Can you recommend a better car?
Discussion
Hi PH
I'm sorry if this is in the wrong area, I'm new at this site. And I've come to ask for your advice, as I understand this is the most comprehensive car site on the net.
I need a new car - I'm a mature student, and these are my requirements:
5 door
Small hatchback
Something reliable, and fairly fuel efficient.
I have a '99 Mk1 Focus, and it's falling apart a bit. I've spent a lot more on repairing it than the car is worth, so have decided to cut my losses and move to another car!
I like the focus because it's fairly pokey for a 1.6l, so would ideally like the same performance or more. Also, the focus size is great for me.
Budget - 3500?ish?
Would really appreciate any tips. I did look at a few Astras yesterday - but the 1.7 CDTi looked a little slow on paper? and I read the turbo on the 1.9 is prone to go and is an expensive fix. I could always fall back on to a newer focus I guess, but would really appreciate any other options you might have for me.
Thank you!
I'm sorry if this is in the wrong area, I'm new at this site. And I've come to ask for your advice, as I understand this is the most comprehensive car site on the net.
I need a new car - I'm a mature student, and these are my requirements:
5 door
Small hatchback
Something reliable, and fairly fuel efficient.
I have a '99 Mk1 Focus, and it's falling apart a bit. I've spent a lot more on repairing it than the car is worth, so have decided to cut my losses and move to another car!
I like the focus because it's fairly pokey for a 1.6l, so would ideally like the same performance or more. Also, the focus size is great for me.
Budget - 3500?ish?
Would really appreciate any tips. I did look at a few Astras yesterday - but the 1.7 CDTi looked a little slow on paper? and I read the turbo on the 1.9 is prone to go and is an expensive fix. I could always fall back on to a newer focus I guess, but would really appreciate any other options you might have for me.
Thank you!
bonus99 said:
MK 5 Golf TDI you should find a decent one for that money, if not buy mine 
+1. My 2007 golf match 1.9TDI has done 122k now I bought it on 36k and has needed nothing more than wear and tear items. I warn you though if you buy one you may struggle to part with it, for how reliable and how much car it is I'd rather keep it than sell it for what I'd get for it!drucey said:
Hi PH
I'm sorry if this is in the wrong area, I'm new at this site. And I've come to ask for your advice, as I understand this is the most comprehensive car site on the net.
I need a new car - I'm a mature student, and these are my requirements:
5 door
Small hatchback
Something reliable, and fairly fuel efficient.
I have a '99 Mk1 Focus, and it's falling apart a bit. I've spent a lot more on repairing it than the car is worth, so have decided to cut my losses and move to another car!
I like the focus because it's fairly pokey for a 1.6l, so would ideally like the same performance or more. Also, the focus size is great for me.
Budget - 3500?ish?
Would really appreciate any tips. I did look at a few Astras yesterday - but the 1.7 CDTi looked a little slow on paper? and I read the turbo on the 1.9 is prone to go and is an expensive fix. I could always fall back on to a newer focus I guess, but would really appreciate any other options you might have for me.
Thank you!
A newer Focus?I'm sorry if this is in the wrong area, I'm new at this site. And I've come to ask for your advice, as I understand this is the most comprehensive car site on the net.
I need a new car - I'm a mature student, and these are my requirements:
5 door
Small hatchback
Something reliable, and fairly fuel efficient.
I have a '99 Mk1 Focus, and it's falling apart a bit. I've spent a lot more on repairing it than the car is worth, so have decided to cut my losses and move to another car!
I like the focus because it's fairly pokey for a 1.6l, so would ideally like the same performance or more. Also, the focus size is great for me.
Budget - 3500?ish?
Would really appreciate any tips. I did look at a few Astras yesterday - but the 1.7 CDTi looked a little slow on paper? and I read the turbo on the 1.9 is prone to go and is an expensive fix. I could always fall back on to a newer focus I guess, but would really appreciate any other options you might have for me.
Thank you!
