Golf mk4/5 or focus MK1/2

[Olb1]

Hi new to the forum,
Some background, the last 15 years I've spent just over £2000 on cars.
1. Golf MK2 driver 1.8 £300 lasted 5 years
2. Golf MK3 GTi 8v £650 lasted 5 years
3. Polo 6n 1.6 cl £400 lasted 2 years
4. Corsa D cdti sxi 1.3 £900 still driving it but injector seals are gone , car economically a write off

So I am looking for my next car, up to £1500 , single guy so nothing big happy with a focus or golf.
Think the focus MK1 looks a bit old now but a lot of people rate them better than MK2.
Golf mk4 solid , mk5 probably better but even bigger.
Fancy a petrol due to simpler mechanics and heats up quicker in winter. But I've heard the golf diesels are better. I do about 7-8 k a year.
Any advice??

[dogbucket]

If you could get a mk2 Focus (would be pre-face lift 2008 for that money I imagine) then the 1.6 is very reliable in my experience, just check cambelt has been done. 1.8 Duratec is chain so that one be one less thing to worry about if one of those came up.

We have had all of those models in the family and although the Golfs were all R32/GTI the Focus were much less trouble and cheaper to run.

[Olb1]

Thanks , I have usually stuck with vw ( the Corsa just came up) but I hear a lot of good things about the focus. I think the MK2 looks modern still. Any other views on which and what engines /trim levels to look for?

[mholt1995]

Olb1 said:

Thanks , I have usually stuck with vw ( the Corsa just came up) but I hear a lot of good things about the focus. I think the MK2 looks modern still. Any other views on which and what engines /trim levels to look for?

Petrol engines for the Focus range from the 1.4 (79bhp), through 1.6 (99bhp), 1.6 Ti-VCT (115bhp), 1.8 (123bhp) to 2.0 (143bhp).

The 1.8 and 2.0 are chain driven, the rest I believe are belt driven.

You've also got 5 diesels with similar power outputs to the petrols. Two 1.6s, a 1.8 and a 2.0. Don't know a whole lot about them.

None of them are really going to set the world alight in terms of performance. The 2.0 scrapes a sub 10s 0-60.

I've had a 1.8 and two 2.0s. The 2.0 is absolutely worth going for over the 1.8 as the torque delivery is much better, the 1.8 had to be rather wrung out to get anything from it.

I'm not familiar enough with the 1.6s or the 1.4 to pass judgement.

Five body styles: 3 door hatch; 5 door hatch; estate; saloon; and coupe/convertible.

Trim levels wise you've got

- Studio (proper base)
- LX (Studio plus air con, central locking)
- Sport (LX plus alloys, front fogs and leather steering wheel)
- Zetec (Sport plus sports suspension, sports seats, body bits, trim computer, perimeter alarm)
- Zetec Climate (Zetec plus heated windscreen)
- Ghia (Sport plus cruise control, thatcham alarm, lumbar support, velour seats, auto lights/wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, vanity mirrors, front and rear armrests, and more storage)
- Titanium (Ghia minus cruise control, plus part leather sports seats, Sony stereo)

I've got a 2.0 Ghia with lots of spec (sunroof, xenons, Sony stereo, heated leather interior) at the moment and it's nice. Get 25mpg locally and have seen up to 40 on a run. Not really had any problems with it beyond two of the calipers deciding they didn't want to calip (?) anymore which is a common fault apparently. Moving it on soon though.

Rust is starting to become a problem on them now, especially the rear arches and front wings. Nothing too structural except when the door bottoms go.

https://issuu.com/mustaphamondeo/docs/ford_focus_2... - good brochure here

[ZX10R NIN]

You should be able to find a good MK2 2.0 Ghia for your budget.

[Olb1]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I wouldn't be happy with 25mpg , I do mostly town driving and would want 30-35 at least. Im not bothered about it being quick but I like not having to change gear all the time.
The 1995 polo 1.6 I had was surprisingly flexible, I could drive up hills in 4th gear. Same with the 2.0 8v golf GTi.

