Which is better Astra N or FF 2. Comparison of Ford Focus II sedan and Opel Astra H hatchback. Victor Stelkakh will talk about Astra

In the segment of sedans, which are the most common among ordinary consumers in the CIS, the leaders are Ford Focus and Opel Astra. Both cars captivated consumers with their technical characteristics, appearance and comfortable interior. But what about those who have not yet purchased a car and are now faced with a difficult task: what to choose: Ford or Opel?

Both cars have the same body type – sedan. Both Ford and Opel have smooth external outlines, a similar shape and location windshield. Both models look stylish with elongated bi-xenon multi-section optics and trapezoidal fog lights. Due to the radiator grille in the style of Aston Martin, the Focus takes on a slightly aggressive look, in contrast to the classic and business Astra. For fans of expressive forms, Ford is suitable, and for lovers of calm lines, Opel is suitable.

The reliability of the Astra's body is higher, although they point to the faded paintwork. But underneath there is strong metal that does not begin to play a year after use. Opel's anti-corrosion factory treatment wins in terms of quality.

Inside, both cars have high-quality performance displays, adjustable heated seats and airbags. Sound insulation is also quite decent. In both Astra and Focus, the rear row of seats is transformed, due to which the trunk acquires additional space. The creators of Opel allocated 460 liters for luggage, which exceeds 370 Ford liters. The Focus's fuel tank has a smaller volume by just a liter; here 55 versus 56 gives an insignificant difference, which is still there.

Focus interior

The Astra's interior is more spacious than the Focus, but is inferior in terms of finishing because it has a lot of plastic parts. Another disadvantage is Opel’s disappointing visibility, which is limited by the A-pillars.

Ford's instrument panel is distinctive and modernized in the new New Edge style. All instruments are at the driver’s fingertips and are easy to read. The seats provide good lateral support and minimize stress on the lumbar region.

Astra interior

If you compare it with the Opel dashboard, then the Astra has to strain its eyesight, and you have to reach out to control some options with your hand. But this did not stop the developers from focusing on security. Astra has 4 airbags, ESP systems and ABS versus anti-lock braking and 2 airbags in the Focus. To compare with Ford in this regard, you will have to pay extra, since 2 more airbags and a stabilization system are available as an additional package.

As for the sizes, the difference here is minimal. The length, width and height of the Focus are 4534X1823X1484, and for Astra the following numerical values ​​are 4658X1814X1500. The dimensions of Opel are slightly larger than Ford, and ground clearance with a larger wheelbase.

Differences in technical stuffing

Ford Focus developers have used a wide range of motor range. But 3 gasoline and one diesel were available for the domestic market:

• 1.6-liter PNDA engine with 125 horses;
• IQDB unit with a volume of 1.6 l and 105 hp;
• 2-liter engine with 150 horsepower;
• 2 liter turbodiesel with a power of 140 hp.

Range of Ford Focus power units

All petrol units interacted with a 5-speed manual transmission, the diesel internal combustion engine – only with an automatic transmission. Fuel consumption in mixed mode is 6.4 liters per 100 km for the Focus and 6.5 liters for the same mileage for the Astra.

The Opel Astra's engine range is a little more modest. Our consumers are offered several units that consume gasoline:

• turbocharged engine A 14 NET with 1.4 l and 140 hp;
• 1.6-liter A 16 XER engine with 115 horses;
• 1.6 liter A 16 LET turbo engine producing 180 hp

Range of Opel Astra power units

Ford's technical characteristics and engine compartment components benefit slightly due to a wide selection of power units, transmissions and more economical fuel consumption. It is possible that some will disagree, focusing on Opel's 180-horsepower turbo engine. But Focus engines have lower fuel consumption with high performance.

Both sedans have exactly the same independent McPherson spring front suspension. But the rear ones are significantly different. Ford's independent spring multi-link keeps the car on the road better than the spring semi-independent one with the Watt mechanism on Opel.

