First car - Max 1.4 and €2000: Scenic VS Megane?

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone could offer any advice here. I should probably state that I, in general, have no real interest in cars/driving/etc. but I realise that every day that passes, applying for a test, meeting minimum requirements, etc. is going to get harder and harder.

So I did the theory test and got the learner permit 2 years ago (due renewal at the end of March). I turn 25 in June and I plan to have a car bought and insured and a date set to do the test by the end of June.

So, I've been flicking through random car search websites and two cars that keep re-appearing are the Renault Megane and the Renault Scenic. I've been told (anecdotally) that I should stick to 1.2 or 1.4 to avoid ludicrous insurance prices on a first car, and I plan to try and spend no more than €4,000 between car, insurance, tax and whatever other miscellaneous charges there are (which I can't think of any, except the actual test cost, but not including that in the €4,000).

I reckon this leaves me with around €2,000 to spend on the actual vehicle itself.

I was initially looking a this before deciding to scale back a bit.


So, the Megane and Scenic both seem to appear within my search criteria. I was wondering if anyone would happen to have any comments on either of them, or if people would have any advice in general regarding purchasing a first car?


Quick examples:

Megane:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Megane/1.4-AUTH/15613406203669610/advert?channel=CARS

Scenic:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Scenic/1.4-PETR/32013498596630830/advert?channel=CARS


My brother has a Megane and I've practiced in it once or twice and it seems grand. He also hasn't had much trouble with it (though I'm aware that's real luck of the draw stuff a lot of the time).


I'd like a car that I can lay the seats flat in the back and have a little bit of storage space (for carrying photography gear around, and just for general handiness, etc.).


Ford Focus seems to appear a few times too, and I've been a passenger in one a few times and they seem very comfortable/roomy, but for some reason I have it in my head a Focus is generally a more expensive car and anything in my price range will be riddled with problems (which, incidentally, is why I plan to purchase from a dealer and not privately).


Apologies if this post is all over the place. Just trying to find my feet in the world of purchasing a car.


Cheers to anyone with any advice or ability to help here at all.

Alanstrainor

That Scenic is an absolute joke at that price. Horrible, horrible car and would almost certainly break your heart. I wouldn't be wild on the Megane either, but to be honest, I don't know much about them.

A 1.4/1.6 focus would suit your needs to the ground. Good reliable cars, plenty around and it'll be easy enough to find a good one with your budget.

You should be using DoneDeal to search for cars, and also should be looking to buy privately. Buying from dealers in that price range is a waste of time. The warranty they give simply will not be worth the paper it's written on.

EDIT: Also, don't be put off by 1.6 and above cars, the idea that this will double your premium is completely false, it will generally have a negligible effect on premiums.

Mister Jingles

Stay away from both the Megane & Scenic of that era, piles of junk ! The Megane is also a horrible car to sit in, especially in the back.

The Focus is well worth a look, as is a Corolla, Fiesta or an Astra (though it's not that easy to come across a clean one).

Boom_Bap

I've just got rid of a Megane similar to what you have found. I would never get one again. Prepare to replace coils every few months (about 70 euro at a Renault Dealership), head light bulbs are nearly impossible to replace unless you have really really thin arms, there's the old age problem of the window reg. It never happened to me, but there is always the fear. The key fobs have issues from time to time as well.

On a positive side, it is a very comfortable car to drive straight, turning is a bit heavier than other 1.4 cars. There are a few nice gadgets like aircon, auto dipping rear view mirror, auto lights, auto wipers.....but these are just things that can break!
There is also plenty of space in the boot when you put the rear seats down.

What I found is that the car is more hassle than it's worth.

coolisin

As a first car a corolla can be a good option, if you don't care about driving it should suit your needs. Mazda 323 usually are a good bet and a few clean ones in the bangernomics thread.

Personally I'd rather walk then have anything to do with a scenic.
If it needs to be renault why don't you look at a Clio or go the other way and look at a Laguna.
Although the Laguna is equally as muck as the scenic but it's a little better to drive at least.

What you need to do is look at cars and start testing the car insurance websites.
See the difference in quotes for yourself.
You'll be shocked by the changes and lack of changes in premiums between brands and there perceived image.
The pub talk of your mad to consider anything over 1.4 as your first car is bull****.

bazz26

Have a look at the Ford Fusion if you need a little extra space and height.

dgt

Scenic? Megane???

