Need help choosing car

BoozyBabe

Sorry to bombard you with threads today....., but here it goes!!!

I'm trying to decide on a car to buy.

I have a Focus & want rid ASAP, I HATE it
(Like driving a big boat, a SLOW boat)

Anyway,
What I currently have in mind is the following & I'd like you to tell me to run a mile from them, say yip, good car, or advise on other similar cars

1. Fiat Stilo (though I know the Fix It Again Tomorrow), does that still apply? Is the car heavy, nippy, etc, etc, etc....

2. Peugeot 307. Riddled with faults though, aren't they. Quite like the look of them , though the novelty would fast wear off if it kept breaking

3. Toyota Corolla (new model), what's it like? My only problem is that it's much more expensive than the rest

What about less established brands? Opinions?

Basically, most important to me is price, then how nippy it is on the road, toys as standard, reliability, oldest year probably 02 & low mileage for the price (cos I do A LOT of driving) Oh, & only interested in h/b version

All advice / opinions welcome

natnif

whats your budget?
what engine size is the max?
what engine is your current focus?

Kersh

you're gone motors mad today, arent you..

Ford Foci!! are the best midsize car in the market, so you wont better it without moving up to a bigger class of car. Having worked in car hire for years, trust me when I say this.
If you could stretch , then why not consider a Volvo s40. Yummy.

maidhc

Focus with a bigger engine?

It is a far superior car than everything else except perhaps the Corolla, and it isn't worse than that either, just better in different ways.

BoozyBabe

Yip, wee bit motor mad, no 1/2 measures with me, once I get something in my head!!!!!

Yes, main problem with my Ford Focus is that it's only a 1.4:- thus being the lack of power problem, but I wouldn't want a 1.6 now, I just hate it too much, practically everything about it (& like I said, once I decide on something.....)

Max engine:- 1.6
Max budget:- about €12k, but would actually rather spend much less if there was something decent on offer

mondeoman

FOCUS RS:D

Kimbot

Get a Toyota Levin!! 1.6 nice coupe there and really reliable!!

crosstownk

Personally, I'd go for the Corolla. Reliable and has a good resale value.

natnif

well if its too slow then it has to be a 1.6....so decent choices would be:
1 - Audi a4 - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=399084
2 - VW Golf - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=379525
3 - a slightly older bmw maybe.
apart from that it'd be jap, so maybe a civic, corolla, impreza??!!!
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=415726

maidhc

crosstownk wrote:

Personally, I'd go for the Corolla. Reliable and has a good resale value.

The engines are probably the best out there too. It is a nice car, although I much prefer the grille on the facelift models.

BoozyBabe

jonny24ie wrote:

Get a Toyota Levin!! 1.6 nice coupe there and really reliable!!

No, year is also important to me, 01 would be as old as I would go, hopefully atleast a 02

Thanks anyway

BoozyBabe

natnif wrote:

well if its too slow then it has to be a 1.6....so decent choices would be:
1 - Audi a4 - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=399084
2 - VW Golf - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=379525
3 - a slightly older bmw maybe.
apart from that it'd be jap, so maybe a civic, corolla, impreza??!!!
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=415726

Not necessarily, it's the weight of the Focus that lets it down. Before that I had a 1.4 98 Polo & it was more than nippy enough for me!!!

Kimbot

BoozyBabe wrote:

No, year is also important to me, 01 would be as old as I would go, hopefully atleast a 02

Thanks anyway

No problem!

natnif

oh I was figuring you wouldn't want to downsize...didn't even think of a smaller car!

joe2005

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=454081&ID=722967&NumPics=3&Make=Seat&Model=Leon%20Sport&frmFilter=All#
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=436185

BoozyBabe

joe2005 wrote:

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=454081&ID=722967&NumPics=3&Make=Seat&Model=Leon%20Sport&frmFilter=All#
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=436185

God I must be a right fussy oul b!tch!!!:o , I don't really like the look of the Seat Leon, looking very dated at this stage.

Want something a bit more modern looking

Sorry:o

Kimbot

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=232379

maidhc

Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=434005

joe2005

BoozyBabe wrote:

God I must be a right fussy oul b!tch!!!:o , I don't really like the look of the Seat Leon, looking very dated at this stage.

Want something a bit more modern looking

Sorry:o

How about an Alfa?
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=418647&ID=682290&NumPics=1&Make=Alfa%20Romeo&Model=156%201.6%20TS%2016V&frmFilter=All
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=449551&ID=718679&NumPics=1&Make=Alfa%20Romeo&Model=147%20Lusso&frmFilter=All

BoozyBabe

Yea, I like the Fabia too.

But with the Fabia, Stilo, Corolla, 307, does anyone here drive them, driven one, know someone who does, that can tell me if they're actually any good, common faults, complaints about them etc, etc.....??

