Focus 1.4, Corolla 1.4..or

eire-kp

I just sold my van. I started a new job and it was being parked up for extended periods of time and as it was a Berlingo I was worried about electrical faults due to moisture...from previous experiences of a french car!

My budget is 1500 I have as what ever I buy will only be used at the weekends with possibly an occasional trip from Galway to Sligo.

I have narrowed down my choice to either a 1.4 3dr Focus or as an alternative a Corrola 1.4 vvti although these seem to be more expensive.
Ideally I would like the Focus to be the mk1.5 update.

Here's an ideal one but it's a 1.6

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5058982

I won't go looking at any cars until next weekend so I'm just getting an idea of prices cars are making!

A few Corollas
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5023758
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5153475
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5150419

As an alternative I used to use one of these on a dairy farm in NZ it was great on gravel roads what are they like here on good roads?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4971578

Anjobe

Focus and Corolla are 2 very different cars, the choice will probably come down to personal preference, or the cleanest example you can find.

The mk1 Focus is an excellent car, but the 1.4 L engine is weak. Its such a good car to drive it really deserves one of the bigger engines.

The Corolla is solid but ever so dull. If you must have a 1.4 then the Toyota engine is the better one.

Honda Civic from that era is also very sound, but maybe difficult to find a genuine one at this stage.

Bear in mind that for a car of this age reliability will depend more on the condition and how well it has been maintained over the years than it will on the make/model.

Suzuki Jimny? No, just no. But that's just my opinion, they're probably grand if you like that sort of thing.

For Forks Sake

I'd go for the 1.6 in the Focus, the 1.4 is gutless.

Toyotafanboi

would you not just get the 1.6 focus? i'd say fuel economy will be very similar to the 1.4 and tax is only an extra €100 ish over a year, which is not much.

personally i'd rather the focus, a lot of those corollas you linked are basic spec models which really aren't that nice and are dare i say a little overpriced.

edit : also looking at corollas you are better off going for the 97-99 model with the circular headlights than the 00-01 model with the square lamps, the 1.3 in the older versions is a bit better than the 1.4 vvti in the newer cars.

eire-kp

Anjobe wrote: »

The mk1 Focus is an excellent car, but the 1.4 L engine is weak. Its such a good car to drive it really deserves one of the bigger engines.

The Corolla is solid but ever so dull. If you must have a 1.4 then the Toyota engine is the better one.

Honda Civic from that era is also very sound, but maybe difficult to find a genuine one at this stage.

I had a Honda Civic years ago an I know from experience most of the had a hard life.


Suzuki Jimny? No, just no. But that's just my opinion, they're probably grand if you like that sort of thing.

They're a horrible looking machine allright but I guess they have their own following and it would be handy for nipping around the farm at home..If I knew no one would see me in it I'd have one.

For Forks Sake wrote: »

I'd go for the 1.6 in the Focus, the 1.4 is gutless.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

would you not just get the 1.6 focus? i'd say fuel economy will be very similar to the 1.4 and tax is only an extra €100 ish over a year, which is not much.

You are probably right the Focus would be a fairly reliable car a few family members have them. 1.4 versions though. They never gave trouble apart from an odd bushing and coil packs.
Would the 1.6 version have an other issues. I'm guessing it's not as popular second hand...a possible bargaining point:D

eire-kp

Apart from the front bumper what differences are there say between a Mk1 and a Mk1.5 3dr 1.6?

Supergurrier

eire-kp wrote: »

Apart from the front bumper what differences are there say between a Mk1 and a Mk1.5 3dr 1.6?

Different front light cluster and better spec as standard on 04 models anyway

mgbgt1978

Wouldn't be a deal breaker for me...just get the Ghia model from the Mk1 range and a set of headlights from the facelift will fit straight on.
I think you can get clear lenses for the older front indicators so could convert them to DRL's, or just leave them unused.

eire-kp

If anyone has a 02-03 Ford Focus 1.4 or 1.6 3dr for sale feel free to pm me. If this isn't allowed sorry!

holdmybeer

Corolla hands down, the Focus can be problematic whereas the older Toyota engines are built to last. Also the Focus feel cheap IMO.

BE EXTREMELY careful buying from donedeal their is a lot of con artists on it at the moment, make sure you go with someone who is mechanicaly savvy or pay a local garage to check it for you. If he doesnt agree, walk away. I got burned a few times, I know what im talking about.

carzony

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

would you not just get the 1.6 focus? i'd say fuel economy will be very similar to the 1.4 and tax is only an extra €100 ish over a year, which is not much

I had a mate who had the 1.4 focus and it was so slow it wasnt funny, You really felt how gutless the engine was when trying to move off from traffic lights..

