Golf or Focus

The Little Fella

I am thinking about buying my first car, a 1.4 focus or golf with a budget of about €5000 or slightly less. Personally I like the 05 or newer focus and it is also a bit cheaper than 04 or newer golf. However everyone says that the golf is far more economical on fuel than the focus. My dad wants me to get an older cheaper golf such as a 02 or 03 one but I hate the sight of the older model. I'm in no hurry to buy at the moment but I am looking for advice on what is a more cost effective option.

Zubeneschamali

The Little Fella wrote: »

However everyone says that the golf is far more economical on fuel than the focus.

No way.

Both are feeble and slow, but there won't be a massive difference in economy.

Ardennes1944

what about these OP?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2947649


or these http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2715457

or even this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2964957

Raskolnikov

The Little Fella wrote: »

However everyone says that the golf is far more economical on fuel than the focus.

That is nonsense. The 1.4 Golf and 1.4 Focus will both have a real world MPG in the mid-30's.

The Little Fella

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

No way.

Both are feeble and slow, but there won't be a massive difference in economy.

Don't mind the fact it doesn't have a big engine as i would be stepping up from a 1996 suzuki alto, so I know the pains of having to drive a car with a dreadful lack of power. I prefer the Focus myself but my Dad having driven vw all his life thinks the golfs are great. the Focus seems to be a better specced car while the features of the golf can be mostly terribly basic.

The Little Fella

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

what about these OP?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2947649


or these http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2715457

or even this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2964957

Don't mind the Leon, but not mad about the Corsa or Astra. Would still lean to the Golf or Focus due to the nice interiors but the likelihood of the golf being more expensive may tip me towards the Focus.

George Dalton

The Golf is better on fuel, but not massively so. As for spec it will vary from car to car. Most of the 1.4s would be base spec whether you are talking Focus or Golf. I have no evidence to back it up but I would imagine that there are just as many examples of the Sportline 1.4 Golf as there are of the Zetec 1.4 Focus around.

Ardennes1944

its an Ibiza OP

The Little Fella

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/1.4-5DR./613267891605680/advert?channel=CARS

If I was to get a golf, one like this would suit me perfectly. Found it on carzone about two weeks ago when it was 5,950 and has gone down by 500 since. Price is still a bit much, if it came down under 5,000 I would definitely interested.

irishben

You'll get more for your money with a Ford focus. The Golf holds its value more.

matt70iu

Golf is a better built car IMO. However, if going for the 1.4 make sure it's a mk5 rather than a mk4. The mk4 1.4 is well known for it's excessive oil consumption issues!

The larger cc or diesel mk4's are fine however.

Happy car hunting:)

ghogie91

I am in the exact same position as you OP rite now... well minus the head strong vw dad. Mines more of a toyota family however I personally done have the gra for them. I would go with the Golf, simply because of the old style focus is absolutely disgusting to look at!

However your 5000 will be cutting it tight to get newer models in either. Have you considered a Honda Civic 02-06 style? Similar, I hear they can go forever, not exactly stamped with boy racer status as of yet (but getting there)

Just a suggestion is all

TheBody

I have a 2007 1.4 Focus. Absolutly drinks petrol. I do a lot of driving so it's costing me a fortune. Quite slow acceleration too. Having said that, the car is very comfy and solid. Would prob buy a diesel focus if I was gonna buy again.

bazz26

matt70iu wrote: »

Golf is a better built car IMO. However, if going for the 1.4 make sure it's a mk5 rather than a mk4. The mk4 1.4 is well known for it's excessive oil consumption issues!

The larger cc or diesel mk4's are fine however.

Happy car hunting:)

The 1.4 in the MkIV was carried over to the MkV also without any changes or power increase. The difference is that the MkV is heavier than the MkIV

OP, you will get more Focus for your €5k than Golf. Here is a 05:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201205206820972

zizou_

We had a 1.4 focus which we sold a couple of months ago. The car only has 80bhp but it's adequate around town and once you get up to speed on the motorway. It struggles a lot on back roads so if that's where you were doing most of your driving i wouldn't recommend it.

