Small car to "Get Back in Love With"

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by randel

Ahhhh shit - what is the problem that requires full replacement?

Just ducking out to look at a red 2021 Focus in a yard

That should be the SA, which had the 1.5 3-cylinder engine, I thought they were sorted.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

That should be the SA, which had the 1.5 3-cylinder engine, I thought they were sorted.

There's also three variations of that engine in circulation across a couple years, two of the variations have a wet belt setup driving the oil pump and one is geared.

[kevino]

There’s 118 pages of posts on Sa focus in Whirlpool Automotive Aus from owners
No mention of engine issues
Some mention of gearbox irritations

[Citroënbender]

The young lady two doors up, has a Mazda 2. Probably similar brief to the OP - small, auto, AC. Drives to office when not teleworking, takes the dog to off-leash parks, a little shopping and the odd Friday or Saturday night out. She never looks unhappy driving it, and it’s never made strange noises as it comes up the street.

[danzvtil]

Yaris, Mazda 2 or Swift are top pics for trouble free driving.
Yaris has Toyota tax but will have resale irrespective of klm travelled.
The Mazda is well built but a more engaging drive than the Toyota.
Swift I have a soft spot for, my daughters one is a 2016 with the 4 speed auto, averages 6.5l/100 around town with her on/off treatment of the accelerator. Later ones come with a CVT that don’t drive like it and don’t appear to have any issues either. They are quite a special little car.
Edit:the NEW swift just launched, its back in the value game now that it’s mild hybrid Japanese for chinese money.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Edit:the NEW swift just launched, its back in the value game now that it’s mild hybrid Japanese for chinese money.

Impressive development, really puts the supermini back on the score board, curious to see how it goes.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by kevino

You could add to that the Mazda cx3
Small an suv but basically just a hatch

Sorry, I got myself confused.. cx-3 is what mum has, not the cx-30… she doesn’t drive all that hard but with her keeping it serviced it’s not had a thing go wrong even with all the km on it. Well worth a look. You can get a 2023/24 demo for not much more than ops budget as well.


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[kevino]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Yaris, Mazda 2 or Swift are top pics for trouble free driving.
Yaris has Toyota tax but will have resale irrespective of klm travelled.
The Mazda is well built but a more engaging drive than the Toyota.
Swift I have a soft spot for, my daughters one is a 2016 with the 4 speed auto, averages 6.5l/100 around town with her on/off treatment of the accelerator. Later ones come with a CVT that don’t drive like it and don’t appear to have any issues either. They are quite a special little car.
Edit:the NEW swift just launched, its back in the value game now that it’s mild hybrid Japanese for chinese money.

Yeah I was going to talk about new hybrid Swift but op mentioned cvt.
$26490 drive away 4.0 prob 4.5 litres /100 km real world nanny safety stuff is all mild and non irritating compared to Korean and Chinese cars.
Adapative cruise control aeb etc etc five year warranty.
Impressive!
Most reviews rate it better than new l Mg 3 - the mg 3 is more powerful and quicker but the Swift is only 950 kg and with mild hybrid achieves better economy than mg3 hybrid… which is also dearer


So sorted
Focus SA
Or
New Suzuki Swift mild hybrid
Or
Cb3

[kevino]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Impressive development, really puts the supermini back on the score board, curious to see how it goes.

Gee
I am in agreement.

[Sprintey]

Mazda 2
Mazda 3
Mazda CX3
Yaris hybrid
Suzuki Swift - some still are non CVT?
Hyundai I30

I like the Yarii, the build quality although it's a simple layout. Had an Echo from new and it was so well built, fun to punt in the manual around town. CVT in them? Hybrid setup has a variant of it.

Swift gets a good rep, it's the true "mini" of today.

Mazda 3 - a big step up, just looking inside the new model takes you into prestige kind of design, loved the wide dash. Fit and finish looked really, really good. There's engine choices all with the torque converter. I guess it has the 'feel good' bit down in the segment.

Would love to add the Impreza as well, but it's CVT. You do get the grip of AWD and this drivetrain is loved by the snow set.


If it's for a son, well they get into the trades and get a Ranger or old Patrol... If it's for a daughter - does she want to sit higher in traffic? The ladies I know prefer the SUV ride height.

