Struggling to find my next car?? (Focus st line or Leon Fr)

ChrisM75

Active Member
May 10, 2019
423
182
To be completely objective Id say the Focus is the better drive and the better car if everything was equal, but as is often the case, its not equal.

Having had a Ford recently, and been in a few new ones Im not keen. The penny pinching is beyond a joke at times. Wiring looms barely long enough that get tweaked and pinched as the car ages, suspect parts quality and software issues are very common. The Leon is a more mature car, few real issues, more reliable, and likely you'll get much better value for your money.
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
If you're looking at a 16-plate I would look at franchised dealers. They virtually always have the best cars. Anything not up to scratch gets sent to the market and ends up on 'lesser' forecourts. Not to say you can't find a good car elsewhere but at that price a dealer is a safer bet. Typically, they will not sell rubbish.

Used to be that dealers were more expensive but it has really evened out for some reason. You'll see back street outfits trying to sell cars for top money.

Also, if not buying from a dealer, do a full HPI check. Lot of cat-s and n writeoffs out there.
 
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The Daily Meme

Insta: @thatredcupra
Jan 3, 2018
912
466
Cambridge
To be completely objective Id say the Focus is the better drive and the better car if everything was equal, but as is often the case, its not equal.

Having had a Ford recently, and been in a few new ones Im not keen. The penny pinching is beyond a joke at times. Wiring looms barely long enough that get tweaked and pinched as the car ages, suspect parts quality and software issues are very common. The Leon is a more mature car, few real issues, more reliable, and likely you'll get much better value for your money.
I personally don't like how long the front end feels. It feels like you are almost sat right at the back of the car, and the rake of the windscreen is a really small angle.
As for penny pinching, my mate as a focus and there are bits falling off it less than 6 months on. The door seals hanging out, exhaust rattling, car not starting, water ingress in the boot.
He isn't happy with it, nor would I if i had those same issues.

The amount of Fords i see driving round with the door seals hanging out the side of the car is unreal, it's almost as if it has been designed like that.
 

The Daily Meme

Insta: @thatredcupra
Jan 3, 2018
912
466
Cambridge
Okay thanks definitely good food for thought and sorry about the previous comments I was in a rush haha hence the not making sense parts haha...

I am swaying more to the idea of having a Leon FR now, just trying to find one. Weird question but does auto trader have all cars or not and could it be a matter of check each individual garage around me to check if they stock one?

iv seen a couple and like the black FR at Nottingham from the link in the previous post and certainly change the alloys eventually and the grey one in Leeds. Seen a local 125 fr 16 plate which looks bang one black alloys and black roof with the white body surrounding, problem is the tax and fuel consumption is terrible compared to the 150 bhp
Judging by your search area, it might be worth you looking at Wolverhampton Seat (Barlow Motors). I went for a test drive at both Derby and Nottingham before finding my perfect car in Wolverhampton. It was being sold at a very competative price as well, I was suprised no one had got there before me.
 

hilly81

Active Member
Apr 28, 2014
265
43
Little Sutton
Okay thanks definitely good food for thought and sorry about the previous comments I was in a rush haha hence the not making sense parts haha...

I am swaying more to the idea of having a Leon FR now, just trying to find one. Weird question but does auto trader have all cars or not and could it be a matter of check each individual garage around me to check if they stock one?

iv seen a couple and like the black FR at Nottingham from the link in the previous post and certainly change the alloys eventually and the grey one in Leeds. Seen a local 125 fr 16 plate which looks bang one black alloys and black roof with the white body surrounding, problem is the tax and fuel consumption is terrible compared to the 150 bhp
I cant see any logic buying a 125BHP when there are 150's available personally. I'd be holding out for one.

You really need to drive both and see what you prefer. Obviously you are going to get a Leon bias on here and rightly so.

I actually really like the look of the brand new Focus. I don't like the look of the one in your link. The Leon is far prettier in my opinion both inside and out plus having been in both, the Leon fells much better put together.
 

BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
Leon's do have suspect build quality too

so far on my 68 plate (just turned a year old 2 days ago)

1 - Lost 4 wheel bolt caps (just fly off)
2 - Rear covers in boot area for rear lights fly off (both sides)
3 - Boot hydraulic lifting arms no longer lift the boot open wide enough so you bang your head on the boot
4 - plastic latch cover on bonnet hinge comes flying off every time you open the bonnet
5 - the dash cluster has cracked in the bottom corner (cracked on the hottest day of summer)
6 - front nearside arch lining has disintegrated (made of paper thin plastic)

I came from a Honda Civic Type R, 10 years old and faultless, nothing ever fell off it :(
 

Hag

Active Member
Sep 15, 2018
399
193
I also found the Focus to small inside, it feels much smaller inside than the Leon and and you also don’t get things like LED headlights and Sat Nav as standard on a Focus ST Line unless you get an ST Line Nav. I’ve always read articles about the Focus driving well but I was really underwhelmed whenever I had one as a company car when someone had sold one of my Skodas. I’d always jump in a Fiesta over a Focus as a much better car


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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
I also found the Focus to small inside, it feels much smaller inside than the Leon and and you also don’t get things like LED headlights and Sat Nav as standard..

