wife want a new car. Focus, Mazda3 or Civic?

[james_1020]

Well in my family we have both the Mazda 3 Maxx Sport and it is great and we also have the Ford Focus LX and i would say the 3 is better by far, havn't had a problem with the 3 at all but we have taken the Focus back 5 to 10 times and the problems still remain and new problems appear every time you go over the car, these problems are only small but a pain after a while.
I would get the Mazda 3 over the Focus.

[MAFIA]

Originally Posted by AC/DC

The new Renault Clio..... :

Peugeot 206...... :

Ah screw french car maker : . Stay away from French cars.

[Jeeepers]

Go the 3, very well optioned, and quite quick when you need it to be. My mates got one. Though he couldn't afford the 2.3, the 2 litre goes very well.

[WayneHadfield]

Me and my girl have a Focus Zetec...2004 (I think!). Just clicked over 60,000ks. Never had a problem. Handles great. Swallows a HEAP of gear. Didn't even THINK about looking at any other brand.

I'd have another one in a flash, even though we'd have to go to a 5-door.

[Pouki]

save up a bit more money and get the mazda 3 turbo MPS they go off !!

[punkin]

The big thing to consider before you look at a vehicle is what do you want to do with it/in it. This should be the driving force for when you start to look. Then look at the individual vehicles.

When I picked my punkin (Mazda 2) I was re-enacting, so the vehicle had to be big enough inside to fit various bladed & pole weapons, chainmaile, bedding, as well as a chest with all my clothing AND be able to drive to events. Yet I still wanted to be able to throw a few friends in the car and drive either up or down the coast. The Mazda 2 was the biggest inside of the (upto and just over) $20k cars.

I test drove about 10 vehicles before deciding between the Mazda and the Golf, I measured all of the internal dimentions of the vehicles. Once I'd got the decision down to two, I took in my most carried weaponry to try the inside of the car on for size and doesn't that scare a salesman, walking in with 3 metal weapons. The Mazda 2 won hands down!!!!

Since then, we've acquired a few more vehicles and the Mazda doesn't have quite enough power so we fitted a turbo (and according to Goldie "punkin hauls"). We also own a F6 Tornado, 69 Ranchero GT & a Delica (that we bought for my mother-in-law).

[normxb]

I just got home an hour ago after a 900k trip to Shepparton & back in a friends 5 mth old Focus Zetec , 5 sp Manual . Wife & her friend in the front ,daughter & myself in the back . A little short of "leg room" in the back , but let's face it Im 6' 1" , reasonably smooth & comfortable (but I'm used to Falcons) . Tracey (driver) was pushing the speed limit all the way & the car felt very stable & had heaps of power to overtake & take on any hills on country roads .

Overall I was pretty impressed with the car . We filled up before we left home & refilled at Albury on the way home , somewhere around 680 k's to the tank full & Tracey wasn't in for "an economy drive" . With 4 adults on board I thought that was pretty good .

I can't speak for the other cars in question as I haven't had any experience with them.

Just my thoughts on this particular car.

[jim1606]

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

We only have the sedan in Australia.

Personally I'd choose either the Focus or the Mazda. They are both great cars. The Civic is just dull by comparison

Forget the civic then unless you have the civic hatch then dont bother, go for the focus it wins 100%

[MAFIA]

Originally Posted by ELmalaca

save up a bit more money and get the mazda 3 turbo MPS they go off !!

Yeah but the XR5 Turbo top the lot and eat the HSV Astra and MPS Mazda 3 anyday. Well that according to Wheels Mag. XR5 win 100%.

[Kenster]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Yeah but the XR5 Turbo top the lot and eat the HSV Astra and MPS Mazda 3 anyday. Well that according to Wheels Mag. XR5 win 100%.

only way we could prove that if we get all 3 cars in a place and see who better in the quater mile. My chance are on both mps and xr5 turbo

[XR6Gal]

Originally Posted by MAFIA

Yeah but the XR5 Turbo top the lot and eat the HSV Astra and MPS Mazda 3 anyday. Well that according to Wheels Mag. XR5 win 100%.

Unfortunately the wait for an XR5 is a long time, I went & looked at one & was told that March next year was the wait on one...

[Genghis]

I love the look of the Focus but am yet to actually drive one.

We own a Mazda 3 as the town car and I find it quite good.

The build quality is great. (That's why we're on our third one in 13 years)
It's quiet and relatively zippy to drive.
The dash and interior is very mature yet sporty at the same time.

I don't like the fact it doesn't have cruise control. (I'm a lazy driver)
The auto is a dog though, with wierd gearing and shift changes.

You've got to be comfortable with the whole package though, so each to his/her own.

[XRchic]

My Mum drove a Mazda 3 SP23. Really liked it. However, said the auto in the regular Mazda 3 was bad. I wouldnt get a small car in an auto in a fit... has to be manual. I think they look great too. And they have a nice colour range.

[Nappa]

Originally Posted by XR6Gal

Unfortunately the wait for an XR5 is a long time, I went & looked at one & was told that March next year was the wait on one...

it all depends on where you look, some dealers who have a bigger alocation (us) still have one or two cars coming in before the end of the year, your just limited to the colours and trims.

[Jarryd]

i think the mazda3 looks better

[RSgerry]

I recently bought a Mazda 3 SP23 auto (Mrs RSgerry wont drive a manual) and have no problems with the way it goes. Picks up very nicely in any gear and I havent noticed any odd shift patterns. Build quality is first class. After the ordinary build quality on my AU3 XR6, and dealing with Ford, I swore off new Fords for good. Looks are a personal thing, but I like the 3. We also got the premium sound (Bose speakers) and it is sensational.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

If it was me & was looking at the base model of Civic,Focus or 3 in auto.
Id go Civic pluses 5 speed auto at 100km in 5th is only on 2000rpm. Not bad for a little 1.8l IMO opinion it reprsents best value in that class. If your looking for best economy & space id say the Civic is Gold. I know what you mean about split level instrument panel on civic with digital speedo but I could live with it for sure.