Mazda or Ford Focus?

littleemmie

Hi all!

OH needs a new (but used) car and has narrowed down the choice to two cars. The first is a 2001 Mazda 323 2.0 turbo diesel hatchback, and the second is a 2002 Ford Focus 1.6 petrol.

He can't decide which one to get and I was wondering whether anyone here had any recommendations/plus/negative points about either car?

Basically, his only requirements are that the car is very reliable (last car literally blew up) and it has a good mpg.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you in advance! :A

movilogo

Mazda 323 is a very reliable car!

Conor_3

Both are pretty much equal. It's like trying to compare a Mazda 6 to a MK3 Mondeo. There's nothing in it. It basically boils down to does he want the economy of a diesel or not?

davetrousers

Buying a diesel for good mpg can be a bit of a false economy if you're not likely to do many miles.

Mandark

Has he tried the What Car? verdict on both cars.
Mazda and Focus. Looking briefly it seems the Focus is better to drive. The mark 1 Focus was regarded as best car in its class. The Mazda is more roomy. Both are very reliable but the Focus will be cheaper to service and maintain as its a Ford.

goldspanners

why is he comparing a 2.0 diesel against a 1.6 petrol? why not the diesel focus?
anyway ive got a 1.6 petrol focus,had it since new its now 4 years old been happy with it so far,parts are easily available and fairly priced. but as others have said if he is doing a lot of miles i would consider the diesel variant.

maniac886

goldspanners wrote: »

why is he comparing a 2.0 diesel against a 1.6 petrol? why not the diesel focus?
anyway ive got a 1.6 petrol focus,had it since new its now 4 years old been happy with it so far,parts are easily available and fairly priced. but as others have said if he is doing a lot of miles i would consider the diesel variant.

Completely agree. Id say if your are gonna be doing a lot of miles go for the focus 1.8 TDCi model.:money:

littleemmie

thank you for all your replies!

He's looked on what car? website and the result was that the two cars were pretty similar but I wanted to get some real views on the two cars!

The reason he is comparing the two is due to budget and availability locally. He hadn't decided on diesel or petrol but I agree with you that for more miles, diesel would be better. Although most of his driving is city driving, there are the odd occasions when he has to drive much further afield for work and family etc so I think a diesel would be much better.

I think the decision has finally been made! If there is not really much in it, the Mazda is slightly cheaper and a diesel so I think it wins the vote!

Thank you all again for your help!

Mandark

The only final thing I'd say is that the Mazda looks a bit dated now whereas the mark I Focus still looks liek a stylish car. It looks better than the mark II which I have!

vansboy

www.honestjohn.co.uk clik Car By Car Breakdown for good AND bad points on ALL cars!!

& the Mazda would be my choice - Focus is one car I just can't get comfortable sitting in!!

So make sure he has a good test run in both!

Vb

jazzy

I would go for the Focus. I own a 2000 Mazda 323 Diesel Turbo, the price of spare parts are ridiculous. Would you believe about 2 grand for a full exhaust system! The engines are also a bit agricultural compared to the latest diesels especially when cold!