1.6 Focus or 1.4 Astra?

VonLuck

After a lot of looking and researching I've decided I want to buy either a 1.6 Focus or a 1.4 Astra, both petrol. My budget is roughly €6000 so I'm looking at a 2005/06 car.

From what I gather, the Focus performs better than the Astra, but it seems it would work out more expensive as well. Most of the Focus' I saw are advertised at a higher price than the Astra, plus I will have to pay the extra tax and extra insurance. Is the extra money worth it or are the differences between performance marginal?

Anything else I should know about these two cars? Common problems maybe? Best models?

Thanks.

Ardennes1944

the 1.4 mk4 astras, 98-04, were pretty nippy and i never felt like my one was stuck for power. however, the same bhp (89) was put into the mk5 which is of course a about 200kgs heavier and the 1.4, while still okayish, really feels quite dead. if it was me, id have a 1.6 twinport astra mk5 over the 1.6 focus as i think the interior, and styling ( provided you get an sxi or design model) is much nicer. i have a astra mk5 and i love it but you'll find most people on here will vote for the focus, and it is a fine car that im sure will be reliable like the astra.

if it was me, id get a 1.6 astra design. but the focus' will be much easier to find here (design is 2nd from top of the range) and therefore you will have much greater choice. your not gonna go too far wrong either way imo.

Leonard Hofstadter

The Focus sells for more because it's a better car:)!

A 1.6 Astra would be a much fairer comparison - the Astra is a good car, just not as good as the Focus.

The 1.4 Astra is prone to head gasket failure, so that would wipe several years of road tax savings all on its own. Anyway, a 1.6 engine is much more appropriate for cars this size - 1.4s are afterthoughts for Ireland as no-one in any other country bothers with such engines in these sized cars.

Standard Toaster

I've had a 1.4 Astra.

In your situation I'd go for the 1.6 Focus. captainspeed = nail/head imho

Ardennes1944

only the engines from 98-02 had head gasket problems. the new engines have no gaskets issues at all. the same as the 8v valve puntos nowadays dont blow up once a week. manufacturers fix these things over time and opel fixed the hg problems in 02

VonLuck

Is there any saving grace for the Astra?

How do they compare otherwise. Interiors, MPG etc?

If I was to go for the 1.6 focus, should I get the Zetec version? I hear the LX is not worth looking at...

bazz26

LX Focus is the base model and like all base models it is exactly that. Minimum you should be looking at is the Zetec or Ghia. If looking at a 06 Focus then the Zetec with the "Connection" pack is the one to go for. The Connection pack on the Zetec included on top of the normal Zetec, keyless smart card entry, voice activated bluetooth, climate controlled air conditioning, electric windows allround, auto wipers and lights and 17" alloy wheels.

Here is a 07 Ghia at a decent price, saloons tend to be worth a bit less than hatchbacks.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201122202626958

VonLuck

bazz26 wrote: »

LX Focus is the base model and like all base models it is exactly that. Minimum you should be looking at is the Zetec or Ghia. If looking at a 06 Focus then the Zetec with the "Connection" pack is the one to go for. The Connection pack on the Zetec included on top of the normal Zetec, keyless smart card entry, voice activated bluetooth, climate controlled air conditioning, electric windows allround, auto wipers and lights and 17" alloy wheels.

Here is a 07 Ghia at a decent price, saloons tend to be worth a bit less than hatchbacks.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201122202626958

Well I was looking for a hatchback to be honest. Ghias seem to be rare enough as well.

This may seem like a stupid question but, I've read that there are two versions of the 1.6 petrol focus - 100bhp and 115bhp. How would I find out which it is if its not advertised?

Henry Ford III

VonLuck wrote: »

Well I was looking for a hatchback to be honest. Ghias seem to be rare enough as well.

This may seem like a stupid question but, I've read that there are two versions of the 1.6 petrol focus - 100bhp and 115bhp. How would I find out which it is if its not advertised?

Zetec (unless imported) will have 100bhp lump. Titanium and Ghia will have 115bhp.

Ardennes1944

VonLuck wrote: »

Well I was looking for a hatchback to be honest. Ghias seem to be rare enough as well.

This may seem like a stupid question but, I've read that there are two versions of the 1.6 petrol focus - 100bhp and 115bhp. How would I find out which it is if its not advertised?

i believe some zetec and all ghia models have the more powerful engines

beaten to it

bazz26

The 115bhp version was available on lower spec models in the UK afaik. Only available on Ghia and Titanium here. Titanium was also only available as a 3 door hatch here and rare enough due to the expensive new price.

