Need to decide tonight: Kia Forte vs Focus vs Mazda3 sedans

[Darknite39]

Hey!

I've been looking at replacement cars for my soon-to-be-dead 2000 Pontiac Grand Am (a car I love) for a couple of weeks now. My parents are bailing out my just-graduated-from-college self, and I've got a budget of about 17K to work with, not including taxes. I've test driven possible replacements a couple of times, including the 3 finalists back-to-back-to-back today. I basically want a daily driver that also has some zoom to it (i.e., is fun to drive); I'd otherwise just stick with the corolla I tested out (very boring all around, although dependable, I'm sure).

I like the Focus SE the best overall, but it's just a little too cramped for me and other similarly-sized passengers (I'm 5'11 / 165lbs), so I think I'm going to select the Mazda3 iTouring based on its driving qualities and the reviews I've read (and the 40MPG-rated engine). The Forte EX would be great if I was going to start a family soon, but it doesn't quite have the pep I'm looking for at the moment.

The Forte and Focus are new cars (2013 models). The Mazda's a 2012 with about 7K miles, but it was just a dealer loaner car, so I doubt it's been abused much (and it's certified used).

I've read through this and other forums in a very anal-retentive manner, but I'm wondering if anyone has any input for me re: the decision. I've got all of the dealers down to 17K at the moment, but I might do some last-minute hardballing for the Mazda tomorrow morning before I pull the trigger (might shoot for 16.5 and see what they say--this is my first car negotiation, so I was afraid to go too low today).

Thanks for any input--I appreciate it (and sorry if this post was a little rambly).

 

[Black2na]

Go new focus..forte is useless for resale. and if your gonna go with a mazda 3 make sure it has the skyactive 4cyl least then you can roll 40+mpg hwy

 

[Darknite39]

Yep, the Mazda's the skyactiv model. And after driving the Focus today, I'd have gone with it for sure (I was really surprised by the pep in the base-level engine)... but it's just a little too tight for my taste.

Thanks for the resale perspective! I'm not sure how long I'll end up keeping this car, but that's something I haven't really thought much about. This thread's already paying off.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Focus gets my pick - Mazda 3 is all new for 2015 so its at its end of life

Focus Passenger Volume 90.7 Cu/ft Hatchback Cargo 23..8 Cu/Ft

Mazda 3 Passenger Volume 94.1 Cu/ft Hatchback Cargo 17.1 Cu/Ft

 

[Jimzz]

Of those I also vote Focus.

 

[iamwiz82]

The Mazda's a 2012 with about 7K miles, but it was just a dealer loaner car, so I doubt it's been abused much (and it's certified used).

Loaners are abused as much as demos, if not worse.

 

[Kaido]

I'd say Focus as well. The new ones are awesome :thumbsup:

 

[Zivic]

FWIW, a mechanic I know, says to stay away from the skyactive models. says he sees a lot of problems with that engine...

regardless of that, the focus would still get my pick

 

[michal1980]

I felt the mazda 3 was way more cramped the the focus. esspically in the back seat department.

 

[Darknite39]

Hm...

Ok, you guys have me convinced. I'm going to go check out the focus one more time to verify or refute my initial 'cramped' impression before I pull the trigger. Maybe I judged it to harshly...

Thanks for the input!

 

[soulcougher73]

I also felt the Focus was cramped when i test drove one when the new body style came out. Have you looked at an Elantra? It has lots of room. That is high on my list of economy cars, but not sure if it will meet your zoom requirement as well as the ones listed.

 

[Darknite39]

I did actually test drive an Elantra, but I ranked it below the Kia (based on my initial impressions, it wasn't as fun to drive as my final 3 seemed to be).

 

[JimKiler]

I thought the original Mazda 3 was cramped when it came out compared to my Protege5 but i have come around. I love my Protege5 with 140K miles on it.

I hope any issues with skyactiv engines are getting resolved for newer models as the fuel efficiency would be awesome.

 

[DougK62]

I like both the Ford and Mazda offerings, but I'd go with a new Ford over a used Mazda.

To me, the Chevy Cruze is the best car in this segment.

 

[Jimzz]

^Yea I like the Cruze and Elantra myself as well in this segment. Guess the OP did not?

 

[Darknite39]

I test drove a Forte, and Elantra, an Accent, a Corolla, a Mazda3, a Civic, a Focus, and a couple of others I don't remember the names of at the moment (and read for days about these and other cars).

I ended up going over to check out the Focus again this morning to make sure my impression was accurate, and it was. As my head was resting against the ceiling of the car (in the back seat), I decided to go with the Mazda. I ended up with a white i Touring model for a price I can live with.

Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to help me out. I was glad I went back to look at the Focus just to be sure before I pulled the trigger today.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Do NOT get a dealer loaner.


I am convinced that most of the loaners I've gotten were new cars that had a bunch of problems.. Dealer buys the lemon back.... Fixes the problems... Turns it into a loaner.

Guarantee it was redlined immediately after starting with no engine warm up, and had bare minimum maintenance.

 

[Darknite39]

My last car was a loaner with about the same mileage. It lasted 13 years with normal maintenance, which isn't too shabby.

 

[JimKiler]

I test drove a Forte, and Elantra, an Accent, a Corolla, a Mazda3, a Civic, a Focus, and a couple of others I don't remember the names of at the moment (and read for days about these and other cars).

I ended up going over to check out the Focus again this morning to make sure my impression was accurate, and it was. As my head was resting against the ceiling of the car (in the back seat), I decided to go with the Mazda. I ended up with a white i Touring model for a price I can live with.

Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to help me out. I was glad I went back to look at the Focus just to be sure before I pulled the trigger today.

Congrats, i hope you continue to enjoy your car for the next x years. I still enjoy driving my Protege5.