Advice please - Focus or Golf???

Snapdragon

I found this thread while searching for something entirely different but as I was in a similar position 2 years ago 'which to choose golf or focus', I decided to check out what people's advice to you was ;-)

I actually went with the golf , mainly because I was influenced by other people's comments relating to better image and holding value better, rather than going with my own gut instinct and have probably regretted it almost every day since.

I'm talking newer modules so its not a direct comparison but I've been really disappointed with the golf and was truly horrified by the dealership quotes for servicing etc, ended up sticking with local garage I'd always used for more realistic running costs. Even then the fuel figures I get are nothing near the quoted and I'm not heavy footed so the diesel version has not been a good buy, not at all economical given the premiums you pay.

I'd normally keep the car much longer but I'm currently looking around again because I've had enough of the golf. I suppose the 'grass is always greener' so the focus might have been just as disappointing but it's only human nature to feel it would have been the better bet.

I'd be inclined to say, yes take advice, yes do your research and weigh it all up but in the end do what feels right to you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Kilty_2

Focus. Golf is overrated.

jetski690

I wont tell you one or the other but if you do look at any focus's of that age be sure to look at both wing mirror's just underneath where it meets the door, my wife's focus and many other's I've seen have rusted in this area and it was a manufacturers fault although Ford's wont help you even on the 6 year anti corrosion warranty. Because it's in a hard to see area many owners wont even be aware theirs is actually pitting and starting to rust but for this reason and Ford not wanting know I've said I would never have another Ford.

goldspanners

jetski690 wrote: »

I wont tell you one or the other but if you do look at any focus's of that age be sure to look at both wing mirror's just underneath where it meets the door, my wife's focus and many other's I've seen have rusted in this area and it was a manufacturers fault although Ford's wont help you even on the 6 year anti corrosion warranty. Because it's in a hard to see area many owners wont even be aware theirs is actually pitting and starting to rust but for this reason and Ford not wanting know I've said I would never have another Ford.

yip,good call. i never made a big deal about it when it happened on mine. i got it repaired by a mate who does bodywork.

its a bolt that holds the wing mirror on that corrodes,this corrosion starts to eat into the paint and it makes it look as if the door is rusting. in actual fact the door itself is fine its just the bolt that needs replaced and the paint re done.
personally don't think this is enough to put of buying another ford,the cars been great,ive had it from new and it just turned 72k miles this week and i treated it to an engine service today.

jonathon

I would go for the focus,I have a Focus ST170 at the moment and love it, my company hired me a golf last week and i found it very unconfortable and after a few hours gave me a back ache

Maybeanotherday

Can I just say..I may get jumped on for this but we have a 54plate golf which we updated from a T reg Golf, the newer ones are not half as good as they used to be, we've had ours 18mths and it's needed a full set of breaks, tracking, full set of tyres, CD player sending back as it stopped working, leak on the back sill causing a mess of the back seats, rear brake lights x2, Drive shaft....think that's about it so far...but my point is there not made like they used to be, YES they do hold there money but with today's recession there not holding that well, ours is a limited edition golf and it's lost approx 2k in the time we've had it.
It's not big enough for the kids and the dog and we've given in and are looking for a bigger car, funny enough a focus has been reccomended to us....on the other side of it my 51plate focus sold for £2500 this year and that's a ten year old car so value wise I don't think they lose that much!
Sorry long winded

C_Mababejive

I cant speak for newer Golfs and though I'd like a newer one, I am somewhat put off by comments i read that they are not as good as they used to be.

I can vouch for older ones..

EG mine is an 1800 Mk3

It is currently closing on 100,000 miles and still runs beautifully.

I've owned it most of its life and do a lot of my own servicing.

The only things that have been replaced are routine service items such as tyres,brake shoes,rear silencer box (x2),timing belt,distributor cap,spark plugs

I suspect that many of the lightbulbs are still original as is the clutch

It is bomb proof and i just smile when i drive it as it has served me so well.
I suspect that no other car could surpass it.

Maybeanotherday

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I cant speak for newer Golfs and though I'd like a newer one, I am somewhat put off by comments i read that they are not as good as they used to be.

I can vouch for older ones..

EG mine is an 1800 Mk3

It is currently closing on 100,000 miles and still runs beautifully.

I've owned it most of its life and do a lot of my own servicing.

The only things that have been replaced are routine service items such as tyres,brake shoes,rear silencer box (x2),timing belt,distributor cap,spark plugs

I suspect that many of the lightbulbs are still original as is the clutch

It is bomb proof and i just smile when i drive it as it has served me so well.
I suspect that no other car could surpass it.

Exactly my point stick with the "older" shape if your getting another I believe they went up to 53plate?

tight_arze

craftysarah wrote: »

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!!

It just depends what you want out of the car.

I used to own a MK4 Golf and my fiancee owns a MK1 Focus. Focus has better handling and is a bit more fun to drive but has a nasty interior and doesn't feel as well made as the VW.

The Golf feels sturdier, interior is a nicer place to be but unfortunately the handling lets it down.

Is it the 1.8t your looking at in the Golf? If so this will be faster than a 1.6/1.8 Focus.

C_Mababejive

skellett wrote: »

Exactly my point stick with the "older" shape if your getting another I believe they went up to 53plate?

My "older one" as quoted above is K reg (1992) so not far off 20 years old