Focus vs. Mazda 3

[five-speed2.3]

i cant remember but last time i was at home there was a test in C&D with the new focus in it. iirc, car and driver got 16.4 out of it. but i dunno.

[Arkaign]

Originally Posted by five-speed2.3

i cant remember but last time i was at home there was a test in C&D with the new focus in it. iirc, car and driver got 16.4 out of it. but i dunno.

Here's someone running a stock '08 SE (heavier) Sedan (heavier) 5spd ..

http://www.dragtimes.com/Ford-Focus-Timeslip-14947.html

0-60 in 8.1, 1/4 in 16.5.

There are plenty of slower cars out there, and who knows, that driver might just suck.

CAI + ECU Tune + Exhaust = probably a pretty decent cheap fun car. I'll let you know whenever someone gets the '08 stuff out, but I imagine it'll be just like the 2.0 Duratec tuning for previous models (ie; small but real gains, 10hp here, 5hp there)

[five-speed2.3]

i think the new one was just made for better economy. 35mpg under the new standards is pretty great. let us know what you do agains that 3 if you run it :)

[Focorec]

My gf has an 08 SE 5spd. We've never raced but it feels that my zx3 is zippier. Again...we've never tested this out. I know her car is much smoother on bumps and more comfortable and quieter.

Arkaign: Let us know what the results are when you race!!

[turbovation]

Originally Posted by Arkaign

^ Still an ass

C'mon, it's a cheap car, it's not supposed to be a $25k Turbo rocket

It's quick enough to be fun, and surprise some people

I've had Turbo Eclipse, 3000GT VR-4, 5G Lude w/SC, E39 M5, etc, so I know what 'fast' is, but it doesn't mean that this new car is a dog. 5spd S is the lightest Focus, and it scoots admirably for a cheapie.

hey if you like it thats all that matters. Doesn't mean it's gonna be faster than a mazda 3 5speed.

[Arkaign]

Originally Posted by turbovation

hey if you like it thats all that matters. Doesn't mean it's gonna be faster than a mazda 3 5speed.

Well, looking at this :

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2329.shtml

They tested a Mazda 3 160hp 2.3L 5Spd Hatch.

Times were 0-60 in 7.7, quarter in 16.1, which compares to 8.1 / 16.5 in the Focus SE 2.0 5spd Sedan.

I think that manual Focus S should lose slightly to a manual Mazda3 2.3L, but win slightly against a Mazda3 2.0 (same power, lighter weight). Or toss a 2.3L Mazda3 Auto against the Focus 5spd :) ATX = lose, for the most part.

MazdaSpeed3 of course owns any US Focus short of serious F/I modding, but that's another story :)

Anyhow, will update on the Mazda3 race, it's tentatively set for Saturday early morning hours.

[five-speed2.3]

that time, the 16.1, is what my 2.3L has been said to run, and i ran a 15.9 first time at a drag strip with no power mods and bad front tires. i dont think they launched right lol.

take out your spare and run like 1/8th tank, give yourself the best chance. next time i go to the track (after some power mods) im gonna drop weight, should help ALOT.

side note....i wouldnt run your 08 too hard until its broken in! get some good mileage on it before you start runnin it hard ya know.

[Arkaign]

Originally Posted by five-speed2.3

that time, the 16.1, is what my 2.3L has been said to run, and i ran a 15.9 first time at a drag strip with no power mods and bad front tires. i dont think they launched right lol.

take out your spare and run like 1/8th tank, give yourself the best chance. next time i go to the track (after some power mods) im gonna drop weight, should help ALOT.

side note....i wouldnt run your 08 too hard until its broken in! get some good mileage on it before you start runnin it hard ya know.

Hehe good tips

I'm sort of pushing the car already though, o well I have full-syn oil in, and it runs quiet and smooth, so no complaints so far.

[five-speed2.3]

yea, i just dont want you to hurt it in the long run. plus she'll be a lil faster after a break in. i think i saw on the steeda site a CAI or SRI for an 08, might be worth checkin out ;)

[Focorec]

Originally Posted by five-speed2.3

yea, i just dont want you to hurt it in the long run. plus she'll be a lil faster after a break in. i think i saw on the steeda site a CAI or SRI for an 08, might be worth checkin out ;)

haha..you love your CAI's or SRI's!

You're like the unofficial spokes person for air intakes!