[Closed] What Car...? Focus Size, Petrol, Near New. Recomendations?

Golf or a derivative, ie Audi A3 Sportback or Seat

Golf 1.4 TSI. Tis good imo. It's what I replaced my focus with.

Although that said, I've had 2 focus TDCIs and did about 200k miles over the 2 of them without even a hint of a clutch issue, so maybe someone needs to practice using a clutch 😮

what should I buy

How about sending your wife on course to show her how to change gear properly!! 😉

an auto

+1 Golf, Civic might be worth a look if can you live with the quirky?

This years Polo's are also good and bigger than the outgoing model.

+1 to the Auto if "she's" killed two clutches in 63K

a petrol mk2 facelift focus or a visit to match.com

I know somebody (i won't state if the male/female) who drives with their foot resting on the clutch to make it easier changing gear. Needless to say the clutch has worn out after < 40k miles.

Hmmm, to be fair.... It's the first time any of our cars have needed clutches and I did 50% of the mileage since the last clutch so it's not all down to Mrs Boblo.

Whilst all this was going on, I've taken my own motah from new to 50k without incident and I've had other cars from new to disposal (one at 140k) on oe clutches. I don't think we are 'clutch buggerers' 🙂

I've had a few other problems with this diesel donkey and am waiting with baited breath for the turbo or injectors to go pop.

Ta ta Focus methinks.

Any votes for the Mini? If so which one. I'd thought about the various flavours of Golf, is the TSI a turbo as I want to go simple to try and minimise future aggro/cost.

@Monkeysfeat. Which A3? I have an Audi and it hasn't missed a beat.

If it was my money (and it will be soon) I would be looking at Kia's and Hyundai's. Long warrenties and a seemingly good reputation.

Suzi SX4?

Skoda Roomster if you need space/reliability/quality/flexibility but not good looks....

Civic petrol would be a good bet. Lots of people want the fantastic diesel, so the petrols could be cheaper. Honda have a good rep for reliability.

EDIT although some versions, maybe early ones had a problem with leaky boot windows I think..?

focus

OK, in the lead, Nonda by a nose with the Golf/Audi shortly behind and the Mini as an outsider.... No Skoda's/Hyundai's/Suzi's or Kia's need apply 🙂

Honda have never (apparently) had a VTEC mechanism failure.

I loved the honda I test drove and would have snapped it up, but they were pricier than I was comfortable with and the Passat was a bargain. A great drive, loved the interior and the fold-up back seat, and they were pretty well specced too.

[url= http://www.alfagiulietta.com/giulietta/com/index.html ]another wildcard?[/url]

DON'T get a Mazda 3 2.0l 👿

titusrider - Member
another wildcard?

Surely the Brera would be a better (looking) choice. But there again if reliability is one of the criteria, perhaps not.

Don't go anywhere near a Fiat Doblo either. Had an 18 month old one bought direct from Fiat and nothing but trouble with the air con that fiat wouldn't fix under warranty and then the engine started playing no end, just after the warranty ended. Cost me over 2 grand and never got fixed, so I binned it as a trade in.

That was the 1.9 Multijet, in case you're interested.

tries not to get really angry that the first thing people say when you mention alfa is reliability..........

Fails ....

GGRRRRRRRR 🙁

[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3360548.htm ]Perfect[/url]

Nissan Qashqai?

titusrider - Member
tries not to get really angry that the first thing people say when you mention alfa is reliability..........

Fails ....

GGRRRRRRRR

citroen ds4

Golf or a derivative, ie Audi A3 Sportback or Seat

Yep

In my pursuit of reliability, I'll not be seeking a French or Italian experience thankyou.

The mini Qashqai might qualify on the reliability front but mini softroaders... bit yummy mummy/school run for us... I'd seen the various Mazda horror stories on here so discounted them already. Anything from Toyota or other Jp manufacturers worth a look (that's not too dull/spangly)? Owt from Be-em worth a look as I obviously couldn't care less about being called names for my choice in motahs?

So still Nonda, VAG mid size derivative (probably VW or Audi) or Mini. Quickie on the Civic, is it right the new one is pants and the previous (star ship) one the dogs danglies?

Petrol Focus?

I like ours and it's been reliable for 40,000 miles now, but when we bought it I decided I wouldn't touch a diesel Ford with a 100ft barge pole.... Too many horror stories. So far it's cost no more to run (Possibly a bit cheaper with the current fuel prices) than the diesel Vectra we had before it, too.
At 3 years old with 16,000 on the clock we paid £5995, and there's plenty of 2-3 year old cars around at they money + a bit these days....

Used to own a 54 plate civic typeR and in the four years I had it it never missed a beat. Got a seat Leon now and although it's ok I've had a couple of issues with it. It also doesn't feel as well made as the Honda. Wished I'd got the new shape civic rather than the Leon.

