306 HDI Meridian and Focus 1.8 Zetec

I would go for the 306, As I would argue it would be more fun in the twisties you speak of. The HDI is a good engine, parts are cheap, and having owned several of the things, I would say they are fairly reliable on average.
 
If it wasn't a deisel engine (either hdi or d-turbo) what petrol would one go for?

Insurance pushes the GTI-6 and Rallye out of the occasion....well trim/comfort level of rallye pushes that out!
 
2.0 XSi cracking engine! Around 150BHP I think?

The 2.0HDi is probally the best bet or the 1.6 the new revision 100BHP one in the Meridian is a good engine with good MPG. I'm not sure what the 1.8 is like.

I would pick the 306 over the Focus.
 
The Engines available for the 306 (Ripped From Wiki) - with a little extra info:

Petrol engines:
1.1L 8V 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) I4 - Rare as hens teeth and extremely underpowered
1.4L 8V 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) I4 - Ok around town, but underpowered (30-35MPG)
1.6L 8V 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) I4 - A decent balance, ok for occasional motorway, but could use more power - also came later (2000/2001) as 100hp which was an improvment (30-35MPG)
1.8L 8V 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) I4 - Drives ok - yet a little breathless, but drinks fuel like the more powerful 16v/2.0 - and is no faster than the later 1.6 (20-30MPG)
1.8L 16V (112 hp) - very much a valver, power is all at the top to be wrung out, not particularly economical either (20-30MPG) .
2.0L 16V 123 PS (90 kW; 121 hp) I4 XSi - Good engine, lower insurance but same MPG/running costs as more powerful units. (20-30MPG)
2.0L 16V 157 PS (115 kW; 155 hp) I4 S16 - Older "GTI" quite rare and has "scene tax" attached to price.
2.0L 16V 167 PS (123 kW; 165 hp) I4 GTi-6 - Revvy and quite quick, but is very much a valver, power is all at the top to be wrung out.

Diesel engines:
1.9L 8V 71 PS (52 kW; 70 hp) I4 - Slow (non turbo) but very economical (50/60 MPG "apparently")
1.9L 8V 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) Turbocharged I4 - The lengendary screw mod engine, acceptable if a little sluggish due to extra weight, HP can be increased with minor fuel pump/turbo screw twiddling to between 110-130hp depending on engine/turbo/pump type.
1.9L 8V 92 PS (68 kW; 91 hp) Turbocharged I4 - The HDi common rail engine, this is a good reliable engine which can be remapped if desired. Still a little sluggish but delivers good economy. Only minor detail is servicing can be slightly dearer than other models , as the engine is quite tight in the bay (think belts/turbo stuff) , although mostly reliable.

Any questions, just ask - I have driven nearly all the engine variants (call it a love affair)!
 
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I've got a 3 door Mk1 Focus Zetec and I love it. Goes nicely, great fun to drive and nothing has ever fallen off it... *touch wood*

Not that great on fuel though so if you're looking for decent MPG then maybe keep looking.
 
pug306 seems to have a greater love for them, and a great community (when I first had a car/learning to drive) joined pug306.net and it was a place like this.

Hopefully by summer I'll be able to afford!
 
I personally wouldn't bother with the 306 Petrols. Apparently the Diesel 306 is a solid buy, but it's still french :p I'm pretty sure the handling will be a lot better on the Focus though as it has an awesome suspension system and is a more modern car than the 306 which was released in 93, as oppose to the Focus which was 98, the Focus also has less of the 'chav stigma' and therefore usually a bit cheaper on insurance too.
 
Ive drove the Meridian and I own a GTI6, to be honest the Meridian was a very nice drive an a helluva lot better on the wallet when it comes to fuel.

Id get the pug :)
 
I think i'd go for the 306. Meridian is pretty much the top spec, and the 2.0 HDi is a solid engine. Parts are cheap for both cars so there isn't much to choose there.

Provided there are no diesel engine related issues i think the pug will be cheaper to run, especially if you service the car yourself.
 
ghop said:
I personally wouldn't bother with the 306 Petrols. Apparently the Diesel 306 is a solid buy, but it's still french :p I'm pretty sure the handling will be a lot better on the Focus though as it has an awesome suspension system and is a more modern car than the 306 which was released in 93, as oppose to the Focus which was 98, the Focus also has less of the 'chav stigma' and therefore usually a bit cheaper on insurance too.
Click to expand...

The handling will be a LOT better?

O RLY?

Personally I would buy a HDI and then remap it if you need more power, takes it to 110bhp which is the same as what Citroen ran on the same engine stock iirc.

The 306 might have start production in 93 but it was facelifted and improved over time.
 
No chance of the Focus being a better drivers car. The 306 is the very last PUG I would own and has an excellent chassis, only have to look at the GTi6 to confirm this. The Focus will be better built for sure but the 306 is a very good car sub £2k.
 
Not worlds different or anything, but I have driven both (the one I drove was a 1.6 Petrol, not sure of the spec, had half leather seats) and much preferred the way the Focus drove. Not to say the 306 drove badly though. I'd go for the Diesel if you do go for the 306 though.
 
£1000 budget + 300 miles each week + current petrol prices = EASILY a 306 HDi diesel.

Unless of course, you're loaded or you're simply looking for a 2nd car.
 
The engine in the 1.6 306 in any trim is properly clattery being an 8v with manual lifters, but is pretty much bomb proof and returns surprisingly good MPG on motorway jaunts.
 
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