Focus Or Civic

[jonw8uk]

I looking to buy a new motor, and I'd like to open it up to the forum for opinions/experiences of you guys.

I've narrowed it down to 2 models:

Honda Civic 2.0 EL NAVI (all in price, with the usual extras thrown in : 1,126,100b) 155PS @ 6000rpm / 188Nm @ 4500rpm

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI sport (book price, with goodies thrown in 1,149,000b) 136PS @ 4000rpm / 320Nm @ 2000rpm

Now to the pros & cons

The Civic is better equipped, and I really like the interior design. It looks way better than the focus inside, and the quality 'seems' higher.

Navigation and cruise control aren't available on the ford.

I test drove a 1.8 Civic the other day. It felt ok, as much as you can tell from a 4km run down Vipavadee in 5pm traffic. I'm from the UK where manual transmission is the norm, so I'm not really used to autos; and when I floored it, there's a delay, it seems to select a gear too low, revs high, then changes up. The changes are smooth, but progress doesn't feel smooth as you have to wait for the car to find the right cog.

I used to own a CRX vtec, so I know that they are revvy engines that need working hard to get good performance, it just seems that something is lost mating a vtec engine to an autobox.. but on the other hand, I wouldn't want a manual in Bangkok either.

I understand the 2.0 i-vtec has paddle shift - anyone used this? what do you think of it?

Now for the Ford. I haven't test drove one yet, going tomorrow. However what makes me look at this car is the engine and gearbox, and the fact that all reviews say the focus is a very good drive with great handling and good fun.

Being a diesel the ford will be a polar opposite to the civic to drive - low revving high torque. I owned a VW TDI in the UK and like the pulling power of modern diesels.

The added bonus is that it's linked to a 6 speed twin clutch gearbox, which means very quick gear changes, though no paddleshift - it's sequential on the gear lever.

Then there's the brand perception, resale value, and ease of resale in a few years time. The Honda wins here.

I guess my problem is this:

My heart says the Ford, as it would be more satisfying to drive, but I'm aware it's missing many features that are standard on the Civic, and the interior isn't as good.

My head says the Honda, as it's the sensible choice, with better resale and a higher quality feel.

The ford dealer told me the focus is imported from the Phillipines - am I paying more for a lesser car due to import tax??

Open to you guys.......

[onnut]

Civic mate

I had the 2006 2.0litre model but sold it after 2 years for a bigger family car. The civic was a great runner. Paddle shifts were good fun. I got the car up to 220 kph on the bang na trad tollway a few times.

I only had it for two years but in that time it was a great car.

Can't comment on the ford, sorry.

[Thailaw]

If your heart says "Ford", your heart is in the wrong place! As far as cars in Thailand are concerned, its Japan, Japan, Japan.....(unless you want and can afford a BMW or Benz)!

The exterior styling of the Civic looks old and dated, and I expect it is due for a face lift very soon, but in all other respects it is a great car, and far better than a Ford (of any kind).

[ignis]

2011: New next generation Civic (codename 2HC) will be released

[britmaveric]

Civic between the two choices. If it were different models of Ford then might choose a Ford.

[MoonRiverOasis]

2011: New next generation Civic (codename 2HC) will be released

heh, and this:

2012: New Focus

Note this may be brought forward too - it seems AAT is pumping out tooling and cars ahead of schedule lately..

To the OP: Both cars at or near end-of-life, so that is maybe something you should consider. As for my personal opinion, the TDCI Focus absolutely destroys the Civic as a driver's car, but will take a ~10-15% resale hit - that all depends on long you intend to keep the car though, as the Civic will take a 10-20% hit when the 2HC comes out, whereas the Focus won't be further effected by a new model (well, to any meaningful degree).

[aussiebebe]

I not in the market for a new car but I understand the OP's situation; I just looked at the Ford Fiesta which isn't much less than what I paid for my Honda City and drew similar conclusions; the Ford is technologically superior yet the Honda has better styling and comfort coupled with a better dealer network and resale value. It was the dual-clutch transmission on the Ford that made me gulp down an ice-cube - I thought that was the preserve of prestige cars, but Ford have really got their act together.

I can't really tell what the OP is looking for in a car - a 2 litre-engined car which is (quote) 'satisfying to drive' with a 'higher quality feel' - why overlook the Accord 2.0 E? A lot more car for a bit more money unless I'm missing something, which I probably am as I'm not a car buff.

[onnut]

I not in the market for a new car but I understand the OP's situation; I just looked at the Ford Fiesta which isn't much less than what I paid for my Honda City and drew similar conclusions; the Ford is technologically superior yet the Honda has better styling and comfort coupled with a better dealer network and resale value. It was the dual-clutch transmission on the Ford that made me gulp down an ice-cube - I thought that was the preserve of prestige cars, but Ford have really got their act together.

