Focus vs. Mazda 3

[quiksilver]

I raced a MS potoge a while back and i smoked him all 3 times, 2 from a roll and 1 from a dig. I know its not an MS3 but i was pretty impressed as well as the driver of the protoge and his friend in another foci, he had a few mods which i cant remember. and i had my I.H.E.

[Arkaign]

Originally Posted by macdaddyslomo

really ???

what's this ???

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...1/pageNumber=9

edmunds showing the mazda3s at 2696 lbs

fyi...edmunds is hardly infallable

I agree, though I've driven various Mazda 3's, and they certainly feel heavier to drive than Foci. For better and worse, actually. They feel like more substantial cars, but not as sporty (haven't driven the MS3 though).

[Dcl2049]

I didn't drive, but riding with LR it felt a little heavy at times. Like he said earlier it's pretty soft and it gets a little bit clumsy under heavy braking. When he got on the gas the whole thing would lift and you are pretty much looking at the sky.

It felt way different then a Focus to me. But again I wasn't driving. I could tell though something felt way different. I have a feeling the main difference is going to be in slalom type situations where you're throwing it around. This seems to be home territory for a Focus and I think the Mazda might have a little trouble here, maybe even not so much in stats but in feel at least.

[turbovation]

Yeah it is a brute beast and it shows its weight in slalom-like turns, but it does have an LSD so it will maintain grip, it will just not be as nimble as a Focus since it weighs so much more. Don't let it get you down though...power is substantial in comparison to any focus short of a turbocharged SVT.

[Arkaign]

Originally Posted by turbovation

Yeah it is a brute beast and it shows its weight in slalom-like turns, but it does have an LSD so it will maintain grip, it will just not be as nimble as a Focus since it weighs so much more. Don't let it get you down though...power is substantial in comparison to any focus short of a turbocharged SVT.

^^

Trvth

[macdaddyslomo]

well feel is apparently just that: feel

the real numbers speak volumes

ford focus ZX3 slalom speed - 63.9 mph
lateral g's - 0.81

mazda 3s slalom speed - 69.0 mph
lateral g's - 0.87

the 3 feels less nimble because it isolates you more with electronic throttle, and electro hydraulic steering assist, along with a quieter cabin than a focus

if you have actually DRIVEN both cars, the focus feels more nimble because it uses a traditional cable throttle and standard rack and pinion hydraulic steering, and bottom line feels more like a tin can than a 3, so you get more feedback..the experience is definitely more visceral

the way the 2 cars perform is quite a different story

i know this is an enthusiast site but if you pull you bias out of your opinion
the numbers just dont lie

bottom line you are trying to compare a 10 year old chassis with a 4 year old one...

truth of the matter is a more fair comparison would be a 3rd gen Protege with a Focus..close power numbers, chassis designed at the same time(98-99), similar steering and suspension...amazing how close they are in just about avery category

[five-speed2.3]

i would agree any day that the 3 handles better. i has alot of gear in it that the focus just doesnt, as you have mentioned macdaddy. plus you gotta love the 4 wheel discs on the 3s

the focus may take it in a straight line, but in turns the 3 would be a much better car.

my sister may be getting a 3 soon, i dunno yet though. that will be interesting haha.

[Dcl2049]

Just curious though, how do the tires on the 3 compare to the crap that came on Foci? I don't know what is offered on the 3.

[macdaddyslomo]

Originally Posted by five-speed2.3

the focus may take it in a straight line, but in turns the 3 would be a much better car.

2.3 vs 2.3 maybe(ST or ZTS vs 3s)...i dont see a 130 hp ZX3 taking a 156 hp mazda 3 though in a straight line

[macdaddyslomo]

Originally Posted by Dcl2049

Just curious though, how do the tires on the 3 compare to the crap that came on Foci? I don't know what is offered on the 3.

actually they are still crap...bridgestone potenza's