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Changing Cars - need honest opinions!

  • 15-05-2009 10:29am
    #1
    faceman
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,661 CMod ✭✭✭✭


    I'm not a car fan. I dont get excited for BMW's or flash mod cars. I just like comforts. The car can look like a wheelie bin on the outside as long but as long as its comfy inside, with a few perks, Im happy.

    Im going looking at changing cards this weekend. I getting rid of a '03 1.6 Laguna and want something reliable, dependable and economical. I have my eye on a Focus Hatch 1.4 07. As i do a lot of mileage I obviously need something with lower mileage etc etc.

    However, Im getting "advice" from people which is a bit mad. Some people are saying Im a nerd for getting a lower power Focus. The same person is sending me links to 04/05 Avensis, Vectras, BMW's and Audi's with higher mileage than I currently have, all because they are better cars and less nerdy? But it doesnt make sense to me to spend money on a similar aged car with higher or the same mileage.

    So am I going mad in my old age? Should I be steering clear of the Focus? Should I be aiming onward and upward?

    Any advice appreciated! :)


Comments

  • #2
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,749 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Nothing wrong with a Focus, good car. Even if it's no-less-reliable than the others quoted, it'll always be a cheaper car to fix.

    All good, really.

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #3
    voxpop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,798 ✭✭✭voxpop


    If you are going to run the car into the ground, then why dont you get an older car (for cheaper). That way you will lose less on deprecation. Also diesel is what you should be going for (ie TDCI where ford are concerned). You could get a reasonable 04/05 mondeo TDCI for penuts. Then just drive it into the ground.


  • #4
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    If comfort's important, how about a Peugeot 407 1.6HDI?


  • #5
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    The Focus 1.4 has a hard ride and seats and poorer refinement than your current car. Not what I'd be looking for if comfort for long journeys is a priority.

    What mileage is on the Laguna, is it reliable and has it been well maintained. I have the same car and year as you, have 199k miles up and it's good for plenty more. Many people in ths country think that because a car reaches a certain mileage that it's about to blow up but in fact modern cars are great for taking high mileage - if they're reasonably well looked after and the owner accepts that wearing parts such as suspension bushings will need replacing from time to time.


  • #6
    Biro
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    I reckon you should get a 1.8 petrol Mazda 6. They can be got for peanuts, and really are hard to fault.


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  • #7
    Zube
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭Zube


    faceman wrote: »
    Focus Hatch 1.4 07. As i do a lot of mileage I obviously need something with...

    ...more power than a 1.4 Focus, which wouldn't pull the skin off custard.


  • #8
    faceman
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,661 CMod ✭✭✭✭faceman


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    What mileage is on the Laguna, is it reliable and has it been well maintained. I have the same car and year as you, have 199k miles up and it's good for plenty more. .

    Its got almost 60k on the clock and has been well maintained. however its the increasing cost of maintenance that is pushing me away.


  • #9
    CharlieCroker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,450 ✭✭✭CharlieCroker


    from the OP i assume you just want A - B motoring.
    Focus is a good car. 1.4 not the fastest in the world but if your happy with it after a test drive then happy days.
    Other things that i'd be looking at include:

    Mazda 3
    Toyota Corolla/Auris
    Kia Ceed
    Hyundai i30
    Seat Leon
    Skoda Octavia

    All good cars and will be easy to live with


  • #10
    ki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 532 ✭✭✭ki


    Skoda Octavia would be a good buy for similar money and you would prob get a diesel, if your doing high milage.

    As for maintainance there is alot of spurious parts availible.:D


  • #11
    irisheddie85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 762 ✭✭✭irisheddie85


    If you want economical go for a diesel. A 1.4 focus wont usually come with a lot of 'perks' if you mean dual zone climate control etc. Pretty much any car well maintained will be reliable. If looks dont matter try a hyundai or kia - one came with a 5 year manufacturer warrenty (think it was kia) so you could pick one up with warranty left on it.


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  • #12
    Quigs Snr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,201 ✭✭✭Quigs Snr


    An associate works for Ford Ireland (and I don't mean answering the phones here !) and he reckons that the 1.4 is a grand city car, short hops etc... but that the best one is the 1.8tdci. Economical and fast. I would go for that or the 1.6 at least if you are thinking of a Focus.

    Certainley the people here in work with 1.4 Focus's are happy with their reliability but concur that they are poor on the open road. Unsuitable then I think for your purposes. Still that Laguna of yours is one of the worst cars built in recent times, you won't be able to give that thing away with the reputation they have so any ford will be an upgrade...


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