Opinions on these 2 cars?

Ush1

Opinions on these 2 cars please, I have 5k budget:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/Collecti/200944195655243/advert?channel=CARS

and

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/147/Mint%23New/200944195688900/advert?channel=CARS

Cheers!:)

EPM

The focus may be easier to own with cheaper servicing whereas the Alfa will need proper and promt servicing to keep it at its best. If you let things skip with it, it may bite back. Saying that, I'd probably choose it and I used to have a focus like the one linked.

FearDark

The Alfa will break before the Ford.

deadlast

What do you want in a car?

Ush1

deadlast wrote: »

What do you want in a car?

Just something decent and value for money. I'll be doing commutes from Dublin to Cork quite a bit. I also want as modern as I can get though which is why I love the Alfas interior.

Dave.

The Focus is underpowered. Go with the 147, its got 120hp and is great engine once it is looked after.

Ush1

Cheers lads. Any opinions on the prices??

EPM

Don't be afraid to look higher than your budget. The prices are only asking prices...

Ush1

EPM wrote: »

Don't be afraid to look higher than your budget. The prices are only asking prices...

Well even though my budget is 5k I'd rather not spend it all!:D
I'd prolly offer 4 and a half for the focus cause of the low mileage?

deadlast

Ush1 wrote: »

Just something decent and value for money. I'll be doing commutes from Dublin to Cork quite a bit. I also want as modern as I can get though which is why I love the Alfas interior.

Going on your answer, you don't seem to be into your cars/driving...its easy...the focus IS a good car!

Rackstar

Go for the Focus!!

I had an Alfa 145, looked after it and it sure as hell didn't look after me!!

Gave me nothing but hardship until the timing belt went!

Have a focus now, I've put up 90k km with out a single problem!!!

Alanstrainor

If you're looking at a focus go for the 1.6, the 1.4 is under powered.

Ush1

Alanstrainor wrote: »

If you're looking at a focus go for the 1.6, the 1.4 is under powered.

This seems to be the best deal I can find on a focus unfortunately. Do you think the price seems reasonable?

deadlast

Ush1 wrote: »

This seems to be the best deal I can find on a focus unfortunately. Do you think the price seems reasonable?

Again it depends what you want in a car. 1.4l is grand for a lot of people. That's low mileage, ask to see the NCT cert which shows the odometer reading at the time of the test. Get it looked over by someone you trust and i'd offer a nice bit less. Buyers market and all that.

bazz26

€5k is too much for a 1.4 Focus turning on 7 years old irrespective of the low mileage which imo is not an accurate indication of use. I know these are outside your budget but just to show you as examples that the 03 is overpriced:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200942195534145
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200945195757452

imeddyhobbs

You can buy a decent passat for 6k,take a look at one of them!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/**-BEST-/200942195497032/advert?channel=CARS

Ush1

Well the Focus got sold this afternoon!:(
So do you reckon take the Alfa or just bide my time again for another focus?

EPM

Don't just limit yourself to these cars, especially practically deciding on what to buy without giving each a proper lookover. Take your time. You might be sorry if you dont

Ush1

EPM wrote: »

Don't just limit yourself to these cars, especially practically deciding on what to buy without giving each a proper lookover. Take your time. You might be sorry if you dont

Yeah, you're right there. Any opinion on Chevrolet Kalos? They seem to cheap for the newer ones even.

EPM

Ush1 wrote: »

Any opinion on Chevrolet Kalos? They seem to cheap for the newer ones even.

Keep looking at what you've already mentioned...

Ush1

Anybody know if those alfas have cruise control as standard?

Hal1

Here's 3 1.6 foci's. 02 1.6, 04 1.6, another 04 1.6. The first 2 are in mayo and 3rd one is in limerick, I don't know your location. All from donedeal.ie.

