VW POLO or Ford Fiesta Ghia?
- Thread starter Kmodo
- Start date
I cannot sell fords unless i practically give them away. VW polo's by contrast are in incredible demand and absolutely fly away as soon as advertised. Therefore as a car which probably wont be long term, i'd get the easier one to shift which will have the lowest total cost of ownership.
Wouldn't be able to comment about the drive, so i will give you that
Wouldn't be able to comment about the drive, so i will give you that
2003/4 Focus MK1 1.6 Zetec/Ghia for a year or 2? Pocket about 3 grand on top of buying what is essentially a very good and very good value first car, while not as small as the Fiesta/Polio, it'll be less rattly and easier to live with if you do many longer journeys!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/958221.htm - 1.6 Ghia
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/952599.htm - 1.6 Zetec
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/923530.htm - Nice MK2 1.6 Zetec
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/946982.htm - 1.6 Zetec
Just an idea of other things that are out there, and the mileage on them isn't that bad, don't let that kind of mileage on a Focus be worrying, if its been maintained well it'll be fine, my Dad's 2002 1.8TDI was on about 78k when he sold it a few weeks ago, simply cause he fancied a Volvo, the car itself was absolutely fine, just make sure that water pump is done/would be done before you purchased!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/958221.htm - 1.6 Ghia
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/952599.htm - 1.6 Zetec
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/923530.htm - Nice MK2 1.6 Zetec
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/946982.htm - 1.6 Zetec
Just an idea of other things that are out there, and the mileage on them isn't that bad, don't let that kind of mileage on a Focus be worrying, if its been maintained well it'll be fine, my Dad's 2002 1.8TDI was on about 78k when he sold it a few weeks ago, simply cause he fancied a Volvo, the car itself was absolutely fine, just make sure that water pump is done/would be done before you purchased!
Okay thanks guys 
So a focus is what I am after ... now I see you seem to be recommending cheapish lots of miles but why?
Would it not be best to get a newer focus with less miles?
And zetec what does it actually mean? better looks or engine or what?
So a focus is what I am after ... now I see you seem to be recommending cheapish lots of miles but why?
Would it not be best to get a newer focus with less miles?
And zetec what does it actually mean? better looks or engine or what?
Janesy you seem to be really helpful and tell it like it is but how is the focus and the fiesta about the same to run? Surely the focus will just be like the polo in that it is larger and heavier and so needs more petrol whilst being slower? Its all really confusing me tbh
Soldato
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- 29 Jun 2004
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Miles is not a problem as long as it's been well maintained. And by that I mean evidence (as in paperwork) of previous MOT's, previous reciepts, previous service reciepts. The most you'll have to pay extra for a high milage car is around £300 getting:
- Timing belt changed
- Water pump changed
- Tensioners changed
- Front disks and pads, rear drums and shoes replaced
Which is all cheaper than the £6k you was going to spend on a Fiesta. Don't let high milage fool you, it's phycological.
- Timing belt changed
- Water pump changed
- Tensioners changed
- Front disks and pads, rear drums and shoes replaced
Which is all cheaper than the £6k you was going to spend on a Fiesta. Don't let high milage fool you, it's phycological.
Soldato
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- Near Winchester
DOBO
Soldato
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It's praised for it's brilliant aerodynamics and reducing drag. Petrol costs are not more in a Focus compared to a Polo/Fiesta. A full tank in my X reg Focus costs me £45 ish. And it lasts 389 miles which isn't that bad at all. It's around 33mpg.
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If its going to be your first car, chances are you'll not keep it forever, cheaper, more miles, its done most of its depreciating, and you'll save money to put aside for a better next car, go on holiday, whatever!
if its your first car, you don't really need to blow all that you have, as tempting as it is when you have the money burning a hole on your pocket!
Focuses are a very nice "first cars" not gutless, not overly deadly, good safety ratings, not a dull numbing car to drive, just a "nice start"
Zetec is a more sporty (not sure how?) trime, Ghia is the more leathery "luxury" (As luxurious as a Focus gets!) trim.
Have a look on
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=269
and
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=1321
For MK1 and MK2 Focuses, will tell you the engine/power/emissions of each engine in the range, as well as a basic spec list of all models, so you know the minimum you'd get.
if its your first car, you don't really need to blow all that you have, as tempting as it is when you have the money burning a hole on your pocket!
Focuses are a very nice "first cars" not gutless, not overly deadly, good safety ratings, not a dull numbing car to drive, just a "nice start"
Zetec is a more sporty (not sure how?) trime, Ghia is the more leathery "luxury" (As luxurious as a Focus gets!) trim.
