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Original poster

Help me choose between two cars

57 replies

MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 13:26

My old VW Golf is falling apart and I’m going back to what I know which is a ford focus. As I am the world’s most indecisive person ever please don’t try to move my away from a focus as I’ve had one before, it’s known, and it’s also taken me about 2 years to come to that decision and I don’t have time to start again!

Went to the dealer today because I saw a car on their website that ticked all my boxes - 1 litre focus, mild hybrid, 2020 plate, 13000 miles, heated seats, within price range, like the colour etc etc.

Saw the car, and it’s nice, but then I saw it’s hotter, sexier, slightly more expensive friend next to it. Black, sleek, tinted rear windows, black interior, 1.5 litre engine, more oomph to drive. BUT it’s a 2019 car, 18000 miles, no heated seats, and more expensive (but right at top of budget, not outside). Would also be slightly more to insure.

So now I am stuck. My head says absolutely go for the sensible option, the insurance will be less, the hybrid will mean better fuel economy, it’s newer, fewer miles, it has things like heated seats and a rear cup holder thing that the other one doesn’t have.

But my heart really likes the other one. My last 2 car purchases have been sensible and boring because they have had to be - I went from a sports car to a very dull grey low spec focus so my now ExH could learnt to drive, and then I got the golf because the focus got old and I felt I needed a more secure car for the kids. The black car would absolutely be an indulgent treat for myself that would be more pleasurable, but also more expensive to drive.

So what do I do? Head or heart?!

OP posts:
Rayna37 · 07/10/2023 15:03

Absolutely go with your heart on this. It's not like choosing between the sports car or a sensible hatchback, they're close enough that the sexy one is neither wildly extravagant or impractical.

The only query might be if you do a lot of miles and the fuel bill difference would be significant, enough to make you want to limit driving because of the cost.

Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:08

No, I do less than 8000 miles a year currently, mostly ferrying kids around town and occasional weekends away so don’t imagine the fuel bill will be too different. Famous last words!

OP posts:
downtheroadcat · 07/10/2023 15:18

Every time you get in the black car you will smile. Not so much in the other one.

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Driving & parking
Shade17 · 07/10/2023 15:21

I’d avoid the 1.0 at all costs, the wet timing belt causes issues and is expensive to replace when the time comes.

Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:23

downtheroadcat · 07/10/2023 15:18

Every time you get in the black car you will smile. Not so much in the other one.

Yes I think this is true. Is that a good enough reason?! Can just imagine my kids whinging every time they are in the car that I should have gone for the heated seats!!! Mind you they are only in the front so one of them will always be disappointed. The black car would be the fairest 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:24

Shade17 · 07/10/2023 15:21

I’d avoid the 1.0 at all costs, the wet timing belt causes issues and is expensive to replace when the time comes.

Ah that’s useful to know, thank you. Not an issue with the 1.5 petrol?

OP posts:
ExtinguishTheLight · 07/10/2023 15:26

Get the one you love. There's no point getting a boring car when you'll always be thinking about another one.

You can get a heated seat cover that plugs in anyway.

Universal Seat Cushion, Comfortable PU Leather Seat Cover with Full Back and Seat Support in Winter https://amzn.eu/d/ipFdOTT

Happydays321 · 07/10/2023 15:27

I was going to say the newer car with the lower mileage, heated seats are amazing. However if there is an issue with the timing belt then perhaps not?

Sorry I'm no help!

Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:31

I suspect I’ll be back to a boring car in a few years when the DC learn to drive as we won’t be able to afford multiple cars in the family so I think the black car wins.

Thank you for all of the input!

OP posts:
quickqpls · 07/10/2023 15:32

I chose a sensible car and still regret it. Go for the one you love!

Summer2424 · 07/10/2023 15:35

@MissIndecisive2023
No regrets 😁
Lots of room for pram, shopping and it has a cup holder!

Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:37

quickqpls · 07/10/2023 15:32

I chose a sensible car and still regret it. Go for the one you love!

Oh no! Hope you get the chance for a more exciting car next time!

