Yippee !!! 2012 Mazda 3 !!!!

[swansong]

Originally Posted by revhigh

Not that owning or NOT owning stock in Mazda would change the products that Ford puts out today anyway ....
REV

The relationship between Ford and Mazda still has a lasting effect on their current products. The Duratec 2.0L is essentially a Mazda MZR motor, and even the Ecoboost 2.0L is just a spin-off of the MZR. The current Focus and MZ3 both use the Ford C1 platform. There are many suspension and brake parts shared between the two cars as well. (Take a look at this MS3 suspension walkaround, lots of FoMoCo stamps on parts, worth a good read! There's one for the new ST as well)

Basically, the Mk3 Focus and Mazda3 are the same car, aside from bodywork, interior trim, and some drivetrain components. Kinda like cousins really. The SkyActiv line of engines/transmissions is completely new and separate I believe.

[revhigh]

Originally Posted by FFHatch2013

I also never understood this common shot on the Mazda3. When I was looking at a 2012 i GT Hatch, I found that the Focus SE (that I eventually bought) actually had more hard touch panels (specifically the door panels, both front and rear doors). Even the cheaper iTouring had somewhat soft touch materials on its door panels, at least at front/driver's side.

That's what I found as well ... I think some people just hear that, and then parrot it over and over without having actually been in or even near a new M3.

Doesn't matter though ... people can say whatever they want to. I know what it has in it because it's sitting in my driveway, and before that ... the Focus was sitting in my driveway, so I have real live experience with both options.

To me ... even though I had the base stereo ... meaning no SYNC or MFT ... the Focus interior WITH SYNC and/or MFT was horrendously busy, with tiny buttons that made you take your eyes off the road to use. Ford got slammed for that in numerous reviews. The only soft touch materials I remember in the Focus were the top of the dash .... everything else was pretty hard and unfriendly from what I remember. That's probably why they rattle and squeak so much.

And the headliner in the Focus with the moonroof (which I had, and it buzzed constantly) was like a cheap piece of cardboard with really thin fur pasted on it that felt like it was ready to fall down at any minute. The headliner in the M3 feels quite substantial in comparison.

REV

[revhigh]

Originally Posted by hotleadsingerguy

This is actually something impressive to me. In my Focus at 70mph I'd be running around 2700rpm, which is nearly identical to what I run in my 2013 Accord Sport in 6th.

In MY 5 speed Focus I was turning very close to 3000 RPM's ... certainly between 2900 and 3000. Never bothered me to be honest, but it does explain why the highway rating was only 36.


REV

[dragonpalm]

Originally Posted by hotleadsingerguy

Umm...even on the MFT system bluetooth audio doesn't show title & artist information, and doesn't get text on a lot of phones, including iPhones (any running iOS6, which is most now). That's no different.

The difference is the Mazda has no way of ever showing the meta-data and texts. MFT, as bad as it is (and I do complain about it a lot), has the ability to show those things if it has the latest upgrade and you know how to set it up.

[mienna]

Originally Posted by hotleadsingerguy

Umm...even on the MFT system bluetooth audio doesn't show title & artist information, and doesn't get text on a lot of phones, including iPhones (any running iOS6, which is most now). That's no different.

My new ST shows title and artist with BT audio, both using the iPhone's music player to play iTunes purchased music and streaming with Spotify. Still doesn't do texts (that's more Apple's fault though).

[revhigh]

Originally Posted by swansong

Basically, the Mk3 Focus and Mazda3 are the same car, aside from bodywork, interior trim, and some drivetrain components ....

.... and squeaks ... and rattles ... and wind noise ... and buzzing headliners .... and unfixable suspension clunks .... and 'auto transmissions' that don't behave .... and infotainment systems that need constant software updates, etc etc ....

So .... even if they're cousins ... I'll take the one named Mazda .... for now at least ....


REV

[dragonpalm]

Originally Posted by mienna

My new ST shows title and artist with BT audio, both using the iPhone's music player to play iTunes purchased music and streaming with Spotify. Still doesn't do texts (that's more Apple's fault though).

If you have MFT 3.5.1, you can receive and hear texts from iPhones with iOS 6.0.

Post #2497 has instructions:
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...71622&page=250

Congrats on the ST!

[swansong]

Originally Posted by revhigh

.... and squeaks ... and rattles ... and wind noise ... and buzzing headliners .... and unfixable suspension clunks .... and 'auto transmissions' that don't behave .... and infotainment systems that need constant software updates, etc etc ....

So .... even if they're cousins ... I'll take the one named Mazda .... for now at least ....

REV

Yep, what I was actually saying is that they are both fundamentally good cars. Either can be marred by infotainment systems, software issues, bad transmissions, fit and finish issues, etc. Both start out on a good platform with a good suspension, which puts them ahead of many other compacts.

[mienna]

Originally Posted by dragonpalm

If you have MFT 3.5.1, you can receive and hear texts from iPhones with iOS 6.0.

Post #2497 has instructions:
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...71622&page=250

Congrats on the ST!

Thank you, and thanks for the link!

[valmundo]

As long as one is happy with their choice...I am very happy with my Focus and I know folks who are happy with the M3.