Have a look on
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=269
and
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=1321
For MK1 and MK2 Focuses, will tell you the engine/power/emissions of each engine in the range, as well as a basic spec list of all models, so you know the minimum you'd get.
okay so lets say I am sold... why would we not be looking at using the budget to get the best looking/spec focus possible?
All this talk of trade in really is not me... I think I would rather just get a good car and be done with it till I really have to change
If its going to be your first car, chances are you'll not keep it forever, cheaper, more miles, its done most of its depreciating, and you'll save money to put aside for a better next car, go on holiday, whatever!
if its your first car, you don't really need to blow all that you have, as tempting as it is when you have the money burning a hole on your pocket!
ahh thanks Timbrad you read my mind. Okay I think it makes sense now. Oh and I dont have the money my dad is going to lend it to me and I can pay it back interest free. He was never able to help pay for lessons or anything so its his contribution to help get me a decent first car and not a money pit
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Your post is correct, but not in the way you meant it.
Personally I'd get something older and cheaper, something that's a relatively simple design so you can actually learn to work on it yourself, build up a year or so's NCB and learn how to do the basic jobs (so you don't get shafted by dealers) without the risk of ruining something that cost you a lot of money, and then get the car you actually want a year or two down the line
How about a Mk2 VW Golf?
Soldato
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Becuase later models of Focuses are the exact same as the previous ones. Why do you want to spend £3k extra for the sake that it says 56 on your numberplate when you can be cheaper and say 52?
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Because a 52 plate Focus is a completely different and inferior car to a 56 plate Focus?
Okay I have addited from the start not knowing anything about cars. I assumed the newer models had upgrades ... I dont know like more efficient engines or better looking
If number plate is all fair enough
PS is everything FOX says sarcasm/joking? Cos I guess if I knew that his posts would still be kinda useful
If number plate is all fair enough
PS is everything FOX says sarcasm/joking? Cos I guess if I knew that his posts would still be kinda useful
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okay so lets say I am sold... why would we not be looking at using the budget to get the best looking/spec focus possible?
All this talk of trade in really is not me... I think I would rather just get a good car and be done with it till I really have to change
ahh thanks Timbrad you read my mind. Okay I think it makes sense now. Oh and I dont have the money my dad is going to lend it to me and I can pay it back interest free. He was never able to help pay for lessons or anything so its his contribution to help get me a decent first car and not a money pit
Money pit vs a rapidly depreciating item, which you possible may mash up/crash at some point.
[TW]Fox;13749074 said:
Okay then I appologise and what would you recommend?
I honestly am planning on keeping it for a good while and am kinda the person that would rather "lose" money on something good than waste it on fixing a rubbish car I dont like (besides I am a PC gamer and lose money all the time on depreciating PC parts
)Ps should I go trade and not private due to my lack of knowledge and to be safe?
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The 52 and 56 plates are very different, but the MK1 is still a very capable car, and you sound like the kinda person who is actually going to take care of and respect the car, not just thrash the crap out of it and generally be a bit of a ****** with it!
The MK1 is a very good car for what it is, and if you do get one and enjoy it, whats to stop you trading it in for an MK2 in whatever, 9 months, 2 years, whatever you feel!
Another reason to go for the cheaper car is that in 1.6 guise it may very well seem just what you need and nice enough, but you might find yourself yearning for more power and realise you just spent 6k on a car that although you like, you're left wanting more power from it as the 1.6 might not be enough for you after a while! (Take it from me, I know but bought a 9k 2004 Civic as my 2nd car a year after buying a 1.3 Fiesta, great car, but if I'd known what I know now, I would have grabbed a Type-R or a modestly priced Focus/Something of that nature)
The Golf MK2, doesn't really seem to fit in with what you want here, so ignore that
I'd say go look at a few used ones in local dealers, go to look, not buy, see what 3.5k will get you, should be a nice 53/04 if you're lucky, but its the history, rather than the age that matters.
The MK1 is a very good car for what it is, and if you do get one and enjoy it, whats to stop you trading it in for an MK2 in whatever, 9 months, 2 years, whatever you feel!
Another reason to go for the cheaper car is that in 1.6 guise it may very well seem just what you need and nice enough, but you might find yourself yearning for more power and realise you just spent 6k on a car that although you like, you're left wanting more power from it as the 1.6 might not be enough for you after a while! (Take it from me, I know but bought a 9k 2004 Civic as my 2nd car a year after buying a 1.3 Fiesta, great car, but if I'd known what I know now, I would have grabbed a Type-R or a modestly priced Focus/Something of that nature)
The Golf MK2, doesn't really seem to fit in with what you want here, so ignore that
I'd say go look at a few used ones in local dealers, go to look, not buy, see what 3.5k will get you, should be a nice 53/04 if you're lucky, but its the history, rather than the age that matters.