Astra v Focus.

sillygoose

I don't have either but have had both on hire or loan. I would go Focus, the Astra feels very tinny and cheap to me and is due to be replaced soon (this year) its starting to look a bit end-of-life comparatively. The Focus feels roomier.

Of the many Fords and Vauxhalls I have owned over the years, the Vauxhalls tended to have an edge in reliability, but when they went, they died.

Inactive

Remember that both Ford and GM are close to being bankrupt, if they go under that will play havoc with used prices.

sillygoose

Just to be awkward... how about a Kia Ceed? 5 door or if you like sporty 3 door the Pro-Ceed, seven year warranty, 0% finance on 2.0 Diesel Sport, New list prices around 14/15 K for high spec diesels, should be able to haggle that down a bit. (www.autotrader.co.uk is always good for finding a dealer looking to shift new cars cheap)

Bluebird24

My dad and I both drive Focuses, and love them, but on our last holiday we had an Astra as a hire car. He said it felt about as smooth as driving a tank in comparison.

Idiophreak

Wow, normally see a lot more support for the astra than this in these threads...

I'll side with the astra, anyway - looks better, has a lower/less upright seating position and I find it an easier drive.

Had a focus while my astra was in the shop the other week (someone crashed into it - not a mechanical fault ), couldn't wait to get rid of it, the focus handled like it was full of jelly, gave me no confidence in cornering - and it makes a horrible noise on full lock - !!!!!! is up with that (I assume it's normal - my mate has one does the same thing)

moneysaver

goldspanners wrote: »

focus every day of the week.
im biased as i also have one,but would consider other makes before the vauxhall.
looking through the ages i think the astra has always looked dated well before the focus and looses money quicker than the focus.
the interior of the focus looks a lot better than the astra,i think the astra looks very cheap and tacky,the focus is a bit more refined.

Totally agree with everything you say.

The Astra is very bland inside. I have a Focus Zetec, it's a great car.


Moneysaver

sarah_elton

Idiophreak wrote: »

I'll side with the astra, anyway - looks better, has a lower/less upright seating position and I find it an easier drive.

I'm normally in the "I love my Astra!!!!" camp, but I have the old shape (pre 2005) Astra, not the new shape.

What I love about mine is not just the comfy drive and utter practicality of the car, but the stonking boot size for the size of car.

Now, I haven't looked at one properly yet, but it seems the new shape Astra has turned into a Focus clone and the boot's going to be much smaller than the old shape. I got my 52 plate Astra nearly a year ago - was planning on keeping it a couple more years then trading it in for an 05 plate (last of the old shape). Not sure what to do after that though.

Idiophreak

sarah_elton wrote: »

Now, I haven't looked at one properly yet, but it seems the new shape Astra has turned into a Focus clone and the boot's going to be much smaller than the old shape. I got my 52 plate Astra nearly a year ago - was planning on keeping it a couple more years then trading it in for an 05 plate (last of the old shape). Not sure what to do after that though.

My "main" astra is a 04 plate, which I'm fairly sure was the last of the Mk4 Astra - I think anything after 04 is new shape...

BenL

Mine doesn't look anything like a Focus.

I think from when reading the sales stuff that the boot on the 3-door is larger than the 5 door too.

sarah_elton

Well that's exactly what I thought, but there is an Astra in my town with the same shape as mine, which is an 05 plate. I've seen it a few times.

Unless they bought an 05 plate to put on it, but why would you do that?

Ben - I prefer 5 door to 3 door. Does anyone know how the boot size compares on the new shape 5-door to the old shape?