Focus 1.6 petrol or Civic 1.8 petrol

FrankC21

If you have to choose between Ford focus 1.6 or Civic 1.8 petrol
Mostly for motorway driving, i do not want diesel as I am buying second hand and used diesels are dodgy.

I presume both of these are light and fast.

Heres Johnny

FrankC21 wrote: »

If you have to choose between Ford focus 1.6 or Civic 1.8 petrol
Mostly for motorway driving, i do not want diesel as I am buying second hand and used diesel are dodgy.

I presume both of these are light and fast.

Focus 1.6 isn't fast anyway. It's OK but defo not fast.

dvdman1

Focus mpg is better

bazz26

dvdman1 wrote: »

Focus mpg is better

Since when?

colm_mcm

dvdman1 wrote: »

Focus mpg is better

Not a hope.

FrankC21

So should I pick the honda civic 1.8 petrol

What you think?

https://m.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2365938&r=s.php%3Fm%3D32%26o%3D282%26d%3D500%26e%3D10000%26f%3D1%26nn%3D10%26bhp%3D150%26yn%3D2008%26g%3D0

colm_mcm

You’ll easily get a 2007 for €1500. Paying €3500 extra on an 11 year old car to save €246 a year on tax is bonkers.

FrankC21

colm_mcm wrote: »

You’ll easily get a 2007 for €1500. Paying €3500 extra on an 11 year old car to save €246 a year on tax is bonkers.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-2006-ses-1-8-vtec-5dr-nct-05-2020-/23542754

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-2006-ses-1-8-vtec-5dr-nct-05-2020-/23542754

colm_mcm

Try and aim for an ES or EX spec. They have nice extras.

FrankC21

colm_mcm wrote: »

Try and aim for an ES or EX spec. They have nice extras.

ES or SE

kennethsmyth

FrankC21 wrote: »

If you have to choose between Ford focus 1.6 or Civic 1.8 petrol
Mostly for motorway driving, i do not want diesel as I am buying second hand and used diesels are dodgy.

I presume both of these are light and fast.

Get the 1.8 civic, and in saloon if suits is nicer on the road as the rear suspension is independent the hatch is not.

I've had both 1.6 focus saloon and 1.8 civic saloon. Still have 07 civic as second car and it drives and starts lovely even after long days of non use. Saloon has nicer velur! trim etc.

kennethsmyth

dvdman1 wrote: »

Focus mpg is better

Had both, no its not unless you utilise the vtec in the honda a lot

kennethsmyth

FrankC21 wrote: »

So should I pick the honda civic 1.8 petrol

What you think?

https://m.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2365938&r=s.php%3Fm%3D32%26o%3D282%26d%3D500%26e%3D10000%26f%3D1%26nn%3D10%26bhp%3D150%26yn%3D2008%26g%3D0

As said a good pre 2008 (say 2007) should be 2.5/3k. At that price of 5k you still would have 2k in additional tax payments available.

636eur per yr vs 390eur per yr = 246eur extra per yr.

2000/246 = 8 years before you make up the difference.

Buy a 2007 unless a 2008 is stupid cheap and look for a well looked after one instead of year.

FrankC21

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8-6speed-2008-tax-amptest/22979114

FrankC21

The saloon ones are limited I can't find that many

FrankC21

What other cars I can look at, economical as the Honda Civic 1.8 vtec petrol.

FrankC21

Should I consider Toyota avensis 1.8 petrol & Mazda

bazz26

This looks tidy and if you could haggle the seller down nearer 4k then I think it would be a good buy:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic/23177376

FrankC21

bazz26 wrote: »

This looks tidy and if you could haggle the seller down nearer 4k then I think it would be a good buy:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic/23177376

Looks good

kennethsmyth

FrankC21 wrote: »

Looks good

Agree, if can get for 4k then its a good buy, the engine in them is very solid, economical (keep off the vtec - unless fun is warranted) and smooth. Very comfortable and reliable car.

That car has sunroof and 6 disc indash cd changer (have 2007 version)

I'd consider that car myself if we needed it. The tax of 570eur I'd check though as that may not be correct.

bazz26

The tax is correct, the 1.8 saloon post 2007 were €570 on the newer system.

Also those engines don't have VTEC performance in the traditional sense, they were tuned for fuel economy.

kennethsmyth

bazz26 wrote: »

The tax is correct, the 1.8 saloon post 2007 were €570 on the newer system.

Also those engines don't have VTEC performance in the traditional sense, they were tuned for fuel economy.

Grand, so the hatch is 390eur yes?

You're right about the vtec in the car as such. It doesn't kick in unless you really rev it but it is noticeable when it does. It only has a single overhead cam hence the economy but is a nicer engine than the 1.6 focus which has a twin cam.