Bpmull

I'm a big renault fan. But I wouldn't touch either the megane or scenic of that era they cause serious trouble. As already suggested a focus may suit your needs well.

Boom_Bap

Well I quite liked the Megane (by liked, I mean I couldn't find anything to complain about from driving it in circles for an hour ).

Brother has had a few problems with it but seems to be grand now for the most part.


So the Scenic should be ruled out in favour of a Ford Focus? I like the idea of the Scenic, to be honest. It looks comfortable regardless where you sit (passenger or driver) and seems spacious. If it's only gonna be a money spinner then I wouldn't be at all interested though. I've heard bad things, but I know someone who drives one and never really says anything bad, so I was hoping it'd get a nice word said about it.

Boom_Bap wrote: »

there's the old age problem of the window reg.

What is that, out of curiousity?


Is there any real difference between Carzone and Done deal? I find Carzone easier to navigate?


What about this, then?

Ford Focus
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/LX-1.4-%23/33413611915094000/advert?channel=CARS

By the way, sincerely appreciate all the replies and information so far (and so fast!). Thank you!

JohnBoy26

Save yourself a lot of heartache and forget those renaults. For hassle free motoring get a Toyota Corolla.

Frankie Lee

The Megane/Scenic II are surely the worst built/designed cars in the last 20 years from a mechanical perspective, hard to think of anything worse from a major manufacturer.

Oafley Jones

Frankie Lee wrote: »

The Megane/Scenic II are surely the worst built/designed cars in the last 20 years from a mechanical perspective, hard to think of anything worse from a major manufacturer.

The Laguna II was an absolutely joke of a car as well. You have to wonder what was going on at Renault during those years. Current megane and the much unloved Laguna 3 are solid out.

Nissan doctor

Deleted User wrote: »

Well I quite liked the Megane (by liked, I mean I couldn't find anything to complain about from driving it in circles for an hour ).

Brother has had a few problems with it but seems to be grand now for the most part.


So the Scenic should be ruled out in favour of a Ford Focus? I like the idea of the Scenic, to be honest. It looks comfortable regardless where you sit (passenger or driver) and seems spacious. If it's only gonna be a money spinner then I wouldn't be at all interested though. I've heard bad things, but I know someone who drives one and never really says anything bad, so I was hoping it'd get a nice word said about it.




What is that, out of curiousity?


Is there any real difference between Carzone and Done deal? I find Carzone easier to navigate?


What about this, then?

Ford Focus
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/LX-1.4-%23/33413611915094000/advert?channel=CARS

IMO, for anyone's first car you need something reliable and as trouble free as possible as when gaining experience behind the wheel the last thing you need is warning lights and break downs getting in the way.

The two Renaults you are looking at would be so far down any list of recommended first cars they wouldn't even be visible!

As mentioned, the likes of a Focus or Corolla would be much better bets.

Stinicker

Stay well away from Renault or matter of fact any French car (Peugeot and Citroen too) absolute piles of junk and only ready for the scrapyard as soon as they leave the factory.

dougie-lampkin

Deleted User wrote: »

...

Why are you looking at a 1.4 people carrier if you just need a runaround. You'll regret it when you're at the pumps every week (and at the auto electricians every other :pac:). Engine size often has little to do with insurance costs also, I went from a 1.2 Punto to a 1.8 Focus saloon and my insurance went down €150 on renewal (I'm 21 with 3 years no claims). Tax is the only major difference.

A Focus really won't steer you wrong, mine pulls a car transporter with an autotest car about once a month with a full complement of spares in the boot. They're huge inside for what you'd need. It's a '00 with almost 275k km on the clock and passed an NCT last October with literally no work done since the last other than tyres and servicing. Compared to similar sized cars of the era it's fairly ahead of its time mechanically I believe.

Then again, if you're just looking to ferry a bit of photography gear around, I'd be getting a Yaris. You'll pick up a tidy example for your budget, and it will be the definition of bullet proof. It's a nice sized car to learn in, and it'll be easier on tyres, petrol, tax and insurance than almost anything else you look at. Just don't get a Scenic or Megane anyway. It'll put you off driving for life.

