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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Fiesta or focus

89 replies

Marvelgirl88 · 22/07/2023 09:16

Just that really which one would you go for,
I have health issue with knee so going for an automatic.
Really wanted a focus more car for your money sort of thing however I’ve always lusted after the turquoise fiesta for years and this colour is exclusive to the fiesta is it crazy to get a smaller car just because I love the colour so much?
will be family of 4 no baby seats just 1 child seat which isn’t bulky ( the graco 4-12yr old)
The cars I’m looking at are around the same price I prob could get the focus a little cheaper tbh

OP posts:
dodeca · 22/07/2023 09:19

Either but fiesta if you really want one, plus they’re always going to climb in value now as they’ve discontinued making Fiestas

PocketFluff · 22/07/2023 09:41

I came here thinking it would be another person with my procrastination problem - party and have fun or knuckle down and focus.

Ah well, I now have something else to distract me - googling Fiesta colours!

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 22/07/2023 09:42

Have you looked at insurance for both? We were contemplating a fiesta this time but insurance was way more expensive than other small cars for some reason

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/07/2023 09:43

Definitely not a Focus, everyone I know who has had one has ended up with problems with them.

Frabbits · 22/07/2023 09:52

dodeca · 22/07/2023 09:19

Either but fiesta if you really want one, plus they’re always going to climb in value now as they’ve discontinued making Fiestas

A normal fiesta used as an everyday car is not going to appreciate.

Fiestas are tiny and kids only get bigger. Get the focus.

fgfhds · 22/07/2023 09:53

Focus is a much more comfortable drive/ride compared to a Fiesta which always felt a bit rickety and noisy to me. For a family I would say Focus, still small enough it's not unwieldy but a decent size for most things.

TeleTropes · 22/07/2023 09:57

I’m on my second Fiesta, both have been exclusive Fiesta colours and the main reason for choosing that car.

There’s been plenty room in both of them for us, and I think they’re fine to drive. I’ve also driven a focus and didn’t particularly notice any substantial difference in driving them.

Plus I prefer a slightly smaller car for parking and manoeuvring.

Blanketpolicy · 22/07/2023 09:59

I am on the lookout for a second hand focus. Just sold our diesel focus as can't drive it in Glasgow anymore.

ds(19) has a fiesta so I have driven it a couple of times this week and everything feels smaller compared to the focus, but it is a nice car, easy drive and was a doddle to parallel park compared to our focus estate.

The main problem ds (6'3") has with it is when he has friends in the back seat there is no room in the back and he has to drive with his seat pulled forward.

To me it would depend on who you would be driving about, also if I did a lot of motorway driving I would probably prefer a focus - nipping around town a fiesta would be ideal.

Marvelgirl88 · 23/07/2023 08:30

I’m still not sure, one thing I’ve noticed I’ve enquired about a few fiesta and focus cars and every place won’t budge on price is this normal nowadays? Years ago I never paid the listing price and was always able to get a few hundred off but every place now says it’s priced to sell no wiggle room at all .

OP posts:
BreakHerOffAKitKat · 23/07/2023 08:34

The second hand car market has gone through the roof - more expensive than ever before and very little ability to haggle.

If you are buying new, Ford have stopped producing Fiestas so the current 23 plate will be the last ones you will be able to buy.

Honeyroar · 23/07/2023 08:35

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/07/2023 09:43

Definitely not a Focus, everyone I know who has had one has ended up with problems with them.

Really? I’m on my fourth, I’ve done nearly 200k miles with most of them and they’ve been fantastic cars, no problems whatsoever.

OP do you need much boot room? The focus has much more room.. If not, go for the fiesta if you love it.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 23/07/2023 08:37

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/07/2023 09:43

Definitely not a Focus, everyone I know who has had one has ended up with problems with them.

It’s the 1.0 eco boost engine that’s the issue not the focus.
that engine is shit and should be avoided in any form. Fiesta or focus

MrsK89 · 23/07/2023 08:37

I've had both. Focus all the way. A lot more comfortable and more boot space

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 23/07/2023 08:37

BreakHerOffAKitKat · 23/07/2023 08:34

The second hand car market has gone through the roof - more expensive than ever before and very little ability to haggle.

