Go for Golf - I have had 3 - TDIs and GTIs - always looked at Foci but just not the same quality & couldn't bring myself to do it. To me Golfs are "mini-mercs" - just with better build quality!
Actually mk IV Golf better fit & finish than Mk V - I think you could do a lot worse than a well cared for late MkIV 150bhp TDI.... And put the 5-7K saved towards...... whatever.
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- I think you could do a lot worse than a well cared for late MkIV 150bhp TDI.
A Mk IV might be well made though they are carp to drive, a 100 bhp 1.6 focus is more fun around the twisties because it has crisp turn in and responsive handling. The Mk V is much better in this regard.
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I have a 1.6 FSI SE Golf and it's, well, superb with lovely supportive fully adjustable seats. I have only sat in the new Focus and was slightly underwhelmed to say the least with the interior's quality and found the seats lacked support - a ride in the latter may have brought things more into focus (ouch!) however.
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My son has a 2003 Focus TDCI Zetec (115bhp) and loves it - his father-in-law has a older petrol version and, again loves it.
The FIL was telling me yesterday that he has driven the new Focus and didn't rate it compared to his current car.
As for me - as a VW Bora owner (last two cars were Jettas) - you'll no doubt guess first time what is my opinion...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Thanks to all for your input which is gratefully received. I suppose I'll have to let you know what I choose once I have driven them both. At least I won't be a Mondeo TDCI bore any longer ;-)
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I have to admit that im not really sure how well the new focus drives.At the moment i own a mk5 golf and the old style ford focus.I have to say unless things have changed in the last month i would go for the golf every time.I do like my focus but compared to the golf it is like a tin can.When the new focus came out i went to the showrooms but i have to say my sons play scooter feels better built?
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Have now spent some time with both. As highlighted above the Golf is indeed very solidly built and you can feel the quality but I just didn't get on with it to be honest. I never felt that I could get the seat/steering wheel where I wanted it despite the available adjustments. (I'm 6'4" which is probably a factor in this.) The steering gave pretty much zero feedback and it just wasn't involving to drive. The over sensative brakes took some getting used to.
The Focus on the other handle was a touch more rattly but for me is a super drive. It just feels so nimble/agile and chuckable which you can do with confidence. I also felt the ride is better than the Golf GT on its sports suspension. (Shame they don't do a Golf SE with the 2.0 TDI engine perhaps .. the 1.9 SE with 105PS wouldn't be enough for me.)
If it was my own money and I had to be concerned with residuals I would have to think long as hard. As I only have to look at the lease costs (and the Focus is cheaper there ) then I shall almost certainly be going for the Focus and its involving drive. Any rattles will just have to be overcome by the CD system :-)
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I pick up a lot from moderating this forum and listening to those motoring woes, a sizable proportion of which originate from aggrieved VW owners and their less than happy experiences with VW.
Backed up with a few experiences from people I know who have used VW franchised dealers, I would choose any car other than a VW.
So for me it would have to be the Focus. I don't know or care how it drives. I know what it looks like but I don't care about that either. All I know is that Ford do NOT pick up a disproportionate share of adverse dealer service comments, unlike VW.
If you still want a VW, have a look at the Seat range. Better customer service, same car, different badge.
H
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I have had 8 Ford cars and 2 VWs and find that the VW dealers are IMO much better than the Ford ones. In fact I was so incensed with my local Ford dealer that I will never buy a Ford again.
My Passat is nearly 5 years old and not one thing has gone wrong so far, which is much better than my previous Fords.
After reading the various reports of VW dealers and cars, am I lucky or are there any more satisfied VW owners?
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If I could draw on enough good experiences with even a few VW dealerships I would consider a VW. However unfortunately, from reading and listening, I do feel that a disproportionate number of them have lost the plot as far as customer service is concerned.
Reading this forum has taught me that good after sales service is just as important as a good product at the right price.
H
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