Hi there,
As many of you may be aware, I am not satisfied with my 1.6 TDCi 110 LX Focus, 5dr 06-reg. Having paid £9,000 I actually consider it disappointing as an all-round car (handling inferior to old model, no real equipment e.g. computer, heated front screen, alloys etc, and the interior is a let down, feeling cheaper in areas than the old Focus), and I really need about £2,000 for other personal uses, so I have decided to sell the car. It has done 20,000 miles I was thinking I could get around £8,500 for it. Would this be correct in your opinion?
The car does about 12-15,000 miles a year and I want something reliable, excellent to drive, but economical too.
The replacement cars I am considering are: Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXi 04-reg (new shape). I like the look of the new-shape Astra and having driven one it's much quieter than any Focus, but haven't heard great things about reliability/quality - lots of people have talked of clutch judder. And this model would be out of warranty...the one I've seen is £6,999 and has done 33,000 miles.
Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Edge/Zetec (Climate) 5dr - I figure this will be economical and faster than my current Focus, being slightly more powerful and lighter. I know the handling of this shape Focus to be top-notch, and I've seen a 2005 54-plate Zetec Climate with 40,000 miles for £6,800. I like the security of having at least a few months warranty left...
Renault Clio Dynamique a/c 3dr - Smaller than the rest, but i drove one and liked it's stability and big-car feel, and it felt very responsive around town. Quite a lot of toys for the money too. Only driven the 1.4, and have found one an 06-reg for £6,600 with 10,000 miles, but I've also seen a 1.5 86bhp model for just £400 more, although with 30,000miles showing...not driven this model yet, but would I be right to assume it'll feel slow compared to the others?
Ford Focus 1.6 Ebony 3dr - this is the engine and shape I had before and liked, but the Ebony spec has heated leather seats, ABS and traction control, multi-change CD-player, improved styling. I've found a 2003 52-reg 35,000 mile one for £5,200, but lacks warranty, obviously.
If you were in my place which would you pick? The Ebony petrol Focus has my eye, simply cause it's so well equipped, and cheap, but likewise the other cars have their pluses and minuses, I guess I'm just wondering what other people's experiences long-term on any of these might reveal...and which they think is the soundest buy.
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