JohnBoy26

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

Why are you looking at a 1.4 people carrier if you just need a runaround. You'll regret it when you're at the pumps every week (and at the auto electricians every other :pac:). Engine size often has little to do with insurance costs also, I went from a 1.2 Punto to a 1.8 Focus saloon and my insurance went down €150 on renewal (I'm 21 with 3 years no claims). Tax is the only major difference.

A Focus really won't steer you wrong, mine pulls a car transporter with an autotest car about once a month with a full complement of spares in the boot. They're huge inside for what you'd need. It's a '00 with almost 275k km on the clock and passed an NCT last October with literally no work done since the last other than tyres and servicing. Compared to similar sized cars of the era it's fairly ahead of its time mechanically I believe.

Then again, if you're just looking to ferry a bit of photography gear around, I'd be getting a Yaris. You'll pick up a tidy example for your budget, and it will be the definition of bullet proof. It's a nice sized car to learn in, and it'll be easier on tyres, petrol, tax and insurance than almost anything else you look at. Just don't get a Scenic or Megane anyway. It'll put you off driving for life.

A honda civic of the same era was more advanced than a focus mechanically.

Bigus

All well and good telling people to stay away from Renault but the budget is 2 k .

In other words is a 2004 five star NCAP crash rating, low miles megane a better buy than a high miles 02 golf 1.4 for the same money ? I'd take me chances on the Megane.


Op ;Get insurance quotes first online ,to see whats good value to insure,

you might have hit on a good cheap car to insure with the scenic as boy racers don't crash or rob them.

JohnBoy26

Bigus wrote: »

All well and good telling people to stay away from Renault but the budget is 2 k .

In other words is a 2004 five star NCAP crash rating, low miles megane a better buy than a high miles 02 golf 1.4 for the same money ? I'd take me chances on the Megane.


Op ;Get insurance quotes first online ,to see whats good value to insure,

you might have hit on a good cheap car to insure with the scenic as boy racers don't crash or rob them.

Both are bad cars tbh and should be avoided.

Nissan doctor

Bigus wrote: »

All well and good telling people to stay away from Renault but the budget is 2 k .

In other words is a 2004 five star NCAP crash rating, low miles megane a better buy than a high miles 02 golf 1.4 for the same money ? I'd take me chances on the Megane.


Op ;Get insurance quotes first online ,to see whats good value to insure,

you might have hit on a good cheap car to insure with the scenic as boy racers don't crash or rob them.

No, people with no interest in cars or knowledge of how to open the bonnet buy them...which can easily be every bit as bad especially when you talking about cars that are touching 10 years old.

dougie-lampkin

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

A honda civic of the same era was more advanced than a focus mechanically.

And a Xantia is more advanced again. I didn't say it's the most advanced of its era. It's hardly relevant for the OP anyway, the Focus is still more advanced than the comparable Corolla, Astra, Golf, 306, etc.

The comparable Civic has nothing special over a Focus anyway, unless you mean the EK or older, which would be comparable to an Escort (and consequently more advanced).

Bigus

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Both are bad cars tbh and should be avoided.

That's why I used an 02 golf as an example.

Bpmull

We had a 2004 megane last year it was a 1.5dci different engine same car. Typical drive in the megane start engine 5mile down the road warning injector fault, 2 miles later stop light, then service light, then oil light. There was nothing wrong with the car only electrics injectors had been checked. To say the dash was like a Christmas tree. Just not a good car. As for electric windows if you buy one you'll learn alot about them as they will be constantly being fixed. After a while you just don't feel safe in the car all the electrics lights on the dash. I'm really only talking about that model megane as many Renault commericals I couldn't praise enough. But just that model megane.

JohnBoy26

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

And a Xantia is more advanced again. I didn't say it's the most advanced of its era. It's hardly relevant for the OP anyway, the Focus is still more advanced than the comparable Corolla, Astra, Golf, 306, etc.

The comparable Civic has nothing special over a Focus anyway, unless you mean the EK or older, which would be comparable to an Escort (and consequently more advanced).

An xantia is in a class above so can't be compared but even an xantia has inferior handling to a civic.

Yes it's the ek/ej civics im on about with it's double wishbone suspension front suspension and fully independent rear suspension.

Both cars were out around the same time so can be comparable.

Even if you compare it to the newer model civic, the civic has a much better range of engines.

The control blade suspension in the focus is overrated imo.

dgt

Inferior handling? Even the Activa???

