A which car thread - Should be over in minutes

[stoofa]

OK, a friend of mine I'm working with is currently taking driving lessons.
He's a late starter to cars having been on motorcycles all his life (currently he rides around on a Suzuki Hayabusa).

Anyway, he is soon to be looking for a car.
He has around 2k - 3k to spend on the vehicle.
Now he is 38 - I know this won't make a major difference to his insurance as he will still be a "new driver".
So insurance is important - he wants to keep the insurance down as low as possible.

I know "Focus" will appear more than once in this short thread - however never having looked at the Focus line I don't know which engines/spec levels he should be looking at.
Which engines/spec levels should he be avoiding?

He keeps looking at Peugeot 206's - which I'm trying to move him away from.

Ta

 

[Hxc]

It will make a big difference to his insurance, being 38 he'll find it a lot, lot lower!

 

[iaind]

No no no no no no no to 206, they fail in every sense

The only Foci to avoid would be the 1.4 engine and the CL and LX trim levels. The 1.8 is a little bit pointless because it has the speed of the 1.6 but the economy of the 2.0

Zetec and Ghia are good trim levels. 1.6 for cheap to buy and run, 2.0 for something a bit more powerful, 1.8 TDCi for a middle ground between the 2. The 1.8 TDDi is a bit old and clunky but with that budget they shouldnt really be in the running.

alternatively, Mondeo?

 

[osc89er]

Look for Climate Control pack on the Focus to get heated windscreen and aircon.

 

[miniyazz]

Usage?

 

[Dogbreath]

A Mondeo. What's the question?

 

[[Robster]]

It will make a big difference to his insurance, being 38 he'll find it a lot, lot lower!

Not necessarily, I'm almost 41 (I know, a little late to learn to drive) and the average insurance quote for me on a £2.5k Focus for a first car is about £1,100...

I'm guessing living in central London isn't helping tho!

 

[Camalot]

Can i just ask why 206's are hated? My brother drives a 206GTI. I think it looks pretty nice. Hes never had a problem with it.

 

[Biohazard]

Can i just ask why 206's are hated? My brother drives a 206GTI. I think it looks pretty nice. Hes never had a problem with it.

Because it makes them feel big.

Although I didn't think they were anything brilliant when I rented one, I've been in a lot worse.

 

[Camalot]

I dont understand lol. I don't see them as "chavy" cars if thats what you are getting at?

 

[Biohazard]

I dont understand lol. I don't see them as "chavy" cars if thats what you are getting at?

People bang on about the cheapness and falling apart? I doubt its a tarmac monster but not a lot are..

I'm not sure, I lothe all pugs tbh but the 206 was not bad for what I used it for. I certainly wouldn't buy one, I wouldn't walk if I was given one so...

 

[Camalot]

People bang on about the cheapness and falling apart? I doubt its a tarmac monster but not a lot are..

I'm not sure, I lothe all pugs tbh but the 206 was not bad for what I used it for. I certainly wouldn't buy one, I wouldn't walk if I was given one so...

Ah right. I was just wondering really. I've always thought they looked ok

I don't think ill move away from Fords at the moment though! Currently chugging along in a 1.25 Fez with 108k on the clock. Still works getting me from A to B. Looking at replacing it with another Ford next year (Looking at the Pumas )

 

[InvaderGIR]

Because 206s are crap, end of. If you must go into it...crap build quality, crap interiors, crap handling, crap engines, they look crap.

 

[Spuderoony]

double post.

 

[Spuderoony]

Not necessarily, I'm almost 41 (I know, a little late to learn to drive) and the average insurance quote for me on a £2.5k Focus for a first car is about £1,100...

I'm guessing living in central London isn't helping tho!

Within a year or two, though, that'll be down to about £400.

 

[Deleted User 234324]

Not necessarily, I'm almost 41 (I know, a little late to learn to drive) and the average insurance quote for me on a £2.5k Focus for a first car is about £1,100...

I'm guessing living in central London isn't helping tho!

Damn thats high, my first car was a Focus 1.6 TDCI (2005 05 plate) insurance was 750 fully comp, i live in Paignton/Devon, that was at the ripe old age of 29. Insurance this year on a Focus ST is 500 fully comp.

 

[[Robster]]

Damn thats high, my first car was a Focus 1.6 TDCI (2005 05 plate) insurance was 750 fully comp, i live in Paignton/Devon, that was at the ripe old age of 29. Insurance this year on a Focus ST is 500 fully comp.

The quotes I've been getting have been for fully comp as well, TPFT has tended to be higher.

There has been one exception... Quinn Direct... they're quoting just over £500!! Anyone used them?

 

[Makhaira]

A Mondeo. What's the question?

Quoted for truth.

I bought a Mondeo after being given the suggestion on here (and researching it to hell and back, because I'm like that) and haven't a single regret about it.

Something you don't mention, but is worth considering, is if he intends to put much in it - you'll get a hell of a lot more in a Focus than you will on a bike, but 206's aren't the most spacious things in the world.

 

[barnettgs]

Can i just ask why 206's are hated? My brother drives a 206GTI. I think it looks pretty nice. Hes never had a problem with it.

Driving position...just terrible, terrible...

 

[Confused]

My mum's 206 had the worst driving position and pedal layout I've EVER had the misfortune to drive.

Pedals were too close together, you'd hit the brake/accelerator together most of the time, there was no space to rest your left foot, and your feet would rub on the steering column, too.

Plus the seats felt like you sat floating on top of them, rather than sinking in slightly and giving some support.