I have had both a Golf and a Civic - both diesel. Focus feels naff in comparison to both, but no denying they are easy and cheap to run. Out of the three I'd go for the Civic. Golf feels nice but servicing costs seem high and there is more room in the Civic. Civic was always better on fuel and accelerated more like a petrol.
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Focus or Golf?
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Posted 11 months ago #
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Hmmm, thanks everyone for your input. Clear as mud then. After a couple of recommendations for the Civic (which I have always loved the look of) I have realised it is actually well within budget, furthermore the 1.8 VTEC will actually be just as economical as a diesel focus, taking fuel prices and anticipated mileage into account. The insurance difference between group 6 and 9 is negligible as well. Does anyone own a new shape 1.8 VTEC Civic, and what are your views?
Posted 11 months ago # -
Have had one as a courtesy car - not as torquey but quieter at idle and slow speeds, and a really pleasant drive. Similar outright performance if needed (for overtakes, etc) but the petrol just needs more revs for it.
Usual consensus on the civinfo site (which is worth a look if you're thinking of buying) is that the total running costs of the 1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel are actually pretty similar. Everyone seems to want diesels these days (even those not doing anything like the mileage to justify them) so secondhand petrols are great value.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Had a Golf 1.9tdi for two years sold it to get a Mondeo 2.0TDCI. My dad had the old shape focus estate 1.8TDCI 115bhp. The Focus is better in every respect than the Golf. Better torque spread, better mpg just as reliable if not better. The handling of the Focus is light years ahead of the Golf. Obviously the badge isn't as good on the Focus.
1.8 VTEC petrol just as economical as a diesel Focus. You have your VTEC coloured glasses on! Not a chance, look at 30mpg max for the VTEC on a good day with the wind behind you and no other traffic on the road. You can't really compare the newer TDCI to the old TDDI they are Night and Day really
Posted 11 months ago # -
7 grand on a car ...are you mad ..you could buy a bike for that....
new shape Focus is not as good as the older Focus.
Vw hold their money better.Civic wins every time
Posted 11 months ago # -
A) Its not gonna do both of those at once.....
B) Show me the mpg figures please!
D) Stick a 2.2l turbocharged PETROL engine in it and watch the oil burner go backwards in the mirror....
Like stating the obvious do we?
My point was that not many cars are capable of that kind of economy AND that kind of performance.
50mpg on a diesel is it 1990s again?
No, it's 2006 which is when that came out
The combined figure is 55mpg I think, but people don't often get that afaik. I wasn't saying it was the most economical, I was saying it was a nice blend of economy and power.Hmmm, thanks everyone for your input. Clear as mud then
What did you expect? They are all good cars, most cars are, you just have to test drive them and get the one you like. Don't expect us to say 'this one's the best' and that be that! Might as well as what 5" travel MTB is best.
Btw I don't find VW servicing expensive. Costs me £150 or so to get my Passat serviced, £300 for cambelt. But then I do have a nice dealer.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Had those choices for cars. In the end went Civic, The focuc didnt feel solid, the Golf did, but once I tried the Civic with that dashboard the others were dull to be behind. I have a 1.8ES 06, it's a great car the engine is great and economical overall. It's a safe drive around the country lanes of Carmarthenshire.
Wife has a VW and dont find the servicing that bad, there's more VW specialists around.Posted 11 months ago # -
Yeah I wanted the Civic, but the Passat was on special offer and a lot cheaper. Glad I did now, better for caravan towing, but I still heart Civics.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Mates got the civic diesel EX model. Really well specced inside. It's pretty nippy, gets excellent mpg too. Still noisy from cold start though, and I just don't like the power delivery with derv cars.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Simple really...If you like driving get the Focus, If you are image concious, get the Golf.
Posted 11 months ago # -
focus for me, you'll get newer one with far more toys on for that money!
the price of golfs is laughable!
Posted 11 months ago # -
I love VAG TDI's
They are a great compromise of performance and economy
I had a golf 2.0TDI for 3 years 04 to 07 as a company car, did 90k miles in it trouble free.
I now own an octavia 2.0tdi and a seat 1.9tdi. Both remaped, both kicking out 50bhp over factory spec and still average over 50mpg in both.
Never had any major problems with any of them in over 100K miles of motoring.
