I'm stuck - help me choose

[Nick F]

Within the next month I should hopefully be buying my first ever car. I'm however slightly stuck on which car to get. I've narrowed it down to two main possibilities but I need a bit of help and advice from people that have driven both of these cars before I test them myself.

I have a 3 - 3.k to spend on the actual car.

so my options are



or



??????????

[mycarsavw]

Golf, no question


disclaimer - I may be slightly biased

[joshwa]

Test drive them both and see which you prefer (sorry I can see you're already planning that...)

[Nick F]

oh yeah, forgot to add. Please suggest other cars that would fall into the budget and could stand up against the two above.

I think I'll be getting a 1.4l engine.

[mark19632]

The Golf is far better quality than the focus. My mum had a focus, feels a bit cheap though

[mycarsavw]

The Golf is far better quality than the focus. My mum had a focus, feels a bit cheap though

So true.

But, if you can't find a Golf in 1.4 flavour within your budget, I'd suggest looking at a Seat Ibiza.

If you do get a Golf I know of a very good website that'd be pleased to have you on board

[Nick F]

So true.

But, if you can't find a Golf in 1.4 flavour within your budget, I'd suggest looking at a Seat Ibiza.

If you do get a Golf I know of a very good website that'd be pleased to have you on board

I did look at the Ibiza but I'm not crazy about the looks. At least the golf and the focus look fairly modern.

What's the website? Is it a owners clubs thing?

[Tumble]

The 1.4 Focus is not worth it - I hired one for a week and it was horribly underpowered, and because you had to wring it's neck to get anywhere it drank fuel like anything. There's not not much insurance wise between the 1.6 and the 1.4 and they're in the same tax bracket. I have a 1.6 Focus and I prefer it to the Golf I've had the pleasure(?) of driving.

[mycarsavw]

I did look at the Ibiza but I'm not crazy about the looks. At least the golf and the focus look fairly modern.

What's the website? Is it a owners clubs thing?

Wife drives a fourth gen 1.4 16v Ibiza and it suits her perfectly, I admit it's not everyone's cup-of-tea though. It uses the same engine as the Polo and it's responsive enough for the odd bit of fun.

It's a site I moderate and it's for everything VAG (Volkswagen/Audi Group) with a bit of everything, not sure I'm allowed to cross promote so I can let you have the address in a PM if you're interested?

[SHare]

I'd go for the 1.6 focus, its likely to be cheaper to buy and should have lower running\service costs and its every bit as good a car as the golf.

[kalniel]

Also agree - 1.6 Focus would be better IMO.

Alternatives include good condition/well specc'd Astra mk 4, Fiat punto 1.2 16v, Pug 206

[99Flake]

Focus, far better to drive, build quality may not be quite as good but it is still good, they are reliable and cheap to run. I would avoid the 1.4 Golf like the plague, they are seriously underpowered, worse than the Focus. Mate had one and it was a yawn-mobile.

[Howard]

Hmm, I'm not convinced of the merits of either.

Firstly, if you want a 1.4, buy a smaller car. If you want a car of that size, get at least a 1.6.

Secondly, I will check, but I doubt you can get a decent example (reasonable mileage, decent spec, not shabby) Mk4 golf for £3-3.5k. They are unexciting, overpriced cars IMO.

Thirdly, I'm not convinced over the reliability of the Focus, having heard many bad reports, particularly the 1.6 (cambelts going early for instance), but I would still be inclined to suggest a 1.6 Focus over a Golf, e.g:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00725289816454

Or, IIRC you're in your 20s and have been driving a while (correct me if I'm wrong) so insurance on something more sprightly won't be too painful, for example a 1.8 Focus:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00724289119492

I'm not a fan of Focii, I don't find them "interesting", but they seem like a great buy, and I've heard plenty of positive points about the way they drive. I do hate the interior though

Other cars? Citroen Xsara, Honda Civic (although they seem unusually expensive to insure, but this would be my pick of the bunch here), Vauxhall Astra, Ford Mon....

Edit: OK so I had a look on Autotrader and there's a few Mk4 Golfs within that price range, but only a couple seemed worth having, the rest were either 2L GTis (ugh), 1.8 GTis (insurance), chavved up or both , plenty of Mk3 in that price range though, which seems like a hideous amount of money for such an old car

Edit2: I've just noticed I sound a bit like Fox in my above post Lol


Last edit I promise:

VAG (Volkswagen/Audi Group)

Volkswagen AG

[joshwa]

For £3k in my area:
2001 Y Honda Civic 1.4s 5Dr 70k ins group 4, AC etc link don't know if link will work?
2000 Seat Leon 70k - link

[joshwa]

tried to edit but it wouldn't let me...

Or the Skoda Octavia?

You'll pay more insurance for a VW over a Ford or a Skoda.

I've had a Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec which was ULTRA reliable despite neglect, a Skoda Fabia that needed a new electric window (passenger side) and wheel bearing, and two VW Passats, both with no problem other than the common MAF problem on one.

2001 Seat Leon 1.4 ins group 4 AC etc - £3150 - link

[chriswood_7]

Personally I wouldnt be buying a car of that size in 1.4L

Thats supermini territory! And the cars a few hundred kilos lighter, trust me it makes a difference