Focus Zetec for Jetta FSI?

[Bucket]

It's getting Awfully close to D-Day for me and getting a Car...
I decided to pop into a VW Dealership and have a look at the Jetta (ok..its about 36K inc. onroads but its the end of the year so I am negotiating right?)
Anyway, had a look trough out and noticed how nice the interior finish is (and blue dash lights XR6 Style with a Red Back Lit Trip Comptuer...and other nice things like Dual Zone Climate Control and rain sensing wipers...

But the Go Bits in the Jetta are as Follows...

2.0L Direct Injection FSI Engine mated to a 6 Spd. Manual Gear Box
110Kw and 200Nm of Torque.

Saftey: 6 Airbags with ESP, ABS, EBD (all I can think of at the moment)

The Focus is

2.0 L Running 107Kw and 185Nm Torque

Now the only pluses on the Focus is that its Lowered, 17' Rims (16's on the Jetta) and its lowered (a 2990 Option with the 18" Wheels Inc.)

Safety is 4 Airbags, ABS and EBD

I have the VW Sales Person calling me today

From a Focus owner, go the Jetta.

[XRated]

It goes without saying really.

Vee Dub. You can easily get some rims of your choice and a decent spring/shock combo afterwards.

[Smoke Pursuit]

go the VW, we just traded our LS Focus in coz it was a bucket of crap. The build qulity is worse then that of the Falcon, South African dope smoking *******.

[fordel]

Definately the Jetta, i would trade the ST170 in on one anyday

Chris

[Falcon Coupe]

I would go the Focus based on looks, the Jetta styling is to bland IMO.

[zetec]

It depends on what you really want. the VW will win the quality stakes hands, feet and pants down. But the Focus will outhandle it on three wheels. One's far cheaper, the other is in a different class, it's a luxury car.

The better comparison would be the Golf vs Focus, that would put it on a slightly more level playing field. Outcome would still be similar, VW for quality, Focus for driver enjoyment.

The trick is to drive them both and just go with your gut feeling. No amount of people telling you here can make your decision fo you.

[Danny]

Get the VW. If in doubt: Get the VW. If delivery time is months: Get the VW.

Did I mention for you to get the VW over the Focus?

[fordel]

So im thinking you would say the VW there Danny ?

Would I be right ?

Chris

[pecker73]

Originally Posted by LSTerritoryGhia

go the VW, we just traded our LS Focus in coz it was a bucket of crap. The build qulity is worse then that of the Falcon, South African dope smoking *******.

Arn't the Golf and Jetta ex South Africa ?

That aside, I would go the Jetta.. THE TURBO FSI :sm_drool: :sm_drool: :sm_drool: :sm_drool:

[Polyal]

Yeah Id get a Golf over a Jetta, but I guess that wasn't the question...

I really dont like the Jettas rear end, looks pretty crap IMO. But that about the only good thing over the VW that the Ford has, looks, and thats up to you I guess.

+1 VW

Although my mum brought the last gen Polo and its been nothing but trouble which goes against build quality etc etc.

[Hally]

VW Jetta - they are a quality car. Re the Polo, I am sure they are made in Spain, and generally are not made to the same standards as even South African cars.

[murcod]

Jetta! Jetta! Jetta!



Have a browse through the Focus section and search for "problems" - that will help make your mind up. I don't think there would be that much difference in the handling either, going by reviews I've read.

Quality and resale value there's no comparison (which is a pity really.... the Focus had so much potential.)

[Fairlane]

Im going to sound like a Parrot here, but im going to say Jetta, as well.

Ok, its a glorified Golf, but hell its a very nice glorified Golf (I prefer Sedans anyway), and you can bet the build quality and resale will still snot the Focus.

*Oh yeah im pretty certain the Jetta's are made in Mexico

[XR8-260]

Why not get the jetta 2.0T 147Kw? How much more is it?

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by zetec

better comparison would be the Golf vs Focus, that would put it on a slightly more level playing field. Outcome would still be similar, VW for quality, Focus for driver enjoyment.

Isnt the Jetta essentially a Golf with a boot anyway?

Go the Jetta. I was thinking along the same lines myself about getting a Focus Zetec or a Jetta.
I ended up with a Falcon somehow : but I think I would have gone the Jetta (dunno about FSI or diesel though). VW quality.

[Steffo]

Definitley the VW. It's better built, its faster, its more reliable, its more economical, it will hold its value infinitley better. You can't lose.

We have a Golf 2.0 FSI 6sp auto and its an awesome car. Averages 7.5L/100km (same as my Fiesta!). I'd love to get one.

