08 Focus 1.6td or 08 Vectra 1.9 td SRi

Loobz

Both with 50k miles
Focus tax €105 v Vectra tax €304
Focus bhp unknown v Vectra bhp 150
Focus mpg 50-60 v Vectra mpg 45-55 (can anyone confirm the Vectra mpg?)
Both cost the same to buy.

Will be doing 2 hours main road driving per day. Also need the space.

What would you drive?

Plug

The Vectra will give dual mass flywheel trouble. I do know that much. €1000 job roughly, subframe down etc. I don't like diesels and they will never be as reliable as n/a petrols but that focus is pretty damn reliable. They never give flywheel or injector trouble or maybe rare cases. The turbos will last ages provided they are serviced using the correct oil/intervals etc. The Vectra has stupid indicators too. I'd go for the focus here. Make sure that before you hand over cash it has a full service history.

Compton

Focus for me, it will also have a better resale value.

tfitzgerald

On comfort alone I would go for the ford the vectra is the most uncomfortable car I have ever driven

Stevie Dakota

Having a Focus myself I would say if you are cruising up and down motorways the Vectra will be much more refined place to be, that is essentially what it was designed to do as a repmobile. If its around town the Focus is the better choice, although the 1.6 and DPF issues are not uncommon.

furtzy

Vectra is a much bigger car with a lot more space. Had a 05 Vectra SRi 150 and loved it. The SRi suspension is quite hard but the seats are fine for comfort. They do give DMF problems. Had mine replaced at around 60k kms and it is a €1k job. Opel paid well over half due to the low mileage. Power wise the Vectra will be much more powerful and I regurlarly got 1100km from a full tank.

Loobz

furtzy wrote: »

Vectra is a much bigger car with a lot more space. Had a 05 Vectra SRi 150 and loved it. The SRi suspension is quite hard but the seats are fine for comfort. They do give DMF problems. Had mine replaced at around 60k kms and it is a €1k job. Opel paid well over half due to the low mileage. Power wise the Vectra will be much more powerful and I regurlarly got 1100km from a full tank.

Can the dual mass flywheel go at anytime, considering it has 50k is it a given that this will eventually go? Will Opel Ireland pay part of the bill considering its a UK import. The dealer that has it for sale is giving a 12 month warranty. What mpg were you getting from your 05 model. I presume the 08 model may get slightly more mpg?

Stevie Dakota

I think the question of Opel Ireland honouring the UK Vauxhaull warranty is an important one, has anyone had to test this?

Consider that dealers may be reluctant to take your Vauxhaul if you ever decide to trade in down the line. The badge is the only thing that is different from the Opel, but it will make a difference to the cars value.

furtzy

Loobz wrote: »

Can the dual mass flywheel go at anytime, considering it has 50k is it a given that this will eventually go? Will Opel Ireland pay part of the bill considering its a UK import. The dealer that has it for sale is giving a 12 month warranty. What mpg were you getting from your 05 model. I presume the 08 model may get slightly more mpg?

Yes it can go at any time. The classic symptom to look out for is a rattle if you hold the clutch at the biting point. Mine was a mixture of town & motorway driving and doing some quick maths it returned 43mpg. The 08 would have the exact same engine as the 05. Only difference is the modified EGR valve to prevent the dreaded swirl valve issue with this engine. It's a fairly quick car and felt a lot more powerful than the 150bhp and in a different league to the 1.6 Ford

mgbgt1978

You can replace the DMF with a solid flywheel if the DMF does let go. This will work out a lot cheaper and you obviously wont have to worry about it giving trouble again.
Some will say that this can cause gearbox damage, etc. due to the increased vibration but in most cars the engines are the same as pre DMF.
The DMF's were more for driver comfort (less vibes through the gear lever) than anything else.
This applies to any car, not just the Vectra.

Victor Meldrew

Loobz wrote: »

Both with 50k miles
Focus tax €105 v Vectra tax €304
Focus bhp unknown v Vectra bhp 150
Focus mpg 50-60 v Vectra mpg 45-55 (can anyone confirm the Vectra mpg?)
Both cost the same to buy.

Will be doing 2 hours main road driving per day. Also need the space.

What would you drive?

Focus , or if you really need space, a Mondeo.

However, If you hate driving and take all corners at walking space, buy the Vectra.