Ush1

Hal1 wrote: »

Here's 3 1.6 foci's. 02 1.6, 04 1.6, another 04 1.6. The first 2 are in mayo and 3rd one is in limerick, I don't know your location. All from donedeal.ie.

Thanks for the links, I'm based in Dublin though unfortunately.

Andy013

Stay away from the Alfa's they will bleed you dry. Give alot of trouble

VolvoMan

Ush1 wrote: »

Well the Focus got sold this afternoon!:(
So do you reckon take the Alfa or just bide my time again for another focus?

Well it's as simple as this. If you just want turn-key reliability with a limited amount of fuss, the Focus is the car for you. But if you are more passionate about your car and care for it lovingly, then the Alfa might suit your tastes better.

bazz26

Andy013 wrote: »

Stay away from the Alfa's they will bleed you dry. Give alot of trouble

Say hi to the man down the pub for me, it's a while since I heard his wise words. *

* :rolleyes:

bazz26

Ush1 wrote: »

Anybody know if those alfas have cruise control as standard?

Nope, I think it is only standard on the higher spec Lusso model. I think it was an optional extra on other models. Make sure it has a full service history with documented timing belt changes (every 36k miles) and get an Alfa speciallist like Gerry Campbell of Ti Autos to check it over before buying.

EPM

Andy013 wrote: »

Stay away from the Alfa's they will bleed you dry. Give alot of trouble

Yawn

Rev. BlueJeans

If you want to drive and forget, leave the Alfa there, they do need TLC.

If you gave me the choice, I'd have the Alfa, but I'd watch it like a hawk;

-they burn oil (as with many other cars, Golf 1.4s mar shampla), so need to be checked regularly.

-they need regular timing belts and variators (the yokey that varies the valve timing), as they don't last pissing time.

-wishbones need changing if they squeak at all-prevalent with the 156, and I gather with this car as well.

Aside from that, there are no other major issues I'm aware of, bar the petrols being thirsty if you give them holly.

The big thing is, they represent value for money if you get a good 'un and mind it.

Ush1

Okay, I'm scared off from the alfas. Even though they look fantastic I'm not sure I could commit to all the maintainence required as I don't know that much about cars, yet anyway!

Looking at this focus, look at the gearstick, and its 1.3? Seems strange:

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3560734#

R.O.R

Ush1 wrote: »

Okay, I'm scared off from the alfas. Even though they look fantastic I'm not sure I could commit to all the maintainence required as I don't know that much about cars, yet anyway!

Looking at this focus, look at the gearstick, and its 1.3? Seems strange:

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3560734#

www.mywheels.ie shows that Focus as a 1.4 (never a 1.3 in that shape). The gearknob looks like someone has swapped the standard one for a tacky aftermarket one. Looks like there is also either a performance back box or a chrome tip on the exhaust.

Very low mileage on that for the year, may have been well minded - or based on the above may have been ragged around car parks every weekend wit de tunes at full blast.

EPM

Gear knob can be changed in two mins. Mileage is very low. A 1.6 is a miles better car though. The fact it says 1.3 may just be a typo as they were all 1.4 min.

I had a 1.4 in those and they are woefully underpowered and can drink juice if you give it any welly which you often have to

EPM

R.O.R wrote: »

www.mywheels.ie shows that Focus as a 1.4 (never a 1.3 in that shape). The gearknob looks like someone has swapped the standard one for a tacky aftermarket one. Looks like there is also either a performance back box or a chrome tip on the exhaust.

Very low mileage on that for the year, may have been well minded - or based on the above may have been ragged around car parks every weekend wit de tunes at full blast.

That exhaust tips standard on the Zetec. Agree with the ragging bit judging by the gear knob. May well have been on other wheels etc when in the other owners custody too

R.O.R

EPM wrote: »

That exhaust tips standard on the Zetec. Agree with the ragging bit judging by the gear knob. May well have been on other wheels etc when in the other owners custody too

Never crossed my mind that it could have been a Zetec as I'm so used to crappy LX models. Front fogs and Alloys so more than likely a Zetec model - probably quick clear windscreen too which is soooooo useful at this time of year.

