Opinion? Ford Figo or VW Vivo?

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K3NS31

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Hey Guys

I'm currently considering buying one of these 2 cars.
At first it seemed like a no-brainer. When you add up all the options, the Vivo is much more expensive than a similarly specced Figo.
But then I actually test drove the Vivo. Also got a good quote from the salesman.
Turns out to be a far better car, overall. Better build quality, finishing, interior.
The thing is, the Figo's still 11 grand cheaper. AND it drives (a bit) better.

I still feel like the Vivo's better value even at the higher price. And it'll definitely retain its value better.
But, the Figo will be more fun.

What to do?

P.S. spare me your bull**** opinions on which brand you prefer, how rubbish the other is, bla bla bla.
I'm looking for informed opinions from people who own or have driven the cars, have good industry knowledge or experience etc.

Thanks
 
This is going to get ugly quickly... :D

I work for VeeeeeeeeeeeeeDub, but we've actually got a Figo here currently that we loaned from our Ford branch down the road. We've had a good poke around; it's not a bad little cabbie. I think it offers a very comparable package to the Vivo & they were ultimately conceived along very similar lines, both being reiterations of previous models. I found the Figo a little quieter on the road, as sound deadening is an area where VW's really cut down on the Vivo. In turn, the Vivo does create the impression of being stuck together that little bit better. I think the hard plastics in the Figo's cabin are particularly nasty; that squishy dash of the Vivo does just create a much nicer feel inside. Apart from small differences though, it'll boil down to personal preference more than anything else.

I did find it decidedly odd that you don't have an outside release for the bootlid on the Figo, though.

My take on it: you'll most likely be very happy with either. The VW is a bit more dear, but is also likely to retain value a smidgen better.
 
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As a Polo driver, like many of us, we had to justify the slightly higher price point than its competitors (I don't have the Vivo but same rules apply).
This is easily done by, as you say, the look/feel of the interior, and the fact that it's a more solid car.

I feel more comfortable in the Polo (I haven't tried the Ford) than other small cars and 2 years after my decision to buy the Polo, I, once again, fell in love with it when I got into it today... just like every other day :)
 
Does it have to be new? Some very good secondhand Polos (and Fiestas) around. Ultimately it will all depend on which car you'll be able to live with on a daily basis.
 
Also a Polo fan, having driven a Polo for 5 years. I've only sat in the Vivo, so can't say how it drives, but seem well put together. Had a Ford Fiesta 1998 and since the first day, little pieces started falling off inside (but I do hear that they've come quite a way since those days).

I don't know if you've read a couple of comparison review - Google's full of them!
 
Having owned every model of Polo since the beginning, I am obviously biased.

The VW is definitely better put together than the Ford (In my opinion), but in the end it is up to you and the way a particular car "grabs" you.

Don't make the mistake of listening to a whole bunch of varying opinions when the most important opinion is your own. The nice thing about choosing between these two, is that they are both fundamentally decent cars, and you won't be making a mistake which ever way you go.

Now if it had been a GWM.....
 
I am not a massive Vivo fan but I would say go with it.

My current ford will be the last one I buy, ever.
 
Figo! So much fun to drive. Services i would guess would be cheaper and reliability might also be better. The handling alone would put my bumm in the figo.
 
driven a few polo's and my mom owns the Figo, which i drive quite often.

To be honest, i would take the figo even if they cost the same price. and the Figo will be more nippy then the entry level Vivo, as it has a few more KW's :P unless you get the trendline Vivo, then it will be equal.
 
Last week I signed and Offer To Purchase form as well as a Conditions Of Sale form, and that's before I even getting interest rates offers from banks. And which car I signed it for? Ford Figo!!! :)

At first I really loved the Polo Vivo when it came out, I started 2 threads asking if it's a good idea to buy a Polo Vivo or not, I got responses and opinions from guys on MyBB, most of them suggested that I wait for the Ford Figo to be launched in SA first before I make my decision. I took their advice and I'm glad I listened to them ;).

The following are the reasons for choosing to buy a Ford Figo:
+ Price - Ford Figo entry level is R110000 while Polo Vivo 5 door entry level is R100000, but.......
+ Extras - Ford Figo, at that price, has air-con, ABS, EBD and power steering. Polo Vivo, at the above price, has no air-con, no ABS, no EBD but has power steering.
+ Ground Clearance - Ford Figo has a ground clearance of 168mm while it is 115mm for a Polo Vivo. (This is a big deal maker for me)
+ Service intervals - It is every 20000kms for a Ford Figo and 15000kms for a Polo Vivo.

I don't like the Ford Figo because of the nasty and cheap looking plastic interior, but at the end of the day if the engine performs and everything else is solid then it doesn't make a difference.

I'm going to buy a Ford Figo and I will add smash and grab as well as metallic paint.

I say choose a Ford Figo, Polo Vivo is not value for money at all.
 
@Sly21C if ground clearance is such a big deal, why aren't you looking at a Renault Sandero?
 
Ford Figo 1.4 TDCi...

A mate of mine just bought the vivo 1.6 is complaining about fuel consumption (mirrors my experience with vw products). VW needs to stop putting archaic engines in their vehicles.

At the end of the day the engine is the heart and soul of your car and it terms of VW's offerings, you may as well be driving a citi...
 
Way69 said:
Ford Figo 1.4 TDCi...

A mate of mine just bought the vivo 1.6 is complaining about fuel consumption (mirrors my experience with vw products). VW needs to stop putting archaic engines in their vehicles.

At the end of the day the engine is the heart and soul of your car and it terms of VW's offerings, you may as well be driving a citi...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I gotta say, when I test drove them, I got the feeling the Figo was the nippier car with a better engine. Yet, the quoted figures (company websites) disagree.
VW claims 0-100 of 12.2 vs 13.1 for the Vivo
Top end - 177 vs 169 I think
and fuel consumption of 6.1l / 100 vs 6.6!

That's for the higher powered Vivo though, the 60 odd KW one.

I'm going to try to test both cars again, although none of the dealerships in CT seem to have a Figo!
 
Vegeta said:
Figo! So much fun to drive. Services i would guess would be cheaper and reliability might also be better. The handling alone would put my bumm in the figo.
Click to expand...

Services seem to be about the same price, although the Figo has longer service intervals (20k vs 15k). I also preferred the handling of the Figo, and the gearbox is nicer. And the steering.
The interior of the VW is on another level though. It's like it's a higher segment car. It really feels like you're getting more for your money (even at 10+grand extra!)
Aaarrgh! I can't decide.
 
Guys, thanks for all the replies so far. Taking it all in.
 
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