The economy ranges from 28/30 mpg around town to around 40 on the motorway (@120kph).
I've driven the focus with the newer 1.6 engine (~120bhp) and the performance is much better achieving the same if not better economy. These engines are probably outside your price bracket though.

If you're looking at a focus try to get the zetec. The interior is better trimmed (seats, dash, doorcards etc) and it comes with A/C, alloys, trip computer, heated screen etc on top of the lx.

Reliability on ours was excellent - we only had to change servicable items and replace a power steering pipe in the 5 years we had it.

If it was me i would try to get a 1.6.

Hope this helps.

The Little Fella

Ok after some research I have come up with two focus. Is there much of a difference costs wise between the 1.4 and 1.6?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/NT-ZETEC/713264484089240/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-TDCI/813250982266890/advert?channel=CARS

Plug

The 1.6 is as good as the 1.4 on fuel if not better for the simple reason the 1.4 doesn't have any power so you are more inclined to use the throttle more. Get the 1.6 it will make the difference between buying a sh!t driving car to a car that you will enjoy.

Saab Ed

Focus.

A 5 grand Golf has plenty of bills just around the corner IMO.

The Little Fella

which would be more cheaper to run in terms of tax, insurance and running costs? a 1.6 petrol or diesel

theteal

The Little Fella wrote: »

I am thinking about buying my first car, a 1.4 focus or golf with a budget of about €5000 or slightly less. Personally I like the 05 or newer focus and it is also a bit cheaper than 04 or newer golf. However everyone says that the golf is far more economical on fuel than the focus. My dad wants me to get an older cheaper golf such as a 02 or 03 one but I hate the sight of the older model. I'm in no hurry to buy at the moment but I am looking for advice on what is a more cost effective option.

what's your driving experience OP? Have you got your licence?

The Little Fella

theteal wrote: »

what's your driving experience OP? Have you got your licence?

yes have my full licence since November and currently using mother's car to go to and from college. I'll be starting work in an accounting office in the autumn.

bazz26

A clean 06 Zetec here OP:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201141205015681

The Little Fella

bazz26 wrote: »

A clean 06 Zetec here OP:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201141205015681

what do you think of these two?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS

Kev.

I'd have a Volkswagen anyday over a Ford

Saab Ed

Kev. wrote: »

I'd have a Volkswagen anyday over a Ford

That can only be because of the badge surely. The Focus is a better car in every single department; reliability, handling, space, power (all things relative ofcourse) and most of all the cost of ownership.

Kev.

Saab Ed wrote: »

That can only be because of the badge surely. The Focus is a better car in every single department; reliability, handling, space, power (all things relative ofcourse) and most of all the cost of ownership.

Your probably right but TBH, I've only ever owned Volkswagen cars(13 years!)...

I had a Ford Focus rental before and absolutely hated it...

Surely the Ford reliability,handling,space and power over the VW is your own opinion though?

Im no car expert but to say that a Ford is more reliable and handles better than a Golf is very subjective?

alexlyons

Just bought a 1.4 focus at the start of December. Blew the budget as it was 06 with 54k km and was going to wait a few months but got it an amazing price from someone I knew.

If I was doing it again I'd get the 1.6 without evening blinking, while stomaching the extra 450 a year for insurance (thanks aviva!). Being brutally honest if the 1.6 focus is an option over the 1.4 then I would say the 1.4 is god awful. Having said that if in my case you can't get the 1.6 and can get a very good value 1.4, then go for it and be happy with it, like I am. Oh and look forward to the time you can afford something like the 1.6 or similar etc.

George Dalton

Saab Ed wrote: »

That can only be because of the badge surely. The Focus is a better car in every single department; reliability, handling, space, power (all things relative ofcourse) and most of all the cost of ownership.

There is a common perception that what you say in your post is true but I don't agree based on what I see at work every day.

