I am trying to make a desition on wether a vauxhall astra petrol 1.4 - 1.6 8v or a ford focus petrol 1.6 16v, i will be towing with a 1987 ACE Diplomat gross weight of 800kg. I am is years old so insurance is the main ploblem. the focus is £100 more than the astra, this is not realy a problem. Does anyone have any advise to whitch car will be the best.
Astra or Focus
- Thread starter bengibbons
- Start date
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Ben,
I won't give specific advice about which car to go for, but over the years both the successive models of Astra and the Focus have grown in weight and size. This has put extra strain on the engine options, Some consider the smaller versions are under powered. You must check to see if the car you consider is actually rated to pull the 800Kg caravan - some of the smaller Focuses are only rated to 700Kg, and the Astras to 750Kg
Towing a caravan is adding a considerable extra load to the car. Small engined cars towing caravans will loose more performance than bigger engined cars, so I suggest you look at the larger engines.
May I also suggest you consider a diesel engined variant. The power delivery from a diesel is usually better suited to towing than the high revving petrol engines, and the fuel economy when driving solo can be quite impressive.
I did have Focus 1.8 Zetec petrol Estate for a while. I did not tow with it, but even solo I was disappointed with its fuel economy. I had previously been running an elderly Saab 9000i 2.0litre which had better economy than the Ford, despite being bigger and heavier!
Both Astra and Focus have won awards for their designs, and I am not aware of any significant short commings with regard to reliability for either models. My brother in Law who runs garage reckons that spares for Fords are perhaps fractionally cheaper but there is not much in it.
Apart from the fuel economy issue I was not happy with the support I got from the Fords seating. This is a very personal matter, so I suggest that you really evaluate the difference in the seating carefully.
I won't give specific advice about which car to go for, but over the years both the successive models of Astra and the Focus have grown in weight and size. This has put extra strain on the engine options, Some consider the smaller versions are under powered. You must check to see if the car you consider is actually rated to pull the 800Kg caravan - some of the smaller Focuses are only rated to 700Kg, and the Astras to 750Kg
Towing a caravan is adding a considerable extra load to the car. Small engined cars towing caravans will loose more performance than bigger engined cars, so I suggest you look at the larger engines.
May I also suggest you consider a diesel engined variant. The power delivery from a diesel is usually better suited to towing than the high revving petrol engines, and the fuel economy when driving solo can be quite impressive.
I did have Focus 1.8 Zetec petrol Estate for a while. I did not tow with it, but even solo I was disappointed with its fuel economy. I had previously been running an elderly Saab 9000i 2.0litre which had better economy than the Ford, despite being bigger and heavier!
Both Astra and Focus have won awards for their designs, and I am not aware of any significant short commings with regard to reliability for either models. My brother in Law who runs garage reckons that spares for Fords are perhaps fractionally cheaper but there is not much in it.
Apart from the fuel economy issue I was not happy with the support I got from the Fords seating. This is a very personal matter, so I suggest that you really evaluate the difference in the seating carefully.
Hi Ben!Dont know whether this will help,but here goes!
I have driven Astras for many years but I have never towed with on.Altho a fine car,I dont think it wouldnt give the performance necessary for a decent tow and would really struggle.I have however,towed with a focus 1.6ltre 16v petrol albeit an 03 model.I towed a bailey pagent majestic 2berth at the time(my 1st van!).Whilst it coped,it struggled with some inclines as a trip to Devon up Telegraph hill proved!Leaving me with the impression that maybe a diesel would have done better.Faced with your prob,I would look at the diesel in both and compare but if there is a choice,I would probably look at a car with a slightly bigger engine eg;1.9 diesel.1.8 petrol.Try "whattowcar.com" to see what sort of match % and rating your choice of car to your van will be.
I have driven Astras for many years but I have never towed with on.Altho a fine car,I dont think it wouldnt give the performance necessary for a decent tow and would really struggle.I have however,towed with a focus 1.6ltre 16v petrol albeit an 03 model.I towed a bailey pagent majestic 2berth at the time(my 1st van!).Whilst it coped,it struggled with some inclines as a trip to Devon up Telegraph hill proved!Leaving me with the impression that maybe a diesel would have done better.Faced with your prob,I would look at the diesel in both and compare but if there is a choice,I would probably look at a car with a slightly bigger engine eg;1.9 diesel.1.8 petrol.Try "whattowcar.com" to see what sort of match % and rating your choice of car to your van will be.
- Mar 10, 2006
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- 20,685
Ben
I would test drive both and make a note of the revs at say 60mph if possible, and also 50mph, this will give you an indication of the gearing.(in 5/6 gear)
Ideally you also need to know the max torque rpm.
Traditionally the vauxhall's i have had were high geared, not ideal for towing.
I would test drive both and make a note of the revs at say 60mph if possible, and also 50mph, this will give you an indication of the gearing.(in 5/6 gear)
Ideally you also need to know the max torque rpm.
Traditionally the vauxhall's i have had were high geared, not ideal for towing.
We have a petrol 1.8 vectra and like most petrol vauxhalls 1st and 2nd hear seem usless and whell spin is normal as is shudder, my friend has a corsa 1.4 same problem, our garage owner has same vectra same issue and my dad had a 1.6 with the same issue. We alsoo have a 1.7cdti diesel loads of power much nicer to drive and no whell spin, dad has a 1.3 eco tech diesel corsa again loads of power nice to drive (can tow up to 1000kg breaked) and
Hi Ben I have an Astra 1.6 8v club. The 8v is better that the 16v in the Astra. It's a good nippy town car.
But I personally would choose the focus.
But I personally would choose the focus.
PS
Should have said about my astra when the boot is full you know you have a weight that you have to drag around
Should have said about my astra when the boot is full you know you have a weight that you have to drag around
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