Audi A3 VS Ford Focus

[GhettoMoose]

After shopping around at various cars the 2 Ive put it down to are

Ford Focus 1.6 ZTEC

and the Audi A3 1.6 Sport

Any experiances from you guys on these cars

[zelnik]

Both cracking cars in their own rights..

I'm on the phone at the moment waiting for VOSA to answer so i'm just going to list what comes into my head.

1> Interior of the Audi is a much nicer place to be, Ford interior tend to feel plasticly and cheap
2> The Focus is probably lighter so therefore quicker (you should check this, but traditionaly Audis are very heavy)
3> Both engines are excellent and should last the test of time.
4> Have you checked insurance? this could be a deciding factor.
5> The Focus in your price range look more dated than the A3 in my opinion.
6> Servicing & General parts are probably considerably cheaper on the Focus, tho there's probably a huge amount of second hand bits for the A3 around at good price

Note: Make sure if your A3 comes with airconditioning that it works properly and there are no rattling noises from the compressor (in the engine bay) as a new compressor from VW/AUDI is £750 tho a new one from other sources can be around £350. What happens is the clutch in the compressor gives up the ghost (if it's produced by sandex (or something like that) that's the compressor to worry about)

Personaly I'd go with the Audi A3 as well it's an Audi

[Adjani]

Have you checked insurance? this could be a deciding factor.

5Dr Hatchback 1.6i Zetec = Group 5
3Dr Hatchback 1.6 Sport = Group 9


Both ok cars, if you want that little bit more comfort and style and image, go for the Audi, even though the running costs are gonna be higher.

[God is a DJ]

i have a focus 1.6 ink which is basically a zetec with knobs on. Its my first car nd i absolutley love it. Its fairly quick for an engine of that size nd feels light and composed when ur chucking it around. Incidently, my mate across the road from me has an audi a3 1.8 (old shape), nd my car rinses it for speed, although this could be due to the fact that he has an auto box on his. Either way they are both nice cars, but having had only good experiences of the focus, i would recommend that to u, Especially as it will be cheaper to insure.

DJ

[mcdee]

ive got a focus climate and its a peach the only minor quibbles i have
is the seats to firm(i have a fat arse) and reverse parking, parking for me
is a nightmare i just cant get used to rear window . other than that im
happy with mpg,power etc.motorway driving is just a dream .one more
thing the paintwork is so thin the slightest touch chips it .pm me if you
need anymore info

[GhettoMoose]

Thats brilliant advice, thanks.

The Focus seems faster and cheaper car to run, but the audi is well as said an audi.

Im not 100% about having a fast car, as ive had my fun in the turbo gt ive got. I am more after a comfy car that likes to cruise with ease.

The audi seems the way forward, as I would only have a 3 door ( fookin hate 5 doors )

I have yet to drive either, but will certainly be doing that once the ££ comes through.

Thanks for your advicce guys, ill test drive them soon as, and get back once I let you know where im going with it.

Thanks for the advice..

[wiggi28]

the audi is far better quality but the focus will drive better so its up to you really !

[God is a DJ]

ghettomoose, if ur in the market for a focus, look for the special editions such as the focus black, ink or climate.. they will have the same engine but will have other extras like leather interior, heated seats, parking sensors etc. Could pick up a bargain if u find the right one

DJ

[mcdee]

the climate has air con and alloys

[GhettoMoose]

ghettomoose, if ur in the market for a focus, look for the special editions such as the focus black, ink or climate.. they will have the same engine but will have other extras like leather interior, heated seats, parking sensors etc. Could pick up a bargain if u find the right one
DJ

Funny enough In my works car park there was a 3 door Focus Black, Lights were tinted, had 5 spoke focus alloys, had a peep through the window, looks fairly neat, with leather sports seats and all, that is somthing deffo looking into. Cheers

[GhettoMoose]

Focus Black



That is tastey!

[God is a DJ]

thats the US version, with hideous rear bumper, the ink and black have special edition alloys, which look cool imo. get pics of uk model before making mind up!

[GhettoMoose]

Just found this on Parkers.....



Mileage: 35,722 Colour: Sapphire Blue Registration: NX02RZP (2002)

* 60/40 split rear seat back
* 6x15 alloy wheels
* Body colour bumpers
* Column mounted audio remote controls
* Driver and passenger airbags
* Driver's seat height adjustment
* Electric front windows
* Front fog lights
* Height adjustable front/rear head restraints
* ICE 6000 CD/radio
* Immobiliser-Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
* Intermittent rear wash/wipe
* One touch open on drivers window
* PAS
* Reach + rake adjustable steering column
* Remote control central/double locking
* Sports style front seats
* Steel space saver spare wheel
* Third fixed centre rear headrest


Hmmm

No mention of Service history..

[God is a DJ]

Just found this on Parkers.....



Mileage: 35,722 Colour: Sapphire Blue Registration: NX02RZP (2002)

* 60/40 split rear seat back
* 6x15 alloy wheels
* Body colour bumpers
* Column mounted audio remote controls
* Driver and passenger airbags
* Driver's seat height adjustment
* Electric front windows
* Front fog lights
* Height adjustable front/rear head restraints
* ICE 6000 CD/radio
* Immobiliser-Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
* Intermittent rear wash/wipe
* One touch open on drivers window
* PAS
* Reach + rake adjustable steering column
* Remote control central/double locking
* Sports style front seats
* Steel space saver spare wheel
* Third fixed centre rear headrest


Hmmm

No mention of Service history..

that is the pre-facelift model. is it a 1.6?

non standard alloys, nd that particularly chav bodykit will hike up ur insurance needlessly. How much is your budget?

DJ

[mcdee]

have you thought about an ex mobility ? usually well looked after
and fsh , mobility owners get a £200 cash bonus at the end of the
lease if the cars in good nick which means a lot of them are .
maybe something to look into

[wiggi28]

have you thought about an ex mobility ? usually well looked after
and fsh , mobility owners get a £200 cash bonus at the end of the
lease if the cars in good nick which means a lot of them are .
maybe something to look into

some of them also rag them to f**k delivering pizzas at night clock the mileage back then return the car

[GhettoMoose]

that is the pre-facelift model. is it a 1.6?
non standard alloys, nd that particularly chav bodykit will hike up ur insurance needlessly. How much is your budget?
DJ

budget is £6000,

[casio]

ive had 3 foci's (2x 1.8's and a 2.0 ghia) and i love em the 1.8s drank petrol though where as the 2.0 seems to sip it ive had a go in the 1.6 and couldnt tell that much of a difference engine wise from the 1.8 if i were looking for another right now id have a look for a tdci yeah its a diesel but 50 to the gallon compared with mine 33mpg the 1.6 will be lots better mpg wise than mine though but the tdci's tend to have a lot of the st's toys on them like the leather etc but they are at the upper end of your budget

when your test driving it aswell avoid any thats been lowered as the drop links (im sure thats what there called) usually need replacing and the wheel bearings tend to go sooner other than that as already said they'd chip if you sneeze on them a little hard if when you turn it lock to lock at slow speed theres a clunk its probably the pedal box

but if you go for a focus have a good search cos its not like theyre rare

cas

[God is a DJ]

budget is £6000,

6k shud buy u a late 02/early 03 model with a decent mileage. as sed above, do a good search

DJ

[matt1chelski]

1998 AUDI A3 1.8 3dr Hatchback,
82,000 miles, black, audi Service history, mot oct 2006, taxed end April, full electrics,18" tt alloys, climate control, 6 disc cd changer, paint protection.company car forces reluctant sale, great car. £5,395

Far nicer than the focus imo.