Also, although they sound like tractors at tickover the mapped engines are very responsive and just as good fun as any petrol I have driven when making 'progress' down country roads such as A458 into wales the other week
Posted 11 months ago # -
focus for me, you'll get newer one with far more toys on for that money!
Not my experience. Coudn't get a Focus with crusie control without paying through the nose.
Still noisy from cold start though, and I just don't like the power delivery with derv cars
The Civic diesel was one of the best engines I've ever driven. Loads of power from down low and it kept on pulling to the red line.
Posted 11 months ago # -
BTW what is the boot like in the Civic ? could you lob a bike in the back?
Posted 11 months ago # -
good for its class due to non-multilink rear suspension. seats down, yes. Seats up, no (but thats the same with the others as well)
Posted 11 months ago # -
Lad at work has a type r and with the seats down his bike slots straight in
Posted 11 months ago # -
Got a 56 plate 2.2 es , love it
Great engine, plenty power when it's loaded to the raftersTowbar fitted , 3 bikes all the kit and loads of room
You can fit bikes in the back no probsParts are a bit pricey but some careful shopping will resolve that
Dealer here is ace , first name terms with clients who come back
My mates on his 5th Honda ( over 12yrs) he loves emOnly negatives , ride quality a bit harsh
Crap in snow ( cured by winter Tyres tho )I've driven the vtec petrol a few times and it's a nice engine
Just look for a solid service history from a good dealer and you'll be safe
Plus the interior is genius , so simple and easy to use
Makes audi's etc look fussyThe dash is a winner for me , like digital dash's , had a yaris too
Hth
Posted 11 months ago # -
BTW what is the boot like in the Civic ? could you lob a bike in the back?
Not long enough front-to-back to get bikes in whole (but short of a full-size estate, not much else will) but plenty of room for bikes with front wheels off. Seats fold properly flat in one motion too. Have got 3 people and bikes in there OK before too.
Seats up, I've got my road bike in the back (had to take both wheels off obviously, and drop the saddle) when I needed to park on the road overnight for work.
For general carrying stuff, it's great - very wide, low lip, 485 litres including the big square chunk of space under the boot floor. The flip-up seats are great for carrying things that are awkward - plants, TVs, etc.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Not my experience. Coudn't get a Focus with crusie control without paying through the nose.
Think you need the Ghia for cruise. Can be had for reasonable money though. Maybe you were unlucky?Posted 11 months ago # -
Well I walked into the Ford dealer with 13g in mind, and with 1-3 year old cars you needed the top spec, titanium is it.. to get crusie. Whcih meant paying for leather and everything else. Thousands of quid to get a cheap option.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Still would be going for a secondhand Mondeo ST TDCi, same sort of money you are spending with more space and a more powerful yet economical engine.
Posted 11 months ago # -
+1 for Quirrel.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Still would be going for a secondhand Mondeo ST TDCi, same sort of money you are spending with more space and a more powerful yet economical engine.
We already have a bigger car though, in a Saab 9-3. I know I'd get more space, but we are looking for a car that is slightly more compact, but still big enough to accommodate our two year old.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Why do you want it more compact?
Posted 11 months ago # -
Some people don't want two big cars. When we had our Mondeo (ST TDCI coincidentally), we could have got another Mondeo as a cheap second car but wanted something small. Got a Polo.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Why do you want it more compact?
Spurious reasons at best. I'm a new driver and our drive only takes one car and parking on the roadside is at a premium.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I picked up a Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Ghia estate in 2008 for £5500. Done 60,000 miles and have had absolutely no problems with it.
Gets 60mpg average and has room for at least three bikes plus kit.
The estates are only 10cm longer than the hatchback so it's very easy to drive.
Insurance is £700 with 21 year old female with one years licence and me added as a named driver. Quote was £1100 without having me as a named driver!??
Posted 11 months ago # -
Molgrips, maybe it's changed but my 07 plate 2.0 ghia tdci is standard & has cruise (and auto wipers, auto lights etc).
Posted 11 months ago # -
My 55 Ghia has cruise, auto wipers, auto lights, heated windscreen, electric rear windows etc.
The only reason I bought a Ghia was for the cruise and the comfort suspension.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Salesman might have been wrong I suppose - it has been known
Anyway I wasn't that keen on the car for what I wanted.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Forgot the Focus, go for the Golf, you wont regret it.
Posted 11 months ago #
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