I bought the Focus cos I liked to look of it, but ended up hating driving it.
I don't want to make the same mistake again, so it's more recommendations on experience I'm looking for.

Thanks for all your suggestions

BoozyBabe

joe2005 wrote:

How about an Alfa?
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=418647&ID=682290&NumPics=1&Make=Alfa%20Romeo&Model=156%201.6%20TS%2016V&frmFilter=All
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=449551&ID=718679&NumPics=1&Make=Alfa%20Romeo&Model=147%20Lusso&frmFilter=All

No, don't like those much. Think I heard bad reviews too (could be mistaken though)

Kimbot

Alfas are not really reliable, aswell as that parts are expensive!!

307, don't know much about them but I do know a few people that have complained about them!!

I drive a Corolla and know a few other that have had them and they are great cars!! Reliable! Nippy enough for a 1.4 (Hatch) And over all to get it serviced is not that dear!

mondeoman

what about-http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=433517&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Ford%20Cougar%2C%20Year%3A%202000%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=5897571&CFTOKEN=53711920

or -http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=385176&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Ford%20Puma%2C%20Year%3A%202002%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=5897571&CFTOKEN=53711920

mondeoman

or -http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=311924

or maybe -http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=418274

cargrouch

I wouldn't recommend a Stilo. The later model Bravo that it replaced was a good car IMO (with a few niggles), but the Stilo has more electronics that can go wrong.
If a 1.4 Focus is too slow for you, then a 1.6 Volvo will probably just seem like a bigger slow boat. You're talking Corolla or Golf here really. Although the devil's advocate in me would suggest you test an Alfa 147 1.6 - you should see a big difference to a 1.4 Focus!!

colm_mcm

HOw about a Seat Leon (not a 1.4 obviously)

peasant

How about that:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=364263

slighly older (and cheaper ones) are also available

BoozyBabe

mondeoman wrote:

what about-http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=433517&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Ford%20Cougar%2C%20Year%3A%202000%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=5897571&CFTOKEN=53711920

or -http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=385176&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Ford%20Puma%2C%20Year%3A%202002%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=5897571&CFTOKEN=53711920

Nope, my 1st car was a Fiesta. After that I said I'd never buy a Ford again. During the time in between I'd heard good reports on the newer Fords, so I said I'd give them a go again.
I'm now reverting to my original stance:- I'm never buying a Ford again!!!:D
Plus, I think the Puma is a very ugly car (no offence to anyone who drives one)

BoozyBabe

peasant wrote:

How about that:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=364263

slighly older (and cheaper ones) are also available

Polo's are great, but that's what I had just before the Focus, so want to try something different.
They're not exactly head turning to look at, & the newer model with the different lights is uglier.
For the same reason I'm not really that pushed on the Golf (except the brand new model, which I'll be able to afford in about 10 years!!!:D ).

So it's looking like the Corolla then.

Incidently, someone there mentioned the Bravo replacing the Stilo

The Bravo has been around for years, but the Stilo's I've been looking at are from the 02-03 range

unkel

BoozyBabe wrote:

I have a Focus & want rid ASAP, I HATE it
(Like driving a big boat, a SLOW boat)

You're confusing me. The Focus is as good a drivers' car as any other car in it's class although the 1.4 is under powered. Do you want a car a size smaller? or do you want a faster car in the same class?

maidhc

BoozyBabe wrote:

I'm now reverting to my original stance:- I'm never buying a Ford again!!!:D

How come? Why do you not like the focus apart from it being underpowered?

Are you going to get the 1.6VVTi Corolla then? Although it will definately be more lively, i'm not sure the difference between a 1.4 Focus and Corolla is chalk and cheese.

How about a diesel? definately the way to go if you do a lot of driving on main roads. The power available for overtaking is fantastic and there is also the matter of being more efficient than a 1.0 petrol.

Carb

BoozyBabe wrote:

No, year is also important to me, 01 would be as old as I would go, hopefully atleast a 02

Why? Surely mileage, services history and overall condition of the car would be more important. You'd probably also end up with a niicer, more powerful car.

BoozyBabe

unkel wrote:

You're confusing me. The Focus is as good a drivers' car as any other car in it's class although the 1.4 is under powered. Do you want a car a size smaller? or do you want a faster car in the same class?

I want a faster car in the same class.

I.e.
This is the cars I like, that I'd consider driving if they were nippy, reliable etc:-
Corrolla (new type)
Stilo (some one confused me earlier as to the age, so I'm talking '02 model up)
307
Fabia
Polo (but had one, great car, but don't want another)
The size (physically) of the Focus is grand, 1.4 under powered & my love of them has gone, so wouldn't bother getting a 1.6

A 1.4 car would do me fine, once the car is nippy for the car it's in (e.g. the Polo (98) was only a 1.4, but it was an excellent little driver, nippy, due to being light, the Focus is a 1.4 but is too heavy, so would need a 1.6)
If some of the cars mentioned above are also heavy, & a 1.6 is required, then I'd have no prob buying a 1.6

Thanks for the input

BoozyBabe

Carb wrote:

Why? Surely mileage, services history and overall condition of the car would be more important. You'd probably also end up with a niicer, more powerful car.

