2005 Ford Focus or 2005 Mazda 3?

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Chaps,

Looking for an upgrade for the missus from her Micra. She's long had her heart set on a Focus. She drove a basic 1.4 model the other day and instantly loved it. It had all the power she needed (hey she's coming from a 1L K11) and she really felt at home in it.
However her main requirements are reliability and economy. While looking for another Focus to view I came across a 2005 Mazda 3 1.3L. We went and tested it. While it didn't have as much power as the Ford and it wasn't quite as nice to be in, I'm of the view that based upon her requirements it's probably more reliable than the Focus and more economical.

What would your views be? This would be mostly used on the motorway where the Micra struggles to hit 120kph!

MuppetCheck

They are both a very similar car under the skin, same chassis. I'd go for a 1.6 petrol in either one though.

coolisin

I can tell you the Mazda 3 1.4 is extremely reliable.
Have had one a few years and other then the usual serviceable parts its being great.

But power it doesn't have.
It will do 120kph comfortably. While slowly, a 1.6 is a better option in both.

Kintarō Hattori

Power isn't a major thing for her. Once it can get up to motorway speed she'll be happy with that. Having said that though, is there much of a difference in the economics of a 1.4 vs a 1.6 litre petrol in these?

Ardennes1944

1.6 mazda has no power either but they are very reliable. Parents sold theirs after 6years with only wear and tear items

topcatcbr

I have had both different years and can tell you the ford is a much nicer car to live with.

Kintarō Hattori

topcatcbr wrote: »

I have had both different years and can tell you the ford is a much nicer car to live with.

In what respect? I know it's the better drivers car but sadly for herself that doesn't really come into the equation.

renofan

We have a 2005 Focus 1.4 petrol since August 2008. Bought it with 89k kms on it and currently has 265k kms. Has been 100% reliable. I service it with fully synt oil every 10k kms and its never failed an NCT. My wife is from the east coast of England so it gets taken to England a lot (just back from a week over there) and we could be driving 6 hours with 2 breaks in between and find the car comfortable. We've also had four in the car along with camping gear etc down to Goodwood one year and we all survived! Once the car is up to speed its fine in the real world. We haven't regretted buying it.

StompToWork

IMHO, there is very little to chose between the Focus and the 3. Personally, I would take the Focus every day and twice on Sunday, but that's just personal preference. I can't really say anything against the 3.

squod

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4771199

Generally better spec'ed. Heated front windscreen and aircon. Multi function s/wheel etc.

Petrol consumption isn't great though.

Kintarō Hattori

squod wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4771199

Generally better spec'ed. Heated front windscreen and aircon. Multi function s/wheel etc.

Petrol consumption isn't great though.

I know the Focus is generally the better car but the utmost important things are economy and reliability which I'm kind of thinking rule out the 1.6 and especially the 1.6 Focus?

mullingar

In fairness to the Focus, it is a refined car.

For low to medium mileage the 1.6p is the best, try to get the rare variable timing version

squod

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I know the Focus is generally the better car but the utmost important things are economy and reliability which I'm kind of thinking rule out the 1.6 and especially the 1.6 Focus?

Economy, I doubt it. Reliability, certainly. Have a 1.4 UK import Only had to change a coil pack at 80,000. Now just over 100k and no issues.

(timing belt/water pump every 60k btw.)

Possibly 34mpg if you drive at 80kph. Anything over that and you're into mid to late twenties.

Ardennes1944

I would expect the 1.6 and 1.4 focus to get the same mpg really. the 1.4 is underpowered and has to work hard

JohnBoy26

The mazda 3 is the more reliable of the two in my experience. The focuses can give niggley issues.

brenak47

I was looking at both cars myself and went with the focus 06. Lovely car to drive but hard on petrol no matter was speed your doing. Boot lock is know for frying itself due to water leaking into it bad ford design but they fixed it from 07 onwards i've replaced mine already due to it. Front heater will go on driver side again a bad design from ford the window wipers rip the strip that works the heater off. Only way to fix it is a new windscreen but nothing stopping it from happening again.

Kintarō Hattori

Well she's thrown a spanner in the works. Back in the day when we were talking about replacing the Micra I suggested a 2004 Diesel Accord. She wrote off that suggestion as being too big. However last night she was in the mood to look at 'the giant'.

What are people's opinions? Is a diesel Accord a winner? Reliability and economy in one great package? I know it'll be more to tax and insure but I can live with that if it's going to be relatively stress free.

Tea 1000

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Well she's thrown a spanner in the works. Back in the day when we were talking about replacing the Micra I suggested a 2004 Diesel Accord. She wrote off that suggestion as being too big. However last night she was in the mood to look at 'the giant'.

What are people's opinions? Is a diesel Accord a winner? Reliability and economy in one great package? I know it'll be more to tax and insure but I can live with that if it's going to be relatively stress free.

A 9 year old diesel which will have many miles on it won't be as reliable as a 1.6 Mazda 3 petrol with 1 third of the mileage. The Accord is a great car, but you won't find a fresh one at that age without a long and painful search.

Kintarō Hattori

Tea 1000 wrote: »

A 9 year old diesel which will have many miles on it won't be as reliable as a 1.6 Mazda 3 petrol with 1 third of the mileage. The Accord is a great car, but you won't find a fresh one at that age without a long and painful search.

A fair point but to be honest I think I might start on the road to a long search. If it becomes a case of a few months I might increase the budget but ideally I don't want to do that.