Advice please - Focus or Golf???

craftysarah

Hi everyone, I'd be grateful for some advice on this please.

Basically I wasn't ready to change my car but someone hit into me and the insurance company have written my car off so now I have to find a new one

At the moment I've got a T reg Golf and I love it but the other half is trying to persuade me to go for a Focus. His argument is that the service/repair costs are less on a Ford and that I can afford a newer Focus with all the toys etc or a basic Golf.......:eek:

I test drove an 03 Focus yesterday and was pleasantly surprised so now I'm confused.

I'm looking at an 03/04 1.8 Focus or 02/03 1.8 Golf.

Help!!

johnnyroper

Firstly I do not think there will be much difference in service costs dealer labour rates are much of a muchness as are filters etc,parts wise I would say VW will be less as it will not go wrong as much as the ford.
Another thing to bear in mind is the VW will hold value more than the focus

bigjl

Have to admit that I would go for a Focus, however if you use places like German and Swedish or Eurocarparts for your parts and do your own servicing a Golf can be as cheap to run if not even cheaper.

Both cars have faults, but the Focus will almost certainly be a better car as far as handling goes, plus will be better equipped pound for pound.

The Golf however will have a tendancy to hold onto it's value better during your ownership.

I know people that have had loads of problems with their Golfs, and people that have had a Focus for years without so much as a blown bulb.

I would go for the Focus though.

craftysarah

Thanks guys, I know a lot of it comes down to personal preference but it's such a big decision!!

davidjwest

johnnyroper wrote: »

Firstly I do not think there will be much difference in service costs dealer labour rates are much of a muchness as are filters etc,parts wise I would say VW will be less as it will not go wrong as much as the ford.
Another thing to bear in mind is the VW will hold value more than the focus

Fords are cheaper to service if you use the main dealers.

10 years ago you are probably right about the VW being more reliable, nowadays I'd say there's not a lot in it.

You'll pay more for the VW but it will hold its value better.

Personally I'd go for the Ford, I did own a Focus for 5 years and had no problems with it at all. Currently own a Mondeo, again, no problems.

Horizon81

Go for the Focus every time. You're looking at the mark 1 shape Focus versus the mk4 Golf. That Focus regularly comes out well on the list of best second hand cars and is one of the biggest sellers across Europe so parts will be easily available and should be affordable.
Things started going wrong with VW's reputation from the mark 4 Golf onwards and I wouldnt touch one. They're a big heavy lump of a car whereas the Focus is well renowned as one of the best handling cars of all time, whcih is quite an accolade for a small family hatch. Not sure why you fancy the 1.8 as the 1.6 is practically as powerful but more economical and I dare say less on tax and insurance. They come in differnet trim levels which also apply to the handling - the 'zetec' models are more of a sporty drive with better handling whereas the Ghia models are more for comfort and less 'spirited' driving.

Of course, test drive both the Focus and the GOlf and see what you like the feel of but overall the Focus is a much better rated car.

kolin_2

I love my Focus 03 1.8 TDDi (90ps). quick at accelerating, excellent handling, cheap parts, cheap to insure (Male, 31, 4 years NC = ~£400), full tank of diesel costs £58 (119.9p) and goes for around 640 miles.

cost me £1995 when purchased, at this age though, make sure the cambelt's been changed/replaced, or make it a part of the sale if it hasn't.

I always wanted a golf, but figured the insurance would be too much.

(if you're going to go for a tddi, make sure it's the more powerful 90ps as opposed to the 75ps, it'll say it on the air intake underneath the bonnet.)

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

My only experience of driving the Mk1 Focus was that it was a great little car, very responsive and enjoyable to drive. I used to own an Audi TT (for only 4 months it was that boring), which shares much of the Golf's platform, and found it dull as dishwater. I replaced it with a TVR

Jizzle

golf = cool kids
focus = old man

mark5

I had a mk3 Golf GTI in the late 90's and loved it and then replaced it with a 2001 mk4 GTI a few years later this was a good car which I loved. I currently drive a Focus 1.8 Ghia coming up to 3 year old which I would describe as the best value car I have ever had.

If you have a set budget I would go for the 1.8 Focus on the basis you will get more for your money but stay clear of the base models, this is where Ford do let themselves down.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Jizzle wrote: »

golf = cool kids
focus = old man

You = should be in school, not wagging it.