I have the 1.6 focus and have to say it's a much better car with the bigger engine and believe it or not they are decent of petrol.. It worth paying the extra tax :D I can't exacly remember what milage I get out of a tenner but it certainly seems to last me a good while and I do a lot of driving..

holdmybeer wrote: »

Corolla hands down, the Focus can be problematic whereas the older Toyota engines are built to last. Also the Focus feel cheap IMO.



.

I agree that the corolla might be a better drive but very dull altogether, I feel the focus has a more modern interior and looks a whole lot better on the outside to. I don't really agree that the focus feels cheap?

The Pontiac

holdmybeer wrote: »

Corolla hands down, the Focus can be problematic whereas the older Toyota engines are built to last. Also the Focus feel cheap IMO. [/B]

BE EXTREMELY careful buying from donedeal their is a lot of con artists on it at the moment, make sure you go with someone who is mechanicaly savvy or pay a local garage to check it for you. If he doesnt agree, walk away. I got burned a few times, I know what im talking about.

Are you for real here?

The Focus is better in every way. The Corolla is a domestic appliance, and nothing more. Danger of falling asleep at the wheel, they're so boring.

How is the Focus "problematic"? Had one for 6 years. Best car I ever had. My friends and cousins also had em' and nothing but praise.

Sam Kade

The Pontiac wrote: »

Are you for real here?

The Focus is better in every way. The Corolla is a domestic appliance, and nothing more. Danger of falling asleep at the wheel, they're so boring.

How is the Focus "problematic"? Had one for 6 years. Best car I ever had. My friends and cousins also had em' and nothing but praise.

The focus are thirsty on both petrol and diesel. Never had one but I am reviewing both cars at the moment and that is what shows up. How's your focus on fuel?

carzony

Sam Kade wrote: »

The focus are thirsty on both petrol and diesel. Never had one but I am reviewing both cars at the moment and that is what shows up. How's your focus on fuel?

Anyone i'v know who has had the 1.4 and 1.6 have said they are great on petrol.. Can't comment on the diesel..

Sam Kade

carzony wrote: »

Anyone i'v know who has had the 1.4 and 1.6 have said they are great on petrol.. Can't comment on the diesel..

What's the mpg or l/100km like?

Bpmull

Sam Kade wrote: »

The focus are thirsty on both petrol and diesel. Never had one but I am reviewing both cars at the moment and that is what shows up. How's your focus on fuel?

My focus 1.6 diesel does 53mpg I don't know how you consider that thirsty. I think it's fairly good for a 07 car.

carzony

Sam Kade wrote: »

What's the mpg or l/100km like?

AS I said in my original post I don't have the exact figure, I did test what milage I got out of a tenner but I can't remember the exact figure as I tested it best part of a year ago. All I can tell you is my 1.6 is grand on petrol I certaintly wouldnt call them heavy..

Sam Kade

Bpmull wrote: »

My focus 1.6 diesel does 53mpg I don't know how you consider that thirsty. I think it's fairly good for a 07 car.

I didn't say it was thirsty I did say the reviews I've done on the focus say they are heavy on fuel.

carzony

Sam Kade wrote: »

I didn't say it was thirsty I did say the reviews I've done on the focus say they are heavy on fuel.

I bought a 99 1.4 civic last year, All the reviews said they were heavy on petrol, I bought it and I think I was getting somthing like 65 kilometres out of a tenners petrol which I thought was good? considering I threw it around most of the time

Sam Kade

carzony wrote: »

I bought a 99 1.4 civic last year, All the reviews said they were heavy on petrol, I bought it and I think I was getting somthing like 65 kilometres out of a tenners petrol which I thought was good? considering I threw it around most of the time

Miles per tenner is useless information when comparing cars.

carzony

Sam Kade wrote: »

Miles per tenner is useless information when comparing cars.

well you obviousally don't get my point.. I mean don't believe reviews as they tend to be wrong especially when it comes to mpg..

The Pontiac

Sam Kade wrote: »

Miles per tenner is useless information when comparing cars.

+1. My 1.6 was great on fuel.

JohnBoy26

carzony wrote: »

I bought a 99 1.4 civic last year, All the reviews said they were heavy on petrol, I bought it and I think I was getting somthing like 65 kilometres out of a tenners petrol which I thought was good? considering I threw it around most of the time

They are heavy on fuel though. I was only getting 300-320 miles to the fill(55 liter tank) from my 1998 model. The 99 Corolla I had afterwards was getting me 400+ miles to the fill and that is from a 50 liter tank.