Speed ​​test

When choosing between the Opel Astra and Ford Focus, any motorist will want to test them on the track. During the test drive it was noted:

• The Astra has a slight roll when cornering and is sensitive to small gravel on the road when driving at high speed; the front end of the Focus is not so obvious;
• on city roads Ford is already losing, since the variety of transmissions here has played a disservice, because on busy streets and in congestion, Astra is not so gluttonous and its gearbox is more flexible;
• Opel has greater ground clearance, which allows it to overcome off-road conditions and poor surfaces with minimal problems;
• the maximum speed is almost the same - Ford has 202 km/h, Opel has 205 km/h;
• as numerous tests have shown, the Astra is a little heavy and stiff at the start, which is why it accelerates to the first hundred in 10.3 s versus 9.4 s for the Focus.

It is difficult to determine which is better in dynamic indicators, since at different road conditions cars behave differently. One thing is clear that the Opel is more suitable for driving around the city, and you should go on the highway with the Focus.

We offer a draw!

Ford Focus is a car that has already become a classic. After all, wherever you look, there are continuous Focuses, whether on the roads, in showrooms, or in specialized services. We must pay tribute to the heirs of the great Henry Ford, who take care of the offspring of their concern. There should be no problems with the repair of this model, since there are many dealer and specialized services. The supply of spare parts has also been established, although original parts will be quite expensive.

The Opel Astra shares the leading position with the Focus in popularity and in unspoken competition. But there are not many specialized workshops for cars. True, the Astra can be repaired at almost any service station, since there are enough partner stations that have entered into agreements with the Kaliningrad Avtotor plant. There are no problems with finding components.

Let's summarize. In comparing the two cars it is obvious that:

• Ford wins in interior decoration due to the quality of finishing materials and ergonomics, as well as the versatility and comfort of the seats;
  Opel is superior in volume luggage compartment and minor fuel tank;
• The Focus performs well on the highway and when driving at high speeds;
  Astra is ideal for use on city roads;
  The offered engine range is wider in Ford, and the performance is also higher;
• Opel wins in fuel consumption, especially in urban areas;
  The Focus has higher dynamics, it starts easier and accelerates faster;
• Astra is superior in terms of ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers;
• Focusing on pricing policy Ford has surpassed Opel, since the cost of the basic configuration of the second is almost 100 thousand rubles higher.

The opinions of motorists also differed widely. Based on reviews from owners, we can conclude that in most cases the choice depends on the personal preferences of each car enthusiast. Some people fell in love with the aggressive look of the Focus, while others prefer the classic features of the Astra. There are also those who do not take into account the dynamic advantages of Ford, since they pay more attention to Opel's economical fuel consumption.

Determine what more reliable than Ford Focus or Opel Astra is quite difficult. Both sedans have good technical indicators and filling, not to mention the attractive appearance. Which car to choose in the end will have to be decided by each individual, because for many the financial aspect is also important, only for some it prevails when purchasing, and for others during operational maintenance of the car.

Video about cars

Review of Ford Focus from "Bigger Test Drive"

Vorotnikov about Focus

Victor Stelkakh will talk about Astra

Info car about Astra

Comparison of competitors in English from the British

As always on the pages of our website, we fight only. Today's review is no exception. Your attention will be presented to a comparison of Ford Focus and Opel Astra.

Ford Focus And Opel Astra– cars that often occupied leading positions in sales

Let's figure out who is better

The bi-xenon headlights of both rivals are not satisfactory. However, like the forms of light optics, ideally fit into the “faces” of cars, as if giving them some kind of meaningful expression. Reviving them.

Well, the first round of the fight against the Opel Astra ends in a draw. Let's see what the rivals will oppose to each other next.

Inner world, interior and volumes

Ford's shortened rear overhang undoubtedly made it more beautiful. But beauty, as we know, requires sacrifice. In this case, the volume of the luggage compartment was sacrificed at the altar of beauty. The Focus's small trunk of 370 liters brings a scoring point to the opponent, with its 460 liters of volume.

The Astra's interior is cozy and outperforms the Focus in terms of space - another point to its advantage. But that's where the advantage ends. The quality of Opel plastic is much lower than Ford's.

