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Changing from a Focus to a Corolla - Good enough???

  • 18-01-2012 02:22PM
    #1
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I currently drive a 2001 1.6 Ford Focus Hatchback 3 door, and I am considering changing to a 2002-2003 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (3 or 5 door), but it seems to only come in 1.4 petrol or 2 litre diesel.

    Since I'm only 18 on a learners permit I think that the price of the 2 litres insurance would be too expensive. Is the 1.4 engine in the Corolla good enough for the car.

    I had a 1.4 astra a few months ago and I thought it felt quite heavy on the motorway, had a bit of trouble overtaking, would the Corolla be the same? Any other opinions on it?

    Thanks


«1

Comments

  • #2
    Gophur
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Gophur


    Pass your driving test before you start worrying about cars!


  • #3
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    dillo2k10 wrote:
    on a learners permit
    dillo2k10 wrote:
    on the motorway

    ??


  • #4
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    Gophur wrote: »
    Pass your driving test before you start worrying about cars!

    I have my test booked, but the insurance still wont go down much, if at all.


  • #5
    Gophur
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Gophur


    dillo2k10 wrote: »
    I have my test booked, but the insurance still wont go down much, if at all.

    I wasn't referring to that, just, similar to other poster, you seem concerned with things other than passing your test.

    You do know it's illegal to drive unaccompanied?
    You do know it's illegal for L-plate drivers to drive on Motorways?

    Pass your test, then you'll be deemed fit to drive. Then worry about other cars.


  • #6
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    Gophur wrote: »
    I wasn't referring to that, just, similar to other poster, you seem concerned with things other than passing your test.

    You do know it's illegal to drive unaccompanied?
    You do know it's illegal for L-plate drivers to drive on Motorways?

    Pass your test, then you'll be deemed fit to drive. Then worry about other cars.

    I don't drive unaccompanied (the majority of the time) and I'm not spending 5 times the amount of time getting to college because I have to drive on the motorway for a couple of minutes.

    I was asking about the cars though, not the rules of the road.


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  • #7
    Noopti
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,776 ✭✭✭Noopti


    Surely it is his prerogative to worry about whatever he wants?

    Also, I am sure he can worry about more then one thing at a time, ie: his test and getting a new car. Don't think that is too difficult for most people.


  • #8
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    Either car will be sufficient for an inexperienced, unqualified, illegal driver to cause problems for other motorway drivers. I'd not bother changing if I was you.

    Does that answer your question?


  • #9
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    If you want an honest opinion on the two cars, I'd say that if your Focus is in good condition then you won't get much value from changing it. The Corolla Hatchback, in my experience, is pretty nippy in the 1.4 but not great for motorway driving. It also doesn't exactly step up the comfort / interior from the Focus of that era.


  • #10
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    Draupnir wrote: »
    cause problems for other motorway drivers. I'd not bother changing if I was you.

    I don't cause problems for other motorway drivers, I actually do stay in the driving lane and move to the over taking lane when overtaking, unlike the majority of legal, experienced drivers who just sit in the overtaking lane the whole journey, holding everyone back.

    Draupnir wrote: »
    If you want an honest opinion on the two cars, I'd say that if your Focus is in good condition then you won't get much value from changing it. The Corolla Hatchback, in my experience, is pretty nippy in the 1.4 but not great for motorway driving. It also doesn't exactly step up the comfort / interior from the Focus of that era.

    The focus isn't really, I just bought it 'cos my old car broke down. It starting to have trouble starting and the body work isn't great and theres a few other problems with it.


  • #11
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    dillo2k10 wrote: »
    I don't cause problems for other motorway drivers, I actually do stay in the driving lane and move to the over taking lane when overtaking, unlike the majority of legal, experienced drivers who just sit in the overtaking lane the whole journey, holding everyone back.

    You know what? I can't actually argue with you!


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  • #12
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    dillo2k10 wrote:
    The focus isn't really, I just bought it 'cos my old car broke down. It starting to have trouble starting and the body work isn't great and theres a few other problems with it.

    That being the case, I'd change it once you can find a Corolla in decent shape within your budget. I wouldn't worry too much about engine size right now if I was you and you won't have much need for motorway driving in the future.


  • #13
    MidnightQueen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,601 ✭✭✭MidnightQueen


    Ah dont be too harsh on the young fella lads! We were all teenagers once wanting different things to break our parents hearts. :rolleyes: Dont deny it, but we all break rules every now and again.