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by 30487256

Why not get the jetta 2.0T 147Kw? How much more is it?

like almost 10,000 shades of a dollar different

[Steffo]

You should consider, which is priced similarly, the 2.0 TDI.

103kW @ 4000rpm, 320Nm @ 1800rpm, faster in a straight line then the FSI, more economical then a Hybrid Prius can dream of (like regular 5L/100km or less averages).

And holds its value even better then the petrol, which holds its value better then most cars on the road... lol.

[cupic]

The Jetta IMHO

[XR8-260]

Originally Posted by Bucket

like almost 10,000 shades of a dollar different

You can never take 10K lightly but how can you resist the GTI engine + DSG? :

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by 30487256

You can never take 10K lightly but how can you resist the GTI engine + DSG? :

I personally cant..but my Pocket can...Im only 22..there will be many more opportunities to own nice cars

[Quicklier]

Go the Jetta but STAY AWAY from the FSI.
The TDI units are so much better.

You'll pay a little bit more now, but will reap the rewards at resale time in a few years.

[colossus]

Go the turbo Jetta - awesome.

$39,990 vs $32990 only $7K difference which you will easily make back come resale time.

[merlin]

Another vote for Jetta FSI here - oh and I also think you should fork out for the Turbo :-)

[chevypower]

Jetta, but go the 2.0 TDI - at least drive it first - then get a powerchip upgrade

[Fair302]

TDI is the way to go, I drove almost every VW model while working for Audi/VW dealership in Europe and for the money with tuning and drivability I would pick a 2.0TDI golf/jetta over the R32

Originally Posted by LSTerritoryGhia

go the VW, we just traded our LS Focus in coz it was a bucket of crap. The build qulity is worse then that of the Falcon, South African dope smoking *******.

The Jetta is built in Mexico. Now whether that is good or bad remains to be seen as it's a new model.

[Lagom]

What are you after in a car? As someone who regularly drives Golfs and Focuses, I'm in a pretty good position to compare, given the Jetta is just a Golf with a boot that happens to be built in Mexico instead of South Africa.

Jetta advantages - better refinement, better craftsmanship, superior powertrain (the 2.0 FSI is one of the best standard 2.0 NA engines I've come across - tractable from low revs, smooth and a little rorty sounding at the high end), more comfort features.

Focus advantages - better controlled ride, sharper steering, sharper handling, cheaper, more solid sounding door thunk

The way I look at it, the Focus is like a cheap car that somehow drives really well. A person with no appreciation for driving dynamics will sit inside and feel the lack of premium execution. Whereas the Jetta is a near premium car that still drives pretty well.

The thing about the VW Golf/Jetta platform is that it's missing some feel compared to the Focus. Over 100km/h, the steering reduces enough boost so it has enough feel, but below that, it's a little numb. The chassis doesn't quite let you play as much as a Focus (eg. left foot braking, lift off oversteer), it'll just go round the corner. If you want throttle steerability, you need to push quite hard, whereas it's pretty easy in the Focus if you want it.

If you're willing to spend another $6k on the Jetta, go for it. Based on the comments you make on the Jetta, I think you value the Jetta's advantages enough to get one.

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by Lagom

What are you after in a car? As someone who regularly drives Golfs and Focuses, I'm in a pretty good position to compare, given the Jetta is just a Golf with a boot that happens to be built in Mexico instead of South Africa.

Jetta advantages - better refinement, better craftsmanship, superior powertrain (the 2.0 FSI is one of the best standard 2.0 NA engines I've come across - tractable from low revs, smooth and a little rorty sounding at the high end), more comfort features.

Focus advantages - better controlled ride, sharper steering, sharper handling, cheaper, more solid sounding door thunk

The way I look at it, the Focus is like a cheap car that somehow drives really well. A person with no appreciation for driving dynamics will sit inside and feel the lack of premium execution. Whereas the Jetta is a near premium car that still drives pretty well.

The thing about the VW Golf/Jetta platform is that it's missing some feel compared to the Focus. Over 100km/h, the steering reduces enough boost so it has enough feel, but below that, it's a little numb. The chassis doesn't quite let you play as much as a Focus (eg. left foot braking, lift off oversteer), it'll just go round the corner. If you want throttle steerability, you need to push quite hard, whereas it's pretty easy in the Focus if you want it.

If you're willing to spend another $6k on the Jetta, go for it. Based on the comments you make on the Jetta, I think you value the Jetta's advantages enough to get one.

I guess so...up until i drove the Jetta...I was keen on the Focus Zetec...I'll get the Jetta..if I can get it for the price/monthly repayments