Focus wins the second point for ergonomics. Everything is at hand here. Most control buttons are easy to use. The instruments are conveniently located in front of the driver and are quite readable. The same cannot be said about Opel instruments; their scale is too small and makes it strain your eyesight. And you have to reach far to the mirror control unit.

Both sedans are equipped with high-quality capacitive displays with good resolution. , and there are also heated and adjustable seats. Again, Ford seats are more comfortable, the load on the lower back is less, and the support from the sides is more noticeable.

Focus and Astra already have airbags. Opel has 4 airbags, ABS and ESP. Ford's Mini only has 2 front airbags and an anti-lock braking system. For two more side airbags and a stabilization system, you can pay about $600 extra.

Again the round ends with a draw. Opel gets two points for the trunk and interior space. Ford gets one point each for quality of materials and ergonomics, respectively. But the fight is not over; the rivals are eager to prove their superiority on the track.

Reliability, power, speed

With synchronous start Opel cars quickly begins to lead. This continues for several seconds, after which the cars level out. The reason here is the Powerlift robot installed on the Focus. During the first seconds of start, the variator operates in an unjustifiably gentle mode. The second drawback of the robot is excessively slow downshifts.

The Astra's six-speed automatic transmission behaves differently - at low speeds the shifting works clearly. And when you climb above 130 km/h it happens with noticeable thoughtfulness. When the Sport mode is turned on, this effect is not as noticeable, but it is still there.

The operation of the power units of both cars leaves only positive impressions. With turbocharged Astra engine or Focus with its aspirated engine have good torque at medium and low revs. Acceleration in these zones occurs smoothly, without effort. For power, as well as dynamics, both competitors receive a score. Here they are at the same height.

When cornering, the Astra rolls more than the Focus. And during a long bend, the Ford’s front end doesn’t skid as much. At high speeds, the Opel is more sensitive to small imperfections in the road or small stones getting under the wheels, and more often requires a return to the straight line.

The Focus gets a well-deserved score for driving at high speeds. But driving along the city highway allows Astra to recoup. Where slow driving or stopping is required, the Opel unit is more friendly. The automatic transmission is not annoying, like the Ford CVT, which is more inclined to higher gears.

The Focus steering is more precisely tuned and more informative compared to Opel's. Therefore it brings an extra point to Ford. We will note Opel for lower fuel consumption when driving around the city.

This last round also ended with a draw, with three points each for the fighters. But who wins our tournament?

We see the same number of points scored, our match ended with a draw result of 6 vs 6. None of the opponents was able to win. But this only confirms the statistics of their equal popularity.

What can I say here, consumer requirements for a car are different. Some are more satisfied with one car, and some with another. Therefore, when choosing which car to buy - an Opel Astra or a Ford Focus, we need to start from what we want to get.

If spacious salon and more spacious trunk, as well as efficiency when driving around the city - this is embodied in the Astra.

If you cannot overcome the craving for high-speed driving, and ergonomics and the quality of interior trim are priorities, your path lies to the Ford dealership.

Additions to the article in the comments are welcome. Write about your priorities. Have a smooth ride everyone.

Hello friends!

Today we will continue the series of comparisons of classmates. Next in line are products of the European automobile industry: Opel Astra J series and Ford Focus of the third generation.

So which is better, Ford Focus and Opel Astra? Let's figure it out together!

Exterior of Ford Focus and Opel Astra

The third generation Ford Focus is the embodiment of the manufacturer’s ideas aimed at improving aerodynamic performance, which is reflected in appearance auto. Soft, streamlined shapes improve the aesthetics of the model. A slight hint of aggressiveness gives the car solidity. The headlights have acquired a “predatory look”, and in combination with trapezoidal foglights and an updated radiator grille a la Aston Martin, it can rightfully be called a “predator” of the roads. Model offered Russian buyers with three body types: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and station wagon:

Ford Focus 3 sedan

Ford Focus 3 station wagon and hatchback

Does the Opel Astra J have more classic lines, signs of German stability and reliability? A new design radiator grille, elongated headlights and modern stylish foglights – all this together gives the car a dynamic image, elegance and recognition on the road. Before leaving the market, the model was offered to Russian buyers in four body types: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and station wagon, 3-door coupe hatchback:

Interior: "Opel Astra" or "Ford Focus 3"

The interior of the Opel Astra J is made in classic dark colors. The seat material is wear-resistant, leatherette is available upon request. Color, as standard, is gray.