If you are buying new, Ford have stopped producing Fiestas so the current 23 plate will be the last ones you will be able to buy.

Focus is also being discontinued

Hedjwitch · 23/07/2023 08:41

Both are great cars. The Focus had more tech and was a smooth ride,but bigger and heavier on fuel. The Fiesta was fine...and turquoise..and still had the joys of heated seats and heated steering wheel. I liked both tbh

Tigerswin · 23/07/2023 08:43

I’ve had both. Currently driving a Fiesta having changed from a Focus. Biggest problem with the Fiesta is having both my great nephews in it. They were too close together in the back seat and fought constantly. Thankfully they are now old enough to take turns in the front. When there are 4 of us in the car, the other adult has to sit in the back to keep them separate. This probably says more about the boys than the car ☺️ My Fiesta is just a 1 litre engine and I miss the acceleration of the Focus. If I were changing, I would probably get a slightly bigger engined Fiesta although I love that my current one has free road tax.

KonTikki · 23/07/2023 08:44

Went from Fiesta to Focus.
Prefer the Focus for comfort, space including the boot, and for long drives.
Fiesta is a nice car but I view it as a run around local driving.

Marvelgirl88 · 23/07/2023 08:47

I haven’t found a focus I like enough to buy and the fiesta I’m considering is a 1.0 eco boost 18 plate but im just concerned about rear seat room as have two children , the car will mostly be for sch runs , shopping etc only motorway driving once/ twice a year

OP posts:
VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 23/07/2023 09:16

Marvelgirl88 · 23/07/2023 08:47

I haven’t found a focus I like enough to buy and the fiesta I’m considering is a 1.0 eco boost 18 plate but im just concerned about rear seat room as have two children , the car will mostly be for sch runs , shopping etc only motorway driving once/ twice a year

Please don’t get a 1.0 eco boost. They are known as eco boom in the trade and dealers are full of engine replacements being done for those and new transits.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 23/07/2023 09:21

I loved my fiesta but if it’s the main/only car for a family of 4 go for a focus. You will appreciate the extra boot space at certain times. You wouldn’t be able to get much luggage in to a fiesta, so wouldn’t be good for going on holiday even if flying and just traveling to the airport.
if it’s a second car then a fiesta should be fine.

Malarandras · 23/07/2023 09:28

I have a 1.0 Eco boost Focus - my two cars before this one were the same, just older models. Never had one issue with any of them and never had a problem trading any of them in. It has plenty room for two kids and it’s relatively cheap to run. Perfect car really, for me anyway.

Marvelgirl88 · 23/07/2023 09:30

Thanks I think even though I love the turquoise colour fiesta I do think I should go for a focus purely for the room as it will be the only family car and both are similar priced. I was very tempted with that fiesta but a lot are saying avoid the 1.0 engine and I don’t want issues this is over 10k in Savings I’m spending. So focus it is, advice on this now please what engine eco boost or PowerShift ? And what litre engine is best , thank you so much

OP posts:
VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 23/07/2023 09:36

The 1.6 focus is a good car, the power to weight is perfect. So the engine isn’t working too hard pulling it’s lard arse a round.

obviously not every 1.0 is going boom, but I wouldn’t risk it more so if I’m keeping it a while.

the insurance issue mentioned above is because of two issues insurance companies have with the fiesta. They were highly nicked at one point and the young lad factor.

ByTheSea · 23/07/2023 10:06

I had a Focus, my least favourite car I ever had. I didn't feel it was solidly built and would never buy another Ford.

C1N1C · 23/07/2023 10:20

I love my Focus. It's a diesel and with the distance/motorways I travel, can conformable get over 700 out of a 40 litre tank. If it was SOLELY motorways without any traffic etc, I reckon I could push 800.

My wife's Audi A1 is lucky to get 400 for the same size tank