Focus tbh. 120,000 miles on my TDDI 1.8 and still original DMF and clutch. They'll go sooner[s] or later mind. Something just plain wrong with eating a clutch in 19000 miles... You'd be on the low end of the curve for lifespan even if this was the first time at 65k.

A3 Sportback for me.

I will admit they are not the best looking cars , but they are very practical in that Golf versus Focus size category etc. I have a 2.0 TFSI Quattto, but that may be too much power and with go-cart like handling for SWMBO. 5 and 1/2 years from new and not a single problem or snag.

Have driven the 2.0T and 1.8T and the latter was fine. Quick enough but clearly not as sprightly as the 2.0T, and even the newer 2.0 TDI 143bhp was OK and I ****in hate diesel engines.

I would not discount Mazda. They have a good reputation, it's just MF's particular model of 323 that had a lot of problems I think.

[img] [/img]

@Geoffj...did you say 85 ps? Blummin eck, plan well ahead for overtakes... 🙂

@Northwind That is exakery my probrem...

@PP We had a Mk1 1.6 petrol Focus from new for 5 years and it was FANTASTIC. Dint miss a beat in that time; servicing, tyres and fuel only. Just a bit gutless. On the strength of that, we bought the current diesel donkey.

Is the VAG TFSI a petrol turbo? I know nowt about VAG petrols. From a reliability/long term perspective, I'd assume normally aspirated to be the order of the day?

Yes it is boblo, the T stands for turbo. If you want low tech, that's not it.

Golf.

Can you even by a VAG normally aspirated petrol engine these days? 1.2T, 1.4T, 1.8T, 2.0 T There is the V6 which is still normally aspirated, but have they not dropped the gutless 1.6?

Honda CRX?

Golf Estate. Not bad looking, quality build of the Golf but a bit more practical.
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Why not Skoda? Get past the badge and they are very good indeed. Skoda Superb (crap name) is actually superb and VW quality or better. Anyway, that's too big for you so how about the Skoda yeti? Get a decent spec

Leon with dsg box, petrol or diesel available

Just been reading about the Civic on Autotrader. Readers wives give it nearly 5 out of 5 the only downsides being rear viz and a firm ride (oooer).

I can get a 10 month old 1.8 140 bhp 5 door jallopy that'll do 45mpg for ~£12k. and the problems is...? Get some parking beepers fitted and a proper spare (instead of a tin of goop) and we should be ready to roll. Off to Marshall's at the weekend for a gander methinks. Keep the ideas coming please, incase we (I) hate it. BTW, I happened accross the Type R, now that [i]is[/i] tempting (apart from the 30mpg) 🙂

How about Toyota Corolla / Verso type with automatic gear?

I bought the former (05 model) for £5k, 32,000 miles. Yes, auto gear too.

Or ya mate is a boy racer proper so advised me to avoid VW auto / tiptronic etc because he does not understand their fancy auto gear system.

molgrips - Member
I would not discount Mazda. They have a good reputation, it's just MF's particular model of 323 that had a lot of problems I think.
POSTED 2 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

I kind of like the Audi A4 estate.

Having said that, I drove a Fiat Punto (rented from Enterprise) for a few days last month, and I was really, incredibly impressed. I have no idea if they suffer from long-term issues, but the cockpit was really well thought-out, the fuel economy I got was excellent, and the drive was much, much, much better than the Focus I had rented only a few weeks earlier.

Hyundai i30 high spec very reliable gorgeous prob get one still under warranty do diesel engine and very reliable

Vag do a 1.6fsi (na engine). 115 bhp, which is a bit under powered when our Octavia is full up, but fine 90% of the time!
Averaging around 40mpg, but i suspect my missus has a heavy foot!
(our other car makes a 'braaap' at full throttle-i never make the sound, my wife complained it was 'always making it'.....!)

DrP

@Chewk. Thanks I'll check the Corrola (or whatever it's called now). I think the Verso is a bit big, it's a mini MPV innit?

@Canyonman and Saxonrider. Hyundai and Fiat? Really? One qualifies as wierd and and the other Italian... The A4 is also a bit big for a second car though I suppose we could downsize and make it our primary...

Thanks everyone for your input. In one day/night, I think we've chosen Mrs Boblo's new motah 🙂

Keep em coming though please (but nothing wierd 🙂 )

Any of the VAG products should be good. They are pretty much the same underneath just with different materials and refinement in the cabins and probably different suspension set ups. The VAG have mangaed to get their powertrains cheaply and efficently across the whole line up from Audi to Seat. The Golf alone is the best selling car in Europe. They are a force to be reckoned with.