**Bonus 'small car' suggestion from left-field: A VS Commodore with Ecotec. (Safety will not be on par).

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Mazda 2

Mazda 3 - a big step up, just looking inside the new model takes you into prestige kind of design, loved the wide dash. Fit and finish looked really, really good. There's engine choices all with the torque converter. I guess it has the 'feel good' bit down in the segment.

My sister had a current generation Mazda 3 Evolve, so basically the mid-spec 2.0 hatch. What I found astonishing was the high level of fit, finish and material quality for the price. In fact, it puts every other mainstream brand to shame, easily exceeding any Ford product sold here.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

My sister had a current generation Mazda 3 Evolve, so basically the mid-spec 2.0 hatch. What I found astonishing was the high level of fit, finish and material quality for the price. In fact, it puts every other mainstream brand to shame, easily exceeding any Ford product sold here.

We looked at cx5 when buying the escape. Bought the escape.

[FTE217]

CX5 no towing vehicle what you were looking for And you wanted a Ford.
My wife has the CX5 and it’s faultless since 2018 new.
Brilliant shopping trolley and my sister has gone through 2 new 626’s now a top spec 3.
Never a problem - troubles ford has nothing for them to buy mid to small hatch sedan.


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[prydey]

Originally Posted by FTE217

CX5 no towing vehicle what you were looking for And you wanted a Ford.

Towing? Escape, not Everest.

I can appreciate others like them. Not saying they are rubbish. Yes, I wanted a ford but it was the wife's choice. She liked the escape.

I guess we're lucky that there is a lot of choice. Everyone can find something to suit them.

[jstanovic]

My sister bought a Mazda 2 new in 2013/14, still has it with 200,000km+. No major issues at all, nothing has come loose or fallen off. Clutch has a bloody weird feel to it since new though.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by prydey

Towing? Escape, not Everest.

I can appreciate others like them. Not saying they are rubbish. Yes, I wanted a ford but it was the wife's choice. She liked the escape.

I guess we're lucky that there is a lot of choice. Everyone can find something to suit them.

Ah yes mirror sorry.
Didn’t read they are rubbish I took it they you stick by ford more than anything that’s all.
Late model Escapes look nice actually I just don’t much trust in the product when comparing the choices.


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[Swordie]

BEST CITY CARS

https://autoexpert.com.au/best-city-cars

The cars mentioned in this article are mainly over $25K new. It helps give more information on some of the cars already discussed in this thread.

[In Focus]

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=...))&sort=~Price

[IanC]

Originally Posted by kevino

Puma is indeed a seven speed dsg
Values have dropped since Ford announced it was withdrawing Puma from Aus sales
Forgot about SA Focus 1.5 three cyl plus an 8 speed torque converter auto

Have a look at the cost of getting a cam belt changed on a Ford 3 cyl. Get a Mazda 2 or a Yaris.

[Rastas]

Def go the Mazda 2 if it really has to be Getz size , if a little bigger go the 3.
2 to 3 yo very low mileage versions can be had in your budget range.

[Toiler]

Originally Posted by prydey

Towing? Escape, not Everest.

I can appreciate others like them. Not saying they are rubbish. Yes, I wanted a ford but it was the wife's choice. She liked the escape.

I guess we're lucky that there is a lot of choice. Everyone can find something to suit them.

Wife also preferred an Escape over the CX5. We now own a 2020 ST-line AWD Escape. Her old 2009 Mazda 3 will be up for sale soon.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Toiler

Wife also preferred an Escape over the CX5. We now own a 2020 ST-line AWD Escape. Her old 2009 Mazda 3 will be up for sale soon.

Great car. Enjoy.

[GT450]

Originally Posted by Rastas

Def go the Mazda 2 if it really has to be Getz size , if a little bigger go the 3.
2 to 3 yo very low mileage versions can be had in your budget range.

I currently have a 2016 Mazda 2 which i just put it's 3rd set of tyres on last week and the the proprietor asked me if i wanted to sell it ( i have looked after it well ) as he wanted a small reliable manual for his son. Serviced on the dot , always reliable now at 180kms still going strong. I had the previous model and did many miles in that one too without a fault.
Only problem is they're now more expensive so this one will be a round for a while yet and after four 121s over the years all manual , all regularly serviced and all did lot's of kms without fault, i can highly recommend them.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by GT450

I currently have a 2016 Mazda 2 which i just put it's 3rd set of tyres on last week and the the proprietor asked me if i wanted to sell it ( i have looked after it well ) as he wanted a small reliable manual for his son. Serviced on the dot , always reliable now at 180kms still going strong. I had the previous model and did many miles in that one too without a fault.
Only problem is they're now more expensive so this one will be a round for a while yet and after four 121s over the years all manual , all regularly serviced and all did lot's of kms without fault, i can highly recommend them.

