:iagree: 100%

Me and my wife test drove a focus se last year. great handling and superb turning radius for a FWD. I was impressed with features to cost. The trunk space was slightly subpar for a hatch, compared to a mazda 3 but handling was very similar. It could have used slightly more low end punch but acceleration was very smooth. acceleration was in the 7.5 second range to 60mph... not bad. NVH was within range of a car that caliber and fit & finish was pretty good. I think the Focus is a benchmark for the "american car" segment in compact cars. The Mazda 3 is still a little better but it's rare to get that much performance from inexpensive american cars.

I wonder how the new chevy sonic stacks up?

The Sonic competes with the Mazda 2 and Ford Fiesta. It's a sub-compact and apparently would drive the OP insane with it's smallness. :D

Yep, the Cruze competes in the segment with the Focus.

True... We test drove a Cruze. I didn't like it. seating is way too high, steering is the most artificial I've ever felt and acceleration was extremely slow. Interior fit and finish was nicer than the focus though.

I meant sonic by handling though... The sonic looks like it has potential for fun. The cruze is NO FUN.

Have you checked out a Mazda3? I drove one and thought it was nice. I haven't tested the others in this segment yet.

Yeah, Mazda 3's are extremely fun. BUT it has to be a MANUAL. There's no other way with the 3.

Not worried about that. Manual is the only option for me.

Yeah... Mazda 3 in manual is nowhere near as fast as a Z, but you'll feel like it is. :tup:

:wtf::gtfo2:

Enough with the trolling. Not only is that going to stir things up, it has nothing to do with what your thread is suppose to be about. There are plenty of things to complain about the Z but the ride quality isn't really on that list. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that stiffer springs and low profile tires will make the car more prone to a stiffer ride. You could say a 458 Italia has shytty quality too if we apply your "logic."

You're getting a lot for $16k. You can't find a Civic at that price unless it's the stripped down DX. If you're lookin for sports car handling and luxury comfort, you're not going to find it for $16k. The base Focus is commuter appliance, kind of like your POS Prius. At least with the Focus, there are some speedy variants that can be had. I want to know what car in the past has the same technology, fit, finish and performance you're comparing this to. Considering just about every car segment has grown considerably over the years, I also don't understand why the size of an economy car would even be an issue. They're all kind of small, but this segment had much smaller cars in the past. I actually decided to lease a Civic a few months back because I got a really good deal on it. It's boring to drive, the interior is okay, but it does what it's suppose to for my purpose so I think it's a great car. It's great on gas, pretty roomy unless you're fat, plenty reliable and gets me from point A to B. Complaining about it's flaws is pointless and moot.

I had a focus rental this week.

it was plenty big enough. rode nicely. was extremely quiet ( more so than i expected by far. better than some luxury cars ive been in)

and the engine had more than enough pickup.

If you live anywhere where it snows, I'd avoid Mazda...they seem to have rust problems way faster than most.

My Mazda6 lasted me for 9 years with no significant rust problems.

They say the same exact thing about Nissan's. You can prevent it if you inspect your car 3x a year.

I just checked the Ford website. The Ford Focus automatic hatch is $21K MSRP. Does that satisfy you? I just made a reference that the ride is bad on the Focus, almost Z like bad. Is that not true? The Z rides bad, but it is what it is, a sports car that handles. The Focus is not a sports car, but it rides almost as bad as one. The knock is on the Focus, not the Z fanboy. :shakes head:

Outside of the Sync, I still don't see what you get out of the stupid Focus hatch? Are you guys seeing something that I am not? $21K for a car that is smaller than a Civic, rides worse and is way noisier. Some people are in love with the car because it has an available turbo? Are you going to tell me the Lancer is the same as the EVO? My post was more about how overrated the car is, it is like the BRZ of compact cars. I am trolling about a Focus? I am not 18 and it isn't like I have never driven other cars before.

Bang for the buck yes. Ride quality? I can think of 3 cars off the top of my head that rides better without giving up much in ride quality. Corvette, RX-8, M3, 997 GT3. Guess what, I have had many cars too.

When did you buy your Z? I am a troll yet I have had it long than you? I am sorry I don't beat off every time someone praises it or cry when someone knocks it. I was purely using the Z as a reference, not as a knock.

F'ing lol post :)

I like reading the 1600's posts usually cuz the logic is always full of unexpected plot twists.

Especially the part where you accuse the guy of beating off haha.

Compliment 1600 dude, for real, funny stuff.


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