I do still feel slightly aggrieved about selling the sports car for the sake of ExH. This feels like a step towards me doing something for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:39

Summer2424 · 07/10/2023 15:35

@MissIndecisive2023
No regrets 😁
Lots of room for pram, shopping and it has a cup holder!

My pram days are over and the front has a cup holder so win win!

Agree though when you are at a particular stage of life you do need practical/safe/sensible choices over heart based choices!

OP posts:
Shade17 · 07/10/2023 15:48

Ah that’s useful to know, thank you. Not an issue with the 1.5 petrol?

Yeah, the 1.5 uses a traditional dry belt.

Original poster
MissIndecisive2023 · 07/10/2023 15:52

Shade17 · 07/10/2023 15:48

Ah that’s useful to know, thank you. Not an issue with the 1.5 petrol?

Yeah, the 1.5 uses a traditional dry belt.

Thank you!

OP posts:
BatteryPoweredMammy · 07/10/2023 16:21

It's a car, not a pair of shoes. Use your head!!

I'd never buy a Ford so you can probably ignore the following comments. 😂

I only buy Japanese cars as I think they're much more reliable. My last Honda was 2 years old when I bought it and it lasted me 15 yrs before I traded it for another 2 yr old Japanese car. It never failed an MOT and I had it serviced annually and the usual stuff replaced, tyres, brakes etc. Previously owned 3 Mitsubishi's, a Nissan and 2 Toyotas and I think they're all really good cars. I'm quite old and remember when Japanese cars like the Datsun Cherry were known as Rot boxes. 🤪

My current car has heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a 360° parking camera. I've had heated seats before but not a heated steering wheel or parking camera and they're amazing! I'm really good at parallel parking, but it's nice to be able to see exactly where the front bumper is when you're straightening up.

Heated seat backs are divine when you're feeling achey in the mornings.

If you want your car to stand out then put fun decals on it? Years ago, my sister had a bog standard white Nissan Micra and wrote the name Bubbbles on the side and had coloured bubble decals on it. It was a head turner alright! People kept stopping her in car parks offering to buy it. 🤣🤣

fedupallthisrubbish · 07/10/2023 16:23

Black cars really hold onto dirt - they are NOT forgiving. Unless you’re the type of person to wash a car every week black cars are a nightmare and I’ve never have another. as the dirt just shows up (same for white cars)

Heated seats are amazing and I wouldn’t be without.

if you aren’t in love with either - keep shopping a million cars to pick 😍

Oakbeam · 07/10/2023 16:27

Heart. Heated seats make me feel like I’ve wet myself.

Badbadbunny · 07/10/2023 16:29

Simple decision for me. I've had a black car once, and would never have another. They're a nightmare to keep clean and show every little scratch and blemish, which make them always look "unkempt" and certainly not "sexy" at all.

CherryCokeFanatic · 07/10/2023 16:32

Don’t get a focus at all. I have never seen any other car with door seals hanging out of a closed door where they’ve come loose. Seems to be a common problem

Ilikewinter · 07/10/2023 16:37

Id drive them both ..... one will stand out....probably the black one !

jenpil · 07/10/2023 16:42

If you don't get the sexy car, you'll always be wishing you had.

Get it.

jenpil · 07/10/2023 16:44

CherryCokeFanatic · 07/10/2023 16:32

Don’t get a focus at all. I have never seen any other car with door seals hanging out of a closed door where they’ve come loose. Seems to be a common problem

😂😂😂😂

And weren't Ford's always known for squealing engines as well at one time back in the 90s?

Anyway, the OP says we are not to put him/her off Fords. So we won't.

But I did have a good chuckle at your comment!

MogHog · 07/10/2023 16:47

I had a 1.6 ( almost) TCDI Focus titanium in bright red and loved it. I then traded it in for a 1L ecosport hybrid Focus which was newer but I hated it. It was slow and sluggish and I hated driving it. It lasted less than 6 months before I traded it again and got rather surprisingly a 1L hybrid new Puma which I love to drive even though its the same size engine
Go with the black slinky number..

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 07/10/2023 16:49

Ilikewinter · 07/10/2023 16:37

Id drive them both ..... one will stand out....probably the black one !

I think that's good advice.

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