The front console is made of plastics of different textures; in terms of the quality of materials and ergonomics in general, it is objectively inferior to the Focus. The dashboard with chrome digital instrument surrounds looks stylish and rich. Thanks to the soft backlight, all indicators are perfectly visible.

The on-board computer screen is located between the tachometer and speedometer. And in top versions, at the top of the center console there is a large multimedia system and navigation display.

Expensive versions have a control console for climate control, telephone calls, and audio system on the steering wheel. The rear seats of the Astra are more spacious than those of the Focus.

In the Ford Focus 3, attention is drawn to the quality and at the same time practicality of materials. The seats are covered with water-repellent fabric, and in the top versions it is possible to order combined upholstery with inserts made of high-quality leatherette. The buyer can choose the color of the interior trim at his discretion: from cream to dark gray.

Modern and stylish dashboard convenient for monitoring instrument readings without being distracted from driving.

The steering wheel in expensive versions is equipped with a control panel for on-board systems, starting with control of the multimedia system and ending with the settings of the on-board computer, which are responsible for the comfortable use of the car. It is possible to voice control a number of multimedia system functions. The Focus has more comfortable front seats than the Astra.

The trunk volume of the Ford Focus is: for a sedan - 372 liters (one of the smallest trunks in the class), for a hatchback - from 277 liters (with unfolded rear seats) up to 1062 liters in transformed form (with the rear seats folded), for a station wagon - from 476 to 1502 liters.

The trunk volume of the Opel Astra is larger in all cases: for a sedan - quite a decent 460 liters, for a 5-door hatchback - from 370 liters (with the rear seats folded down) to 1235 liters in a transformed form (with the rear seats folded), for a station wagon - from 500 up to 1550 l.

Technical characteristics of Ford Focus

The engine type on most Ford Focus models is naturally aspirated, with a volume of 1.6 liters, which by the way are now produced in Russia, at the new Ford Sollers engine plant in Yelabuga, with a large share of parts and raw materials of Russian origin. we wrote about this. Depending on the boost level, it develops 85 hp. (this engine is installed only on the hatchback in the basic version, exclusively with a 5-speed manual, from 834 thousand rubles), as well as 105 and 125 hp, these two power units can be combined with both a 5-speed manual transmission (from 971 and 1 million 006 thousand rubles, respectively) and with a 6-speed “robotic” gearbox (from 1 million 011 thousand rubles and 1 million 046 thousand rubles, respectively) . And at the top of the range is the 150-horsepower EcoBoost turbo engine, which is combined exclusively with a 6-speed classic automatic transmission (from 1 million 196 thousand rubles).

The turbo engine of the EcoBoost family appeared on Russian Ford Focus is quite new, it pleases with excellent traction coupled with low fuel consumption

Technical characteristics of Opel Astra J

Opel Astra generation J was also mainly equipped with gasoline engine with a volume of 1.6 liters, but with only one boost level (power 115 hp). And in recent years, before leaving the brand Russian market(perhaps in solidarity with Western sanctions?), turbo versions with a volume of 1.4 liters (140 hp) or 1.6 liters (170 hp for the station wagon and 3-door hatchback, or 180 hp) were actively supplied. for a sedan and a 5-door hatchback), a 2-liter turbodiesel with a power of 130 hp was occasionally found. "Asters" were equipped with a choice of mechanical five-speed gearbox transmission or six-speed automatic.