Ush1

Hmm, might have to go have a look so!! Cheers lads!

EPM

Ush1 wrote: »

Hmm, might have to go have a look so!! Cheers lads!

Be aware of the advice above...think you missed a bit...

Ush1

EPM wrote: »

Be aware of the advice above...think you missed a bit...

About the engine power. I know what you mean like. Well my insurance and the tax would shoot up alot so I'm not too dissapointed if I don't get a 1.6 like.

EPM

Ush1 wrote: »

About the engine power. I know what you mean like. Well my insurance and the tax would shoot up alot so I'm not too dissapointed if I don't get a 1.6 like.

I was talking more about it being ragged to death.

Insurance and tax differences would be small. You'd probably save it on juice:D Probably be lower than the Alfa too

Ush1

EPM wrote: »

I was talking more about it being ragged to death.

Insurance and tax differences would be small. You'd probably save it on juice:D Probably be lower than the Alfa too

Ah right. How'd ya mean ragged to death? Like, twats flyin round a carpark doing donuts? I'd bring a mechanic with me when I'm looking at the car anyway.

bazz26

It also looks to have an aftermarket rear boot spoiler fitted. I'd be extra cautious when looking at that car. I would not pay much attention to the low mileage either as you don't have to drive far to drive ragged.

The car could be fine but I'd assume the worst rather than presume the best.

EPM

That boot spoiler is also standard on zetec models.

By ragged I mean the crap driven out of it, i.e. with no mechanical sympathy

bazz26

EPM wrote: »

That boot spoiler is also standard on zetec models.

By ragged I mean the crap driven out of it, i.e. with no mechanical sympathy

Are you sure about that? Comparing another Zetec the white one looks to rise a bit more than the other one below. This is more noticable to me around the high mounted centre brake light where the white one seems to fit around the brake light. The siliver spoiler looks like the brake light is fitted onto it though.

EPM

It was added post facelift afaik. My mk 1.5 had one and so did all the ones I looked at at the time. Same as exhaust trim.

bazz26

Ah right, gotcha.

Ush1

Right lads, gonna head out tommorow and have a look. Unfortunately won't have a mechanic with me though. But I'm gonna ask to see the service history, ask if the car was ever crashed and what the story might be with the gearstick. Anything else I should check/ask? I'll check as many electrics as I can aswell.:D

squod

Ush1 wrote: »

This seems to be the best deal I can find on a focus unfortunately. Do you think the price seems reasonable?

What? I'm sorry poster, thats a long way from the truth...........off to look in buy&sell.

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pcardin

FearDark wrote: »

The Alfa will break before the Ford.

Wow, that's a lie!! No car in the world will brake before the Ford (except from Lada but Lada is not a car though)! And bear in mind that this model was named by reason - Focus (Phocus). Unrealible like a hell.

squod

pcardin wrote: »

Wow, that's a lie!! No car in the world will brake before the Ford (except from Lada but Lada is not a car though)! And bear in mind that this model was named by reason - Focus (Phocus). Unrealible like a hell.

#

Lost you there poster.

Ush1

Alright lads. I ended up buying the white Focus. Got it for 5k with my old 97 mazda as trade. But get this.

I only realised that the speedometer is in miles so therefore the oddometer is aswell which reads 36k. So the car has 14k more on it than advertised!!! The service history said the next service needed to be done at 18k! What should I do? I must be a fool for not checking that like.

squod

Ush1 wrote: »

Alright lads. I ended up buying the white Focus. Got it for 5k with my old 97 mazda as trade. But get this.

Please clarify, did you just spend five grand on a '03 Ford Focus?

Ush1

squod wrote: »

Please clarify, did you just spend five grand on a '03 Ford Focus?

No, 04, the white one linked on page 2.