JohnBoy26

Bigus wrote: »

That's why I used an 02 golf as an example.

Yes but if you picked another car, the chances are it would be better than a megane :-)

JohnBoy26

dgt wrote: »

Inferior handling? Even the Activa???

I was strictly speaking about the standard car.

Bigus

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Yes but if you picked another car, the chances are it would be better than a megane :-)

Maybe something like a British built Civic that the gearboxes fall out of ?

Bigus

Best car mentioned so far for reliability is Focus, if 2k is the budget.

JohnBoy26

Bigus wrote: »

Maybe something like a British built Civic that the gearboxes fall out of ?

Are you seriously suggesting that a megane or a 1.4 golf are better than a civic?

The bearings go in the civic gearboxes. you could hardly define that as the gearbox falling out of them.

Even with gearbox issues a Civic is much better than a golf 1.4 or a megane imo.

JohnBoy26

Bigus wrote: »

Best car mentioned so far for reliability is Focus, if 2k is the budget.

There was also a Corolla mentioned. Which is more reliable than a focus imo.

dgt

I see that you don't want to see people driving anything else other than Jap stuff...

JohnBoy26

dgt wrote: »

I see that you don't want to see people driving anything else other than Jap stuff...

Why do you say that? I have often suggested none "jap stuff"

dgt

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Why do you say that? I have often suggested none "jap stuff"

But not in this thread

Boom_Bap

Deleted User wrote: »

What is that, out of curiousity?

It's the motor that runs the electric windows. If it goes when your windows are down, which is very common, the windows are stuck like that til it's replaced.

I have a Corrolla for about 5 years now and has never let me down. I would recommend them, not the most glamorous of cars, but bulletproof.

JohnBoy26

dgt wrote: »

But not in this thread

I have only suggested one car in this thread but yes you are correct it is a Jap brand.

The only reason for me suggesting a Corolla to the op is because I feel it offers the best performance for a 1.4, is economical and cheap to maintain and above all else it's the most reliable car the op is likely to get imo.

galwaytt

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Stay away from both the Megane & Scenic of that era, piles of junk ! The Megane is also a horrible car to sit in, especially in the back.

The Focus is well worth a look, as is a Corolla, Fiesta or an Astra (though it's not that easy to come across a clean one).

It's your answer that's junk tbh.

I bought 3 of those Scenics, 2 of them new (1.4 petrol, 1 used 1.9 diesel). I would not hesitate to buy them again, and that 16v 95 bhp 1.4 is very good, and miles ahead if any of it's contemporaries. A 1.4 Golf is a sloth by comparison. Its the ones AFTER that Scenic that gave more trouble (post "face lift"). That Scenic went out of production in 05 iirc. Reasonable on petrol.

They are not perfect, no doubt. Like so many other car's of that era (e.g. Opel, VAG), their coil packs could give trouble. But the fix is both easy, cheap and DIY. Less than €100. Models with sunroofs need to keep their drains cleared.

OP - of the two, I'd pick the Scenic over the Megane - infinately more useful, nicer driving position.

dgt

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I have only suggested one car in this thread but yes you are correct it is a Jap brand.

The only reason for me suggesting a Corolla to the op is because I feel it offers the best performance for a 1.4, is economical and cheap to maintain and above all else it's the most reliable car the op is likely to get imo.

But what if it doesn't meet the OP's criteria? Maybe just wants to potter about and not care about performance? Maybe the Renaults (yuk) are cheaper to insure due to their safety ratings? Or the OP wants "Renault's famous comfort"? What if the OP likes Renault and not Toyota? Cheap?! :pac:

A good friend of mine had a Corolla 1.4VVTI as his 1st car. A true cracker of a car, one of the very few Toyotas I actually liked. Blew it up in about 35k miles

Now, if I were to suggest a Corolla, I'd suggest something like this, with an NCT of course, if the OP is prepared to settle for an older car and can insure it reasonably

Mister Jingles

galwaytt wrote: »

It's your answer that's junk tbh.

Funny how you singled out my answer considering numerous of other posters have gave similar opinions. BTW while I do agree but would still probably buy one I never mentioned the Golf and my reply was more focused towards the Megane mk2

Between coils just randomly failing as well as windows just dropping down out of nowhere (which isn't a nice thing when your car is parked up in some kip of a area) I would call them junk. It was just unfortunate for Renault with those as back when they came out in 02 (?) they had a 5 star NCAP rating and weren't the worst looking either.

