Thanks for the comments to date guy's.... I'll clear a few things up;

1) Yes, new shape Focus:thumbup:

2) 5 door hatch required, so Astra Sport Hatch n/a as per an estate :thumbdwn:

3) Looking at the 1.6 ti-vct Focus, which is near as dam it bang on the same performance as a 1.8 plus better mpg

4) Fabia - too small :thumbdwn:

5) C4 - she currently has a Renault, never wants a French car again in her life and I never want her to have a French car again in her life. But they do look good, C4's that is............. :eek:

6) 1.8 TDCi - too much, not worth the extra out lay as she only does 10-12k miles per year

Only other alternative I can think of is an Octy 2 1.6 FSI, ex-demo with a few k on the clock, for £10k :confused:

However, the Octy is a larger car therefore would it be underpowered with the 1.6 FSI?

Only other alternative I can think of is an Octy 2 1.6 FSI' date=' ex-demo with a few k on the clock, for £10k :confused:

However, the Octy is a larger car therefore would it be underpowered with the 1.6 FSI?[/quote']

Well, the Octy 1.6 FSI Ambiente is the current What Car "Best Small Family Car" and it also won it the previous year which is as good as a recommendation as they come!.

I agree though, it 'feels' somewhat larger than the either the Focus or the Astra so best to test drive one to find out for yourself.

I know this thread is nearly two weeks old and don't know if its too late but I was looking for the same sort of car after swmbo stamped all over my fabia vrs owning dreams and my current MOT was fast running out.

I went and had a look at this class of car and in the end I picked a new mazda3 1.6 TS, It was just a nicer place to be than the focus which was second choice. My local dealer had a few year old examples for around the 10K mark.

Also, just a reminder, if you do go for a focus, the Zetec doesn't come with air con as standard but the Zetec Climate does.

Also, just a reminder, if you do go for a focus, the Zetec doesn't come with air con as standard but the Zetec Climate does.

Does this mean you can get a Ford Climate without the Zetec?? Ford eh !!!:confused:

I know this thread is nearly two weeks old and don't know if its too late but I was looking for the same sort of car after swmbo stamped all over my fabia vrs owning dreams and my current MOT was fast running out.

I went and had a look at this class of car and in the end I picked a new mazda3 1.6 TS' date=' It was just a nicer place to be than the focus which was second choice. My local dealer had a few year old examples for around the 10K mark.

Also, just a reminder, if you do go for a focus, the Zetec doesn't come with air con as standard but the Zetec Climate does.[/quote']

No its not to late mate, never thought of the Mazda 3 and will investigate. What are they like to drive? Does the 1.6 deliver semi decent performance?

Was aware of the "Climate" situation, but cheers for the advice

Its a bit of a lesser of two evils,

says the man with cobbled together held in one piece with gaffer tape and zip ties smokey diesel girls car imho of course

no offence J but i'd have a 1.6 petrol focus over a diesel fabia everyday of the week as they look better, handle better and are way more fun to drive.

between the two i haven't driven the new astra but owned a mk1 focus and have drivent he old shape many times and it would be the focus every time again, i would probably have the astra before the fabia too

the only issues i had with my 110K focus was a coil pack, battery and rear wheel bearings so a hell of a lot less than my octavia. was more fun to drive and handled better too just a shame it didn't go as fast otherwise i'd still be driving it now

Having to choose between a Focus and an Astra is like having to choose whether I'd like a pinapple shoved up my bottom, or a coconut!

But seriously - I love the new Focus. The back doesnt look quite right, but my mates brand new (£12800) Zetec Climate is a great car to drive in 1.8TDCI guise - cant imagine the 1.6 being disappointing either. The interior in the Focus is a much nicer place to be than in the Astra too imho.

So what you're saying Tom, is you're a pineapple kind of guy? :eek:

Chris

My Dad has a Zetec Climate on order for 65 plate.

He chose the Zetec Climate as I'm quite sure the Zetec has no AirCon.

It has rave reviews for "driving pleasure" and the Astra seems so plasticky inside - It looks like a branch of Dixons have dismantled their Matsui DVD players and sold off the switches to Vauxhall.

No its not to late mate, never thought of the Mazda 3 and will investigate. What are they like to drive? Does the 1.6 deliver semi decent performance?

The performance on the 3 (1.6 petrol) seemed ok but hardly zoom zoom zoom. I don't have much to compare it too but it was a little better (just) than my 1.4 ibiza but not up to a 1.8 civic or 1.9tdi passat (both new types) that I've also driven recently. It seemed very smooth and refined on the motorway but I didn't get a chance to see how it handled although all the reviews say its good to drive. I figured that all the 1.6 petrols in that class would be similar. Didn't get round to test driving a focus as my local ford dealer really pee-ed me off.

What swung it for the mazda was the looks and the style. I know that the focus is cheaper but IMHO the 3 is much nicer to look at and much nicer to be in. The saloon is better looking but the boot opening is very small so I chose the hatchback for future family commitments.

I'm not saying its better than the others but I preferred it as I'm a bit contrarian anyway. It came 4th in the recent JD Power survey for small family cars and 21st overall which is pretty good. The only average mark was for servicing costs but the dealer I'm buying from charges £133 for the first annual/12,500 mile service which sounds like a bargain compared to some of the skoda prices I've seen bandied about. Point one out to your swmbo and if she doesn't hate it then its worth a proper look.

cos if it wasn't for swmbos I would have bought a fabia back in march:thumbdwn:

Astra - without question, I hate frauds with a passion and wouldn't trust them to empty my ashtray, let alone construct something to drive.

Does beg the question though... Why not something from Germany/Japan?

have you ever driven a focus?

if not then i think you should, excellent cars.

Does beg the question though... Why not something from Germany/Japan?

Isn't the Focus made in Germany?

Chris

but it doesn't have an AUDI or VW badge so must be rubbish

but it doesn't have an AUDI or VW badge so must be rubbish

Well that goes without saying. Paying extra for "VW reliability" doesn't make sense to me

Chris

same here, my fkae VW has been far and away the most unreliable car i've ever owned. quite the opposite of my focus

My fake VW has also been the most unreliable car I've ever had. And that includes a MK4 Astra, 2 Corsas and 2 Novas. One of the Corsas had over 100k on the clock and never missed a beat.

Japanese cars arent' always super reliable either......... but thats another story

Astra - without question' date=' I hate frauds with a passion and wouldn't trust them to empty my ashtray, let alone construct something to drive.

Does beg the question though... Why not something from Germany/Japan?[/quote']

1 year old Golf 1.6, with 6-10k miles on the clock, in say SE spec for

Well, she's gone and ordered a Toyota Aygo :eek: ...... Dosen't meet her original spec or anything, but that's women for you

Saying that though had a nosey at them and what a cracking little car, they seem to be, spot on interior with decent plastics, funky design, etc.....

Saved her self a couple of grand, plus road tax is £40 quid per year :eek: group 1 insurance and 60mpg...........

She collects it next Friday and I will post a full review once I've had a decent spin in it next weekend.

Well, she's gone and ordered a Toyota Aygo :eek: ......

Astra/Focus turns into an Aygo? Oh well, I joined this site hoping to get a Furby vRS and today I'm driving a petrol Mazda3. C'est la vie.