[second hand]Fabia vs Focus

[piggeh]

Looking at cars for around £4k. These two are both pretty reliable, solid cars. A 1.9 TDI Comfort Fabia is around £4k, and a Mk I Focus should also be around the same (depending on mileage - still got to look at these properly). Which one would you go for, and which is the better car overall?

[johnny02004976]

personally, id choose the Focus mate

[Shorty]

Focus

[Howard]

I would have thought the Fabia would be a better car but I'm not sure on the looks Vs a Focus. You will probably get more for your money than a Focus too. And the 1.9 TDI engines in a car that size will be rather quick.

Although I just had a look on autotrader and you can get a fair few Focii for £4k.. maybe I'm just looking at the Skoda through my love-for-german-engineering rose tinted glasses, lol

[Konan555]

Engine wise, you'll get a better diesel in the Skoda. If you must look at the Focus diesel, try and aim for a later common rail job.

The TDi Fabia is very front heavy and, whilst the ride is very confident, will exhibit quite a shocking amount of under steer without much warning. The focus feels a little more lively (read 'less German' ) to drive. My main criticism of the Ford is a horrible habit of swinging the back round when there should be plenty of grip.

Inside, the focus is (personally) more comfortable. However, you have to live with the ugliest dash board ever devised!

Overall, I'd go with the focus. It's a bit bigger and a nicer drive. If I really wanted a diesel, it'd look to the Fabia and some new seats.

[piggeh]

Doesn't necessarily have to be a diesel (I do maybe 15,000 a year so it's touch and go really). I doubt the later common rail focus engines are available for the price. Most seem to be petrol or early diesels. I guess there's a lot more choice on the Focus though. Autotrader has an abundance. So when my quote for repairs on my current car comes back at hundreds of punds, I guess I'll look at the Focii. Cheers.

[5lab]

focii keep their value overly well - so the fabia (not sure what you can get for that money) will probably be better value. that said, have you considered the octavia? its a golf underneath, so the same basic size as a focus (just designed as a notchback so it looks bigger) and i recon it'll have dropped to less than a focus by now too..