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Battle of the Belge

Greetings from Belgium. I’m torn between buying the new Ford Fiesta or the Mark III Focus. I test drove both yesterday and was impressed. I’ve got a 2003 Focus 1.8TDCI now and it still runs well and has been reliable but it’s time to change. There is no scrappage scheme in Belgium but several eco-discounts from the state, which make prices reasonable, although Belgian dealers are notoriously unwilling to offer extra discounts. So it’s either the Fiesta 5-door Econetic 1.6 Tdci 90 FAP or the Focus Econetic 5-door 1.6 TDCi FAP (I drove the 90 and was pretty quick but there is also the 109). The Focus feels very much like my 2003 model inside although of course quieter and greener. The Focus is about £3,000 more, so I am very tempted by the modern, young and trendy look of the Fiesta. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Asked on 26 December 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
I had a Focus ECOnetic 110 for 14 months and averaged 55mpg, which is about 5.1 litres/100km and very close to its official combined figure. It was very comfortable. More refined than the Mk I or Mk II. But the Fiesta will be a bit more economical. And is more 'all singing all dancing' with that jukebox dash. Its big disadvantage is that the rear seats don't fold flat. Only the backrests flop down.
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Well built with an upmarket interior. Enjoyable and involving to drive. Cheap to run 1.6TDCI ECOnetic. Exceptional reliability record. Very few problems reported despite more than 500,000 sold.