No experience with Mazda. The current Mazda 3 does not look good, but from the internet the Mazda 3 looks quite good. Only the hatchback version. For new Mazda 3 2014 sedan version, don't know how it will look like. But yes the front of the new Mazda 3 looks much better than the current one. SKy active engine sounds good, but performance will have to test drive. I have read about Mazda's handling being the best among the Japanese so it should be quite good. The driving dynamics will surely be different from Focus. Japanese vs continental, though it is still one of the better Japanese.

Might be useful to test the NVH of the Mazda. From what I heard it is quite a noisy car even the new Mazda 6. Maybe the NVH is improved in the new upcoming Mazda 3.

Personally for this segment, in terms of sporty good looks and performance in handling for a sedan in this cagetory below RM130k, the Focus and new Mazda 3 are the fore-runners. All others are lacking behind - safe Japanese Altis, Civic, Sylphy all focus on space, comfort and reliability but handling will be very mediocre. Peugeot 408 - may have good handling and space but ugly like a duck and notoriously poor Nasim after-sales. It depends on what a person wants in a vehicle.

The new Mazda 3 is worth waiting for if one is not in a hurry to get a new car this year. But the Focus is still the vehicle to beat when it comes to handling and sheer joy of driving. It just loses out on back space, only by a bit.

Don't need to modify the already good car like the Focus, in my opinion.

Just my view only so take it with a grain of salt. To me, modding a car is a waste of time and money. Those who modify their cars with stuff like suspension, strut bars, turbo etc.. Usually these are people who mod cheaper cars below RM100k. Usually you wil see a lot of modified Proton Wiras, Wajas etc.

Better concentrate on increasing your income and invest in a better car if you like your cars.

+1

i used to hav mazda 3 (2010) . Sold it after 1.5 year.

once ur drive ford (conti) ,,u will never turn to japanese anymore

The picture i retrieve online, however, yes, i have it in my car.
Got it from Singapore and i believe it to be the last set in Singapore.
S$230 ...

One man's poison is another man's meat ...
Unless you have savored the sweet success of a succesfull mod, you would never understand why some people go gaga over some things like suspension, strut bars, turbo and etc

Yes, that is what they say, and I think it is quite valid if one values handling and driving dynamics over safe and somewhat mundane Japanese. I haven't driven many Japanese vehicles but I have to agree that the ones I had driven can't really hold a candle to the Focus. It is surely a joy to be behind the wheels of the Focus.

If one loves the control and sharp steering feel and handling of the Focus, I agree it would be difficult to go back to Japanese makes. I can only imagine that happening with a priority change, such as the need of larger space for occupants at the back seat. That is where the Accord, Camry or Teana come into the picture. Of course, larger sedans with good handling such as the Mondeo or those from the likes of Audi/BMW/Mercedes Benz are available, but at a premium. People may be willing to settle for the cheaper Japanese (over a smaller cheaper continental such as the Focus) if comfort and space are priorities.

So the Mazda 3 still cannot match up to the Focus? Hah, guess so. Perhaps the new Mazda 3 may close the gap slightly, but still the Focus offers much (continental) quality and value at a rather down-to-earth price if compared to the Japanese equivalents in the same price bracket.

Well not all Japanese cars are boring. I am driving a Japanese brand car - Suzuki Swift Sport. As for handling and pure driving pleasure, i still feel my suzuki beats the ford focus. But due to family requirements (getting bigger mah... ) i had to upgrade. Other features of Focus compensates back and makes it a worthy upgrade.

However among the cars withing the same segment as Focus - e.g. Honda, Toyota, etc.. I do agree Focus has the best value, technology and handling package.

I have sat in the Suzuki Swift before just last month but have not driven it. Not too sure whether it's a Sport model. So the handling and driving pleasure of the Suzuki Swift Sport is better than the Focus? Wow, that peppy little car must be something special. As a passenger sitting in the car, I would say the comfort and refinement of the Suzuki are far behind the Focus. The interior is noisy, mainly loud engine noise intrudes into the cabin apart from traffic and road noise. The suspension feels loose and bouncy and as a passenger in the vehicle the ride isn't too comfortable. Perhaps for the driver that translates to great handling and driving pleasure. I am guessing the smaller dimensions of the vehicle has made manoeuvring of the vehicle easier and more effortless than the larger Focus.

