Ford Fiesta vs Vauhaxll Astra vs Polo

10JH

Check what the difference in CO2 output is as well. Even if there is a slight difference, it could mean they are in different tax bands. Which could cost you a fair bit more money each year.

TiTheRev

VinceNoir wrote: »

I've been looking at cars of a similar size, Fiat Puntos are also worth a look.

Let's not add them to the already dodgy mix?!?

Steer clear of ALL French and Italian cars. German and Jap are much more solid/reliable.

Dave_Z

I drive a 2006 Astra Life 1.6 at work. It is perhaps the worst car i've ever had to drive. A 1.4 will be too underpowered to haul it's bulk around efficiently. The seats are uncomfortable, lots of cheap plastics and generally just very dull to drive. I have driven a 1.7 CDTi Elite model which addressed most of those issues though.

The Fiesta will be a good choice. I had a 2003 1.4 TDCi Zetec model when i was a youngster and it was pretty good. The engine was rubbish and i wish i'd gone for the 1.4 petrol instead but apart from that it was more than adequate.

I'd ditch the Polo and look at a Fabia instead. Same car, less money.

garreh

TiTheRev wrote: »

Not only that but your £6k will be still worth near that if/when you sell, where the Ford/Vauxhall will be scrap value in 5 years!

Completey disagree with that. Fords keep their value very well, just look at the Focus. VW is pretty extortionate for what it is imo

garreh

Dave_Z wrote: »

The Fiesta will be a good choice. I had a 2003 1.4 TDCi Zetec model when i was a youngster and it was pretty good. The engine was rubbish and i wish i'd gone for the 1.4 petrol instead but apart from that it was more than adequate.

That's good to hear. I will definitely go for the 1.4 petrol if I did choose the Fiesta. What does a TDCi have over a normal Zetec?

tight_arze

garreh wrote: »

VW is pretty extortionate for what it is imo

They are more expensive but I think VW is a more upmarket brand than Ford & Vauxhall. Sit in the new Polo and the new Fiesta and compare the difference.

My partner has a MK1 Ford Focus and compared to the MK4 Golf I used to own the Golf is leagues ahead of it in terms of quality.

Dave_Z

garreh wrote: »

That's good to hear. I will definitely go for the 1.4 petrol if I did choose the Fiesta. What does a TDCi have over a normal Zetec?

The TDCi is the name of the diesel engine. Apart from that it's just a normal Zetec model.

whatmichaelsays

TiTheRev wrote: »

Really???

Vauxhall - reliable??
Ford - nice ride??
Volkswagen - hit and miss??

Not sure where you've heard all of that, but it's all a bit upside down if you ask me. Vauxhall have poor build quality, and worse reliablilty. Ford is the worst car I've ever driven. VW/Skoda will give infinately more reliablilty and firmer ride. Not only that but your £6k will be still worth near that if/when you sell, where the Ford/Vauxhall will be scrap value in 5 years!

Anecdotal I know, but my Astra VXR hasn't skipped a beat since the day it left the factory.

Conversely I've had two rented, practically brand new VW's brake down - only one of the three that I've hired made it back to the airport.

kirsty12_2

I can't comment on the Astra life as i have the 1.6 SXI and it's great. I've had it since new, it's 6 years old and I've NEVER had a problem with it. It has a perfectly adequate engine for every kind of driving, yes it's not a supercar but it's fine for motorway or town driving. My OH has a Ford and again in 5 years of ownership the only thing we have go wrong with it is the wheel bearings.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of cars you have chosen, all very mainstream and millions of them about, just personal preference really. I wouldn't recommend French because we have had big time problems with them in the past but there is loads of them around

jaydeeuk1

I've driven a few astra, and parents had the older model. On the plus side it was highly reliable, decent running costs. On the minus, well its an astra.
I don't do boring cars so what about a fiat 500 , honda jazz, suzuki swift?