[djhorace]

Given that the standard answer a Vauxhall driver most often gives for choosing a Vauxhall is;

"Its better than a Ford"

and that a Ford drivers answer to the same question is most likely;

"Because Vauxhalls are ?$%&"

which is the better manufacturer so we can settle the debate for them?!![]

 

[MOB]

I voted Ford - I know of so many Vauxhalls that have had major problems - in my last job they had a fleet of Vectras and at least half of them needed ECU's, turbos etc under warranty

Though it wont stop me buying a VX220 cos they dont count...........

 

[unikarl]

I voted ford because I dont like dashboards that light up a miserable yellow/white colour.

Neither manufactrer are particularly bad. Their cars do what they are made to do. None of them are inspiring, exiting or even interesting though.

 

[djhorace]

I voted Ford too because they have certainly had more interesting cars through their history than Vauxhall. Anything badged RS or XR was more fun the GSi or SRi marques.

Ford had the Legendary (and still common) Escort which was a master of the rally stages. The only decent Vauxhall I can remember was the Lotus Carlton, and one of the best things about that was it had no Vauxhall badge!

The VX220 is another Lotus Carlton for me!!

 

[Tom R32]

I am not going to vote as I hate them both equally. However Vauxhall have made some good cars in thier time, the Mk2 Astra GTE 16v was better then the Escort at the time (89) It was a genuinly fun car to drive and was quick, the Cavalier GSI, GSI 4x4 and Turbo were all quite mental with just a little tuning, OK, the Saphire Cossies were the kiddies but I am just trying to point out that Vauxhall were not all bad back in the day.

Carlton GSI and Senator were both monster big saloons - what did Ford offer? A Scorpio Cosworth.....mmmm no thanks.

The Lotus Carlton was as much as vauxhall as the Escort Cosworth was a Ford was it it not?

50/50 for me, dont like either brand but I had an Astra GTE 16 and a Cavalier GSI when I was in my teens, great cars. Astra always seemed the better can than the Escort.

These days I REALLY dislike both brands, the Focus is a great looking car but the interiors are so poor, the recent Vauxhalls just look cheap although the new Astra is an improvement.

Nice to see Vauxhall finally buried the Frontera - what an old dog that was, and the Omega - 90% depreciation anyone....TAXI!!!! Common cars for common people - now theres a statement.

Cosworth Focus could change my mind, but I just could never see me owning a Ford or a Vauxhall now, not sure why I just dont think I will.

 

[W36 EJO]

Voted vauxhall basically because at least their engines seem easily capable of doing over 100,000!

Used to have a little fiesta and the mileometer only had 5 digits, i.e it was round the clock at 99,999 miles. Ford didn;t seem to think their engines could make it past 100,000! Sure enough 107,000 miles and the eingine packed up. It's the same with the Escorts, only 5 digits, even Ford themselves didnt think they would need an extra digit!

Vauxhalls however seem to easily reach 200k. That't the only reason I chose vauxhall!

 

[djhorace]

The GTE 16v Astra was a fast car, but the chassis and handling was terrible. That, and the cyliner heads went porous. My neighbour had one and I remember it being blindingly quick (back then it really was quick!), but I remember the flex and roll when it cornered too!

Out the box, the GTE 16v was 20bhp more than the RST, but a chip donned on the RST sorted that out easily. Prob with the RST was the exhausts went as quick as the engine - the standard exhaust on the RST would not last one year without blowing!

I think the Escort Cosworth was more Ford than the Lotus was Vauxhall though as the Escort was basically a cut and shut Sierra RS Cosworth, which itself, originated with the basic mechanics of a Capri/Cortina but with a turbo strapped on to a transit block!

The VX220 is def the best car both firms curently offer, but who could honestly buy it and live with it day to day?! If I could fit in it, I think I would be scared a lorry never saw it and reversed over it!

Like has already been said however a Focus Cosworth is the only car I would consider from either, if it was available. However, going by the prices of the RS Focus, I doubt much change will be had from ?30k, and thats a lot of money for a Ford, especially when there are things in this world called Evo's!

 

[adz]

I voted for Vauxhall because at the moment the Ford model range is very boring and plain whereas Vauxhall appear to be doing something about spicing up their dull image with the new uber-quick vectra diesel and a very quick astra coming soon too.

Also having grown up in Australia on a diet of hot Holden's (for those that don't know that's GM's brand in Oz) i am very biased towards them in general []

 

[sijack252]

I Voted Vauxhall,,I have had both and my girlfriend had fords , untill we both now have Golfs and I had to work on both ( Ford & Vaux ) ,,Ford are old parts ,old designs put in a modern shape body shell ,,utter trash !! Vauxhalls had there design faults and rattled too , but there engines are so much better , by miles !!! You know you could thrash a Vauxhall and the engine loved it . I had a 100K Cavalier , rebuilt the engine due to millage ,just as a precaution, not a mark inside . Had a Mk3 Astra 2.0 16V sport,,and I have to say ,, was faster than my Turbo Golf 0-100mph,,untill I get the remap []

 

[cjp2k]

I voted ford having owned a Escort and Focus b4 the MK V []

Chris

 

[Team Beer]

Had to be Ford for me, they did make the mk1 escort afterall....

 

[Kieran Burns]

I can't see that I have any choice in the matter... until last monday I'd owned nothing BUT VX's!

 

[Foxy]

I think f*rd seem to be the more innovative company.

Neither seem to make 'proper' cars for the masses tho.......all on a budget and to be honest they both make cars that fulfil a basic purpose pretty well.

Having owned two mk2 escorts back in the day ( a sport and an RS) i'd have to say F*rd just take the photo-finish by a gnats knacker

 

[craigGSI]

i have owned both fords and vauxhalls and i would say they both produce good cars and bad cars

however the build and quality of my GSI is so much better than any for i have had, but i aint had a focus RS yet []

 

[gregramsey]

Both made good cars, from ford producing engines for so many people such are tvr, you wouldn't realise and the v8 they produced, not massive fan, but also vauxhall had their day too with their Vauxhall Chevette HSR - Now that was a car!

 

[simch]

Ford have some great cars out there, (focus is a real gem on the handling front) and of course there is the GT40! But they have also had some amazing sporty cars over the years, rs2000's cossies, lotus models etc etc. No comparison, way better brnad than vauxhall IMO, although they did do the chevvette and firenza (1st 5 speed prod car.....??)!

Oh, and the dreadful Signum I am in this week has nailed the vauxhall coffin for me.....!! Shame, as they have had some nice engines in the past! And the VX is a cracker......aprt from the badge......sorry Mob and co!! At least it is only the bit of placcy on the front that you can critisie the VX for though!!

 

[MOB]

I've owned 2 Skoda's, 2 Puma's and an Allegro [:O] as well as the VX

Couldnt give a toss about badges [8D]

But I wouldnt entertain any other Vauxhall due to quality and reliability issues

 

[Ricardo]

Ford for me only by a knats wisker. Dont like either TBH. Have more experience of Fords (although owned neither) they are sometimes more innovative, but build quality plastics etc are shoddy for the price.

Price for both seem to be lowish vs other cars but spec is very low (perhaps due to fleet pressure??) ?15,500 (ish)new for Focus 115bhp TDCI, no aircon, heated mirrors 6cd etc. Not really a bargain (until you buy privately or nearly new and haggle a ?13K bargain....

 

[annidal72]

Having grown up in essex i vowed never to buy a Ford(even though i can get discount ticket!)and the cars are proberbly better than Vauxalls[!]