29 replies to this topic

[Black.Ghost]

Well I was fortunate enough to get a very cheap Focus 1.8 Zetec on an 02 plate with low miles this weekend. It needs a new suspension spring (I'll do both sides), new brake pads and probably a new battery. Other than that, it is in really great condition, barely a scratch on it. The wheels have a few marks, and the car needs a clean inside and out, but it really is quite tidy. It seems to drive fine with no funny noises or anything like that.

Anyway, I already have a Rover 25, which is also from 2002. However, it has plenty of marks on it, including a dented passenger door. I do however like the Rover 25, I don't know why! However, it is mechanically sound and perfectly drivable. 

I would think I can sell the Focus on for around 800 or so given ebay completed listings and the condition of the car. However, I can't decide whether I should keep the Focus and sell on the Rover, which in reality might make £250 if I am lucky. I certainly don't need both.

If I sell the Focus, I get the money. If I sell the Rover, it covers the cost of the Focus so I am not out of pocket, plus it has a couple of things the Rover doesn't that I actually find really useful - cup holders and steering wheel mounted audio controls! Completely trivial things, but other than sealable bottles, you can't have a drink in the Rover! 

Its not really a huge problem either way, just interested to know what peoples thoughts are. Also, I have only ever been a passenger in a Focus never actually driven one. What's the better option?

[RedRuby]

Personal choice for me would be the focus, always found them reliable a good drive and economical.

[Chance]

I am an mg rover guy through and through so the 25 gets my vote

Can probably retro fit rovers steering wheel controls for the radio if you really wanted

And you shouldn't be drinking while driving anyway ;)
Both hands on the wheel please sir

I suppose the ford is recognised as reliable
But I know people who had a perfectly reliable rover 25

Most people will probably say the ford though because the 25 is a 'rover' ;p

Also I suppose the only person who can answer this is you...difficult if you can't drive both though before you decide

These old rovers get under your skin

Edited by Chance, 27 May 2014 - 06:02 PM.

[megamini_jb]

I had a 2002 focus for a while few years ago and really liked it. I'd choose that over a 25

Oh no, mine was Y reg. Same mk though

Edited by megamini_jb, 27 May 2014 - 06:18 PM.

[robminibcy]

tough one, focus is bigger and I guess more powerful. Rover has character! In terms of reliability I'd say they are much the same. I've not owned either but friends have had both and I never once heard of the rovers breaking whereas the focuses had sticky throttles, dodgy electrics, central locking faults and far more rust amazingly than the rovers round the arches. I'd drive them both for a few days if possible and decide from that.

[cradley-heathen]

hmmm, this is tricky.

 

i am the same as Chance, i am rover through and through. however,  i would probably keep the focus, based just on the condition you are describing. if the focus is in better shape i would keep that.

[Black.Ghost]

This is the thing - I love Rovers! I love the little 25, in the year I have had it, its had no new problems. There were a couple of issues I knew about when I bought it but they have been fixed. There are a couple of things that do need doing. But I think of selling it and then drive it and like it again. Its only a little Rover that is worth nothing so I don't know why I don't want to get rid of it!

 

I own both, so I can drive them both, I just have driven the Focus yet. My sister drove it back for me as I was in the Mini! Condition wise, the Focus wins hands down, but the Rover is still perfectly functional and reliable. But if I can get a bit more money for the savings account, its a bonus! I'm not too worried about the sizes as although the Focus is a bit bigger, its not a huge amount and I can fit a lot in the Rover - its been a great little work horse over the last few months. 

 

As for the steering wheel, I do already have the steering wheel with audio controls in the garage. I just need to fit it! As for the coffee - no comments!

[Black.Ghost]

There is also a full leather interior for the Focus on ebay for £140. Could be tempted with that...

[M J W J]

I'd choose the rover.

 

My parents both own focuses (foci?) and I don't like the way they drive. I find the steering is light and artificial, there is no feeling through the clutch and every ford I have driven I have found the brakes to be really poor (even worse than my mini). The two fords I have had, have been the worst two cars I have owned. I will not be buying another.

 

My mum's focus 1.8 is failing on her badly yet the mileage isn't that high (about 110k) and she isn't an aggressive driver. When things like dual mass flywheel and starter motors start failing things will get expensive with the focus. She is looking to get rid of it at the minuet.

 

I've drive both and personally thought that my mates 1.4 rover 25 felt nicer to drive than the focus as it felt lighter. It seamed to be better on fuel as well.

[Black.Ghost]

I have been thinking about it since picking the Focus up, and (at the moment at least!) I am going to sell the Ford. I have had the Rover for a year and know it, and like many am a MG-Rover fan. Based on that and knowing the car, I think the better option is sell the Ford. I can use the money for one or two little things that need doing to the Rover and put the rest in the piggy bank.

[mab01uk]

Ford Focus

 

With prices starting from £300, the used Ford Focus MkI was voted the top car of the past 25 years

 

Auto Express readers recently voted the Ford Focus MkI as their top car of the past 25 years.

http://www.autoexpre...-ford-focus-mk1

 

Greatest car of last 25 years? Bugatti? Aston Martin? Ferrari? Why the Ford Focus, of course

It may have been a modest family hatchback but the Ford Focus has seen off some of the world’s greatest supercars to be voted the greatest car of the last 25 years.

http://www.telegraph...-of-course.html

 

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 27 May 2014 - 10:59 PM.

[mininuts]

Rover 25 for me
They are great little cars and very underated.

Chose my MG ZT-T over a Bored Mundano estate two years ago and had no regrets.

Edited by mininuts, 28 May 2014 - 10:16 PM.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Rover 25. I can assure you as you look around it and work on it, you find more and more parts that are interchangeable with your Mini, to me that's a good enough reason!

 

Plus everybody and their mum drives a Focus. There are 4 within 15 meters of my house (although, one is unfortunately my dads...)

 

I am faithful to Brit cars and that's just kind of natural to me. If the Rover 25 the equivalent of a Citroen AX compared to a Focus I'd still chose it.

 

They're just better ^^

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Also a lot of standard Rover models came with audio controls on the wheel. You can pick up wheels with them integrated for less than £25 on Ebay and they are a straight swap. It's just a case of running two wires from your head unit then.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a3d5ca407

[Twincam]

Focus for me, I have a 1.8 TDDi LX Estate on 178k as a daily (have previously had a 1.6 CL (110k when I got rid of) and a 1.8 TDDi Zetec (185k when I got rid of), both hatchbacks)...

Can't go wrong, cheap, cheerful and there's tonnes of parts available. There's also loads of things you can do to them as they're so common. Check out ffoc and focusownerssocial