All engines on the Opel Astra belonged to the EcoTec family

Test drive Ford Focus and Opel Astra

During a joint test drive, it turned out that both models feel confident on the road. The difference is only in nuances and not too big. In general, the Ford Focus is a little better in terms of handling, it rolls less on turns and during acceleration, and delivers more “driving pleasure” (we are leaving the 3-door Astra out of the picture). Ordinary Opel Astras behave a little more comfortably on our roads, compared to the Focus, and react less to various road trifles.

To sum it up: Ford Focus or Opel Astra

And by technical parameters, and in terms of behavior on the road both models are quite close. When choosing, the main issue may be personal preferences, some of the nuances of differences - which were described above. And most importantly, Ford Focus continues to be on the Russian market, which also means better availability service and availability of spare parts, a larger selection of models for secondary market. At the same time, Opel Astra has a considerable number of fans who appreciated interesting design car, and a fairly good overall balance of car qualities. It’s up to you to decide what is better to choose; perhaps some of my comments will be useful to you.

In the first version of this article, I indicated as one of Opel's shortcomings Astra - no official dealership in the Russian Federation. But in a few days everything changed: Ford Motor Co is officially leaving Russia, which puts the three-door Astra and Focus on par. Does it make sense to buy cars from brands that have left our market? And which model is better? Let's find out in the article.

In appearance, the “German” immediately goes on the offensive. Its sharp edges and thousands of lines are an order of magnitude more interesting than the exterior of the calm Focus. Add to this the sloping roofline and neat rear end, and you'll understand why the H GTC is still eye-catching and doesn't look old-fashioned even today.

Ford Focus 3dr, promoted as a youth hatchback, looks much more conservative. It is distinguished from its five-door brother by its flatter rear window and longer doors. True, due to the shape of the roof, it gives the Astra a painful blow to the gut. If the Gran Turismo Compact can only accommodate two people in the back (preferably not very tall), then the Focus is quite a five-seater car.

Engine range and gearbox

If the fight had taken place in Europe, where the Opel Astra H GTC was offered with more than 10 engines, the outcome of the round would have been a foregone conclusion. But in Russia, the “German” is available with 1.6 and 1.8 liter engines of 115 and 140 hp. With. and a pair of turbocharged exclusives with 200 and 240 horsepower. Gearboxes include five- and six-speed manual transmissions, a four-speed automatic transmission and a five-speed EasyTronic automatic transmission.

“Ford” is offered with four naturally aspirated petrol engines of 1.4 volume; 1.6; 1.8 and 2.0 liters (80-145 hp), as well as with a 1.8 turbodiesel with fuel consumption of about seven liters in the city. A real combo - the ST and RS versions, which developed the 225 and 305 horsepower respectively.

So, Opel Astra, which actively started the battle, blocked the opponent in terms of engine range.

Of the gearboxes, the Focus has 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions comparable to the Opel, a 4-speed automatic transmission and a PowerShift robot with two clutches. It's funny, but neither one nor the other manufacturer managed to bring the manual transmission to perfection - both boxes kick, kick and do not like dynamic acceleration.

Equipment and options

The third round of the confrontation “Astra”, which missed a lot of sensitive blows due to its meager engine and transmission range, begins with a carefully calibrated series. First basic equipment Essentia is available with air conditioning, fog lights, heating, stereo system, alarm and a full range of security systems.

The second Enjoy package includes climate and cruise control, four airbags, a multifunction steering wheel and full power accessories. The third series of Cosmo strikes: alloy wheels R16 (on request - R17 and R18), headlights with spherical lenses, piano lacquer trim, a combined leather + fabric interior and a couple of final striking options - adaptive xenon light AFL, panoramic roof and navigation system .

Focus is having a hard time this round. He responds to his opponent’s bold blows with blocks. The Ambient package has only ABS, an airbag and audio preparation, the Comfort package has air conditioning, on-board computer, aluminum-look inserts in the interior and a stereo system. The strongest blocking moves are called Ghia and Titanium with power packs, alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control.

Maintainability

Once upon a time, Adam Opel AG launched a recycling program and an accompanying advertising campaign. The viewer was shown old and damaged cars, then a brand new Kadett and the confident voice of the announcer said: “Your car can become an Opel!” True, in Russia the slogan was translated with an error (“Any car becomes an Opel!”) and morally equated a German car with junk.

