Mazda3 petrol to Ford Focus tdci

TitianGerm

Hi guys looking for a little help. My girlfriend is thinking of changing her car. Its a 08 Mazda 3 1.4 Petrol. She was looking at a 12 Focus 1.6 Diesel.

The main reason she is thinking of changing is she would like something new. However she also does a lot of driving, about 500km a week and believes the diesel might save a bit in fuel costs, along with the €200 savings in road tax a year.

These are two that she is looking at

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-TDCI/37113894520770070/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/EDGE-1.6/43213953326943490/advert?channel=CARS

Any advice would be much appreciated

colm_mcm

Keep in mind the edge model is a straight deal price, so in theory you won't get as good a trade in on the mazda. The black one is higher spec.

TitianGerm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Keep in mind the edge model is a straight deal price, so in theory you won't get as good a trade in on the mazda. The black one is higher spec.

The black one is her favourite so far, really leaning towards that one. We are going out to test drive the Edge one tomorrow as its closer to home and should just make it out before the garage closes.

Will try and get down to drive the black model on Saturday. We are going to see 3 or 4 different ones and then try play each dealer off one another and get the prices down a bit.

colm_mcm

Drive a Golf as well for perspective.

TitianGerm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Drive a Golf as well for perspective.

I'll mention a golf as well but the last time she was changing to the mazda she thought the golf was a bit on the small side.

colm_mcm

A 12 golf won't be any bigger than an 08 to be fair, but they're not small compared to a mazda3.

TitianGerm

colm_mcm wrote: »

A 12 golf won't be any bigger than an 08 to be fair, but they're not small compared to a mazda3.

Ok thanks. I'll let herself know. What's the 1.6tdci in the focus like ?

L-M

****e.

colm_mcm

emmetkenny wrote: »

Ok thanks. I'll let herself know. What's the 1.6tdci in the focus like ?

I have a general dislike for older cars with that engine as its not the most robust unit out there. I would never buy any car with it under the bonnet myself but it'll certainly be more powerful than her Mazda and its an engine used in an awful lot of cars across many brands.
That's just me though.

Incidentally the same engine was in the Mazda3 diesel too.

TitianGerm

Limerick man wrote: »

****e.

Why s****e ?

TitianGerm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I have a general dislike for older cars with that engine as its not the most robust unit out there. I would never buy any car with it under the bonnet myself but it'll certainly be more powerful than her Mazda and its an engine used in an awful lot of cars across many brands.
That's just me though.

Incidentally the same engine was in the Mazda3 diesel too.

Is it just under powered or does it have a lot of problems ?

L-M

emmetkenny wrote: »

Why s****e ?

People say they're a fine engine when serviced correctly but in my experience with it they are constantly problematic, expensive and complicated.

I was leaning over the bonnet of one yesterday, 115kms and a full history and literally everything had been repaired or replaced, the head rebuilt and it still wouldn't run. I even rang two mechanics who worked for Citroen and they hadn't a clue either.

TitianGerm

Limerick man wrote: »

People say they're a fine engine when serviced correctly but in my experience with it they are constantly problematic, expensive and complicated.

I was leaning over the bonnet of one yesterday, 115kms and a full history and literally everything had been repaired or replaced, the head rebuilt and it still wouldn't run. I even rang two mechanics who worked for Citroen and they hadn't a clue either.

That doesn't sound to good.

Did you try turning it on and off ?;) (from my great knowledge of cars)

colm_mcm

Drive one of these

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-i30-1-6-d-elite-plus-12wx1644/6508477

Better than a Focus IMO, 110bhp, 3 years warranty left too and you're unlikely to need it.

bazz26

Just to note that the current Focus got an extensively revised version of the 8 valve 1.6 TDCi PSA engine. This engine has been on sale for about 3 years and so far has proven to be reliable unlike it's predecessor.

OP, that 1.6 TDCi engine in the Focus was available in two power versions, 95bhp and 115bhp. I would try and find a 115bhp version, there is a noticeable difference in performance between the two but the price difference is negligible.

I'd also look at the newer model Mazda 3, it has the same engine as the Focus but only the 115bhp. The Sport model is quite smart looking imo:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/1.6-D/31813597117800570/

TitianGerm

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I think she has her heart set on the focus now because she really likes the look of the car, this is how she picked the last 3.

We actually both bought our cars form grannel motors so there might be a little scope for a better trade in against the i30 and he actually has a 12 mazda 3 down there as well.

Will keep you updated

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

Just to note that the current Focus got an extensively revised version of the 8 valve 1.6 TDCi PSA engine. This engine has been on sale for about 3 years and so far has proven to be reliable unlike it's predecessor.

OP, that 1.6 TDCi engine in the Focus was available in two power versions, 95bhp and 115bhp. I would try and find a 115bhp version, there is a noticeable difference in performance between the two but the price difference is negligible.

I'd also look at the newer model Mazda 3, it has the same engine as the Focus but only the 115bhp. The Sport model is quite smart looking imo:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/1.6-D/31813597117800570/

Its not on sale long enough imo for it's reliability to be tested.