03 Corolla vs 04 focus

jenniferalan

Looking for opinions on which car would be better to purchase.

1.4 03 Corolla has 80k miles yr long Nct tax for 7 months price 3600

1.4 04 focus has 124k miles same Nct tax out in a month. Only extra is handsfree kit and nice alloys. Price 2800. (I know the owner)

Price on Toyota is prob negotiable but I believe they are very reliable cars. I do about 18-19k miles a yr commuting.
Or would I be foolish to turn down the focus? Stuck between a rock and a hard place!

Any advice appreciated

colm_mcm

The corolla is way nippier and a bit better on fuel. Focus handles a bit better if that bothers you, corolla has a timing chain, the focus as a belt.

I'd have the corolla if it was me.

jenniferalan

Thank you Colm for replying. Do u think 3100 would be a fair price to offer for the Corolla?

How often does a timing chain have to be replaced? Is that what a Nissan has?

colm_mcm

Depends on the car.

Valuable colours: chilli red, polar silver, cool blue, night sky black (if not scratchy)

Hard colours to sell: black with scratches. stellar blue (navy) vernal green, arctic white,

Hatchback way more desirable than saloon
Luna models way more desirable (and rarer) than base terra models.

Some nissans have timing chains, but the Toyota ones don't have the same reputation for chains stretching

jenniferalan

It is a silver hatchback. Thanks for reply.

colm_mcm

Try and get the price closer to 3k. It's arguably bonkers money for an 03 car anyway but that's what they're worth if the car is right.

lifer_sean

I doubt you will get a 03 silver hatchback with 80k for 3100, but nice if you can manage it. A friend sold his 03 saloon (far less desirable than hatchback) with 130k miles for 2700-ish within a day or so of putting it on donedeal.

Timing chain should not need to be replaced on a Corolla if it was properly serviced. Not unheard of for them to wear, but nowhere near as common as chain wear on Nissans.

To answer your original question, I'd go for the Corolla also, especially if you plan to do 18k miles a year. The Focus is good for high miles (I had one lately with 162k on it and was driving perfectly) but if you are starting from 124k miles, you will be at over 160k in two years. It won't suddenly die on you at high miles, but it is a lot of wear and some parts will need replacing.

Leonard Hofstadter

Would the OP not consider a 1.6 Focus as well? That is a far superior car to either cars mentioned so far. In my opinion the Focus is a much better car than the Corolla, but the 1.4 ruins it and I would go for a 1.4 Corolla over a 1.4 Focus anyday, but a 1.6 Focus over either if you get me:).

jenniferalan

Thanks for replies. Sean how much do u think the corolla is worth?

I want to down size to a 1.4 as it would b cheaper to run and tax costs would be less. Looking to b as economical as possible!

blindside88

I would second the 1.6 focus if you would consider it. Afaik the 1.6 has better economy in real terms than the 1.4 because of the cars weight. I had a 1.6 focus and found it to be a great car, didnt like the boot space however because of the way the rear wheel arches intrude. The tax difference is very little over the year also

lifer_sean

There is a big difference in pricing between saloons and hatchbacks. Also there are lots around with big mileage (well over 100k) which are cheaper.

Dealers in Dublin are asking 4950 for low miles 5dr hatchbacks. That's mad money.

That silver one isn't badly priced as it is as 3600, I'd offer 3100 for it as you suggest, and settle around 3250 / 3300.

If it's a silver one in Galway, use the fact that it's the base spec (T2) as a haggling point (the T3 is nicer, alloys and body kit). Also check the paintwork on the LH side, looks like one of the doors (front ?) is off colour. If it's a private sale, be sure to check it out carefully including a cartell / motorcheck check.

I'd agree with the others on the 1.6 Focus. Hard enough to get, but nice driver and the difference in road tax is less than 2 euro a week, same fuel economy as 1.4.

Gurgle

Why would you recommend a 1.4 Corolla over a 1.4 Focus, but then recommend a 1.6 Focus?
Why not a 1.6 Corolla or Avensis, is there something particularly special about the Focus when its got a 1.6 in it?

Leonard Hofstadter

Gurgle wrote: »

Why would you recommend a 1.4 Corolla over a 1.4 Focus, but then recommend a 1.6 Focus?
Why not a 1.6 Corolla or Avensis, is there something particularly special about the Focus when its got a 1.6 in it?

Simply because the 1.4 Focus is grossly underpowered. The 1.4 Corolla has 97 bhp to the 75 bhp that a 1.4 Focus has.

A 1.6 Focus has either 100 or 115 bhp depending on model (although all Mk1s are 100 bhp), and that makes a big difference, the 1.6 in either state of tune has enough go. Personal opinion but I think the Focus is a far nicer car than the Corolla and because almost all the 1.6s are Ghias, they have a pretty decent spec (a/c, alloys, trip computer, ABS etc), the vast majority of Paddy spec 02-07 model Corollas are Terras, which don't even have remote central locking, side airbags or a CD player they're that basic (in saying that the facelifted models which came in 2005 are better but still not great for spec).

The Avensis is from the class above, and the Mk2s are a very good car, but the 1.6 is very underpowered in these and drinks petrol. The 1.6 was only sold in Ireland - Toyota didn't sell them elsewhere in Europe apart from one or two countries like Turkey (if you consider that to be part of Europe).

If I was going for an Avensis, I would be looking at the 1.8 as a bare minimum. Although the 1.8 is considered a 'high spec' Avensis here, it is really only the basic model elsewhere in Europe so although it is not exactly slow, it is not exactly very quick either.

colm_mcm

But an 00-03 1.6 avensis is way lighter than the newer model and the VVT-I ones are good on petrol and actually good enough to drive too.

There is the old problem of burning oil, which if you believe what you read on here affects all of them. Still in all I'd have one over a focus 1.6 saloon.

My brother has a 1.6 focus and it's a grand car, not any livelier than a 1.4 corolla and a bit harder on petrol too.