[Terry Tibbs]

I run an 07 focus Ghia 1.8 tdci. I paid £1300 for it 3 years ago when it had 80k on the clocks. Full leather, auto lights/wipers, etc etc so a lot of car for the money.
I’m a fan of the Focus, had a mk1 before this (this one is a nicer place to sit in but I think the mk1 was just a tad more fun to drive)
I keep thinking about selling it and getting something a bit newer but I would have to spend a fair bit and to be honest I’m still happy with it.

Only thing I’ve had to replace in 3 years and 25k miles was a broken spring and I had to get the alternator repaired. Other than that just servicing. Very cheap motoring!

[Jamescrs]

Wife ran a 1.6lx Mk2 Focus for around 6-7 years if I remember correctly and it was really faultless, apart from on one occasion when a power steering pipe went which cost a couple of hundred pounds as it was a Ford specific part but otherwise it was a great car, just had an annual service and other consumables as needed.
I ran it for around 6 months too when she bought a new car as a stop gap and it was fine, not the flashiest interior but it felt very solid, in the end we traded it in when I bought something new and got about £300 if memory serves correctly, I should have put it on ebay but I couldn't really be bothered.

As a budget run around they are great.

[Zetec-S]

Ran a couple of Mk1 1.6 petrols for over a decade, 35-40mpg is easily achievable and high 40's on a longer run if you're light footed.

No major issues with either of them. Power is obviously a bit down compared to more modern (turbocharged) engines but if you're looking for something simple which just does the job then the 1.6 Zetec is what I'd choose. Just find a tidy Mk1 or Mk2, change the belt and enjoy

[MC Bodge]

Mk1 Focus 1.6 Zetec (or Ghia?) would be my choice.

The 1.4 is OK in a Fiesta, but a bit slower in a Focus.

[Olb1]

Thanks for the replies, looks like the focus is the way to go. Any one with any golf praise?

[VR99]

I've run a MK1 focus for the last 10 years...the fact I've had it that long is testament to how good these cars are. However would agree with others here that MK2 is the one to go for...I always get nervous abt rust on my mk1 given its age but been lucky so far.
I've been looking at mk2's recently in the classifieds and only annoying aspect is that 1.6's are common, 1.8's less so and 2.0 models even less. I assume Ford know that most just want the cheaper to run 1.6 but if you can find a 2.0...you will need it to haul the extra weight of the mk2

[Olb1]

Thanks for all the replies, focus sounds great. Going to look out for mk2s ideally Ghia or zetec. Think petrol 1.6 would be fine for me but not ruling out 2.0.

[Eyersey1234]

I've a Mk2 Focus 1.8tdci and think it's great. Paid £490 for it in October 2018 and have done over 25k in that time, its now approaching 200k on the clock. Can certainly recommend. Further details are on the Eyerseys Autotrader Adventure thread.

[CorporalPike]

I had a 58 1.8 zetec. Liked it but the 1.8 is allegedly the worst to get - as thirsty as the 2.0 but not as quick. That said friend had the 1.6 and said felt gutless but I didn't feel that with mine, though you did have to work it hard.

Trim wise tough don't go less than zetec - the non sport seats are flat and feel totally different to the zetec - you're sitting on an armchair rather than in a car. Sounds like a small thing but actually try the different trim and you'll be surprised.

[Olb1]

Thanks and is it just the Ghia that has arm rests? I like arm rests!

[CorporalPike]

The zetec had the centre armrest but nothing on right hand side of seat if that's what you mean - also had a titanium which was the same, but does have a nice Sony stereo and part leather so worth having if one comes up.

Ghia seems to be more the old man spec so lots of toys but less sporty looks etc.

[Olb1]

Thanks for that, zetec would be fine then, I meant the centre arm rest for gear changing arm.

[MC Bodge]

Zetec spec is good.