Focus vs mazda3?

mahaffey380

mahaffey380

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Location
NORTH CAROLINA Statesville/Union Grove
Wife is either going to get new ford focus 4dr hatch se or 4dr Masada 3 hatch touring, both loaded. Been researching both and they are close but most reviews give it to the mazda3 but I'm just leaning more towards the focus cause u see a lot more on the road and they have seemed to have been building better stuff in last few years. The Mazda is around $2500 more also, She drives to Winston from union grove to work so will mainly interstate driven. Any info or knowledge of the 2 will be appreciated.
 
No firsthand knowledge with the Mazdas. I've ridden in a few. Seem very tight.

Rented a 13 Focus a month or so ago. Really, really impressed with it. I think @Jody Treadway DD's one, too.

Make sure you're comfortable (er, she's comfortable) with how loud they are at speed. I think it's a problem with most small cars (keeping the weight down). It's fixable aftermarket with some MLV, foam padding, etc, but time consuming.
 
I DD a 2012 Focus. Around town I get a solid 31 MPG. On trips I average 34.5 @75 MPH. Not bad at all. The only issue I have had is a shutter from the dual clutch setup (automatic tranny). Like most vehicles with a dual clutch automatics there is shutter and vibes at random times. I'm gonna let it get really bad and take it in to the dealer.
I used to work on Mazda vehicles and based on what I used to see out of them, I'll take the Focus.
I'm 6'3" and 255 and fit very comfortably too.
 
Arent the focus and the 3 built on the same assembly lines now? Or did I miss that?

Ive been looking for a DD car, and have given the focus and the taurus a serious look both seem nice.
 
I literally just bought a 2013 mazda 3 touring... I love the thing! I have the Skyactive and it just makes driving so much fun and have been getting killer MPG. best I have gotten is 41.3 on the highway and about 30.1 driving back roads in the city. I really, really like the car. from the steering, to the "get up and go" to all the tech (which Im sure the focus probably has too) and the push button start with smart key.

Although from the reviews, it seems the focus' ride quality is a little softer...but the 3 has a sporty feel that I really like and I feel no harshness at all even driving over potholes or uneven spots in the road.

Again, its all about what you want. I thought I wanted a Chevy Cruze over the mazda 3 till i drove one...the cruze just didn't have the pep...it lagged alot going up hill....then I drove the 3....I am really impressed by this car....I have already decided that when I go and get "my" car...Im going for the speed 3
 
Hyundai veloster turbo is what my wife wants. We looked at the other two and the Hyundai had a better looking and feeling interior.
The dealer also offered life time power train warranty. Comes down to if you need all five doors or can get by with 3 doors and a hatch.
 
Ron said:
Arent the focus and the 3 built on the same assembly lines now? Or did I miss that?

Ive been looking for a DD car, and have given the focus and the taurus a serious look both seem nice.
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They are currently not, iirc.
 
Also, if you can find any leftover 2013 mazda 3's that are still new....you can get them for a killer price! I think I ended up getting mine for 16k out the door. full warranty and was brand new.
 
Pete, research any problems with the Mazda's transmissions. Everyone I know that has a automatic Mazda (3 people to be exact and all newer model Mazda's) has had premature transmission failure.
 
cburgin said:
Pete, research any problems with the Mazda's transmissions. Everyone I know that has a automatic Mazda (3 people to be exact and all newer model Mazda's) has had premature transmission failure.
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At what mileage are they failing?
I know not every car is the same. My father in law has one with an auto with 90k on it and it still shifts smooth as butter and he is pretty rough on his cars.
 
Mazdaspeed3.

Not with an automatic (if thats even an option?)
 
Thanks for input she went with the focus she felt the interior leather and dash and stuff was better quality and I had a few mechanic s say they would go with ford and one of the mechanics is a die hard chevy guy and he works on every thing at statesville auto auction
 
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