Comparing Opel Astra 1.6 Twinport and Ford Focus 1.6 H/B

[Sony]

Astra is going to downspec in their later shipment, so if you are keen, better make it fast lor. As for the pricing, you might need to be aware that those rebate come with conditions. It's best to go to the showroom and ask directly.

 

In term of handling and performance, Focus and Astra can't be too far off and it's not like you are going round a corner at 90km/h everyday. I would say that for daily driving, both are quite ok.

 

Space wise, Focus is slightly better but Astra look better, both inside and outside. It depends on how many people will be sitting in your car everyday and of coz, your own perference.

 

Do note that if you are looking at the 1.6, Astra is using MTA 5 speed while Focus is Auto. If you are going for Astra 1.8, then it's 4 speed auto on the old ecotec engine without Twinport.

 

I can't comment much on FC but I had friends who achieved 13-15 for Astra but mine is oni 10-11 so far (still relatively new). I think it really depends on your right foot rather than the car.

 

Cheers

[Jack_jack]

Any idea what the downgrade in specs will involve?

 

As long as they don't start removing airbags, and as long as the downgrading will translate into lower prices for buyers, consumers may actually look forward to the lower barrier of entry with respect to owning a continental car.

[Liang]

From NCAP, both Astra and Focus have 5 stars. You looking at the score for the old astra?

[Sony]

The MTA is not really jerky once you get used to it. For me, after 2 test drive and it's not too bad. Having said that, it's a clutchless manual and not DSG/CVT, so cannot expect smooth transmission lar. To Astra owners, it's quite an involved experience that we went for the MTA tranmission and usually, most of us drive in manual mode.

 

As for the down spec, the motion sensor was taken out quite a few months ago, anyway, it's not really useful. Taking out the ESP could be a bad idea as it's a good selling point but then, for ESP to kick in, you really really need to drive the car very hard . I would said that it's not a main concern for a normal driver

 

But like what you said, go and test it out and decide for ownself

[Sony]

ESP, Hill Start Assist (HSA), smaller rim (15 instead of 16) and Rain Sensor.

 

Overall, I would say the car is still a good buy as the price will also be adjusted lower. If I'm not wrong, there might be a few more left that is not downspec. At the current COE level, it might be wise to get it now also.

[Jack_jack]

ESP, HSA and rain sensors are not essentials for me. Also, can get the SE to throw in bigger rims during negotiations. Only concern will be the car's resale value sans the goodies.

 

Since I don't have an urgent need to get a new car immediately, I can afford to wait and see how our car prices develop for the next couple of months. With our record number of deregistrations, COE supply will still be overabundant.

[Sony]

It might be slightly difficult to get them to throw in a bigger rim since they just downspec. It totally goes against their planning but after a while, it might be worth a try

 

Ya, agree with you that the above are not really essential. It's a "good to have" items.

 

Cheers

[Deathsythe]

I would say for now the cars are all downspecs.

MTA is the same as manual but without the clutch. Am i rite?

 

So the astra would be a manual in a technical term.

[Zombie]

yes.... astra 1.6 is a manual car.... even in its 'auto' mode, you need to release the accelerator to change gear.

 

It does take a bit of getting use to......

Edited October 31, 2005 by Zombie

[Deathsythe]

How is the maintenance cost of Astra? Spare parts?

[Felipe]

well said about the gearbox, i don't understand why ppl always think smooth is good. alittle bit of jerk creates the sporty feeling. ive sat in CVTs before i really can't stand it. my reaction is- GET OUTTA HERE! its like theres no feeling. ok...good if yr personality warrants it, but i think the man interested is looking for something sporty and fun..

[Acemundo]

actually too smooth might also mean the gears aren't spread out sufficiently, not too good either.

[Sony]

Yup, sort of if you are getting the 1.6. Thus don't expect an ultra smooth transmission like DSG or CVT

 

But I don't really understand what do you meant by "cars are all downspecs". If I'm not wrong, there's still some Astra from the current batch that is still not "downspec" (Information taken from SOOG). But limited colour.

[Sony]

Eh, I can't really answer that as I have not really go into details on the spare parts. Maintenance cost is not really that expensive as what a lot preceive conti cars to be.

 

There may be some premium but it's not as expensive as a lot of people make it out to be. Maybe you can search for "conti Cars" or browse the conti thread here and look thru some arguement made by some of our brothers here.

 

Cheers

[Sony]

Thanks for your compliment.

 

And I guess I share your feeling on CVT. 1st try on the Latio and I'm out of there. Anyway, own perference on the smoothnees and type of transmission and I hope our comments can give our brothers here some idea when he go and buy a car.

[Orablue]

why not consider ford focus cousin (mazda3 5-door)?

 

how good is the mz3 in comparison to focus and astra is subjective, but it will save u a couple of thousands which can be used for instalments. :)

Edited October 31, 2005 by Orablue

[Adam251]

IMO the engine noise from Mazda 3 is really a turn-off ... too loud ...

[Felipe]

i tot the Mazda3 pricing is pretty close to the astra. but anyway, engine noise is not that impt as long as it emits a sweet engine note. not sure abt the 3 though since never sat in one. also, can someone cfrm the fuel economy of the 3?

Edited November 1, 2005 by Felipe