    Anyhow, the Corolla would be a nice choice in my opinion. Safe reliable cars. It would bring down your'e insurance a bit, tax costs and your fuel cost. So that would be a wise choice.


  • #14
    Twin-go
    Closed Accounts Posts: 993 ✭✭✭Twin-go


    dillo2k10 wrote: »
    Hi,

    I currently drive a 2001 1.6 Ford Focus Hatchback 3 door, and I am considering changing to a 2002-2003 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (3 or 5 door), but it seems to only come in 1.4 petrol or 2 litre diesel.

    Since I'm only 18 on a learners permit I think that the price of the 2 litres insurance would be too expensive. Is the 1.4 engine in the Corolla good enough for the car.

    I had a 1.4 astra a few months ago and I thought it felt quite heavy on the motorway, had a bit of trouble overtaking, would the Corolla be the same? Any other opinions on it?

    Thanks

    What are your reasons for changing the car OP? and why are you thinking Corolla?

    You can get a lot nicer cars for the same price as a 2003 Corolla. Some that would be close to the same or cheaper to insure.


  • #15
    Twin-go
    Closed Accounts Posts: 993 ✭✭✭Twin-go


    OP, There are plenty more interesting cars in your price range (similar Tax/Insurance costs) than the Corolla.

    You could also come down to Yaris/Fiesta/Polo/Ibiza/Corsa etc sized cars (nippy with a 1.4) and get an even newer motor with lower miles and more equipment.


  • #16
    creedp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,178 ✭✭✭creedp


    Draupnir wrote: »
    You know what? I can't actually argue with you!


    To be fair to the OP he's simply asking an opinion on a car and not on the rules of the road. And he (assuming it not a she) is correct when he says that a large number of drivers on motorways (whether they have full licences or not) haven't a clue how to drive on same roads. I presume you also similarly chide all the contributors on here who do 45kmph in 40kmph zones or worse still do 80 in a 75 kmph zone.

    Personally have no experience of either car but a number of threads on here have praised the focus and criticised the corrolla but that's more down to driving dynamics (within the rules obviously!). So whatever floats you boat really.


  • #17
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    Twin-go wrote: »
    What are your reasons for changing the car OP? and why are you thinking Corolla?

    You can get a lot nicer cars for the same price as a 2003 Corolla. Some that would be close to the same or cheaper to insure.
    Twin-go wrote: »
    OP, There are plenty more interesting cars in your price range (similar Tax/Insurance costs) than the Corolla.

    You could also come down to Yaris/Fiesta/Polo/Ibiza/Corsa etc sized cars (nippy with a 1.4) and get an even newer motor with lower miles and more equipment.

    I was looking at the polo and to be honest I havnt a clue why I didn't think of a Fiesta, Im looking at some now on donedeal and they seem much better, Im starting to think more of a 04 fiesta now, they seem the best option .


  • #18
    Gophur
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Gophur


    dillo2k10 wrote: »
    I don't drive unaccompanied (the majority of the time) ............

    So you do drive unaccompanied!

    Noopti wrote: »
    Surely it is his prerogative to worry about whatever he wants?

    .................

    Not when he's sharing a public road with others.

    I want all other road users to be confirming to basic legalities. Unaccompanied learner drivers, not yet certified to drive, are not allowed on our roads. Learner drivers are not allowed on our motorways.

    So, back to the original query, stay in your Focus (accompanied) until you are certified fit to drive.


  • #19
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    Gophur wrote: »
    So you do drive unaccompanied!




    Not when he's sharing a public road with others.

    I want all other road users to be confirming to basic legalities. Unaccompanied learner drivers, not yet certified to drive, are not allowed on our roads. Learner drivers are not allowed on our motorways.

    So, back to the original query, stay in your Focus (accompanied) until you are certified fit to drive.


    Yes I do drive unaccompanied, only locally though, to the shop or to a friends around the corner.


  • #20
    Gophur
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Gophur


    What's the point having rules and regulations, so?


  • #21
    EPM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,822 ✭✭✭✭EPM


    Gophur wrote: »
    What's the point having rules and regulations, so?

    The OP is looking for car advice. We all know the implications for the OP and everyone else as it's been covered a thousand times already on this forum and has no relevance whatsoever to the OP's question.