Care to elaborate briefly in what ways the handling of the Swift is better than the Focus that translates to higher driving pleasure? Is it more to the steering feel and road feedback, the control of the vehicle, or it's more to how the vehicle behaves on the road especially in bends and corners? Less bodyroll, more stable ride and less bouncier ride due to the suspension tuning setup and body structure etc.

Yes. I agree that as small as the back space of the Focus can get, the Swift is even more cramped in interior space not only at the rear but the front seats too. IT's just a different segment.

I am predominantly comparing the Nissan Sylphy's handling to the Focus when I thought it can't hold a candle to the Focus' handling and driving dynamics. Though in areas of space and comfort, the Sylphy has the edge with significantly more rear legroom for passengers at the back when compared to the Focus.

sporty handling... that some good agreeable points. seriously your write ups are excellently composed... are you an author of magazines or something like that?

Hope that I dun offend anyone or to start a flame war - just sharing my tots. For example like me, i am driving a older version / one generation before the current one of the suzuki swifts sport manual (ZC31S) and i had a lot of fun with this little guy. When i say handling and driving pleasure (for me, might be different to everyone) and i am not talking about comfort to begin with:

- Better steering feedback - hence feel more confident in bends and turns. For Focus, steering feedback is there but a bit vague and is more on the light side.
- Cornering fun - Swift Sport has a little understeer. Throttle off, and the car will tail out abit and will be back on track.
- High revving NA with redline at 7K rpm. It might be noisy but that is what high rev engine's nature like Honda's B16A/B/C, K20A (CTR)
- with stiffer chassis and suspension with higher spring rate, stiffer damper and bigger diameter front ARB, hence less body roll. Its harder than normal swift. Heck its slightly harder than Focus Sport suspension too. Good on flat road with corners/highways but not on bumpy road like in Cyberjaya where i work
- best of all its a manual (but my missus complains she can't drive a manual )

The Ford Focus is considered an upgrade for me from B-segment to a C.

*******************************

On a side note, my loan for FoFo has been approved!

This post has been edited by vyruzj: Oct 31 2013, 10:51 AM

good to see cyberjaya kaki here. very less focus can be seen here. cyber road bumpy ka bro? i drive everyday here seems ok ni.. are you talking about the stretch from SK to Cyber?

Ya man.. i am taking the route from Equine to Cyber.. not exactly bumpy... more like wavy ... haha.. ups and downs and dips

haha.. yeah la that road is so poorly built..
anyway good to know about Swift.

Gonna say good bye soon. Trading it in for the FoFo....

I love hatches, just that i have a family now, priorities need to be changed .... to .... another HATCH albeit a bigger one, HAHA

congratulation bro, your loan approval is so fast, mine still waiting reply from HQ >.<"

I disagree with you, I always think that the stock configuration from the car manufacturer are way too conservative, only modification can release the deep potential of our car regardless the price tag.

In fact, most mod kaki spent a lot more money that can afford them to upgrade to new car, speaking out of experience here.

The satisfaction of bringing out the full potential of the car is unbeatable

When you're getting your car? Remember to post up the picture when you got it ya

Bro.. ur loan from which bank? Anyone called you yet? Yesterday Affin bank called me asking a lot of question and today called me again to tell me approved.

Next is to schedule to sign the agreement. I think i can sign only on weekend of after work if they can wait... hopefully can get car by end of next week of the week after. Surely will post photo

This post has been edited by vyruzj: Oct 31 2013, 12:05 PM

Yeah, I'm looking at Mazda 3 2014 HB, this hot hatch is so stunning especially in RED!

For looks wise, I think it's personal, I do think Peugeot 408 looks good, too bad it's a sedan, after sales wise, I think both NASIM and SD are same same, lol.

Why is Ford considered as Continental car? I thought Ford is from US and usually the term continental refer to the mainland of Europe? I know that Ford R&D is in Europe but still the brand is from US, don't we look at the origin of the brand instead? Correct me if I'm wrong.