Topic: '13 Ford Focus ST or '13 Mazda Mazdaspeed3?

[Arctic_White]

Hi guys,

I've narrowed my search down to these two cars, and I'm torn between the two.

'Speed3 feels fast, but the ST handles better
'Speed3 has roomier interior, but ST has way more cool features
ST is a bit less expensive, but MS3 feels more engaging to drive
ST is easier to drive day-to-day, but MS3 has better ergonomics and driving position
'Speed3 looks awesome, but ST has better fuel economy.

What would you get if you had ~$30K budget?

Decisions, decisions....

[rrocket]

Hi guys,

I've narrowed my search down to these two cars, and I'm torn between the two.

'Speed3 feels fast, but the ST handles better
'Speed3 has roomier interior, but ST has way more cool features
ST is a bit less expensive, but MS3 feels more engaging to drive
ST is easier to drive day-to-day, but MS3 has better ergonomics and driving position
'Speed3 looks awesome, but ST has better fuel economy.

What would you get if you had ~$30K budget?

Decisions, decisions....

In the shoutouts I've read...they picked the BR-Z/FR-S.

Just sayin'.....

[dkaz]

Mazda 3 has reliability issues with the turbo beyond 80,000km. I like both though.

[johngenx]

Is the Speed3 $30K?

I think they're both cool cars, but I still think it's too much power for FWD in the Speed3.  I haven't driven the Focus so I have no idea if they've managed to engineer a chassis that works with that much power to the front wheels.

Based on your list, it sounds like you prefer the ST.

I too would go FR-S, but it's not as practical as the other two.

[rrocket]

Need practical?  Go WRX then.

[tortoise]

On your list I'd go Focus. Reliability hasn't been strong with the "Mazdaspeeds" (except maybe the Miata).   I also really like the interior of the Focus.



I'd get the GTi over the other two.

[HeliDriver]

Focus ST is interesting, but I'm not sure I could get past the starship-command dash layout.

I never even looked at the Mazdaspeed3 when I was shopping 3 years ago: I suppose I should have at least given it a look, but it just seemed too hardcore for a FWD car. If I want hardcore, I'll go RWD (or AWD in a pinch). If I need a practical hatchback (which will be FWD by default), then 200-ish HP is plenty, and sharp handling & fun-to-drive is all I'm asking for.

But, sounds like you enjoyed the "engaging" drive of the 'Speed3. Are you sure it's really more expensive than the ST? I'd expect the flavour-of-the-month ST to be selling for near list, and yesterday's-news 'Speed3 to have hefty discounts. Maybe not, though...

[Arctic_White]

Hi guys,

I've narrowed my search down to these two cars, and I'm torn between the two.

'Speed3 feels fast, but the ST handles better
'Speed3 has roomier interior, but ST has way more cool features
ST is a bit less expensive, but MS3 feels more engaging to drive
ST is easier to drive day-to-day, but MS3 has better ergonomics and driving position
'Speed3 looks awesome, but ST has better fuel economy.

What would you get if you had ~$30K budget?

Decisions, decisions....

In the shoutouts I've read...they picked the BR-Z/FR-S.

Just sayin'.....

Had a RWD Miata, and even though i prefer RWD i need space. 

[Arctic_White]

Need practical?  Go WRX then.

WRX - felt too much econobox'ish (read: cheap).   'MS3 by comparison felt uber luxurious!

[Arctic_White]

On your list I'd go Focus. Reliability hasn't been strong with the "Mazdaspeeds" (except maybe the Miata).   I also really like the interior of the Focus.

I'd get the GTi over the other two.

GTi - reliability issues scared me off.  They are called FGC for a reason!

[Arctic_White]

Is the Speed3 $30K?

I think they're both cool cars, but I still think it's too much power for FWD in the Speed3.  I haven't driven the Focus so I have no idea if they've managed to engineer a chassis that works with that much power to the front wheels.

Based on your list, it sounds like you prefer the ST.

I too would go FR-S, but it's not as practical as the other two.

Hi John!