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  • #22
    Whyner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,690 ✭✭✭Whyner


    Who didn't drive on the motorway with an L, jeez......it's not as if they taught you.


  • #23
    MidnightQueen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,601 ✭✭✭MidnightQueen


    Too true, besides i think people should learn to drive on that too before their test. Some people who have their full licence still dont know how to drive. Rant over.


  • #24
    Raskolnikov
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    dillo2k10 wrote: »
    Since I'm only 18 on a learners permit I think that the price of the 2 litres insurance would be too expensive. Is the 1.4 engine in the Corolla good enough for the car.
    Insurance generally goes by horsepower, not engine size. I drive a 1.9 diesel car that's as cheap to insure as a 1.0 Polo. Why you might ask? Because the engine only has 64 HP.


  • #25
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    creedp wrote: »
    To be fair to the OP he's simply asking an opinion on a car and not on the rules of the road. And he (assuming it not a she) is correct when he says that a large number of drivers on motorways (whether they have full licences or not) haven't a clue how to drive on same roads. I presume you also similarly chide all the contributors on here who do 45kmph in 40kmph zones or worse still do 80 in a 75 kmph zone.

    Personally have no experience of either car but a number of threads on here have praised the focus and criticised the corrolla but that's more down to driving dynamics (within the rules obviously!). So whatever floats you boat really.

    Don't think I phrased my final reply very well, my point was that I couldn't argue with his point, there is an unending number of qualified drivers who can't drive on motorways in this country.

    To the OP: I had a 1.4l 2003 Fiesta as my first car and it was a very nippy little motor that was a joy to drive in the city. It was a bit hairy at times on the motorway but that was about the only fault I could find with it thinking back, huge boot space and comfortable to sit in.


  • #26
    Draupnir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Draupnir


    Whyner wrote: »
    Who didn't drive on the motorway with an L, jeez......it's not as if they taught you.

    I didn't. Where's my medal?


  • #27
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    Draupnir wrote: »
    Don't think I phrased my final reply very well, my point was that I couldn't argue with his point, there is an unending number of qualified drivers who can't drive on motorways in this country.

    To the OP: I had a 1.4l 2003 Fiesta as my first car and it was a very nippy little motor that was a joy to drive in the city. It was a bit hairy at times on the motorway but that was about the only fault I could find with it thinking back, huge boot space and comfortable to sit in.

    Well I only drive on the motorway for about 5 minutes, so its not the biggest issue.

    Thanks


  • #28
    Leonard Hofstadter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,531 ✭✭✭Leonard Hofstadter


    A Focus is better than a Corolla in every conceivable measure, including dare I say it reliability. The early VVTi Corollas can suffer from burning oil and of course sometimes the gearbox goes on them as well. Admittedly the 1.4 Focus engine is pants, but it is still a far superior car to the Toyota.


  • #29
    dillo2k10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    captainspeed wrote: »
    A Focus is better than a Corolla in every conceivable measure, including dare I say it reliability. The early VVTi Corollas can suffer from burning oil and of course sometimes the gearbox goes on them as well. Admittedly the 1.4 Focus engine is pants, but it is still a far superior car to the Toyota.

    What about the fiesta? 1 4 2003 area


  • #30
    Leonard Hofstadter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,531 ✭✭✭Leonard Hofstadter


    dillo2k10 wrote: »
    What about the fiesta? 1 4 2003 area

    They're a fine car, no need to go for the 1.4 though, the 1.25 (1242 cc) has virtually the same amount of power (75 instead of 80 bhp, incidentally a 1.4 Focus has only 75 bhp) but the obvious tax and fuel consumption advantages. Don't get the old 1.3 (1297 cc or thereabouts) engine though; it's slower, less powerful and less economical than either the 1.25 or 1.4 petrol engines.


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  • #31
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    captainspeed wrote: »
    They're a fine car, no need to go for the 1.4 though, the 1.25 (1242 cc) has virtually the same amount of power (75 instead of 80 bhp, incidentally a 1.4 Focus has only 75 bhp) but the obvious tax and fuel consumption advantages. Don't get the old 1.3 (1297 cc or thereabouts) engine though; it's slower, less powerful and less economical than either the 1.25 or 1.4 petrol engines.
    The Corolla 4ZZ-FE has 97hp , they are actually quite a nippy engine


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