Guess I want the whole deal.

Service history, though definitely nice, wouldn't REALLY bother me, but I am hoping to get low miles, but to me:- there's no point buying a 98 car with feck all miles, it;s still a 98 car & would be looked at that way by all future potential buyers, so I'm hoping to buy a '02 & upwards car with low mileage.



& defo, I've nothing against a good diesel car



Does anyone else have reviews on any of the cars I've mentioned above, or experience of driving them?
Or can you give me a good review of cars I haven't listed in the same class as what I'm talking about (I'm thinking more like Chevrolet, Hyundai etc, etc, that I'd never dream of buying)

maidhc

BoozyBabe wrote:

Service history, though definitely nice, wouldn't REALLY bother me, but I am hoping to get low miles,

It should bother you! The service history will normally tell you lots of things:

- How the previous owner looked after the car. If the gaps between services well beyond the manufacturers recommendations it is possible the owner didn't give a damn about the car and drove it accordingly. The inverse is often true if it has been "over services". Many garages will give prinouts of each invoice which will also list warranty claims, previous faults, etc etc.

- Whether it has been clocked. A car a with well spread out service history by a reputable garage is likely to have genuine miles.

- A car that has never been serviced in 4 years is not something you want to own!

unkel

BoozyBabe wrote:

I want a faster car in the same class.

I.e.
This is the cars I like, that I'd consider driving if they were nippy, reliable etc:-
Corrolla (new type)
Stilo (some one confused me earlier as to the age, so I'm talking '02 model up)
307
Fabia
Polo

The first three are in the same class as the Focus. The last two are a class smaller, in the same class as a Fiesta, so which class do you want or could it be either?

A 1.6 Corolla will be faster than your 1.4 Focus, but you'll be very disappointed with the drive

How about a Civic type-R if you want fast (you have to work it though)

BoozyBabe

unkel wrote:

The first three are in the same class as the Focus. The last two are a class smaller, in the same class as a Fiesta, so which class do you want or could it be either?

A 1.6 Corolla will be faster than your 1.4 Focus, but you'll be very disappointed with the drive

How about a Civic type-R if you want fast (you have to work it though)

Yea, could be either.

It's not that I want fast exactly, I'm not a little-girl racer or anything, but when i put the boot down, I want a response, not like the Focus who says' " yip, I'm thinking about it, any time now....."
For pulling out of a junction, for overtaking, for going up a hill, I just want something with a bit of life, & that's NOT my Focus.

Would a 1.4 Corolla be nippier than my 1.4 Focus?

Carb

BoozyBabe wrote:

Guess I want the whole deal.

Service history, though definitely nice, wouldn't REALLY bother me, but I am hoping to get low miles, but to me:- there's no point buying a 98 car with feck all miles, it;s still a 98 car & would be looked at that way by all future potential buyers, so I'm hoping to buy a '02 & upwards car with low mileage.

I sold my 00 car, and then bought a 97 car last time for 2.5K. So I'm not worried about potential future buyers. Anything I get for it will be a bonus. The fact that it should easily do 4/5 years will make it the cheapest car I ever owned.

peasant

emmm ...you DID notice that the Polo in my link was a 1.6 GTI ??

Slightly different animal than your average 1.4 ...

The_Magoo

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=420316

1.6 polo gti? Might be out of your budget, but quickish car, small engine, reliable, good residuals, probably not as good on the road as the focus, but good enough performer. I have a 01 Leon 1.6, and its a nippy enough car, def quicker than the focus 1.4.

EDIT sorry peasent, didnt notice your reply!

BoozyBabe

peasant wrote:

emmm ...you DID notice that the Polo in my link was a 1.6 GTI ??

Slightly different animal than your average 1.4 ...

Yea, I know.

I did say I loved my Polo, just don't want another one, (at the minute anyway)
I like to try out different things

peasant

And now for something completely different:

If you can afford the tax and insurance fo a 2 litre turbo, here's a really nice Saab for comparatively little money.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=337381

All the goodies, nice coupe looks and plenty "nippy"

residuals wouldn't be that good though ...

BoozyBabe

peasant wrote:

And now for something completely different:

If you can afford the tax and insurance fo a 2 litre turbo, here's a really nice Saab for comparatively little money.

Ooooh, no, don't like the arse on that at all!!!!

God I am a fussy cow, (or maybe more like someone who hasn;t a clue what they want / like!!!):D