Astra or Focus?

Kylie

Current 10 year old Astra about to die.

Need to replace for a second-hand car (approx. 3-5 years old) around £4K-£5K (prefer the lower end!) less than 55K on the clock.

I have been told the Astra will be cheaper? :think:

I will mainly use it for motorway driving (LOTS of miles).

Needs to be automatic (for sitting in traffic) and airconditioning essential!

Fuel efficiency very important.

Any recommendations? :rolleyes:

Jokaty82

I know Ford Focuses hold their value quite well, and are harder to pick up (when looking for a specific model). I am from Luton, so we have Vauxhalls galore around here, every other car is an Astra or Corsa.

I would say both are probably very similar. Have you had any problems with your Astra, did you like how it was and what you got from a Vauxhall?

Kylie

Yes, the Astra has been a great car for us. I have put 85K+ on the clock. That's the reason for getting the newer one. I thought because there were SO MANY(!!!) on the roads, it might make them a bit cheaper to buy second-hand. I don't think the resale value will be too important as I will ...run it into the ground... with miles etc.

mat777

have you considered a slightly older luxury barge such as bmw 5/7 series. audi a6/8 or even a lincoln town car or ford crown victoria? ok, they might not be quite as fuel efficient but they'll certainly munch the miles in supreme automatic air conditioned comfort

Kylie

That's not the MSE way!

AdrianHi

I might choose to spend my £4K-£5K on a BMW 5 series, holding back another £1K+ for the maintenance bills that are sure to come, because it's what I like. Getting what you want / need for the least amount of money possible is the MSE way

Out of Astra or Focus I choose Focus as it is more fun to drive, but if you are mostly sitting on the motorway or traffic this is not very relevant. The Astra might be the better bet if it's cheaper to buy.

Of this type of car I would actually find myself a Mazda 3, it has the Focus chassis, everything else is Mazda. Just a bit different and has character IMO.

andyman2303

If you're doing the vast majority of your driving on the motorways, something with a longer wheelbase would be more comfortable. If you want to stick with Vauxhall, a Vectra?

Or if you'd prefer a change, a 5/7 series Beemer, or VW Passat?

pinkneonmartini

Hi, my OH had this exact question last summer, only her's also included the kia ceed, fiat bravo, seat leon, vw golf and a zillion other family hatches, and she was trading up from a knackered ford fusion. But as soon as she got near a focus the only one she wanted was an ST coz the other just looked boring, in the after a very hectic day of constant test drives, we popped into her local vauxhall dealership and before she even turned on the astra she knew she wanted it. Literally adjusted the seat, drove 200 yds and the deal was done. She managed to get a 57 plate, 5 door, silver, 1.6 sxi, with a/c for £8795, with only 3k on the clock. Its almost 1/2 price as the list price was over £15k. So no reason why you couldn't get a 56/07 for around £5.

in fact i'd probably go up to a vectra, since its been replaced by the insignia there are loads of cheap offers around!

jeannieblue

You're south of the M25

Then this lot............

http://www.copthornemotorcompany.co.uk/

It's where I found my automatic Focus with air con - good price and nice helpful people.

I'm north of the M25 but it was worh the trip!

scorpiolady

we just got rid of our 11 year old astra and bought a 5 year old focus and i must say i prefer the astra

NAR

My last two cars have been Astras, currently driving Astra Estate automatic which I think is great.