I found the whole interior of the Fords felt dated. You definitely get more for your money with Seat. I actually prefer the Leon interior to the Golf. The Golf does feel slightly better built but the layout and ergonomics are better in the Leon.

I've seen a couple of Fiestas with door seals hanging out! And one of the cars I went to look at had wet carpet in the boot.
 

womble68

Active Member
Aug 8, 2009
119
8
Bebington, Wirral
In terms of the focus I cant comment on the engines but would agree on door seals. The two blokes I know in work, one with an older 1.6 and the other with an st both have the seals coming away...

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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
Thats what i want, hopefully going to look at it tomorrow.

Nice car. I like the colour but I'd prefer silver wheels. Those are 18 inch by the way, not 17 as the ad says. Price looks ok too considering the millage although I'd still try to get money off. You can always get money off! ;0)
 

womble68

Active Member
Aug 8, 2009
119
8
Bebington, Wirral
I'd agree that is somewhat overpriced. I saw facelift cars with 5 doors for less money and similar mileage. I know a few have mentioned about buying from dealers but I'd disagree as you are paying for all their overheads. If you bought a 67 plate car for example it would still have warranty and if it's been serviced at a seat dealer it would also still have seat assistance. It is then only a case of checking the car over. You will have the same arguments with a dealer, and I now take the approach my wife suggested to me sometime ago - whatever you do make sure you are happy with the car when you buy it. Obviously there are the unknown failures, but if you aren't happy with something make sure it is rectified before you take it.
I mention this because she is an accountant and at one point was working in a dealership and had amusing stories of taking the sales sheets that the salesmen hid and processing them - they hid them because they could split them over months to boost their bonuses (ever wondered why the new car you ordered doesn't appear to be supplied when you'd think - this is just one reason).

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Wilkesy

Active Member
May 1, 2018
255
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womble68

Active Member
Aug 8, 2009
119
8
Bebington, Wirral
If you can see past the wheels and could get some knocked off the blue one it has a full leather interior and heated front seats, which suggests it probably got other options (normally the case). A swap of wheels should easy. I sold an identical set for £350 in the past and bought a set of 19" cupra in the past for £600. They were marked but looked the part. I then sold them for £550 recently and bought another set of facelift 17" alloys for £280 but in much better condition that the original 17" to sell the car which went down a treat (plus they were a nicer design).
In terms of 18" performance design I can see a set on ebay in black for £700 but they do have a make an offer button on it so the ad (based in walsall) and they will deliver if that helps.

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Wilkesy

Active Member
May 1, 2018
255
29
If you can see past the wheels and could get some knocked off the blue one it has a full leather interior and heated front seats, which suggests it probably got other options (normally the case). A swap of wheels should easy. I sold an identical set for £350 in the past and bought a set of 19" cupra in the past for £600. They were marked but looked the part. I then sold them for £550 recently and bought another set of facelift 17" alloys for £280 but in much better condition that the original 17" to sell the car which went down a treat (plus they were a nicer design).
In terms of 18" performance design I can see a set on ebay in black for £700 but they do have a make an offer button on it so the ad (based in walsall) and they will deliver if that helps.

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in terms of getting them fitted, just take them to a garage?
 

womble68

Active Member
Aug 8, 2009
119
8
Bebington, Wirral
Personally I did it myself. Trolley jack roughly £20, socket plus a torque wrench is all you need which would be another £40 or thereabouts. The locking nut is in the car.
In my case though I have done other work, so if you dont plan on that then you may as well go to a garage but then on the other hand it does open this option up. My only other suggestion if you were doing more also get a pair of axle stands (or look for a set with the trolley jack). Other option, you might want to check if a neighbour can help you instead - I'm fortunate my next door neighbour used to work at the Vauxhall plant nearby and still has all sort of tools, although I do have most stuff I'd need myself.

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BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
im in sheffield so kinda in the middle of everywhere really, seen another in batley near leeds and another in leeds at available car

Black, same as the nottinhgham one just 3 doors instead.https://heycar.co.uk/vehicle/seat-leon-2016-14-ecotsi-150-fr-3dr-technology-pack-1ea11fc5


Blue one https://www.availablecar.com/used-seat/leon_coupe-1.4-ecotsi-150-fr-tech-pack-leathe/436203 which is a fantastic colour but not too keen on those alloys.
The light blue is a girls colour so don’t worry too much
 

Hag

Active Member
Sep 15, 2018
399
193
The Black ones nice and has the upgrade 18” Alloys and the Greys exactly what you were fancying


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Wilkesy

Active Member
May 1, 2018
255
29
The Black ones nice and has the upgrade 18” Alloys and the Greys exactly what you were fancying


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aye going to ring for the grey one in morning first thing, because its not showing on the dealer garage site but its showing on a few other sites, so I personally think its sold, so I think its going to be the black one from notingham or batley (leeds way) they leave me a bit of change to do the alloys anyway too.
 
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