I like the ST only for its handling.  It doesn't feel as "fast" as 'MS3, nor is does it have as much room inside.

On the other hand, it has some really cool features: oil temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, and lots of customization that a user can made.  But all this electronics means that they will eventually fail.

I do like reliability and the 'MS3 is afterall built in Japan.

[Arctic_White]

Mazda 3 has reliability issues with the turbo beyond 80,000km. I like both though.

Really?  But not if you change oil every 4 months or 8K kms with good synthetic oil.

[Arctic_White]

But, sounds like you enjoyed the "engaging" drive of the 'Speed3. Are you sure it's really more expensive than the ST? I'd expect the flavour-of-the-month ST to be selling for near list, and yesterday's-news 'Speed3 to have hefty discounts. Maybe not, though...

Even though the 'Speed3 didn't handle as well as the ST in the twisties, it still felt more "fun" to drive.  It's hard for me to put it into words, but drive both the cars back-to-back and you'll see that 'MS3 is just plain more fun!

Ford has employee prices going, so ST is ~$27K + fees and taxes, and MS3 is $29K + fees and taxes. 

[HeliDriver]

On your list I'd go Focus. Reliability hasn't been strong with the "Mazdaspeeds" (except maybe the Miata).   I also really like the interior of the Focus.

I'd get the GTi over the other two.

GTi - reliability issues scared me off.  They are called FGC for a reason!

Three years and 55,000 kms on my GTI with no issues. 

I plan on keeping it for at least another seven years, and am pretty confident in my plan so far (or maybe just delusional... )

[rrocket]

But, sounds like you enjoyed the "engaging" drive of the 'Speed3. Are you sure it's really more expensive than the ST? I'd expect the flavour-of-the-month ST to be selling for near list, and yesterday's-news 'Speed3 to have hefty discounts. Maybe not, though...

Even though the 'Speed3 didn't handle as well as the ST in the twisties, it still felt more "fun" to drive.  It's hard for me to put it into words, but drive both the cars back-to-back and you'll see that 'MS3 is just plain more fun!

Ford has employee prices going, so ST is ~$27K + fees and taxes, and MS3 is $29K + fees and taxes.

I thought the torque steer in the MS3 was horrific.  Would not buy for that reason alone.

But it does sound like you've made up your mind and want the MS3.  Not sure what the point of this thread was with that being the case?

I'd take the ST, FWIW.

[rrocket]

Three years and 55,000 kms on my GTI with no issues. 

Maybe if you drove your car a bit......

[Arctic_White]

But, sounds like you enjoyed the "engaging" drive of the 'Speed3. Are you sure it's really more expensive than the ST? I'd expect the flavour-of-the-month ST to be selling for near list, and yesterday's-news 'Speed3 to have hefty discounts. Maybe not, though...

Even though the 'Speed3 didn't handle as well as the ST in the twisties, it still felt more "fun" to drive.  It's hard for me to put it into words, but drive both the cars back-to-back and you'll see that 'MS3 is just plain more fun!

Ford has employee prices going, so ST is ~$27K + fees and taxes, and MS3 is $29K + fees and taxes.

I thought the torque steer in the MS3 was horrific.  Would not buy for that reason alone.

But it does sound like you've made up your mind and want the MS3.  Not sure what the point of this thread was with that being the case?

I'd take the ST, FWIW.

I wouldn't mind the ST to be honest, with its gas mileage and all.  But i wonder which will be more reliable?

[HeliDriver]

Three years and 55,000 kms on my GTI with no issues. 

Maybe if you drove your car a bit......

Hey, I do what I can. Mostly it's parked while I'm stuck driving an F-250.

[rrocket]

Three years and 55,000 kms on my GTI with no issues. 

Maybe if you drove your car a bit......

Hey, I do what I can. Mostly it's parked while I'm stuck driving an F-250.

It's almost a garage queen...no wonder you have no issues!   

[rrocket]

I wouldn't mind the ST to be honest, with its gas mileage and all.  But i wonder which will be more reliable?

Probably a flip of the coin.....