In this round, the Astra immediately receives a strong blow from the Focus for its 1.6 and 1.8 liter Ecotec engines. Due to wear of the plastic elements, the motor begins to operate unstably. The “sore” is eliminated by installing a cheap plastic clamp.

Often, Astra's throttle valve heating tubes burst (warranty case), heat exchangers actively "run", gears break camshafts right up to the wedge, the EGR valve becomes clogged, the crankcase gas membrane cracks (resolved by replacing the valve cover). The power steering also malfunctions, the seat heating is moping, the alarm system often fails and the antifreeze reservoir bursts.

Focus is head and shoulders above Astra in terms of reliability. Yes, in its engines, the IMRC valve breaks down, the fine fuel filter gets clogged and the fuel pump often burns out, but this is almost nothing compared to the problems of the Astra gearbox. Here synchronizers break, input shaft oil seals leak, and within 40-60 thousand km the EasyTronic “robot” clutch burns out.

Timid and completely painless blows of the “German” on the competitor’s body - on the Ford IB5 series gearbox, the pin of the satellites breaks until the box is destroyed, and the steering rack completely malfunctions.

All Ford Focus 3dr problems are well known and can be “treated” in most services. There are very few competent Opel craftsmen. And those that exist say: “We learn something new every day, because even things that we didn’t suspect break down.”

Cost and problems on the secondary market

On the secondary market, prices for Astra H GTC range from 170 to 500 thousand rubles. The most available cars They have already exchanged the third hundred thousand kilometers and two or three owners (and others - even PTS). A car in normal technical condition will cost 280-350 thousand rubles.

For 330 thousand rubles, we found a 2008 model, with a 1.6 115 liter engine. s., automatic transmission and mileage 171 thousand km:

We check the history through the service and see that in almost 11 years the car has had six owners and once the Opel was involved in an accident. Now it is sold with a duplicate title. Perhaps because there was no space left in the original document to make entries.

The three-door Ford Focus II is cheaper than its competitor. The minimum cost for a car is 120 thousand rubles, the maximum is almost 600. Hatchback 2007. with a 1.8 and 125 liter engine. With. and with a mileage of 150 thousand km is sold for 210 thousand rubles:

The ad states that the Ford was owned by one owner. The Autocode report showed that the car was owned by six people, with the last one using it for only four months:

The car was involved in an accident, has a duplicate title and traffic police restrictions. It will not be possible to re-register such an Opel until the restrictions are lifted from it.

So, in this round, Opel beat Focus with a slight advantage.

Which car to choose

The advantage of Astra is that it’s stylish appearance(almost a coupe, after all), available spare parts and rich equipment, the downsides are quality, quality and quality again.

The key advantages of Ford are its “nationality”, maintainability (hello, taxi drivers!) and variety of trim levels. There's only one drawback: it's a car like everyone else's: it looks normal, drives usually, and usually sells.

We presented all the pros and cons of the models and their final assessment in a comparative table:

Which of these two hatchbacks do you like? Share your opinion in the comments below the article.

“I want to buy a 5-door hatchback from $6,000 to $7,000. I’m considering Opel Astra, Fiat Punto, Fiat Bravo, Ford Focus. Conditions: “mechanical”, engine volume - 1.6-1.8 l."

Let's cross out both Fiat models first! Nothing personal, it’s just that both Bravo and Punto of the generations in question are equipped gasoline engines volume up to 1.4 liters, which does not fit into the requirements of the author of the question (rare powerful versions Bravo does not count, especially since they are not visible on our secondary market). In addition, the Punto belongs to the European segment B and is noticeably inferior in size (and therefore in interior space), as well as in the level of comfort, to the other three models representing the golf class.

So we suggest focusing your search on two models - Opel Astra H and Ford Focus II. Note that both cars have repeatedly become the heroes of our publications, in which we examined them in detail technical features and disadvantages. So now let’s go over the main points and compare the models.

