My thoughts - The New LW Ford Focus Titanium.

[Spydar]

My mate is in the market for a new hatch under 40k so today we went and had a look at 3 cars, the Golf TSI Comfortline, The Holden Cruze SRI-V and the new Ford Focus. We went to VW first and test drove both Diesel and Petrol Comfortline with sports pack. Both are lovely cars to drive although I don’t see the need for a diesel for city driving especially since you have to fork out another $2k for the privilege.
Basically for aMy12 Comfortline (TSI) DSG with sports pack, leather & Sunroof we were told around 42k – which now includes the Bluetooth.
Next the Focus. Firstly, from the outside I am impressed with the new look,. Especially in Titanium spec. I’m not sure about inside though, especially the triangular air vents but build quality inside is just as good I think as the Golf with plenty of soft plastic and chrome highlights.
The thing that blew me away though was how much kit you get in the Titanium for under 40k. (we were quoted 39k for the spec my mate would want) You get (and not limited too)
• 18” Alloys
• Sports Suspension
• Powershift Auto (Ford’s DSG)
• Xenon with DRL (coming November)
• Keyless Entry with Push Start
• Rear LED tail lights
• Sunroof (coming November)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (Coming November)
• Park Assist (includes Front and Rear sensors)
• Two LCD colour displays (Centre Console and driver display)
• Partial Leather Seats
• Bluetooth
• Auto Folding Door Mirrors
• Voice Command
• USB/IPOD connectivity
Compared to the Golf, you definitely get more features (unless you start ticking boxes and adding thousands to the sale price of the Golf).
The focus was pleasant to drive, but this is one area I thought the Golf had the upper hand. The engines didn’t seem as refined and seemed to work a little harder than the Golf in both Petrol & Diesel.
As a Golf (GTI) owner I honestly couldn’t tell my mate to buy the Golf after test driving the new Focus. The new Focus is an impressive car especially the Titanium and if I was looking for a hatch for under 40k I would be putting down a deposit on the new Focus.

PS – you are probably wondering “what about the Cruze”. Well you pay for what you get with the Cruze (34k)...and it did have some features, but basically the cheap build quality & refinement and terrible engine performance (1.4Turbo) just doesn’t stack up to the Focus or Golf. We walked away after 1 drive around the block saying, “thanks but no thanks”.

[chickenhawk]

I tossing up between a new titanium diesel or a second hand mk 6 golf Gti. You're he ford comes fully loaded and golf stock standard. What do you reckon spydar

[woofy]

I'd take a look at a brand new RS Octavia hatch Chickenhawk, then you will get pretty much what you want without the compromise..