VonLuck

How much would you expect to pay for a Zetec compared to a Ghia or Titanium? Would there be much of a difference?

I dont know wheter to hold out and wait for a Ghia or Titanium to come along or just get a Zetec. Could I be waiting a while?

Ardennes1944

dealer or private?

bazz26

Most Zetecs in this country have the woeful 1.4 litre engine. Most Ghias sold here were saloons for some strange reason.

The Zetec has a more sporty set up than the Ghia so it really depends which you prefer.

VonLuck

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

dealer or private?

Well I dont think I know enough about cars to be able to find problems if I went to have a look at a private sale.

Dealer would probably be the safest option but I'd be ruling out a lot of cars then.

Ardennes1944

if you go private, then bring it to the nearest dealer and for about 50 quid they'll check it over. ive done it twice and no hidden problems at all

techie

Op, are you settled only on those 2, as I know someone with a car for Sale , private , which has a 3 Year Warranty and has 109bhp from a 1.4?

VonLuck

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

if you go private, then bring it to the nearest dealer and for about 50 quid they'll check it over. ive done it twice and no hidden problems at all

I know I could do that but at that stage isnt it too late as you've already bought it?

techie wrote: »

Op, are you settled only on those 2, as I know someone with a car for Sale , private , which has a 3 Year Warranty and has 109bhp from a 1.4?

Well I'm not 100% set. Just that these cars are in my price range and style so to speak.

techie

VonLuck wrote: »

I know I could do that but at that stage isnt it too late as you've already bought it?



Well I'm not 100% set. Just that these cars are in my price range and style so to speak.

Have a look at the link in my signature and see what you think

Ardennes1944

VonLuck wrote: »

I know I could do that but at that stage isnt it too late as you've already bought it?



Well I'm not 100% set. Just that these cars are in my price range and style so to speak.

god no man that would kinda defeat the purpose wouldnt it?! just ask the seller is it ok if you go get it checked out with him. if he says no, then thats an indication in itself that all may not be well

David09

I've driven 1.6 focus and 1.4 astra, although both were 00.

Both cars are well built and very comfortable and far ahead of any cheap korean or jap stuff.
The focus has pin-sharp handling and is really nice to drive. The astra doesn't handle anywhere near as good. Where the astra seemed to score was fuel economy, it appeared to use less fuel than the focus.
The focus scores over the astra on reliability. While the astra is a good car itself, the engines are rubbish, as seems to be the case with all opels (1.0 corsa?). Head gasket failure is expensive and common on the 1.4.
I'd recommend ruling out buying an astra unless you have a contact in the trade who can repair it properly and cheaply if it does fail, or else if the car has a ridiculously cheap price tag in which you can bargain-in the risk of failure.

Ardennes1944

astras are perfectly reliable cars. i hate this constant dribble about their head gasket failures. it was only on some x series engines from 98-02 and the OP with 6k is not going to be looking at them. the newer engines are very reliable, especially the z18xe engine. its nearly 10 years since opel had problems with hg failures, which were totally blown out of proportion like most things, and ill informed people are still spouting it

VonLuck

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

god no man that would kinda defeat the purpose wouldnt it?! just ask the seller is it ok if you go get it checked out with him. if he says no, then thats an indication in itself that all may not be well

I suppose if I was sure I wanted the car and just to be safe I'd get the check. But don't they cost close to €200?

Ardennes1944

No both places I got it checked out with were main dealers. Bowlers in Killarney did a full check for €35 and Ryan motor power in clonmel charged 40 which included a diagnostic check. Some will charge up to 80, ask around

spunk_monkey

Op , have you considered a BMW 116 ? Family member just got a low miles mint 04 one to replace his 05 1.4 focus.. he is absolutely thrilled with it...just an idea , as he paid around what your looking at paying .He reckons its light years ahead of the focus in every departmennt ..don't know much about then myself mind u ..

VonLuck

spunk_monkey wrote: »

Op , have you considered a BMW 116 ? Family member just got a low miles mint 04 one to replace his 05 1.4 focus.. he is absolutely thrilled with it...just an idea , as he paid around what your looking at paying .He reckons its light years ahead of the focus in every departmennt ..don't know much about then myself mind u ..

One of my mates suggested that to me before but I'm not a huge fan.