Should I swap my car to a Focus?

Dazack

Hey guys,

So I currently drive a 2004 1L Suzuki Wagon R+. It gets me around but just about. I use it for my daily commute to college (15km) and for going up mountains or down the country almost every weekend.

For that reason I was considering getting something with a bit more umff in it such as a 2002-2005 Ford Focus 1.6 TD. Focus seem to be great cars and are in my price range €1000-2000 Max (hoping on selling the Suzuki to fund 90% of new car)

Any advice would be great!

bazz26

The only diesel Focus available within your price range will be the first generation Focus and they will be 1.8 not 1.6. The first generation Focus was a great car and the 1.8 TDDi or 1.8 TDCi were robust enough. Would definitely be light years ahead of a Wagon R+ anyway.

Dazack

Cool, Not sure how good something like this would be?

cars.donedeal.ie/view/9232562

It's a 1.6L. I'm a bit wary of having the larger litre for fuel costs and insurance (only 21).

The mileage on that might be s bit much too but just a sample.

bazz26

That is a second generation Focus and I'd be very suspicious of why it is so cheap. The 1.6 TDCi engine in the second generation Focus is not as robust as the 1.8 TDCi engine in the first generation. That car is cheap for a reason, it's either a dog or the advert is a scam.

I cannot imagine insurance being much dearer on the 1.8 litre and mpg will be around the same. 1.8 litre would probably be more reliable too.

Dazack

That's cool thanks. Just given my price range and needs there wouldn't be any other cars that would fit the bill? I have my eye on the focus for the low liter diesel and the good space however I'd be open to other ideas if there's another car I missed?

Yeah I read somewhere the 1.8L are meant to be better lasting. I'll find a qoute sure and hopefully it won't be to much.

Noccy_Mondy

Have a mk1 focus myself. The real old school 1.8 tddi engine. Sounds like a bus, but getting great mpg out of it. At least 55 if not more. Decent to drive for what it is. They are a dark horse and not what many insurance companies would consider being a high risk "young persons car", so should be more on your side, as opposed to a golf for example.

Dazack

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Have a mk1 focus myself. The real old school 1.8 tddi engine. Sounds like a bus, but getting great mpg out of it. At least 55 if not more. Decent to drive for what it is. They are a dark horse and not what many insurance companies would consider being a high risk "young persons car", so should be more on your side, as opposed to a golf for example.

Always good to hear. That's great MPG compared to what I'm getting atm too. Does anyone have a ford focus estate? Would there be much of a difference between the two insurance/mpg wise. I would presume a greater mpg as its a heavier vehicle. In pricing a lot of estates seem wouldn't mind the extra room but not at a greater cost.

Noccy_Mondy

Dazack wrote:

Always good to hear. That's great MPG compared to what I'm getting atm too. Does anyone have a ford focus estate? Would there be much of a difference between the two insurance/mpg wise. I would presume a greater mpg as its a heavier vehicle. In pricing a lot of estates seem wouldn't mind the extra room but not at a greater cost.

Shouldn't be any noticeable difference with either insurance or mpg. If there is any, it would be minimal. In fact insurance could be cheaper. It's not many young people that want to be driving around in an estate!

Dazack

So I got rough quotes at €200 extra for a 1.6L Ford focus LX and €400 extra for a 1.8L focus lx. Is there a big difference between Lx,zetec and Ghia? Or what is the difference.

Also a diesel related question, what sort of mileage is okay to buy a diesel car at? Like I see some with 280000km which I rub away from but I'm to quick to judge?

And yeah estate would be handier if cheaper. I'd love the extra space but not for extra cost

ourheritage

Plenty of Astra 1.8 diesels on Done Deal, and there are even estates in your price range. I wouldn't go for a mark 1 Focus as they are not as solid as the mark 2's

bazz26

LX is the base model and comes with remote central locking, cd player and electric front windows.

Zetec adds sports seats, lowered sports suspension, air conditioning, alloy wheels, heated front windscreen and front fog lights.

Ghia adds rear electric windows, cruise control, dusk sensing headlights, rain sensing wipers and velour seats.

Regarding mileage, with diesel cars of that age they are going to have that sort of mileage on them. The important thing is condition and service history. Look for receipts for any major work done as on high mileage modern diesel there could potentially be alot of big bills due in the way of maintenance. Most common things that can need overhauled include clutch/flywheel, turbo, injectors, etc which may be a reason that the owner is selling now rather than spending money on replacing these things.

Dazack

Never looked much at Astra's as they weren't as common I thought they'd be pricier. Were you thinking Vauxhall or Opel? Not sure if there is a difference even.

Thanks bazz for that breakdown. Although Ghia sounds the best that's something I can strive for when I have the dosh. I suppose the heavier mileage is okay once these have gone and been fixed? (Ideally with proof by receipt) I normally get my mechanic to check out the car anyways for anything that going.

Noccy_Mondy

Which generation focus are you talking about. There is very very little in the difference between lx and zetec in the mk1 focus, often enough nothing noticeable. The ghia spec is where things are stepped up a tad.

ourheritage

Dazack wrote: »

Never looked much at Astra's as they weren't as common I thought they'd be pricier. Were you thinking Vauxhall or Opel? Not sure if there is a difference even.

Thanks bazz for that breakdown. Although Ghia sounds the best that's something I can strive for when I have the dosh. I suppose the heavier mileage is okay once these have gone and been fixed? (Ideally with proof by receipt) I normally get my mechanic to check out the car anyways for anything that going.

Hi Dazack. I was looking in the Opal section on Done Deal. As you probably know the difference between Vauxhalls and Opal is that the Vauxhall would be imports.