Which Is Better? A Top Line Focus Or An Entry Level Premium Brand?

The new focus is really nice. I would take a loaded focus over an A3.

A focus will most likely have better reliability too.

Proud of you 009. I resisted the temptation of naming Lexus as the "premium" brand you were speaking of. LOL.

sorry, you resisted.

Actually it was the A3, but I WAS tempted.....

I've had 3 BMWs in my life, and I still own 2 of them ('97 & '01). At one time, having a BMW was an outward sign of success, and that was important to me. Today, I like my BMWs for the ride and reliability (I've had very few repairs). I don't enjoy the high cost of maintenance, or fixes when they were required.

So I'm one guy who appreciates my BMWs, but no longer "needs" to have one. If my car was stolen, and I got the (maybe) $6K book value from the insurance, I'd likely elect to immediately cut down maintenance and repair costs by a lot, and get an ordinary car. That's today, mind you. In the near future, I may prefer an A5 or something. Just showing you how it's not a stretch to choose eco over luxo, even when you have the cash at hand.

I would probably look at the one which will sell for more when you want to change cars. A 30k focus would probably depreciate more than say a standard A3.

So you would live with boring for 3-6 years just so you can get $1000 more resale value in 3-6 years?

After I've owned a $30,000 car for 5 years, I'm really not expecting jack for it. At that point both cars are only worth a fraction of their original costs. If the boring car (the A3) was worth $10k after 5 years, and the fun car was worth only $5K after 5 years, I'd still get the fun car. I don't even consider resale when I purchase a vehicle.

Either you are rich or you don't know the value of money or just a kid living of dady's money.
So yeah you have a fun car but at the end of the day you are broke or living paycheck by paycheck.
I am sorry but my commonsense dictates that I get a car that has value. The fun to drive comes second.

Silly topic. Even in the '70s there were well-equipped mainstream cars and bare bones luxury cars.

Hell, even in the old days there were mainstream cars that were faster than luxury cars and nobody gave a damn. The Internet generation on the other hand thinks "0-60 in 4 seconds = good".

0-60 in 4 seconds is Freaking blistering fast. I think any cars that can do 0-60 in 6.5s or below is good. But I guess everyone is different.

I think it depends on the person and what they want. Back in the late 90s I bought a 325i over cars such as the range-topping Holden Calais, Caprice etc. I think it was because I had a passion for cars and wanted something that was part of a luxury and performance brand such as BMW. Others care more about the actual car and their features, and will opt for a higher spec-ed 'normal' car for the same money. Some prefer a new car to a used, regardless of make/model.

Don't think that because you're buying something that hasn't come from Germany that you will not ever receive expensive repair and maintenance costs. I know a couple of people who have had a few major problems with their Hondas, Fords etc who have spent thousands and thousands of dollars repairing it, whereas I've averaged about $2000AUD annually on my Mercs and BMWs over the past 5 years or so.

Don't know how parts/labor are priced in Australia, but the carrying costs of an older BMW/Benz are a multiple of carrying an older Ford/Chevy here. Throw in the short life of many high performance tires, too.

It might be worth it to an individual, but the cost difference is significant. I do not miss my 230SLK's repair costs.

A Good example is how surprsed owners of GM cars from the 90's and 2000's were to find out how expensive their frequently failing fuel pumps cost. Almost $400 from advance autoparts, so you can immagine how much the dealer wants. And they rape you on the labor because unlike the Japanese and European car makers, Domestic car makers don't believe in an access panel to change the fuel pump so you have to drop the exhaust and various other components to get to the fuel tank and lower it, which is difficult because the hoses and wires are so short youcan barely get your hand between the tank and car to disconnect them. Total cost over $1,000 dollars. Fuel pump for my BMW, less than $100 and about 15 minutes of labor. Lift the trunk mat or back seat, unscrew the panel, loosen the nuts, unplug everything and twist and pull and viola! simple. If the pump is under the car it is even easier, loosen a strap disconnect everything and pow! I am impressed with this new focus and If I were looking for a new compact it would be between this and the VW Golf.

I'd take a loaded anything over an entry level something else. It's just my thought but since I don't have loads of expendable income to toss around owning a beater bare bones commuter and a nice weekender are not optional. So I kill two birds with one stone by getting an economical car that is loaded with all my goodies that are wanted (leather, sunroof, potential HIDs, alloy wheels, etc.).

So I'd go with loaded Focus. I'll take mine in white with a six speed manual though.

Whichever is cheaper.

The older BMW from the late 80's and 90's where better driver cars. The new ones focus too much on luxury and electronic aids to keep the cars from going off the road. Further the smaller Bimmers are not as roomy as the Focus and don't really have very upmarket interiors. They may be a little quicker in a straight line but the upcoming ST should nrrow the gap. It's hard to justify the smaller neo luxury cars like the 1 series and the A3 over the Focus Titanium. To get a significantly better driving car you have to go to one series M or TTS or RS. I think the Focus is a good buy with all the luxury amenities most people never realeazed they wanted.

I love the older BMW's, they had so much soul. Oh and you wouldn't have to go to a 1 series M. a 128 would handily out run and out handle a focus. But at a big price premium. So the only way wold be to get a certified pre-owned 1 series for the price of a new loaded focus and make your decision. the BMW is going to easily be the drivers car of the two, but the focus is easily the drivers car when compared to its competition.