Al U said:
+1. My 2007 golf match 1.9TDI has done 122k now I bought it on 36k and has needed nothing more than wear and tear items. I warn you though if you buy one you may struggle to part with it, for how reliable and how much car it is I'd rather keep it than sell it for what I'd get for it!
That looks like the perfect car for me. The only 1.9TDI I found in my area was this one:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Which looks ideal - but unfortunately has gone.
Insurance for this for me is £450, compared to £700 for the 2.0 GT - so I'll definitely try and find a 1.9TDi
Don't worry about "paper" speeds. Apparently, my beater Clio dCi takes something like 19 seconds to get to 60. In reality it takes more like 12 and, unless you're at Santa Pod, whatever you buy will be more than fast enough to get you about.
Simon.
Simon.
Edited by ferrariF50lover on Sunday 5th October 12:55
ferrariF50lover said:
Don't worry about "paper" speeds. Apparently, my beater Clio dCi takes something like 19 seconds to get to 60. In reality it takes more like 12 and, unless you're at Santa Pod, whatever you but will be more than fast enough to get you about.
Simon.
That's appreciated, thank youSimon.
Is there any particular need for you to switch over to a diesel?
What kind of daily journey lengths are we talking here? Switching up to a diesel might end up costing you tons in repairs. Diesels take much longer to warm up, and diesel particulate filters only regenerate when the engine is up to temperature, meaning the filter gets clogged and costs you loads.
My lad just got himself a mk.1 Focus (2002) with that 1.6 petrol engine, and it's really good on fuel for a petrol engine. If you're driving less than 10,000 miles per year, I'd advise against a diesel and go for a newer Focus. Focus is way nicer than an Astra anyway, in my opinion. Within your £3k budget, you can pick up a 1.8 Focus from 2008 onwards, no bother.
What kind of daily journey lengths are we talking here? Switching up to a diesel might end up costing you tons in repairs. Diesels take much longer to warm up, and diesel particulate filters only regenerate when the engine is up to temperature, meaning the filter gets clogged and costs you loads.
My lad just got himself a mk.1 Focus (2002) with that 1.6 petrol engine, and it's really good on fuel for a petrol engine. If you're driving less than 10,000 miles per year, I'd advise against a diesel and go for a newer Focus. Focus is way nicer than an Astra anyway, in my opinion. Within your £3k budget, you can pick up a 1.8 Focus from 2008 onwards, no bother.
406highlander said:
Is there any particular need for you to switch over to a diesel?
What kind of daily journey lengths are we talking here? Switching up to a diesel might end up costing you tons in repairs. Diesels take much longer to warm up, and diesel particulate filters only regenerate when the engine is up to temperature, meaning the filter gets clogged and costs you loads.
My lad just got himself a mk.1 Focus (2002) with that 1.6 petrol engine, and it's really good on fuel for a petrol engine. If you're driving less than 10,000 miles per year, I'd advise against a diesel and go for a newer Focus. Focus is way nicer than an Astra anyway, in my opinion. Within your £3k budget, you can pick up a 1.8 Focus from 2008 onwards, no bother.
It's educated car talk like that which I need to hear!What kind of daily journey lengths are we talking here? Switching up to a diesel might end up costing you tons in repairs. Diesels take much longer to warm up, and diesel particulate filters only regenerate when the engine is up to temperature, meaning the filter gets clogged and costs you loads.
My lad just got himself a mk.1 Focus (2002) with that 1.6 petrol engine, and it's really good on fuel for a petrol engine. If you're driving less than 10,000 miles per year, I'd advise against a diesel and go for a newer Focus. Focus is way nicer than an Astra anyway, in my opinion. Within your £3k budget, you can pick up a 1.8 Focus from 2008 onwards, no bother.
My commute would generally be between 30-60 mins long each way, but still less than 10k a year. Perhaps I am too hasty to rid myself of a Focus...
I once had a 2006 Focus with the 1.6 Ti-VCT engine, that was a pretty nice little engine. Mk2 Focus felt a lot more solid and grown-up than the Mk1, vastly nicer interior, a lot better specced if you go for Ghia or Titanium spec, the downside is it's a heavier car than the Mk1 and not quite as sharp in terms of handling.
