjoyable at all. In terms of "refinement" (Which I understand is a word to describe areas such as noise, vibrations, ambience, even image, if you want to stretch it that far) the Almera is well behind most cars in it's class. for example, when you close the door on an Almera, you hear a clang, something you'd expect from an 80's/90's car. when you activate the central locking (provided the buttons on the keyfob haven't stopped working) you hear a terrible hollow grating noise coming from the doors. The seats are uncomfortable and cheaply finished, the seats themselves are far too low, and the car generally gives off an aura of being a cheap mode of transport. Reliability-wise they're nothing to shout either.

You've shown once again, that contrary to your lofty claims, you have little experience of driving any of the cars you talk about. For the record, I would say the Golf/Bora would be the most "refined" car in this class. I wouldn't buy one, but I certainly wouldn't buy an Almera either.

JHMEG · 02-07-2008 11:43pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

for example, when you close the door on an Almera, you hear a clang, something you'd expect from an 80's/90's car.

I agree with everything else, but using the sound a door makes when closing is a metric invented by salepeople of German cars to, perhaps misleadingly, illustrate to potential buyers that their "quality" and therefore reliability was better than their Japanese counterparts.

In addition to what you've said the Almera is far more "bouncy castle" in its handling than the other two, and isn't as surefooted on the road. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because of that cheapo rear suspension, and that it has no anti-roll bars front or back(:eek:).

Despite all the Almera's faults, it is cheaper than the Corolla and Civic and a good first car.

E92 · 03-07-2008 12:01am

The Ford topped German TUV reliability surveys on more than one occasion. Bar the earliest models they seem to be trouble free. They are a great car to drive, something the Corolla is most definately not.

The Almera? Unless it handles like a go kart, and I don't know since I have never driven one, I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. They are quite simply rubbish. Noisy, uncomfortable, bland, cheap feeling, bad over bumps, not even terribly reliable judging by the amount of times I've seen stories here about reliability.

The Civic I've no idea about.

SiR what is the deal about Mazdas? They're probably more reliable than Toyota excluding the in house designed diesel in the 5 and 6 and of course the ultra rare RX-7, the modern cars are as good as anything else out there in any measure, and I'm sure they're great to drive based on my limited experience of Ford too.

Masada · 03-07-2008 1:06am

To be honest id usually read someones post on these kinda threads and respect their opinion, thinking, maybe they have experienced some issues with a certain car and thats what gave them the opinion they have,
But from reading some of the posts that S.I.R as posted he/she just talks complete waffle with no meaning or substance to it, i get the feeling they just like to be argumentative.
Theres a few good regulars on here that know what they are talking about and when they say they dont like something they can give you an accurate discription as to why they dont like it, not just the usuall, "it fell apart", or its "japanese" etc etc.,

I fail to see why someone would bother posting such meaningless info.,

oh, and the corolla or civic FTW.,

First car - Focus, Corolla or Civic?

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