Mazda 2 -reliable.

But drive a Puma or SA Focus versus Mazda 2 and see which drives better and is more comfortable.
If you want to keep a car to 200000 and reliability is first Mazda 2 yes.
If you want a car that drives well handles well brakes well comfortable with straight forward controls Ford every day but this is for 120000kms not 200000kms.
Yes Mazda 3 is closer to the Fords but falls behind Focus in kw and torque.
Puma drives as well as the 3.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by kevino

Mazda 2 -reliable.

But drive a Puma or SA Focus versus Mazda 2 and see which drives better and is more comfortable.
If you want to keep a car to 200000 and reliability is first Mazda 2 yes.
If you want a car that drives well handles well brakes well comfortable with straight forward controls Ford every day but this is for 120000kms not 200000kms.
Yes Mazda 3 is closer to the Fords but falls behind Focus in kw and torque.
Puma drives as well as the 3.

If I were in the market for a new Ford EB, I’d probably lease for 3-4 years with a
guaranteed buy back price and trade it off well before any long term issues are due to occur.

I applaud Mazda’s choice of sticking with atmo engines for base models, a lot more reliable.

Any engine that uses an oil immersed rubber belt to drive an oil pump should be avoided.
Most don’t know that it normally requires expensive engine disassembly and replacement cost

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Toiler

Wife also preferred an Escape over the CX5. We now own a 2020 ST-line AWD Escape. Her old 2009 Mazda 3 will be up for sale soon.

Similar garage?
I have 2020 AWD ST-line Escape and Mrs has 2021 Mazda 3 Astina..
Much prefer the Escape for drivability and a bit extra ooomph, but interior finish and general “plushness” Mazda wins hands down.. Almost European fit and finish in the Mazda

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by jpd80

If I were in the market for a new Ford EB, I’d probably lease for 3-4 years with a
guaranteed buy back price and trade it off well before any long term issues are due to occur.

I applaud Mazda’s choice of sticking with atmo engines for base models, a lot more reliable.

Any engine that uses an oil immersed rubber belt to drive an oil pump should be avoided.
Most don’t know that it normally requires expensive engine disassembly and replacement cost

I don't like atmo small engines, it's lazy, they drive like shit and it reeks of cost cutting in this day and age, just because something has forced induction doesn't mean it's unreliable by design,

Naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engines drive like pulling teeth

[kevino]

Mazda have paid for their 1.5 2.0 and 2.5 na engines ten times over
The Mazda 2 is pretty uninspiring inside and out and a slug.

[FTE217]

though from the day to day young person/female they serve the purpose thats all that matters to the majority of volume consumers.
Nothing else matters.
My wife has the CX5 Sport, I can't stand it and avoid driving it like the plague but she and the countless soccermums luv em and most will never drive any Ford offering is another thing.
The brand isn't in their head one bit, mazda/toy/hyundai/kia thats the go to without even thinking.
Even pulling like teeth is again from our perspective (especially angry young man screaming to the clouds lol ), they only care A to B, how and when it gets there doesn't matter.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FTE217

though from the day to day young person/female they serve the purpose thats all that matters to the majority of volume consumers.
Nothing else matters.
My wife has the CX5 Sport, I can't stand it and avoid driving it like the plague but she and the countless soccermums luv em and most will never drive any Ford offering is another thing.
The brand isn't in their head one bit, mazda/toy/hyundai/kia thats the go to without even thinking.
Even pulling like teeth is again from our perspective (especially angry young man screaming to the clouds lol ), they only care A to B, how and when it gets there doesn't matter.

That's the problem, it just 'does the job', you could also just wear white t-shirts everywhere too, instead of a hand bag your wife could take the Coles reusable bag you put your shopping in, or eat salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner with no dressing.

They all 'do the job' as well

A bit of flair in life is nice, wait until these people try butter on their white bread