Astra or Focus?

goldspanners

ive got a focus and im very happy with it,had it from new,done 62,000 miles and its over 5 years old.

KonkyWonky

Finding an automatic box on a diesel Astra of that age for that price will be like finding hens teeth.

If you can live with a manual box do it, shouldn't be a great hardship if its all motorway miles you are doing.

cyclonebri1

You seem to have narrowed it down to 2 of the most ordinary, (read boring) cars out there. 3 if you include the Vectra.

However have to admit I ran an S reg veccy for almost 8 years, totally reliable, reasonably economic but as said totally boring.

I think if you drive "enthusiastically", you may find the Focus handles better than the other 2.

When I changed the Vectra I wanted a year old estate. Tried the Astra, Focus and Renault Megane. Went with the Renault as it had a bit more character. That was 2 1/2 years ago, right move so far.;)

maninthestreet

KonkyWonky wrote: »

Finding an automatic box on a diesel Astra of that age for that price will be like finding hens teeth.

If you can live with a manual box do it, shouldn't be a great hardship if its all motorway miles you are doing.

Early manual versions of the current model Astra suffered from clutch judder, especially when cold. Some cars suffered from it worse than others, to the point where they became almost undriveable as a result.
This problem was resolved sometime in 2006 or maybe 2007.

jimbo_the_jetset

If it's a toss up between the two (which the other posts suggest) then search around for both and take the best deal/best condition car available

Kylie

Thank you so much for all your replies!!

I know they are not exciting, but I don't really care too much about cars at this stage. Hopefully when I have squillions of £ I can splash out on something fun!

If I have to choose between automatic or diesel it will be the automatic. I can't stand being in a manual for hours in traffic...

As the Vectra is a bigger car, I just figured it would be more expensive to run.

My partner likes the Passat, but I don't.

Never thought about a BMW, my boss might think he is paying me too much...(which he isn't!)

I have seen a few Astra around 2005/2006 for <15K on the clock (excellent condition) for <£5K online, so I think that's what I will go with.

(Read: boring, hates shopping, hates decisions that involve shopping, will settle for tried and tested & not having to think too hard)

Thanks again everyone!

photome

I have driven the new shape 1.7 diesel astra and I drive the new shape 1.8 diesel focus.

Out of the 2 I would go for the Focus everytime

Sirbendy

I've just gone from an Astra MK3 auto to a MK4 auto, X plate (2001), 50k on the dials, 1.6..lovely little motor, full history, 1 owner before me.

Cost? All of £2k. £2.2k if you include having the timing belt, water pump and 'stat replaced, and a tyre repaired.

Focii I looked at, but decided to stick with Vx. The EGR valve was duff when I bought it, but instead of £55 from VX, I just clamped it in a vice and used a hammer, blowtorch and bloodymindedness to get it going again. Doddle.

LeeSouthEast

fwiw, I've owned my 2003 Focus from new, and it's a real work horse. 1.8 TDCi, frugal, responsive, and extremely reliable. Personally, I'd hunt down a Focus