JohnBoy26

carzony wrote: »

I had a mate who had the 1.4 focus and it was so slow it wasnt funny, You really felt how gutless the engine was when trying to move off from traffic lights..

I have the 1.6 focus and have to say it's a much better car with the bigger engine and believe it or not they are decent of petrol.. It worth paying the extra tax :D I can't exacly remember what milage I get out of a tenner but it certainly seems to last me a good while and I do a lot of driving..





I agree that the corolla might be a better drive but very dull altogether, I feel the focus has a more modern interior and looks a whole lot better on the outside to. I don't really agree that the focus feels cheap?

The Focus is the better drive but is more cheaply built than the Corolla in my experience. The interior of the Focus for example might have more flare than that of the Corolla but the Corolla's interior is of better quality than that of the focus and wears the miles better.

An example of this is the gear knob and steering wheel. At 80-90 k miles both these items usually have considerable wear in the Focus, with the gear knob completely separating a common sight. In the Corolla I have seen many of their interiors still feel fresh at 200 k miles.

In reliability terms the Corolla especially if fitted with the 4e-fe will be the more reliable car, in fact they are about as reliable as cars come. However that is not to say that the Focus is an unreliable car but they do suffer from a few niggles like water pump housing failure, rear wheel bearings and coil packs are the most common issues.

JohnBoy26

The Pontiac wrote: »

Are you for real here?

The Focus is better in every way. The Corolla is a domestic appliance, and nothing more. Danger of falling asleep at the wheel, they're so boring.

Tbh the Focus while dynamically superior is just as much of a domestic appliance as a Corolla. To say a Focus is better in every way is just wrong. It's a better drive( in 1.6 up form) but the Corolla is better built and is the more reliable and more economical car of the two.

The Pontiac wrote: »

How is the Focus "problematic"? Had one for 6 years. Best car I ever had. My friends and cousins also had em' and nothing but praise.

I wouldn't call the Focus a problematic car but they do suffer from niggley issues though.

ARCD

carzony wrote: »

Anyone i'v know who has had the 1.4 and 1.6 have said they are great on petrol.. Can't comment on the diesel..

I had a 1.8l diesel, estate version. Great on fuel got me to Cardiff and back with 4 passengers and still had some fuel left over for another couple of days, and I didn't drive it all that economically either

The Pontiac wrote: »

How is the Focus "problematic"? Had one for 6 years. Best car I ever had. My friends and cousins also had em' and nothing but praise.

Speaking from experience, the Focus was the most unreliable car I've ever owned. Perhaps I was unlucky but in just under 2 years the drivers window stopped working 3 times, two track rods had to be replaced, one of the coolant hoses spontaneously burst, another one developed a small leak, the diesel pump had to be replaced, the gear linkage cable snapped while driving, the gearbox was a bit dodgy, both boot struts failed and I think there were some other minor issues too. I know a lot of those problems can be put down to simple wear and tear but it was far too regular for my liking, wouldnt be in a hurry to buy another one

By comparison I replaced it with a 1.4l Honda Civic from the same year (2001) and in the 15 months I've owned it I've replaced 2 ball joints and a rear windscreen wiper motor. If it has to be a 1.4 you buy I'd definitely recommend the Civic, doesn't quite drive as well as the focus but uber reliable.

Jesus.

For Forks Sake wrote: »

I'd go for the 1.6 in the Focus, the 1.4 is gutless.

There's nothing worse than an underpowered car. It takes all the fun out of driving. I know tax is ridiculously expensive and so is petrol but driving around in a car that has about as much power as a food mixer is too depressing not to warrant the extra few quid.

carzony

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

They are heavy on fuel though. I was only getting 300-320 miles to the fill(55 liter tank) from my 1998 model. The 99 Corolla I had afterwards was getting me 400+ miles to the fill and that is from a 50 liter tank.

suppose it's a matter of opinion, I thought my civic was great on petrol and I have a mate who has an automatic one and he says his is decent on petrol aswell..

eire-kp

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

In reliability terms the Corolla especially if fitted with the 4e-fe will be the more reliable car, in fact they are about as reliable as cars come.

What model has that engine?

Sam Kade

carzony wrote: »

suppose it's a matter of opinion, I thought my civic was great on petrol and I have a mate who has an automatic one and he says his is decent on petrol aswell..

Great at drinking petrol

joujoujou

eire-kp wrote: »

What model has that engine?

E10 and pre-facelift E11.