Focus, Leon, Mazda 3 - help me choose!

athlone573

As per title. I'm looking at new hatchbacks with the following wish list :

Room to fit a bike and adult passengers comfortably

"Fun" to drive and preferably faster than 10 seconds 0-100, with good visibility. So like a 1.4 or something rather than a 1litre?

Petrol or mild hybrid. Low CO2 as I want to feel virtuous.

Not too fussed about gadgetry but would like Android Auto, and must have rear parking sensors. Would rather dials and buttons than a touchscreen.

I have liked :

Focus - great cockpit but a bit slow

Mazda 3 previous model - good drive but a bit "cosy"

I didn't care for :

Audi 3,a bit small inside

Hyundai i30, so so bland

I don't know much about :

Seat Leon or any of the Skodas

Haven't ruled out :BMW 1 series, lovely but expensive and thirstier.

I detest SUV's. And mileage is too low to justify an electric car.

Anyone want to point out options I've missed?

colm_mcm

The Octavia and the Leon are essentially the same but the Octavia is longer. They have stupid touch controls though.

"Anyone want to point out options I've missed?"

Your budget?

athlone573

Flexible but let's say 30-32k including trade in.

bazz26

New Peugeot 308?

https://www.carsireland.ie/2954373

athlone573

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597916#Comment_118597916

Thanks

It has a certain gallic style alright

I still don't trust Peugeot though after having to get a hire car swapped out for a random electrical fault, living up to their reputation.

Its a pity Nissan don't still make old fashioned cars, the Micra and the Primera were perfect in their day.

Damo 2k9

I have a Focus Mk 3.5, 1.5 Petrol 182PS, great fun to drive.

Not sure if they still offer this engine, this is a 2015 and from what I understand it was fairly rare then.

athlone573

They might be available up North but its a hassle with the various taxes.

Damo 2k9

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118598794#Comment_118598794

Yeah I think I got lucky with a southern one, came from Airton Ford in Tallaght originally. Titanium spec too.

AMKC

There is a new Opel Astra due out soon. You could wait for that.

Peugeot are making some of the best cars you can buy now.

Toyota Corolla

Honda Civic

Kia Ceed.

You mention the Mazda 3 previous model. Have you not looked at the current one?

Its a fine car

athlone573

Astra - maybe, the last one seemed OK. You don't see as many of them around recently, I wonder why.

Peugeot - styling really doesn't appeal to me, reputation of French unreliability.

Corolla - poor driving experience /visibility/ergonomics, again based on a prior model. I'm sure it's reliable though.

Kia - are they as boring as Hyundai?

Civic - boy racer image, may investigate further.

The dealer didn't have the newest Mazda 3 in stock recently but its on my list, fast enough, I want to see if its roomy enough in the back /boot and what the visibility is like. I really liked it when I drove as a hire car but this must have been ten years ago.

I guess the thing to do is take a few for a spin up the mountains if dealers are open to the idea given the apparent demand.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058231854/focus-leon-mazda-3-help-me-choose

The Mazda 3 is a fine car I have to say

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118607598#Comment_118607598

Astra - maybe, the last one seemed OK. You don't see as many of them around recently, I wonder why.

Just that Opel were not advertising much in recent years and people want other places. They are owned by a new company now I won't see who in case it buts you off lol and are on the up. I personally thing the current one is a great looking car and that the new one Is a bit dull outside but it has a nice dash and interior.

Peugeot - styling really doesn't appeal to me, reputation of French unreliability.

Awe OK about the styling. The realability thing is not on issue with French cars anymore do.

Corolla - poor driving experience /visibility/ergonomics, again based on a prior model. I'm sure it's reliable though.

The new is supposed to be much better. Try it a least. It's certainly a lot better looking.

Kia - are they as boring as Hyundai?

No.

Civic - boy racer image, may investigate further.

A long time ago that. It's problem now is it has an old lads car image which is Bull to. They are a fine, classy, stylish car now and surely there should be great deals on them as there is a new more boring one due soon.

The dealer didn't have the newest Mazda 3 in stock recently but its on my list, fast enough, I want to see if its roomy enough in the back /boot and what the visibility is like. I really liked it when I drove as a hire car but this must have been ten years ago.

A long time ago that. The Mazda 3 has changed at least twice in them 10 years.

Definitely try one out.

athlone573

Thanks all for the advice, a few new ideas there.

The other consideration is that my current car (10 years old BMW) will last for another few years. Despite a few annoyances (annual NCT coming up, boot is an awkward shape, old fashioned radio) I could just drive it into the ground while I wait for electric cars and chargers to take over.

I get the sense from talking to new car dealers that theyre not too bothered, they know their stock will sell so not giving much time to tyre kickers, which is fair enough.