I would say there is little or nothing between the cars. Some people prefer the Focus, some prefer the Golf. You obviously prefer the Focus which is fair enough but that doesn't make the Golf a bad car.

You say the Focus is more reliable. I disagree. The Focus has plenty of faults that the Golf does not have. For example I have never had to replace a power steering pipe on a Mk5 Golf. I have never had the windscreen washers on a Mk5 Golf leak water all over the engine causing misfiring. I have never had an instrument cluster fault on a Mk5 Golf causing the car to cut out while driving. All of these are common Focus issues. Other parts are generally more troublesome on the Focus as well, such as front wheel bearings and catalytic converters. This is not to say the Golf doesn't have its faults. Of course it does, but the Focus is not the paragon of reliability that some would have you believe.

Handling wise I actually think the Mk5 Golf is better than the Mk2 Focus. Both share very similar suspension designs though. They are remarkably similar when viewed from underneath. The Mk1 Focus is one of the best handling hatchbacks ever built and it ran rings around the Mk4 Golf which is where this idea of the Focus being the better handling car emerged I reckon. But VW caught up with the Mk5 Golf by effectively copying Ford while Ford themselves actually went backwards with the Mk2 Focus IMO, it just lacks the sharpness of the Mk1 I find.

Space-wise I don't know the figures but surely there can't be much in it, not that I have noticed anyway though I have never owned either car so never had any reason to notice especially.

Power, no significant difference. The 1.4 Focus has 80bhp. The 2004-2005 Mk5 Golf has 75bhp, 2006 onwards has 80bhp.

Cost of ownership. Again not much in it. Both cars sell well and hold their value well so depreciation would be broadly similar. The Golf in the right spec will hold value marginally better generally. Service parts are roughly the same price, if anything the Focus parts cost slightly more. Taking prices for genuine service parts as I know these off the top of my head the Ford oil filter, spark plugs and brake pads are all more expensive than the VW. The Golf does have a shorter timing belt change interval than the Focus and it costs slightly more to do the job on the Golf but that isn't significant in the overall scheme of things. Tyre sizes are the same so no difference there. To take a common repair job such as a clutch replacement, the Ford costs more to do. So it's not as clear cut as you make out in your post in my opinion.

bazz26

The Little Fella wrote: »

what do you think of these two?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS]

The one I linked to is a year younger, has lower miles and looks better value.

Saab Ed

George Dalton wrote: »

There is a common perception that what you say in your post is true but I don't agree based on what I see at work every day.

I would say there is little or nothing between the cars. Some people prefer the Focus, some prefer the Golf. You obviously prefer the Focus which is fair enough but that doesn't make the Golf a bad car.

You say the Focus is more reliable. I disagree. The Focus has plenty of faults that the Golf does not have. For example I have never had to replace a power steering pipe on a Mk5 Golf. I have never had the windscreen washers on a Mk5 Golf leak water all over the engine causing misfiring. I have never had an instrument cluster fault on a Mk5 Golf causing the car to cut out while driving. All of these are common Focus issues. Other parts are generally more troublesome on the Focus as well, such as front wheel bearings and catalytic converters. This is not to say the Golf doesn't have its faults. Of course it does, but the Focus is not the paragon of reliability that some would have you believe.

Handling wise I actually think the Mk5 Golf is better than the Mk2 Focus. Both share very similar suspension designs though. They are remarkably similar when viewed from underneath. The Mk1 Focus is one of the best handling hatchbacks ever built and it ran rings around the Mk4 Golf which is where this idea of the Focus being the better handling car emerged I reckon. But VW caught up with the Mk5 Golf by effectively copying Ford while Ford themselves actually went backwards with the Mk2 Focus IMO, it just lacks the sharpness of the Mk1 I find.

Space-wise I don't know the figures but surely there can't be much in it, not that I have noticed anyway though I have never owned either car so never had any reason to notice especially.

Power, no significant difference. The 1.4 Focus has 80bhp. The 2004-2005 Mk5 Golf has 75bhp, 2006 onwards has 80bhp.