Body

Focus loses its presentation over time: the paint becomes cloudy, and in some places even peels off. In addition, there may be problems with rust, but in most cases this is the fault of the previous owners who did not take care of the body and did not promptly eliminate small pockets of corrosion in places where the paintwork and zinc were damaged.

The Astra paint coating is also not particularly resistant to mechanical stress, so over time, pinpoint corrosion may also appear in places most vulnerable to sandblasting and other damage. But openly rotting Astra Hs are an extremely rare occurrence.

Engines

In the case of the Focus, we wouldn't recommend chasing the 1.8-liter engine, even despite the greater power and timing chain drive. Firstly, there are enough problems with stability of operation, which is to blame either the ignition system or throttle valve, then the control unit. Secondly, often after 200 thousand km an opening is required due to obstructed oil scraper rings.

So it’s better to pay attention to the 1.6-liter version. Yes, 115 hp version of Ti-VCT until 2007. had questions with the reliability of the clutches of the variable valve timing system, and in general the “phases” are a no-no, and they remind of themselves, although perhaps it’s also a matter of quality maintenance and the oil used. But the old 100-horsepower engine is hardly worth considering for purchase, since it is rather weak with almost the same level of reliability.

At one time, the 1.6-liter Ecotec X16XEL (101 hp), the same one that was installed on the Astra G, considerably spoiled the reputation increased consumption motor oil due to premature wear of valve bushings. But the 115-horsepower Z16XER engine is free from this drawback, so there is no need to be afraid of this option; the choice between it and the 140-horsepower 1.8 Z18XER engine (both engines in these modifications appeared on the Astra H in 2006) from a reliability point of view is not fundamental .

Also, both engines with distributed fuel injection can be considered quite attractive from the point of view of maintainability and the cost of repair costs. A weak points What they have in common is the ignition module, sensors that fail, and wiring that is far from the most reliable. In addition, engines are sensitive to the quality of engine oil and the timing of its replacement. In general, the selection criterion can be either the technical condition of a particular instance, or differences in characteristics: the 1.8-liter engine is more powerful, but also a little more voracious.

Transmissions

The IB5 manual transmission on the Focus was not very reliable. And this is another argument in favor of the 1.6-liter version, although repairs may also be required over time, although most likely the matter will be limited to replacing synchronizers.

The F17 manual gearbox, used on the Astra with the engines in question, is also far from ideal: cases of its premature failure are not that uncommon with mileages of up to 200 thousand km and on cars less than 10 years old. Therefore, before purchasing, be sure to check whether the operation of the transmission is accompanied by increased noise or extraneous sounds. Moreover, on a more powerful 1.8-liter engine, it is much easier to provoke the “death” of the differential and shaft bearings - in this sense, the 1.6-liter version is also a little “safer”.

Suspension

In the Focus chassis, the front ones are relatively short-lived wheel bearings, and with mileages over 100 thousand km, it may be necessary to rebuild the rear multi-link, and this operation due to the abundance of parts it may seem unexpectedly expensive.

Unlike the Focus, the Astra uses a simpler semi-independent beam at the rear. The front is also a McPherson, if not eternal, then simply inexpensive to repair. So keeping the suspension in working order is not at all burdensome. But here, too, the exception is the insufficiently durable and rather expensive wheel bearings, which are replaced along with the hub. But in any case, Opel should have fewer questions regarding the suspension.

Price Pulse

As the analysis shows, with a budget of $6000-7000 one can consider buying Opel Astra H and Ford Focus II 2008-2009, although there are also more recent examples. At the same time, the price level for Focus is slightly lower, which allows you to either save money or choose a later year of manufacture, all other things being equal.

Our verdict

Both models are close not only in their technical specifications, but also in terms of reliability, as well as maintenance costs. In both cases, we recommend that you consider purchasing 1.6-liter versions - they initially have fewer questions regarding both the engines themselves and the gearboxes. Otherwise, everything depends on the technical condition of the specimens in question.

Ivan KRISHKEVICH
website

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