ford focus or corolla hatchback

galaxyminstrels

Hi,
just looking for advice on somebody who knows more about cars than i do.
I am buying my first car soon and am between a ford focus and a corolla hatchback(02 up). I have around 7500 to spend.
Which car out of the two is the most reliable, economical and basically an all around good car?
And would petrol or diesel be recommended in the car of your opinion>
Thanks

lg123

toyota, the no frills motor company, would never buy one. go for the focus.

Alanstrainor

I'd go for the focus ghia 1.6. Nice car to drive, reliable, good looks, and nippy.

lg123

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'd go for the focus ghia 1.6. Nice car to drive, reliable, good looks, and nippy.

go diesel unless you are doing really small mileage

Vanbis

Ford Focus all the way.

Stevie Dakota

The Ford, no question, I'd sooner eat live bees than endure the Corolla.

lg123

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The Ford, no question, I'd sooner eat live bees than endure the Corolla.

so its not only me that hates these cars.

komodosp

Was thinking of a Corolla now I'm not so sure, what's wrong with them?

Stevie Dakota

komodosp wrote: »

Was thinking of a Corolla now I'm not so sure, what's wrong with them?

Cheap inside, nasty to drive, horrible styling, etc.

sk8board

komodosp wrote: »

Was thinking of a Corolla now I'm not so sure, what's wrong with them?

Nothing wrong with the corolla's at all, as reliable as clockwork; thats part of the problem for me anyway; they are very drab.

I have a Focus now (and a megane), but got first of many Corolla's in '93 (its still on the road and in PMO). I'd got for the Focus, the ride is a lot better as is the spec and the quality of the interior in my eyes.

That said, I got a 1.4 lx '02 focus as a courtesy car last month, and it was simply woeful. Woefully underpowered, and no support from the barcalounger they call seats. I have a 1.6 zetec, with sports seats and suspension, so its nicer to drive in town.

Never mind the diesels in those pre '05 models unless you like the noise. I get 35-45mpg on the 1.6 depending on conditions, but I don't do high mileage.

lg123

komodosp wrote: »

Was thinking of a Corolla now I'm not so sure, what's wrong with them?

as stevie said, really horrible to drive compared to other cars. my gf bought a mk5 golf last year, its a fine car. handles like a dream and very comfortable, looks good (imo), if you can i would defo consider one.

L-M

If you have €7500 grand you'll defo get a 02 Golf, or scrap onto a 03. Great cars, if you go for the comfortline spec (which i highly advise) you will get nice comfy seats, central locking, elec windows and an armrest. The older 1.4's were known for drinking oil, but i'm fairly sure they have this sorted post 01. Get one with a fsh and you flying it.

If not, in the Focus/Corolla battle i would defo go for the corrolla as the newer model came out in 02. The interior is what you would expect for that market car, nothing too flashy. 1.4 would be the engine again unless your going for diesel?

I'm not a fan of Fords, but they are nice to drive, it's just they have that Ford look about the interior with that big, out dated radio. Don't go for the freedom model in these as it just comes with alloys. After that, no elecs or central locking. Go for the Zetec, nice spec and it's not too ott. If i remember correctlty there was a century, or anniversary model in 03, which came with a good bit of kit, so that could be something to look out for if money allows.

VolvoMan

Limerick-man wrote: »

If you have €7500 grand you'll defo get a 02 Golf

You really must be joking, right? I can't think of any car that is worse value than a nearly 7 year old Golf that will most likely have windy windows all round and most definitely it will not have aircon. The handling on them is also rubbish and they may be built solid, but they are far from reliable.

galaxyminstrels

Thanks for all the help.
Just wondering as i will be doing a lot of mileage which car out of focus and corolla hatchback is more economical on petrol/diesel?

Mr Ed

I bought an 06 Ford Focus 1.4 Zetec a few weeks ago and haven't looked back since, a dream to drive, great car!

bazz26

galaxyminstrels wrote: »

Thanks for all the help.
Just wondering as i will be doing a lot of mileage which car out of focus and corolla hatchback is more economical on petrol/diesel?

Pre 2004 Corolla diesels were 2.0 litre afaik and rare as hen's teeth. Unless you are doing big mileage it is hard to justify buying a diesel one of that age. For similar running costs you can buy an Avensis size car.

With regards the original question, the Focus will win hands down as a driver's car but the 1.4 is very underpowered, it only has 80bhp compared to the Corolla's 97bhp. For the Focus you need to be thinking 1.6 litre min imo.

Cabin plastics, which seem to be the bench mark for good cars on the motors forum, are no better on a MkI Focus than the same year Corolla imo. The interior styling of the dash in the Focus is more creative however.

Also why limit yourself to these two only, there are other just as good cars out there, Skoda Octavia, Mazda 323, Seat Leon, etc.