Mid-range Conti car...

[oomph]

used to own a 2000 model passat. the 2006 version sheet metal is relatively thinner - can even mistake it to be good japanese. other than that its a more mature model and tries to eat into the space vacated by the ill-fated higher end phaeton.

 

one thing to note is the reliability ratings for vw's is poor after 5 years...see link below

 

http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/pf/autos/c...to_reliability/

[Fourth]

The new Passat looks great. Did very well in the car comparisons I read too. Definite worth considering IMHO.

 

Think A4 design looks rather bland as compared to the cars in the same class.

[Koolaba]

Hi,

 

Check your PM.

[Skip]

The Passat is great. Got mine during the soft launch in Dec, no regrets...

[Miles]

I wonder how did Focus II manage to get 5 Star Euro NCAP crash test if their doors are spot welded and of poor construction as you mentioned. Not only 5 star crashtested but in terms of front and side impact, passenger safety is 100% for both front and side... a first in Euro NCAP history. See --> http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_rat...p?id1=2&id2=204

 

Compared to solid one piece skoda octavia 4 star and 65% front 83% side for mkI. see --> http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_rat...p?id1=3&id2=102

and 69% front and 89% side for mkII. see --> http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_rat...p?id1=3&id2=206

 

dont get me wrong. i personally think very highly of the octavia, both mkI and II. in fact, if Czech Auto were to bring in the MkII combi 2.0FSI or 1.6FSI last year, i would have chosen it over the Focus for the mere fact that i am used to VAG cars. But, alas, VGS or exklusiv like to delay things.... one customer lost. actually no lost to them.

 

I just dont want facts distorted by sales pitch.

 

For the record,

Focus II is using old 16V Duratec engine rated at 100PS @ 6000 rpm and 150Nm @ 4000rpm

Octavia I is using old 8V SR engine rated at 102PS @ 5500 rpm and 148Nm @ 3800 rpm.

 

which is more important? Torque or horsepower? Those in the know will know.

[Koolaba]

Hi bro,

 

From the picture attached, it is easy to determine the quality of weld and joints in the Ford Focus II. This picture was taken from a brand new Focus II when I visited a trade fair in Klagenfurt, Austria today.

 

If you follow my posts so far, I have not in any way pointed out that the quality of weld and joints have a direct correlation to the performance in a crash test. Rather, the quality of the welds and joints reflect the overall quality of the car as a whole.

 

With regards to the results in the side impact test, the results are given as a total score. It will be interesting to find out the amount of protection that the car offers to the passenger. With reference to the 2nd picture, I am hypothesizing that the quality of joints on the door may have an influence on the protection that the car offers to its occupants in event of a side impact. The Focus II offers adequte protection, whilst the Octavia II offers good protection as suggested in the diagram.

 

An engine that is able to deliver high torque at lower rpms will definitely be useful in our everyday driving.

 

The figures you have quoted on the torque and power of both engines are maximum ratings. Based on the maximum ratings, it will not be give a good indication of the driveabilty and pick-up characteristics of the engine. Analysing the power and torque curve i.e. the power and torque output throughout the entire power band of the engine, will be recommended in this case.

 

So far, I have covered my discussion based on the power and torque specifications of the engines per se. The other factors which will influence the driveability of the car include the gear ratios (and to some extent, the final drive) and the weight of the cars.

 

To me, analysis of the torque and power curve, gear ratios are theoretical means of analysing how driveable a car is. Ultimately, nothing beats a test drive.

 

Last but not least, there is no sales pitch intended in my previous posts.

[Miles]

you could be right. i am not defending anybody. in fact i am not exactly happy owning the focus. but as a workhorse, it is a good one especially when warranty is covered for 5 years. i just want the truth to be laid bare.

 

anyway, since you are affliated to CA, care to tell us why it took more 2 years (believe the car was launched in Europe in 2004) for the octavia II to appear on our shores?

is it due to the fact that Octavia II's OMV could possibly be higher than mk5 Golf (since it's made in RSA), thereby contradicting the market positioning of the brand?

 

I still would like to own/drive the Octavia II, but it's taking too bloody long to arrive here. I have just bought a second car and still the octavia II is not here. So, should i say, CA have lost a customer twice? well, probably not important to GE anyway.

[The01]

I'd go for the VW Golf 1.6L - very well equiped car for its class. A bit expensive though.

 

A Renault Megane Sedan would'nt be so bad to own. Good interior and safty features. Not as smooth as the Golf, but very much cheaper in px.

 

Forget about the Focus. It is ashamed to see a good car being 'ripped off' so much 'good things' in order to compete in thelocal market. I think the Agent "FOCUS" too much on the pricing than the real Focus that we heard or read about in magazines! Very good handling (still) though- I think, in this case the Mazda3 will be a better choice!

 

Regards.

[Miketow]

Hopefully the new Focus will not have the same problem as the first model.

http://consumeraffairs.com/news02/ford_focus.html

 

Compared to VAG engineered cars, Ford still has a long way to go, in my opinion.

 

Kolaba,

 

While your attached "recall report of 2000/2002" does indeed sound alarming (not to mention really DATED). Recalls are extremely common for any make of car and for multiple times in its lifespan. - Toyota most recently. Any recall, must state the possible outcome in full graphic detail for legal reasons - and this aplies to any car, including the Octavia - I dont think its fair to focus (excuse me pun) on one recall and assume that its a lesser car by any measure.

 

The Original Ford Focus was the best selling car in the WORLD for 2001 & 2002 and up till its last year of production, the MK I Ford Focus was the best selling car in the United Kingdom and one of the the most reliable cars ever engineered in Ford's history up till that that time.

 

The orginal Ford Focus recieved 78 global car awards for engineering, design and driving experience all over the world.

 

Its expensive "Control Blade" suspension proved to be such a fantastic driver that Jeremy Clarkson bought one for his own use - and forced VW to invest 100 million dollars to develop an independent suspension for the VW MK V Golf (a VAG) to compete with the Ford Focus.

 

Maybe should also include that to make a fair opinion of the Ford Focus eh?

Edited April 24, 2006 by Miketow

[Fluffy]

The Focus is a great handling car and it still is and has not been bettered. The interior of the Mk1 was stylish (i like) but the MkII has lost it in terms of styling but replaces it with a better quality cabin with better materials.

 

That said, the handling is only one aspect of any car. The new Focus is dowdy in appearance, boring in the cabin but is better than the Mk1.

 

However, when Koolaba says in comparison to a VAG, i share the same sentiments, having both a VAG car and a Focus in the family, Ford has a Loooong way to go, in terms of cabin quality, quality of materials, built quality and the like. Both of the cars are 1.6s, but the Focus feels like the only thing going for it is the handling...... whereas the VAG is feels like good quality when you sit in it. (i drive the VAG on the MKIV torsion beam platform). THe Focus feels like it was made to be a point to point car, like a corolla, but the VAG feels like a cruiser, like an Audi. (ok, it helps that the dash is from the A3). The VAG is a nice place to be, nice materials, 8 speaker sound system, lots of toys, the "Thunk" when the door is closed.....etc...

 

oh by the way, the Focus ST nearly beat the Golf GTI, but didn't in last month's EVO. I have also read the same in some other magazines. The ST is a great car, even betters the GTI in some areas, but the GTI is the most complete car. Same conclusion when compared with the Megane trophy 225 and the Astra VXR. the GTI is a very capable complete car.

Edited April 24, 2006 by Fluffy

[Hicksau]

hmm... i still would prefer a VAG car solely for its quality of ride .. mod a VAG ? dun think i want to and never would wan to..

 

But if you are one to mod conti rides and test every corner you deem a challenge , then the focus is the one ...

 

Seeing the show "rides" on discovery channel , i believe the weld is just part & parcel of being a show model car not the real production type... so its safe to say that the quality difference between both rides are almost nil.

[Koolaba]

anyway, since you are affliated to CA, care to tell us why it took more 2 years (believe the car was launched in Europe in 2004) for the octavia II to appear on our shores?

 

Dear bro,

 

I am in no way affiliated to CA. If you care to check my posts in the past, you will be able to realise that there is a fallacy in your statement. It is definitely not within my professional capacity to answer the above question too.

 

The Octavia II and the VRS will reach our shores in June or July 2006.

[Seansene]

Hopefully the new Focus will not have the same problem as the first model.

http://consumeraffairs.com/news02/ford_focus.html

 

By the way, this link talks about the US-made Focus, which in quality and reliability is worlds apart from the European ones - the ones which we get.

Edited April 24, 2006 by Seansene

[Miketow]

I agree that the VAG has always set a stellar standard for fit/finish and superb build quality - bank vault doors like the BMW (and old Mercs). The MK VI Golf probably has the best cabin build finish - certainly better then the current MK V.

 

Ford, in redesigning the MKII Focus, preserved the orginal's handling prowess with a much stiffer chasis - for a very nice "continental" ride over humps and high speed (not like a Corolla for sure!) - plus Ford re-eingineered its cabin from the ground up using the VW Golf IV as a benchmark. The result is a build/finish that come close in quality to the VW.

 

i wouldnt say that its the same as the VAG - simply b/c the VAG costs over 88K, while the german made Focus comes in at 67K - 70K, but it comes close, at a different price point.

[Fluffy]

okay, I believe you're refering to VW. Yes they do cost much more here.

 

But let's compare Skoda to the Focus.... there are in the similar price bracket, and with the Octy MkII coming soon, it would really give the Focus a run for it's money.

 

Yes, the Focus MkII used the Golf MkIV as the bench mark, and they did pretty well in the new MkII, i'd give them credit for that. In the initial preview cars, the Focus build/finish was pretty close to the VW, however, in recent tests, especially seen in the new ST vs Golf GTI, the build/quality gap is bigger than initially thot.

 

For a great handling car, nothing beats the Focus.

 

However, for a great handling + reliability + practicality + value for $$ + built quality, nothing comes close to the VAG owned Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0T.

(What Car? Hot Hatch of the Year 2006)

Edited April 24, 2006 by Fluffy

[Miketow]

I think the MKI Octavia is already the best deal on this planet - The MKII, with good looks and based on the newer Golf platform is probably gonna blow everyone out of the water - if they dont over differentiate the price from the MKI ( They do plan to sell both side by side right?)

[Miles]

i agree with u,... VAG cars do have nicer interiors. nobody can deny that.

durability wise, i am not so sure. but they certainly are nice when its new.

 

As a passenger, i would certainly prefer to be in the cabin of VAG cars.

As a driver, i certainly like to be in a car that drives like a car rather than a boat, even if its boast bentley class interior.

[Shoobie]

Hi, go take a look at Renault Megane. They are having a in-house promo.

Edited May 2, 2006 by Shoobie