Astra GTC or Focus zetec S

woofercooker · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:20

Edited to disregard engine size's so other than engine spec's which would you choose and why?

Begbie · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:20

I wouldn't make such a choice. I'd decide if I need a diesel or not, then buy the best focus in my price range (depending on my budget and need for a hatch)

NoNameNoNumber · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:21

Focus, because it's not a Vauxhall

rodenal · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:23

People here seem not to have driven the new astra, it's decent

That said if you don't need diesel I don't understand why you'd want it

sovietspybob · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:27

That choice would never present itself in the real world, if you want a medium size hatchback you either do the mileage and need a diesel or don't and get the petrol.

andy_mk3 · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:29

I'd have a pokey diesel over a lame 1.6 petrol all day long. The Mk6 Astras drive very nice too.

woofercooker · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:30

Edited original post disregarding engine's which would you choose and why?

Joe T · 19 Feb 2015 at 20:40

In the GTC the 1.4T 140 is pretty decent as an all rounder if you arent in the mileage band to go diesel. The 2.0 165 is more powerful and much more refined than the 1.7 130, so if you're going diesel then I'd go 2.0.

The 1.6 180 or 200 is the engine to go for if you want strong performance.

Then there's the VXR....

Here's my comments on the one I had.

MOOGLEYS · 20 Feb 2015 at 03:10

I have an Astra J 2.0 CDTi as my daily drive and its a huge step up from previous Astra's and nicer inside than the Focus in my opinion. I also think they look a bit better as well. The downside is although Vauxhall have upped material quality the build quality leaves a lot to be desired. If you get one that was built in Poland be prepared for rattles......

Best to go and have a drive of both and see which you prefer.

Bigpig · 20 Feb 2015 at 07:36

Ford every time
I just had a horrible week with a brand new rental Astra. 4k on the clock.

Looks nice on the outside.
Just very bad design.

Every time I got into the car I always hit my arm on the handbrake lever.
Every time I put the handbrake down it nipped my fingers.
Hated the gearbox.
The petrol cap cover seems cheap as hell. Not a fan of that push to pop out also

It was just bland to drive.

I just could not wait to get my Fiesta back.

If you have the money I would recommend renting the two cars outs for a day or two each if you have the money spare before you buy.

Joe T · 20 Feb 2015 at 07:44

Bigpig said:
Ford every time
I just had a horrible week with a brand new rental Astra. 4k on the clock.

Looks nice on the outside.
Just very bad design.

Every time I got into the car I always hit my arm on the handbrake lever.
Every time I put the handbrake down it nipped my fingers.
Hated the gearbox.
The petrol cap cover seems cheap as hell. Not a fan of that push to pop out also

It was just bland to drive.

I just could not wait to get my Fiesta back.

If you have the money I would recommend renting the two cars outs for a day or two each if you have the money spare before you buy.

To be fair, it's because of what you're used to. I drove my wife's Fiesta the other week and hated the clutch and gearbox for example. I couldnt wait to get back in my Vauxhall. Also, the number of buttons on that centre console! :eek:

Again with the handbrake, you soon get used to it and dont even think about it any more.

Bigpig · 20 Feb 2015 at 07:50

Joe T said:
To be fair, it's because of what you're used to. I drove my wife's Fiesta the other week and hated the clutch and gearbox for example. I couldnt wait to get back in my Vauxhall. Also, the number of buttons on that centre console!

Again with the handbrake, you soon get used to it and dont even think about it any more.

things like that for me only get worse over time.

A little bit more thought in the design was just needed.

I did like the seats apart from the leaver to move back and forward and over all it's a nice looking car

[TW]Fox · 20 Feb 2015 at 08:17

Joe T said:
To be fair, it's because of what you're used to.

It doesn't really matter what somebodies experience might be, if they don't like a Vauxhall, you are right on it with an excuse

It's because he didn't like it.

Though frankly I had a rental Astra a year or so ago and it was fine.

Philz0r · 20 Feb 2015 at 08:17

When i had my astra in 2010 i think they all had electronic handbrakes, they removed that now?

eatcustard · 20 Feb 2015 at 12:05

Focus wins every time

MOOGLEYS · 20 Feb 2015 at 13:06

Philz0r said:
When i had my astra in 2010 i think they all had electronic handbrakes, they removed that now?

It's an option now.

rodenal · 20 Feb 2015 at 13:26

eatcustard said:
Focus wins every time

The mk3 focus is nasty inside, doesn't drive anywhere near as well as the mk2 and is just another also ran in the class for me.

The vauxhall is hardly a ground breaking car, but it's decent and I prefer the interior

GravyMonster · 20 Feb 2015 at 14:02

NoNameNoNumber said:
Focus, because it's not a Vauxhall

As a Vauxhall owner, entirely this.

Jonny ///M · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:55

Does the newer astra still use the M32 box on the turbo engines?

That's the only thing that would put me off the astra, I've driven the newer shape with the electronic handbrake, hill start assist and all that sort of stuff and it was fine by me.

MOOGLEYS · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:08

Jonny ///M said:
Does the newer astra still use the M32 box on the turbo engines?

That's the only thing that would put me off the astra, I've driven the newer shape with the electronic handbrake, hill start assist and all that sort of stuff and it was fine by me.

They use the F40 box which does not have the dodgy bearing like the M32 but can be stiff when cold.