Changing from a Focus to a Corolla - Good enough???

Leonard Hofstadter

CJhaughey wrote: »

The Corolla 4ZZ-FE has 97hp , they are actually quite a nippy engine

For 1.4 it is surprisingly good alright (feels much faster than you'd expect a 1.4 to be), just about the only redeeming feature of a Corolla from that era;)!

However, you'll note that the statement you quoted me as saying is referring to engines in the Mk6 Fiesta, which the OP also asked about:)!

dgt

Ford Focus 1.6: My little 1.2 van can outmanoeuvre one any day Alot of people on here don't particularly like what I drive and as most examples are shagged at this stage I won't bother recommending one

I currently drive a 1.25 Fiesta mk4. Its very wanderly wagon on the motorway but will easily do the limit the 1.4 Corolla is a much nicer drive than a 1.6 Focus, be weary of high oil consumption with a vvti. Otherwise, I can't see any reason not to replace the focus with a corolla

Btw is the Focus your own or belongs to your parent/s?

EPM

captainspeed wrote: »

For 1.4 it is surprisingly good alright (feels much faster than you'd expect a 1.4 to be), just about the only redeeming feature of a Corolla from that era;)!

That was the best Corolla they made, and at the time as good if not better than 90% of the class. Credit where it's due but that was a good car and I hate Toyotas usually. The oil problems were there, completely manageable once the OP knows what they're getting into.

I used to drive one regularly when I had a focus and you won't feel like you're driving an inferior car.

dgt

dgt wrote: »

Ford Focus 1.6: My little 1.2 van can outmanoeuvre one any day ............

Is your little van as it left the factory?
Because if not a can of stfeckup is called for :P

Tea 1000

EPM wrote: »

That was the best Corolla they made, and at the time as good if not better than 90% of the class. Credit where it's due but that was a good car and I hate Toyotas usually. The oil problems were there, completely manageable once the OP knows what they're getting into.

I used to drive one regularly when I had a focus and you won't feel like you're driving an inferior car.

I'd agree, it was a decent car alright. That generation Fiesta really is horrible though. Inside is just as crappy looking as the outside.

Merch

dgt wrote: »

Ford Focus 1.6: My little 1.2 van can outmanoeuvre one any day Alot of people on here don't particularly like what I drive and as most examples are shagged at this stage I won't bother recommending one

I currently drive a 1.25 Fiesta mk4. Its very wanderly wagon on the motorway but will easily do the limit the 1.4 Corolla is a much nicer drive than a 1.6 Focus, be weary of high oil consumption with a vvti. Otherwise, I can't see any reason not to replace the focus with a corolla

Btw is the Focus your own or belongs to your parent/s?

I drive a 1.25 mk 4, dont do many long journeys on it but its more than capable of doing speed, continuously on long journeys, even ok for overtaking (so long as its not with more than two people, me and a pax) or happening at too high a speed, which I would suggest isnt a thing that should be happening for anyone driving a smaller engined car or even otherwise, experienced or not.
The boot is small, but enough room in the whole car to transport stuff.
Not going to lecture about the OP being 18 and on the motorway so long as they are taking it handy, but performance should not be their concern (mpg sure, boot space but not overtaking ability or the ability to carry 5 mates), if they are getting to their destination they should be happy as it shaves hours off their travel time, I wouldnt be drawing attention to myself by an overtaking ability/requirement.

Unless its absolutely fecked (from a maintenance/safety point of view or giving horrible mpg) I'd hold onto what you have, if you're changing for that reason or regardless by all means go to something with more room/boot space, a fiesta 1.25,focus,corolla is more than adequete for a student/someone at 18. So long as its safe to drive and reliable, Id forget the performance requirement and drive like an old lady until you are better experienced.

Leonard Hofstadter

EPM wrote: »

That was the best Corolla they made, and at the time as good if not better than 90% of the class. Credit where it's due but that was a good car and I hate Toyotas usually. The oil problems were there, completely manageable once the OP knows what they're getting into.

I used to drive one regularly when I had a focus and you won't feel like you're driving an inferior car.

I've changed my mind, I thought the OP was thinking of the 98 to early 02 shape Corolla:o. That is a heap of crap.

The 02-06 model was indeed a good car, not just good for a Toyota but a good car full stop. It was one of the best cars in the class when it came out as I recall, but the Irish spec ones are manky, not even remote central locking was standard on the poverty spec ones and they only had two airbags. In the UK you could get ones with nice silver dashes and climate control etc, which the Paddy spec ones don't have.

I'd still rather a Focus, but nothing wrong with that shape Corolla either.

cutefainne

My focus is very heavy on petrol. Id gladly change if I could afford.

Leonard Hofstadter

cutefainne wrote: »

My focus is very heavy on petrol. Id gladly change if I could afford.

What engine is it? The Focus has a repuation for being good on juice. Although if you've got a 1.4, I wouldn't be surprised if it was heavy enough on juice at higher speeds as that engine is woefully underpowered.

dillo2k10

cutefainne wrote: »

My focus is very heavy on petrol. Id gladly change if I could afford.

Really? I find my focus great on Petrol!

Thats one of my worries about changing to a Corolla or Fiesta

dgt

RoverJames wrote: »

Is your little van as it left the factory?
Because if not a can of stfeckup is called for :P

Nope you got me there... :pac:

A mk1 Punto Sporting 1.2 left boggo should do the same job mind you, they were very nippy in their day

dgt

Merch wrote: »

I drive a 1.25 mk 4, dont do many long journeys on it but its more than capable of doing speed, continuously on long journeys, even ok for overtaking (so long as its not with more than two people, me and a pax) or happening at too high a speed, which I would suggest isnt a thing that should be happening for anyone driving a smaller engined car or even otherwise, experienced or not.
The boot is small, but enough room in the whole car to transport stuff.
Not going to lecture about the OP being 18 and on the motorway so long as they are taking it handy, but performance should not be their concern (mpg sure, boot space but not overtaking ability or the ability to carry 5 mates), if they are getting to their destination they should be happy as it shaves hours off their travel time, I wouldnt be drawing attention to myself by an overtaking ability/requirement.

Unless its absolutely fecked (from a maintenance/safety point of view or giving horrible mpg) I'd hold onto what you have, if you're changing for that reason or regardless by all means go to something with more room/boot space, a fiesta 1.25,focus,corolla is more than adequete for a student/someone at 18. So long as its safe to drive and reliable, Id forget the performance requirement and drive like an old lady until you are better experienced.

I find on the motorway that crosswinds affect it. Don't get me wrong, they're a grand car with a decent sized boot for what they are (mines a 5 door) as I said before it will reach the motorway limit with ease. I do a fair bit of long distance driving with my car, the seats are comfortable and supportive so no pains after a while. It's a little small inside especially if you have a sunroof, it eats that little bit extra (I'm 6ft 2). Tank is small at 41 litres but take it handy and it will last for a while. Service bits are cheap as chips such as front arms, drop links, pads, filters etc. Clutch slave is a weak point but if its been replaced theres nothing to worry about.

If you do decide on a Fiesta, different years have different bhp.