Hyundai i30 Vs Focus (or other)?

whiskeyman · 27-04-2014 7:23am #1

Hey folks.

Need a car for mostly city driving, with the odd long spin.
Want reliability, safety, and good value to run.
Had in mind a 1.4 petrol of the above with a budget around 7-8k, so looking like a 08 model.
Am aware focus probably has that bit more space which may be a factor with kids in mind.
Which would you recommend and why, and is there any other options to look at?
Thanks for any advice.
As you can tell, I don't have a lot of car knowledge!

blindside88 · 27-04-2014 7:28am

My best advice is to drive a few and see what you like the feel of. My wife is looking at the same cars at the minute only in diesel. She thought she wanted a focus or a Mazda 3..... She's now considering a mondeo

My mam has an 07 1.4 petrol Mazda 3 from new and it has never given a days trouble, it's also very comfortable. If your thinking of a focus I'd recommend also trying the 3

whiskeyman · 27-04-2014 8:12am

Thanks for that.
I should have really searched before posting and am after finding some good info.
Seems I'd be best going for a 1.6 focus instead of a 1.4.
Must check out the Mazda, as I hadn't had it on my radar.

blindside88 · 27-04-2014 8:13am

I had a 1.6 focus for a while and found it nice to drive, it was the previous model however

colm_mcm · 27-04-2014 8:25am

Our of those 2 I'd take the Hyundai.
Both have 5 star NCAP, Hyundai 1.4 engine is 109hp vs 80 on the Focus.
Space wise, there wouldn't be much between them.
I30 should be more reliable, but ford parts are cheap.

NIMAN · 27-04-2014 9:29am

There's an awful lot of cars in that sector of the market similar to the i30 and Focus.

Maybe also look at VW Golf, Kia Ceed, Mazda 3, Skoda Rapid, Seat Leon, Nissan Note, Opel Astra, Honda Civic, Toyota Auris, Peugeot 308, Renault Megane?

whiskeyman · 30-04-2014 7:20am

thanks again for the input folks.
I seem to be swaying more toward the focus due to space and reliability, and from all reviews it seems to be the nicer drive.
Was looking at this:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-ZETE/43613958549602730/advert?channel=CARS
That seem like a good deal?
From reading around, the 1.6 is recommended over the 1.4.
Any issues that I should be concerned for?
thanks again.

bazz26 · 30-04-2014 12:01pm

This one is a grand cheaper:

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http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/NT-ZETEC/44913982723036020/

Craazysteve · 30-04-2014 12:18pm

They both look like well minded cars, definitely worth a test drive. Very happy with my own Focus (same model as above) though I went for the 1.4, I've since driven the 1.6 and would definitely choose the 1.6!

JohnBoy26 · 01-05-2014 2:34pm

whiskeyman wrote: »

thanks again for the input folks.
I seem to be swaying more toward the focus due to space and reliability, and from all reviews it seems to be the nicer drive.
Was looking at this:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-ZETE/43613958549602730/advert?channel=CARS
That seem like a good deal?
From reading around, the 1.6 is recommended over the 1.4.
Any issues that I should be concerned for?
thanks again.

I wouldn't exactly call the focus bulletproof tbh. Now I'm not calling them bad or unreliable but they do suffer from niggles like power steering pipes leaking, failing steering racks, water can leak down on the plugs leading to the plugs seizing into the head, the keyless ingnition(where fitted) is known to give issues.

Hyundai i30 Vs Focus (or other)?

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