Normaly aspirated engines are harder to come by now due to the fact a big capacity is required for power. This means low fuel economy, poor C02 emissions and high tax. I believe the VAG TSI engines are turbo charged and super charged to allow even smaller capactity and reduce turbo lag.

I had an 04 plate Civic type R. Now that was a piece of engineering, did never and probably will never skip a beat. Best 6 speed box I have used day to day. Honda's sales and servicing was also excellent. I remember taking it out for a test drive and spanking the thing pretty hard, as one has to, expecting to receive a ticking off from the salesman beside me, for him only to say how refreshing it was to see someone drive the car properly!!

When I picked the (used) car up from the dealership, they gave me a bottle of Champagne to boot. Unfortunately the fuel economy was the cars demise in the end, damm glad I sold it when I did.

Bought a used Golf GTTDI, 170 bhp diesel. Great car, awesome comfort, good mid range and returns 42mpgs average. Impressed with the build quality so far, nothing has broken. A Golf will aways hold its value too. Test drove a very similar A3, but the quattro, was expecting great things but it was uninspiring and more money.

For the record Ford diesel engines are designed in partnership with PSA, Peugeot Citreon group. On the whole they are well respected, may have just been unlucky. Doesn't help I know!

The 1.8 Civic are fine cars, although a little noisy. When we were looking for cars last year we drove quite a few but MrsG preferred the MKVIII 2.4 accord auto (not everyone's choice since it's a bit thirsty but it's only done 6-7k in a year. Like the normally aspirated 1.8's it's got a great reputation for reliability. Feels extremely well built too.

Buy her an auto.

Buy her a bike more like (or a bus ticket) 🙂

In principle the 2.0l TDCI Focus is a peach. Good handling, plenty of power, cheap and mid 50's mpg.... Shame all the diesel economy savings are being offset by the high maintenance costs. I may well have been unlucky but that doesn't help stp the wince when yet another repair bill rears its head. I've had enough, time to change.

boblo you can have certain elements that create this problem removed.......google

(No not your wife- the DPF etc issue!)

mate got one of these....

Skoda Yeti, its lovely, inside is a little bit dull looking though.

[img] [/img]

OP, are you definitely sure the latest clutch wear isn't down to your wifes driving style?

It just seems to be too much of a coincidence that 20k on. DMF failing THAT regularly? Hmmmmm

Does she ride the clutch? Drive with odd footwear? Get her to wear gym or ballet-style pumps for driving. Does she cover the clutch pedal even when making progress?

Is the clutch pedal to high for her (does she have?) small feet? hence she tends to rest it on there?

Is the DMF showing signs of failing again?

I just think its odd thats all. To change to another car and potentially repeat- with all the associated costs etc. After all, I think the 2.0TDCI is a better car than a Yeti IMO.

Why not Skoda? Get past the badge and they are very good indeed. Skoda Superb (crap name) is actually superb and VW quality or better. Anyway, that's too big for you so how about the Skoda yeti? Get a decent spec

Well an Octavia would be appropriate, though I bought a Roomster for it's flexibility - more appropriate for me than a Yeti though maybe I'll get one of those next time. Skoda's are my brand of choice these days taking over from Ford. I have an aversion to brands with snob value though.

i bought a Honda civic last month, got the 2.2cdti as i wanted the mpg.

Positives:- Looks good, excellent layout on the dash, great rear seats that fold up fitting a bike in perfectly. Great mpg (avg 63 on a 220 mile round trip). Rear visibility not too bad.

Negatives:- Ride not as good as my old audi a4. doesn't feel as solid either, supposed issues with clutches so may not be the best choice.

Antony

@Hora I'm really not sure as I don't drive with her all the time. The only thing I can say, is this is the first car we've had an issue like this with and I'm not aware of her (or me) changing style/shoes etc.

Not sure about the DMF but the clutch is slipping again. Top gear, 70mph, boot down = more revs (rapidly) and no more speed 🙁

'Usually' when they cry 'clutch' they add all the other bobbins in as well which means £££'s. BTW, I'm [i]NOT[/i] buying a Yeti... She'd want a balaclava and new Ray Bans to avoid being recognised in that (wierd looking not cos it's a Skoda)

The current choices are: Petrol Civic, Petrol Golf, something else I haven't thought of/seen yet.

Just noticed this.. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1098538&mid=70159&nmt=Please+help+Warranty+Claim+trouble+with+Honda%21

offset by the high maintenance costs

I wouldn't call that maintenance costs. It's not like you're meant to replace the clutch every 20k miles. Reliability is more of a lottery than high maintenance. You might be lucky and be trouble free, or unlucky like you.

I'd suspect some kind of alignment issue in that particular car, to be honest.

PS petrol cars also have clutches 🙂

molgrips - Member
I'd suspect some kind of alignment issue in that particular car, to be honest.