Having driven various examples of both, the Mk2 Focus is approximately 100000000000000 times better than any Astra of the same age in every respect imaginable!
Having driven various examples of both, the Mk2 Focus is approximately 100000000000000 times better than any Astra of the same age in every respect imaginable!
Jonny_ said:
I once had a 2006 Focus with the 1.6 Ti-VCT engine, that was a pretty nice little engine. Mk2 Focus felt a lot more solid and grown-up than the Mk1, vastly nicer interior, a lot better specced if you go for Ghia or Titanium spec, the downside is it's a heavier car than the Mk1 and not quite as sharp in terms of handling.
Having driven various examples of both, the Mk2 Focus is approximately 100000000000000 times better than any Astra of the same age in every respect imaginable!
I think my desire to try an Astra really was unfounded, I'll stay clear I think and perhaps look at a Mk2 focus!Having driven various examples of both, the Mk2 Focus is approximately 100000000000000 times better than any Astra of the same age in every respect imaginable!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Something like this perhaps?
drucey said:
That looks like the perfect car for me. The only 1.9TDI I found in my area was this one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Which looks ideal - but unfortunately has gone.
Insurance for this for me is £450, compared to £700 for the 2.0 GT - so I'll definitely try and find a 1.9TDi
When I started looking for my car, I ruled out the GT as at the time the insurance was considerably cheaper on the 1.9. The thing is, if you are going to get the 1.9 then go for match spec. It's the highest spec you can get on that engine and has things standard that the petrol GTI has to have as options, steering wheel controls, ipod dock in armrest, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, trip computer. Although the GT does look nicer with the different bumpers and they are considerably faster you do pay a premium for it. The 1.9 is more than adequate for day to day use, on motorways I never find myself having to plan overtakes due to lack of power.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Which looks ideal - but unfortunately has gone.
Insurance for this for me is £450, compared to £700 for the 2.0 GT - so I'll definitely try and find a 1.9TDi
drucey said:
406highlander said:
Is there any particular need for you to switch over to a diesel?
What kind of daily journey lengths are we talking here? Switching up to a diesel might end up costing you tons in repairs. Diesels take much longer to warm up, and diesel particulate filters only regenerate when the engine is up to temperature, meaning the filter gets clogged and costs you loads.
My lad just got himself a mk.1 Focus (2002) with that 1.6 petrol engine, and it's really good on fuel for a petrol engine. If you're driving less than 10,000 miles per year, I'd advise against a diesel and go for a newer Focus. Focus is way nicer than an Astra anyway, in my opinion. Within your £3k budget, you can pick up a 1.8 Focus from 2008 onwards, no bother.
It's educated car talk like that which I need to hear!What kind of daily journey lengths are we talking here? Switching up to a diesel might end up costing you tons in repairs. Diesels take much longer to warm up, and diesel particulate filters only regenerate when the engine is up to temperature, meaning the filter gets clogged and costs you loads.
My lad just got himself a mk.1 Focus (2002) with that 1.6 petrol engine, and it's really good on fuel for a petrol engine. If you're driving less than 10,000 miles per year, I'd advise against a diesel and go for a newer Focus. Focus is way nicer than an Astra anyway, in my opinion. Within your £3k budget, you can pick up a 1.8 Focus from 2008 onwards, no bother.
My commute would generally be between 30-60 mins long each way, but still less than 10k a year. Perhaps I am too hasty to rid myself of a Focus...
drucey said:
If you were closer to me, I'd be calling!
Where are you? For the right price I would consider selling mine, just had the cambelt and waterpump done for the second time in my ownership too.ETA - just saw your in newcastle. I'm in North London which is only round the corner from you isn't it?
Edited by Al U on Sunday 5th October 11:52
Monty Python said:
Looks like a good buy to me....the wife's SE is now heading for 110K and still going strong..Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff