Which conti car

[F1fan]

Currently looking at these 2 cars. How does it compare to you guys?

 

Ride

Handling

Looks

Performance

Equipment

Space

Resale Value

 

Would any jap cars come close to the refinement and ride of these 2 cars? Any other suggestion for cars around the price range?

[Soya]

307 nice design but sits like an mpv . quite sluggish too. if possible, avoid the tiptronic box - the delayed response in shifts feels quite spastic.

[Buzz]

Hey F1Fan,

 

The focus is the clear winner in terms of hnadling and engine department. I am driving a Ondeo and the handling is already quite good and the focus is even better.

 

The only minus side I think is that the Focus rear seats are more cramped than the 307.

 

You can find more information from Focus owners from this site.

 

http://www.mathew.myip.org/forum/index.php

[Accenture]

Focus Hatch is better. Test drove both...307 even with the Mannual feels very sluggish...my vote goes to the focus

[F1fan]

is 307 more sluggish becos of its weight?

 

becos in terms of bhp, 307 pumps out 110 and focus 100 bhp.

 

regarding the tiptronic delay, i did experience it. it takes about 1-2 seconds to take effect after you have engaged a + or a -

 

but if me not wrong, focus' cabin is wee bit noisier, can hear the engine drone.

[Seansene]

Not sure about the Peugeot, but the Focus hatch only comes as an auto, just in case you were looking for a manual. That said, here are my impressions:

 

Ride: The Peugeot probably has a more compliant ride, with more comfortable bump absorption.

Handling: No question here, Focus. Beautifully-judged steering, great body control (after an initial bit of roll), and ample feedback win it.

Looks: Subjective, I wouldn't disagree with anyone who'd fancy one above the other in this area. Both are quite pretty in their own way.

Performance: When I tried the 307, it came out rather sluggish, despite it's on-paper power advantage. Maybe because the Ford's Zetec unit is more willing to revv up the power band, and sounds better when doing so. It just feels zippier. In any case, neither will be traffic light king...

Equipment: I'd say bpth are more or less evenly matched, with the French car edging it on what I call toys (things which are nice to have, but not really mandatory) - rain sensing wipers and auto headlamps. It also has a simple way of disengaging the front passenger airbag vs the Focus' send-back-to-workshop method, for those who need it. The Ford's simple yet effective ergonomics are hard to top though, with the dash-mounted boot release button still the best thing to happen in a long time.

Space: Again close, with the Ford edging it. Not so much from its 7mm wheelbase advantage, but more from the fact that the 307's windscreen and dash take up too much cabin space. Pity. Both come from the long wheelbase, tall roofline school of hatches (which the Focus started incidently, in 1998), and it shows, offering comparable space to previous generation cars from one class up.

Resale Value: Hahahahaha, you wouldn't get either of them if you were too concerned about this. Having said that, it's all about perception, and the Focus has been seeling pretty well the past few years, so 2nd hand prices should be more solid than the 307.

 

In the end, the fact that the Ford costs quite a fair bit less than the Peugeot is the clincher for me

Edited September 8, 2003 by Seansene

[F1fan]

are you yourself driving a focus?

 

on the other hand, i am also thinking of waiting for the mazda 3, which will be based on the new focus platform. heard its coming out early next year.

 

not sure if it would be better than the current focus.

 

for the focus, are performance enhancement parts readily and easily available?

 

anyone knows the latest focus price? went on sat it was 82900. but i read in the focus forum on sunday, it was advertised at 76900.

[Seansene]

Yeah, driving manual sedan. As for prices, last I heard is that it's now down to $73,900...

[F1fan]

serious? you got a sales rep to recommend from RM?

[Seansene]

Try David, he's very good and professional Vtim knows him too, but I'm not sure if that's a recommendation

[F1fan]

73900 for sedan or hatch?

[Seansene]

Maunal sedan I should think. Add $2k for auto, add another $2k for hatch, that's what I last remember from their pricing. Want me to check for you?

[F1fan]

yup, can you help me check the latest price for hatch auto, think they got 2, classic and elegance? thanks.

[Etnt]

IIRC, everything comes in 2k increment.

ie. elegance editions with all trims come in 2k increment also.

 

so taking a base of 73900 for manual sedan basic

73900 manual sedan basic

75900 manual sedan elegance/auto sedan basic

77900 auto sedan elegance/auto wagon basic

79900 auto wagon elegance

[F1fan]

Do you know if RM or Forward Motors give better deals?

[Tiger156]

Widen your horizon first lah! Take a look at the Renault Megane, the Chevrolet Aveo and Optra. All same price range and something different.

 

You can forget about resale value for euro cars because of the smaller group of buyers and the bad names on euro cars' reliability. Anyway, there is no market for 2nd hand cars anymore.

 

Happy shopping....

[F1fan]

dont really like the megane and the chevrolet.

 

right now should be either Focus or Mazda 3

[Etnt]

It really depends on where is your SE. However there is always a list of things you can try to squeeze out of them, especially those that were in the Ghia trim and left out in the current Comfort trim.