FrankC21

"keep off the vtec - unless fun is warranted"

Sorry but I don't get what you mean? Do you activate it or something?

Do you mean put the Gear on 'R' for race mode?

kennethsmyth

FrankC21 wrote: »

"keep off the vtec - unless fun is warranted"

Sorry but I don't get what you mean? Do you activate it or something?

Do you mean put the Gear on 'R' for race mode?

Nope, when you rev the engine (i think its around 4500/5000 rpm - will check later) the cam in them has an action which allows the valves open differently allowing more air/fuel mixture etc. and kind of gives it a kick - its like kickdown in an auto powerwise.

Toyotas version is vvti. Its pretty standard now but the focus 1.6 didnt have it.

FrankC21

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Nope, when you rev the engine (i think its around 4500/5000 rpm - will check later) the cam in them has an action which allows the valves open differently allowing more air/fuel mixture etc. and kind of gives it a kick - its like kickdown in an auto powerwise.

Toyotas version is vvti. Its pretty standard now but the focus 1.6 didnt have it.

Toyota vvti I did not know toyota have it aswell

bazz26

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Grand, so the hatch is 390eur yes?

You're right about the vtec in the car as such. It doesn't kick in unless you really rev it but it is noticeable when it does. It only has a single overhead cam hence the economy but is a nicer engine than the 1.6 focus which has a twin cam.

5 door hatchback is €390. The 3dr Type S hatchback was €570 too afaik.

kennethsmyth

FrankC21 wrote: »

Toyota vvti I did not know toyota have it aswell

It doesnt seem as pronounced in the toyotas I've driven. Normally never really need it in the 1.8 honda, but nice when going down the sliproad onto the motorway to shift it up to speed.

kennethsmyth

One other item, the 1.8 is as economical as the 1.4 in the hatch if driven normally, only uses more petrol when driven spirited.

FrankC21

kennethsmyth wrote: »

the 1.8 is as economical as the 1.4 in the hatch if driven normally, only uses more petrol when driven spirited.

Sensei, are you referring to the Honda 1.4 petrol engine or toyota 1.4 VVT

Indestructable

Having owned both in hatchback form, and still driving the Civic, it's the Civic every day of the week. Super little car, never missed a beat. A little bit of poke and surprisingly good on juice. I love my yoke! Both 07.

FrankC21

Indestructable wrote: »

Having owned both in hatchback form, and still driving the Civic, it's the Civic every day of the week. Super little car, never missed a beat. A little bit of poke and surprisingly good on juice. I love my yoke! Both 07.

What engine?? Fuel??

Indestructable

FrankC21 wrote: »

What engine?? Fuel??

1.6 Focus, 1.8 Civic. Both petrol. Sorry!

colm_mcm

FrankC21 wrote: »

ES or SE

SE is quite basic IMO.

colm_mcm

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Nope, when you rev the engine (i think its around 4500/5000 rpm - will check later) the cam in them has an action which allows the valves open differently allowing more air/fuel mixture etc. and kind of gives it a kick - its like kickdown in an auto powerwise.

Toyotas version is vvti. Its pretty standard now but the focus 1.6 didnt have it.

That doesn’t happen in the SOHC i-VTEC engines. The VTEC engages when the engine isn’t under load, it’s like the opposite of normal VTEC.

You are right when you say not drive the balls off it if you want good mpg though.

colm_mcm

Indestructable wrote: »

Having owned both in hatchback form, and still driving the Civic, it's the Civic every day of the week. Super little car, never missed a beat. A little bit of poke and surprisingly good on juice. I love my yoke! Both 07.

Same. I got one in 2012 and only sold it a few months ago. Most reliable car I ever owned.

kennethsmyth

colm_mcm wrote: »

That doesn’t happen in the SOHC i-VTEC engines. The VTEC engages when the engine isn’t under load, it’s like the opposite of normal VTEC.

You are right when you say not drive the balls off it if you want good mpg though.

Thanks just got schooled ðŸ˜, always assumed it was the other way around but assumed makes an ass of me and u 😂

kennethsmyth

FrankC21 wrote: »

Sensei, are you referring to the Honda 1.4 petrol engine or toyota 1.4 VVT

Both Honda, the 1.4 is reliable but rough sounding and lacks power, the 1.8 is a fantastic petrol engine, would get again in a heartbeat

kennethsmyth

colm_mcm wrote: »

Same. I got one in 2012 and only sold it a few months ago. Most reliable car I ever owned.