Someone also mentioned the Fusion as well, one of them would be perfect for camera equipment. I found them great for carrying luggage when I was driving one although you defiantly do feel the strain on the engine power when fully loaded however if I remember right they kept the older 1.4 Zetec engines in the early models which used HT leads as opposed to coils.

Hi all,

OP here again. Sorry I went missing there for a short while. So from reading the thread it looks like the Focus is the best bet (Civic, Yaris and Corolla's that fall within my budget all look pretty poor in my opinion, and the Focus seems to have more space for carting stuff around in?).

Does anyone know if there's anything in particular I should look for in a Ford Focus, so?


With regards to insurance, Lloyds seem to be the cheapest with Third Party, Fire and Theft, coming in at a (surprisingly low) price of ~€1,300. :eek:






EDIT: That quote was for THIS Ford Focus:
Make: FORD
Model: FOCUS
Description: 1.4 I LX
Fuel Type: PETROL

I'm not particularly attached to that car, but I just wanted a rough idea on insurance price.

galwaytt

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Funny how you singled out my answer considering numerous of other posters have gave similar opinions.

....sorry, wasn't personal: but your junk comment was the clincher Dramatic effect and all that

I agree the Focus is a good car. But the OP did ask about 2 Renault' s, and said 1.4 Max. The Focus is not as useful (space wise), and possibly less economical.

How does that make it worth considering then ?

As for falling windows, ever owned a Passat ? I never had window problems on any of my Scenics.

galwaytt

galwaytt wrote: »

the OP did ask about 2 Renault' s, and said 1.4 Max

I did ask about the Renault's, but it's not necessarily because I had become attached to those particular cars, more that they were showing up a lot and because I'd been in a Megane (and had no real issue with it) I thought they were a good brand (though people seem to have different views )

Bigus

Try a quote on an old and newer scenic for the Craic pls

JohnBoy26

dgt wrote: »

But what if it doesn't meet the OP's criteria? Maybe just wants to potter about and not care about performance?

Well I can only suggest a car based on what the op has stated as their ''criteria'' First car - Max 1.4 and 2000 euro

Yes maybe the op doesn't care about performance. I was only trying to suggest the best 1.4 car I could think of tbh, with performance being only one of the reasons why i suggested it.

dgt wrote: »

Maybe the Renaults (yuk) are cheaper to insure due to their safety ratings?

Maybe but I can't imagine a Renault is going to be much cheaper if any cheaper to insure over a Corolla. Granted the megane is safer than an E11 model Corolla, but the Corolla surprisingly isn't far behind it, and it's not the tin can people think it is:p. It actually done quiet well in the euro ncap gaining three stars and nearly even got a fourth star. http://www.euroncap.com/tests/toyota_corolla_1998/43.aspx

dgt wrote: »

Or the OP wants "Renault's famous comfort"? What if the OP likes Renault and not Toyota? Cheap?! :pac:

Tbh none of this is stated in the op's requirements, nor do they say that they would rather a renault over a Toyota:pac:. If that was the case I would have never suggested a Corolla.

dgt wrote: »

A good friend of mine had a Corolla 1.4VVTI as his 1st car. A true cracker of a car, one of the very few Toyotas I actually liked. Blew it up in about 35k miles

Now, if I were to suggest a Corolla, I'd suggest something like this, with an NCT of course, if the OP is prepared to settle for an older car and can insure it reasonably

I was actually talking about an older one like the car you linked, with the ever reliable 4e-fe engine:). I should of made that clear in my previous posts.

As for the VVTI, Did your friend really hate it that much that he had to blow it up:pac:. In all seriousness though it's only early 1.4 vvti's that burned a small drop of oil and it's a problem that was greatly exagerrated. Most at this stage have been recalled by Toyota and are fine.

Apart from that they are actually a very reliable engine. For your mate's one to ''blow up'' it must of been seriously abused for those 35k miles and ill maintained.

dgt

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Well I can only suggest a car based on what the op has stated as their ''criteria'' First car - Max 1.4 and 2000 euro

What about an Astra? It falls into the OP's criteria...