PS petrol cars also have clutches

Or his wife is either riding the clutch at traffic lights or using gears which are too high and labouring the engine (might explain the DMF failures too). Just a thought.

Possibly.. driving around at ultra low revs might not cause an issue in a petrol car.. then again you'd not be going anywhere and boblo would surely comment on it if she drove like that.

Seriously – a Nissan Qashqai because:

Its built in Sunderland.
Is a really good size bang in the middle between: small car / big estate / 4wd.
Its cheap which means you can get the one with built in satnav and cruise control etc.
I’ve got one and its ace.
It’s the most popular car in the uk for these reasons.

Or his wife is either riding the clutch at traffic lights or using gears which are too high and labouring the engine (might explain the DMF failures too). Just a thought.

+1 plus some cars you can get away with it some will suffer more, quicker. You can ride/kill a clutch <1 day and you can gradually wear one down over many many thousands of miles. You can be somewhere inbetween. Early morning/cold starts- I've ridden my clutch a few times when tired for instance.

OP - just get a DSG Golf.

It’s the most popular car in the uk for these reasons.

Where do you get that from? I think just into top 10. Fiest and Focus are top the selling cars.

Test drove a very similar A3, but the quattro, was expecting great things but it was uninspiring and more money.

I have an a3 quattro.

drives just like a golf until you turn off the traction control...

So when i say most popular i meant to say 9nth most popular but only because the people buying the top 8 have no imagination.

http://www.motoringspy.co.uk/1087/top-10-best-selling-uk-cars-aug-2011/

Fiesta is a good car, feels cheap in some parts but I was pleasantly surprised. I bet it isn't far off the interior space of a mk1 focus either.

Its well overpriced though.

So when i say most popular i meant to say 9nth most popular but only because the people buying the top 8 have no imagination.

Ha ha...well possibly no-one buying a popular car is using much imagination?!

Oi! Stop arguing at the back... 🙂 This threads about my dotty wife and her bad clutch habits... 🙂

I hear all the calls that it must be the operator, it's just a bit wierd that the operator (same types of shoes, same legs, same technique etc) hasn't had any issues in the past.

I hadn't thought of too high a gear. She doesn't drive around in top like a minicab driver but I don't know just how marginal the clutch is in our fire breathing Focus... Might be a relatively torquey engine mated to a bit too much high gear work, I dunno.

I think that reference to the Nonda clutch issue was the 2.2 diesel? High torque engine again?

Anyway, I'm almost mated to a 1.8 vtec, just haggling over the last few £££'s. 🙂

If it's your first diesel it could be the torque thing, if she's plonking her foot down habitually whilst at low revs all the time. I've driven with quite a few people who did this.

Dunno Moly, we've had diesel donkey's for ~25 years (and loads of petrols in that time). None with a clutch issue... I had a 2.5 Omega from new to 140k miles ... nada a 2.5 v6 passat to 100k same etc etc...

I don't 'get it'... I'm just putting it down to experience.

Then I go back to my original idea of an alignment issue or some other fundamental thing with that particular car.

I've given up on the 'why me?!' sobbing and moaning and reverted to solving the issue with the application of cash 🙂

For anyone interested (Guys? GUYS? 🙂 ), I'll share our post negotiation findings about the Civic (assuming we get that far). Is this the first car bought by STW consensus?

Good choice. Hope you like it. If you get it from Honda I reckon you will get good sales service and a good product.

The Ford shouldn't have given you so many issue's even if your wife isn't the best driver. Durability testing should take account of poor technique and a lot more so the thing is robust.

Over on the Honda Forum as of today. Petrol faults forum 197 messages, Diesel faults Forum 3755 replies (clutches, turbo's, DPF, DMF). A 1.8 Civic seems very sensible to me.

1.8 vtec

Nice car. 🙂

Update for anyone interested...

April '11 Nonda Civic 1.8 vtec SE with ~7k on.... Now part of the Boblo stable for £7k and a wonky Focus. I'm a happy bunny and Mrs Boblo will hopefull shower me with sexual favours to show her grattitude 🙂

Thanks everyone for their input, makes a nice change from arguing about coffee makers 🙂

Earlier this week, Whatcar Magazine announced the 2012 [b]Best Small Family Car[/b] of the year, as the [b]Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI Match[/b]

http://www.whatcar.com/awards/small-family-cars/volkswagen-golf-award-winner.html

The Golf seems to fit the OP's requirements. 122bhp, less than £20K and they also do the DSG gearboxes. That might save your clutch!

Volkswagen also won the [b]2012 Whatcar Car of the Year Award[/b] for the Volkswagen Up. Although I suspect you wouldn't get a mountain bike in one of those!