Cost of ownership. Again not much in it. Both cars sell well and hold their value well so depreciation would be broadly similar. The Golf in the right spec will hold value marginally better generally. Service parts are roughly the same price, if anything the Focus parts cost slightly more. Taking prices for genuine service parts as I know these off the top of my head the Ford oil filter, spark plugs and brake pads are all more expensive than the VW. The Golf does have a shorter timing belt change interval than the Focus and it costs slightly more to do the job on the Golf but that isn't significant in the overall scheme of things. Tyre sizes are the same so no difference there. To take a common repair job such as a clutch replacement, the Ford costs more to do. So it's not as clear cut as you make out in your post in my opinion.

Good argument But I'll see that hand a raise you this ....

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/reliability-survey-2011/how-reliable-is-your-car/258307

... which suggests not only that a similar vintage Focus is more reliable than the Golf but is also, on average, less expensive to fix

Year on year a Focus is going to cost far less to purchase in the first place but given that 5 grand is buying a 5-6 year old car, its likely that you'll get a year younger Focus for the budget.

And finally, I dont really think anyone can argue that a Golf will out handle a Focus. A Golf rides really well, is very competant in the bends and is without doubt a good all rounder but out handle a Focus, you're havin a hat and scarf aint ya

The Little Fella

bazz26 wrote: »

The one I linked to is a year younger, has lower miles and looks better value.

Nice car but I would rather buy from a dealer and would prefer to not have to travel up to Dublin to see it, any car in the Munster region would be ok, definitely not going above €5000 either.

The Little Fella

Any chance of some feedback on these two?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS

alfreg

Well I think id stay away from summer hill autos. Look at the top focus, the leather gater on the gear stick has fallen down. Would take five minutes to fix or replace for less than E10. what else do they over look before the put cars up for sale??

pburns

alfreg wrote: »

Well I think id stay away from summer hill autos. Look at the top focus, the leather gater on the gear stick has fallen down. Would take five minutes to fix or replace for less than E10. what else do they over look before the put cars up for sale??

Ah come on...it's a bit anal to condemn a dealer over such a minor fault on a 7 yr old car surely?

The Little Fella

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GOLF-1.4/201204206768263/advert?channel=CARS

are all 08 cars such as the one linked above subject to vrt rather than the old system?

The Little Fella

The Little Fella wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GOLF-1.4/201204206768263/advert?channel=CARS

are all 08 cars such as the one linked above subject to vrt rather than the old system?

any suggestions?

bazz26

The Little Fella wrote: »

any suggestions?

Plenty of threads on that place around here, I'm saying no more as I don't want to get boards.ie into trouble, just do a search.

BTW you will get better value from a private sale than from a dealer, as long as you do your homework and have the car checked out properly.

bazz26

The Little Fella wrote: »

Nice car but I would rather buy from a dealer and would prefer to not have to travel up to Dublin to see it, any car in the Munster region would be ok, definitely not going above €5000 either.

You are willing to go to travel to Meath but not Dublin? Also if spending €5k on a car you take a look at cars upto around €6k as the asking price is just that, there is room for negotiation. Dealers and private sellers will always ask a bit more than what they actually want for cars to allow for bargining.

I still would not rule out a private sale, this Mazda 3 looks well, pretty much the same car as the Focus but with a Mazda engine:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201143205247907

The Little Fella

bazz26 wrote: »

You are willing to go to travel to Meath but not Dublin? Also if spending €5k on a car you take a look at cars upto around €6k as the asking price is just that, there is room for negotiation. Dealers and private sellers will always ask a bit more than what they actually want for cars to allow for bargining.

I still would not rule out a private sale, this Mazda 3 looks well, pretty much the same car as the Focus but with a Mazda engine:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201143205247907

Just using it as an example, wouldn't go as far as meath for it though. Thanks for your help though.

alfreg

pburns wrote: »

Ah come on...it's a bit anal to condemn a dealer over such a minor fault on a 7 yr old car surely?

Yes a minor fault that they have overlooked.