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Maybe but I can't imagine a Renault is going to be much cheaper if any cheaper to insure over a Corolla. Granted the megane is safer than an E11 model Corolla, but the Corolla surprisingly isn't far behind it, and it's not the tin can people think it is:p. It actually done quiet well in the euro ncap gaining three stars and nearly even got a fourth star. http://www.euroncap.com/tests/toyota_corolla_1998/43.aspx

Well I can

Nearly 4 stars is not 4 stars, it's still 3 stars, about average for a late 90s car. Megane is 5 star. Insurers logic (safer cars, less performance orientated, less likely to be modified) would entail cheaper insurance, or am I wrong?

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Tbh none of this is stated in the op's requirements, nor do they say that they would rather a renault over a Toyota:pac:. If that was the case I would have never suggested a Corolla.

Hence why I haven't really suggested much. "Cheap insurance, 1st driver" insurance will still bum people for that! Plus no est mileage, type of driving etc... I'm likely to have missed that though

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I was actually talking about an older one like the car you linked, with the ever reliable 4e-fe engine:). I should of made that clear in my previous posts.

As for the VVTI, Did your friend really hate it that much that he had to blow it up:pac:. In all seriousness though it's only early 1.4 vvti's that burned a small drop of oil and it's a problem that was greatly exagerrated. Most at this stage have been recalled by Toyota and are fine.

It was minded, by the end it was mixing oil with petrol like cocktails. Absolute crap and a pity too. Coils went several times, as a direct result the cat went too

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Apart from that they are actually a very reliable engine. For your mate's one to ''blow up'' it must of been seriously abused for those 35k miles and ill maintained.

What's the definition of reliable? And it's direct proportion to maintainance?

NobodyImportant

Megane/Scenic werent very reliable when they were new, let alone now. Avoid like plague. See contemporary JD power surveys etc where 3 year old cars were reviewed. Renault did not score highly.

Add in another 5 years+ and poor maintenance and you have a timebomb.

ronaneire

Boom_Bap wrote: »

I've just got rid of a Megane similar to what you have found. I would never get one again. Prepare to replace coils every few months (about 70 euro at a Renault Dealership)

If the plugs aren't genuine Renault this causes the coil packs to blow.

Henry Ford III

galwaytt wrote: »

It's your answer that's junk tbh.

I bought 3 of those Scenics, 2 of them new (1.4 petrol, 1 used 1.9 diesel). I would not hesitate to buy them again, and that 16v 95 bhp 1.4 is very good, and miles ahead if any of it's contemporaries. A 1.4 Golf is a sloth by comparison. Its the ones AFTER that Scenic that gave more trouble (post "face lift"). That Scenic went out of production in 05 iirc. Reasonable on petrol.

They are not perfect, no doubt. Like so many other car's of that era (e.g. Opel, VAG), their coil packs could give trouble. But the fix is both easy, cheap and DIY. Less than €100. Models with sunroofs need to keep their drains cleared.

OP - of the two, I'd pick the Scenic over the Megane - infinately more useful, nicer driving position.

Bet you'll never win the lotto GTT - you used up a lifetimes good luck on those Renault's I reckon

DainBramage

OP

I once owned an 04 megane II and have to go with the trend here and advise you to stay away from them

my experience:
had an engine warning light on dash which the now defunct renault liffey valley first diagnosed as O2 sensor issue, then some other sensor then when neither of this worked wanted to change out the ECU at a cost of e1000.
Terrible customer experience with them but thats another rant. was eventually fixed by another mechanic.
other issues:

keycard never worked properly
bulbs blowing constantly and a nighmare to replace
the inevitable window reg. issues

What do ye guys make of these as potential purchases?

Focus, 3 door, 1.4, 01 KE, Black (or blue?)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4382058

Focus, 5 door, 1.4, 01 DL, Silver
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4602403

Focus, 5 door, 1.6, 01 DL, White
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4592088


I like the idea of a 5 door (though the tinted windows on the 3 door make it tempting for having camera gear in the back that's exposed for when jumping in and out quickly, but the scrapes to the front right and back right make me think it's been poorly kept?).


Are they all much the same? Anything obvious I'm overlooking?

challengemaster

1st is clearly a skangermobile. Wouldn't touch it with a 200ft barge pole.

2nd isn't too horrendously modified bar the front bumper, may be the photo but it looks like you could park an artic on the spoiler.

3rd is the best of the lot, but white...