I can't really tell what the OP is looking for in a car - a 2 litre-engined car which is (quote) 'satisfying to drive' with a 'higher quality feel' - why overlook the Accord 2.0 E? A lot more car for a bit more money unless I'm missing something, which I probably am as I'm not a car buff.

You are right, I went from that model Civic to the new Accord, only 150K more and so much more car for the money.

[chrisinchaam]

I bought a civic three months ago and no regrets a great car to drive. I also looked at Ford, Mitsubishi etc but civic won me over.

[techno]

Its the Honda Civic for me mainly because of its styling and v-tec engine. I have had the 1.8 Civic(new style) for 4 years with no problems and services with Honda are not expensive. I would buy another but this one going so well

[coops]

Just got the new Ford TDCi - saloon version. Performance is excellent - had a Mazda 3 before and the way higher torque and 6 speed gearbox makes an enormous difference so test it out on an expressway if you can.

The interior is nothing special, but at least is in another class from the abysmal plastics Ford use in the Everest..

Hatchback is a good option in the dark gray....

NOTE - the wheels :- Ford wheels (and Volvo) have a different mounting diameter to every other! - by that I mean the 5 mount holes are set on a different diameter from others, think approx 118mm as opposed to ? for Toyota/Honda/MB/BMW etc etc, so if you want to change the alloys on the Ford there is VERY little choice - found only 1 set of 17" rims, fortunately they suit the black bodywork, and the Toyo tyres are an improvement on the mediocre OEM Goodyear NCT's. Was worried going to 17" may harm the ride, as the previous Mazda 3 on 17" was very hard... but ride is fine (maybe even more comfortable), and noise is lower with the Toyo's.

Rear headroom is ok for a 6 footer, but only just....

Do NOT get any optional double-din stereo screen/gps system by 'Zulex' fitted - it is rubbish! (May change it out for Alpine..... the rear view camera in the rear licence plate is ok though - but the useability of the chinese made Zulex is woeful).

[jonw8uk]

Thanks for all the responses guys, some good points raised.

One poster commented that they wasn't sure what I'm after;

Well, for the price range, what I'd actually like is a Golf GTI DSG, or a Civic Type-R or a Focus RS but they're not available out here, or at least not for realistic money. So a compromise has to be made living in LOS, and that's why I'm struggling with the decision......

Both cars are decent motors, but not models I can be passionate about, which for over 20 grand, I'd like to be, so I was mulling over which will I dislike the least!

I'm aware that both models are due for updating mid to late next year, so what I think I'm gonna do is buy a cheaper smaller car, the new fiesta for example (which are selling like hotcakes), and then after a year of having a motor in BKK, I can decide if it's worth upgrading (I work away a lot) and look into the newer/better models.

I'd view it as a cheap(er) nippy run-around, all the reviews say its a good car, and fun to drive, and I like the styling....

I read on another thread about the resale for fiestas vs the mazda 2, saying how the Jap will retain more value. Is the market really this dumb?!!

both the same car, same running gear, made in the same factory, yet the mazda has and 88bhp 1.5 engine with a standard 4 speed auto, compared to the ford with 120bhp 1.6 engine with a 6 speed powershift (for 10000b more)

No brainer to me....

BTW, the guys with industry knowledge: Do you expect the new civic model (2HC) to be the european hatchback?

[MrSnrang]

The Honda will be a lot cheaper to service and repair. Honda parts are dead cheap.

[arkom]

Driven both the Foucs and Civic.

The Foucs is fun to drive but thats about all, interior is far less superior than the Civic. Seats and ride in Focus in my opinon are very rough compared to the Civic.

When I was looking at cars I looked at the Foucus, Altis, Mazda3 and the Civic. But in the end went with the Civic and very happy with no complaints.

[Melpomene]

I had a Focus in the UK and bought a Civic 1.8 when we moved over here. I agree with all the other comments re the Civic being much nicer inside than the Focus. I don't think either of them are particularly exciting to drive, so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on that as a deciding factor. I also agree with the poster who said for that money they'd go for the basic Accord rather than top end Civic.

OP you're right though spending over 20k on a car you least dislike is a downside to living inThailand - thankfully there aren't too many others . Although I have seen a few new Civic Type Rs for around the 1.9 million mark - could be worth raiding the piggy bank for !

[kuma]

Its not AAT, Ford is building an all-Ford factory in Thailand, ready in 2012, the first model will be the Focus!

2011: New next generation Civic (codename 2HC) will be released

heh, and this:

2012: New Focus

Note this may be brought forward too - it seems AAT is pumping out tooling and cars ahead of schedule lately..

To the OP: Both cars at or near end-of-life, so that is maybe something you should consider. As for my personal opinion, the TDCI Focus absolutely destroys the Civic as a driver's car, but will take a ~10-15% resale hit - that all depends on long you intend to keep the car though, as the Civic will take a 10-20% hit when the 2HC comes out, whereas the Focus won't be further effected by a new model (well, to any meaningful degree).