Skoda Scala v Ford Focus Active

niairin

Hello, just looking for a little advice as I'm having last minute doubts about my decision. I'm buying a used hatchback, and the two options are a Skoda Scala (3 years old, 40,000km) or Ford Focus Active (4 years old, 60,000km). Specs are pretty similar and the Focus is about a grand more expensive.

I've always driven Fords and have found them ultra-reliable. Skoda has an excellent reputation (in Europe at least) but I still worry it'll be less sturdy / decline in quality more rapidly. I prefer to hang onto a car for a very long time.

The big advantage of the scala is its enormous boot-space, for a car of its size. This is important for us.

Any thoughts? Is Ford worth the extra money?

djan

Honestly reliability will be pretty much identical and I'd lean towards the Skoda as you get much lower mileage and a newer car. As you say the Scala has a substantially bigger boot so if that's in anyway important go for that given the similarity of car. Another thing, to consider is the spec level of car, especially if you are planning on keeping long term, things like heated seats/steering wheel, sensors/camera and cruise control make all the difference.

niairin

Thank you, this is really helpful. Would you mind if I ask, the scala is 1.0 petrol v the focus is 1.5 diesel. I drive around 50km / day, would I notice substantial savings with the diesel? Never had it before.

I was fairly settled on the focus, but insurance would be about 200euro/year more - not huge but still made me think again.

The scala has sensors but no camera, focus has camera but no sensors.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122205671#Comment_122205671

If you save 1l/100km in the diesel it equates to less than €1 per day with your mileage

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122205671#Comment_122205671

Given the lower mileage definitely go with the petrol. It is quite frugal and well received overall while being a lot smoother than the 1.5 diesel. Maintenance of the petrol will be lower in addition to less things to go wrong so I'd stick with petrol and take the insurance savings to have nearly free yearly servicing. The 1.5 diesel will feel slightly faster (and it is a by a slim margin) due to the lower end torque but it's not worth the potential hassle down the line if looking to keep long term.

I'd rather have sensors than camera as you can hear the beeps while looking around yourself rather than having to focus on camera which can be dangerous plus its possible to retrofit a camera if you really want one. It should be standard but make sure to get AC and cruise control as that's often the baseline when people are looking to buy.

GPoint

ford cars have heated windscreen , big time saver in the winter ! Focus is better looking than scala. It should be compared to a fiesta really. If you can find a focus estate the boot is really big in that and independent rear suspension too .

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122215370#Comment_122215370

While I agree that the Focus is sleeker, if space and value is important then the Scala is the way to go. Fiesta is a much smaller car.

Henry Ford III

Focus will handle and drive better. Parts are cheaper too.

Panthro

I saw a Scala Monte Carlo parked next to me a few weeks back. Personal preference of course but i thought it looked very stylish.