BMW or Focus: Heart or Head?

[Dantera22B]

Ok right now i'm torn between two cars to replace my soon to be departing escort. They're both from the same dealer. the first is a BMW 318iS-96/P, 2dr, 119k, Met Green, FSH, Alloys, EM, EW, ESR, PAS, RCL,CD for £2,995. The other is the more sensible offering: Ford Focus 1.4 Cl-01/Y, 5dr, Dark Met. Blue, FSH, RCL, EM, EW, PAS, A/C, 6CD for £3,995.

Now I need to decide whether to spend more on the initial outlay and go for the cheaper to run/insure Focus or spend less to start with but have to face up to higher running costs of the Beemer. I need your help guys do i follow my heart and go for the BMW which i want and have wanted for a long long time or follow the sensible voice in my head and have the Focus. Tough call, your help and advice is needed guys.

Cheers, Dan

[Lagonda]

The BMW is eleven years old.. I personally would never, ever buy a 10 year (or older) car.

The £1000 difference will be blown away before you know it.

The Focus is the better option. Unless you really want the BMW badge and if you're able to keep pumping money into it.

[Ferrer]

I like the BMW and it's the desirable 140bhp 318iS model. As long as it's in good condition I don't see a problem with being over 10 years old. Get a mechanic to check both cars.

[Lagonda]

How many miles do they have.

[Ferrer]

How many miles do they have.

The BMW 119,000 (191.500km). The original post doesn't say anything about the Focus. I reckon that's a lot of mileage though.

[baddabang]

Everyone is going to jock the bimmers balls, so I say Focus.

Both high mileage cars, both relatively cheap, but I'm going to guess ford parts are cheaper then BMW?

[ripper46]

I'd take a 318is over a focus every day.
the problem is that finding a good one is hard...
running cost aren't that desastrous either

[Turbo.Jenkens]

Its better to have loved & had your heart broken than to have never loved..... or something like that.


Follow your heart.

[coolieman1220]

nothing like a beemer!

[digitalcraft]

Remember you're asking a bunch of people who don't actually have to own the car. People will usually advice the more flashy choice, but if it were them, choose the more economical one :P

[Waugh-terfall]

The Focus, even though the 1.4 engine is meant to be a bit, crap. You haven't crashed again have you?

[ErWin76]

Personally i would take BMW, haven't heart anything good about ford quality and
i know several more than pleased BMW owners.

[whiteballz]

Personally i would take BMW, haven't heart anything good about ford quality and
i know several more than pleased BMW owners.

Let me guess, your from america

[clutch-monkey]

get them checked, but prepare to be buttraped by the BMW.
i'd go the focus for peace of mind.

[The_Canuck]

The threads title is Heart or Head...

I think he knows which is a "smarter" buy, but he want to know whether or not having a fun car overrides that. I'd take the BMW