Yep I loved both the focus saloon and civic saloon, but the civic is a nice place to be and as a petrol is reliable and smooth

TuringBot47

Had a Honda Civic 1.8 2007 VTEC EX for 8 years... great car.
Averaged around 6.1l per 100km in urban driving, good performance, great space, but back window visibility was a little limited with the split window.

But pre 2008 motor tax (engine size vs Co2 emissions) was painful at €673.
Sold the executive version ( alloys, voice control, built in sat nav etc ) for €1900 last year, solid car with no issues.

kennethsmyth

TuringBot47 wrote: »

Had a Honda Civic 1.8 2007 VTEC EX for 8 years... great car.
Averaged around 6.1l per 100km in urban driving, good performance, great space, but back window visibility was a little limited with the split window.

But pre 2008 motor tax (engine size vs Co2 emissions) was painful at €673.

That’s why I preferred the saloon I’ve the hatch, visibility, I thought the interior was nicer and the independent rear suspension was better on rougher roads.

Sexual Chocolate

I had one for a few months last year and thought it was great except for being a bit firm for a 5 door hatch. Great on petrol decent bit of poke. I'd defiantly have another one but only the saloon.

U_Fig

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Thanks just got schooled ðŸ˜, always assumed it was the other way around but assumed makes an ass of me and u 😂

In the Type R is the other way round

kennethsmyth

U_Fig wrote: »

In the Type R is the other way round

Just read up a bit on that 1.8 sohc, I originally never new its vtec was in reverse with the agressive cams always on but if you drive sedately the vtec switches on the economic cams so better fuel efficiency - that is seriously cool and kudos to the engineer who said "why don't we do vtec the other way around"

One thing unusual though is that the 1.8 does love to be revved and it frees up after 4500 rpms so I always thought that was the vtec working at that point.:D

colm_mcm

What I think is even more amazing is:

It’s a SOHC and 16 valve at the same time.

The exhaust system runs behind the drivers side sill

The fuel tank is under the front seats

The heater matrix is behind the gear lever

The glovebox is a foot and a half deep and can hold a 6 pack

The rear seats fold into the area normally taken by the fuel tank

You can get 2 washing machines comfortably into the back


And then they just chickened out and went completely conventional with the current model.

kennethsmyth

colm_mcm wrote: »

What I think is even more amazing is:

It’s a SOHC and 16 valve at the same time.

The exhaust system runs behind the drivers side sill

The fuel tank is under the front seats

The heater matrix is behind the gear lever

The glovebox is a foot and a half deep and can hold a 6 pack

The rear seats fold into the area normally taken by the fuel tank

You can get 2 washing machines comfortably into the back


And then they just chickened out and went completely conventional with the current model.

Thats the hatch, the saloon is just a comfortable smooth car (but its a nice place to be).

You forgot rocket ships as front door handles!

colm_mcm

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Thats the hatch, the saloon is just a comfortable smooth car (but its a nice place to be).

You forgot rocket ships as front door handles!

I just find the saloon a bit ‘meh’ - they’re a grand yoke for sure but it just doesn’t do anything for me.

Ref the doors - I thought they were something else!

kennethsmyth

colm_mcm wrote: »

I just find the saloon a bit ‘meh’ - they’re a grand yoke for sure but it just doesn’t do anything for me.

Ref the doors - I thought they were something else!

I know what you mean, its a nice saloon but a saloon. However the ride is much better, less crashy and has independant suspension on the back - and a spare wheel - hatch doesn't I also think the seats are more comfortable and interior looks better together than the mismatch dash in the hatch.

But I like both of them, the hatch can be got with 1/2 glass roof also as opposed to the saloon with just a sunroof.

kennethsmyth

colm_mcm wrote: »

What I think is even more amazing is:

It’s a SOHC and 16 valve at the same time.

The exhaust system runs behind the drivers side sill

The fuel tank is under the front seats

The heater matrix is behind the gear lever

The glovebox is a foot and a half deep and can hold a 6 pack

The rear seats fold into the area normally taken by the fuel tank

You can get 2 washing machines comfortably into the back


And then they just chickened out and went completely conventional with the current model.

I get the feeling you're an ex honda mechanic!

colm_mcm

kennethsmyth wrote: »

I get the feeling you're an ex honda mechanic!

Nah I just had one for ages.

kennethsmyth

colm_mcm wrote: »

Nah I just had one for ages.

Yep, ye need to like them as they seem to stay around for a while!

0lddog

Had been looking for a Civic daysul but took fright at stories of soft camshaft and dodgy injectors in the 1.6 engine.

Now looking at a 1.8 petrol

What issues should I look out for ?

Also, what sort of money should a clean 2007 5 door 1.8 civic EX with around 80k km go for in a private sale ?