'09 Focus v 2007 SP23

[deesun]

Well I'm in the market for another car. Current jap box '94 Bluebird will be sold private, I have the bank funds approved and have done some research. I've driven an auto Focus but not the SP23. Not many around my area.
SP23 = 2.3ltr, 115/203nm, 6speed,leather seats, 7 speaker Bose, plus buckets more.
'09 Focus = 2.0ltr 107/185nm 5speed, all the usual stuff but newer of course.
Both these come in at around the same price but so far I haven't haggled for price on the Focus at around 27k on road. Only '09 will do.
The question is obvious, which one?
If someone out there has bought an 09 Focus hatch recently I'd love to get your opinions and prices if possible, PM me if you prefer.
So far the SP wins in the luxury/accessories stakes and possibly the drive. Focus is new and a little more advanced so price could sway me that way if the deals are good enough. Thanks. :

[geckoGT]

They are both great cars so it will come down to personal preference. I would think you could get a great price on the SP23 as the SP25 is coming out.

[deesun]

^^^^ Mostly private cars so not looking at too much in the way of deals, not many 6 speeds in the dealers, mostly autos. Yes it will be a hard choice.

[duaned]

Easy choice, the SP23! Better equiped, better ride and build quality, better performance etc. Maye even the indicator/windscreen wiper stalks are on the correct side!

[cosmo20btt]

I have the Sp23 in the semi auto with the leather & is truly a well balanced car it feels like it is on railroad tracks & yet the ride is supple, we get about 700 ks to a tank & only about 50 dollars to fill so is reasonably cheap to run. my only complaint is that the bridgestone that come standard on them are very noisy, found the next set was quieter & tyre wear was quite fast for an expensive tyre which seem to be rare at the time of purchase as all tyre shops suddenly have no stock, saying that it was a on off size. But overall on the the nicest cars we have ever owned.

[EDManual]

I found the mazdas 3's to be terribly builit after they get a few km on them. Rattles and clunks like its a piece of rubber rather than a stiff metal board.

Drive one thats been driven relatively hard for a few years and you will see how bad they are. The focus feels a bit smaller and more solid, even though its the sort of the same thing underneath...

I think they are both overated by city people who dont drive them for fun espially the 3.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Are we comparing a new car with a used one?? With how many kms??

I always go the lessor new car over a used one, for the simple fact you dont know where they have been or what they hvae done..

[deesun]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

Are we comparing a new car with a used one?? With how many kms??

I always go the lessor new car over a used one, for the simple fact you dont know where they have been or what they hvae done..

Yes the luxo pack + 6 stacker + other niceities and possibly a better performer 11.3 v 12.9 p/w ratio in favour of the SP.
Ive never known late model Mazdas to have huge quality problems.
Yes, new v used between 17+ 25k max. I have bought 3 near new low k cars before and never had a prob.
And the Focus has good reviews for the latest one and possibly good deals at the moment. But I'm swaying towards the 3.

[Feathers]

A friend of mine has the semi-auto SP23 hatch with leather, and having spent a fair bit of time in it, it's a pretty good car.
Quite a good ride, very responsive when she puts her foot down.

I haven't been for a ride/drive in a Focus, but in the next few months I'll be looking around at a new car for my mum, and these two cars are also on our shortlist.

[Dave_au]

A friend of mine has an SP23 hatch; general comments are that it tends to drink a bit of fuel (even though he has the manual) and that it's not really differentiated from every other Mazda 3 on the road (they all look the same)

[RSgerry]

we have an 06 SP23 and couldnt be happier. it drives great, handles extremely well, is as fuel efficient as you would expect, well built and has the Bose and leather. Love it.

[LTDterri]

I think the Mazda is a better car BUT the Focus is also a good car, If you were comparing a new focus and new mazda I would say the Mazda no question, however if you are comparing a 2 year old car with a new one I always say go the newie.

[BigAL_250]

I know someone who's selling an SP23 pretty cheap and I'd reckon it's the 6 speed. But it's in Adelaide.

edit: its only a 2004 5-speed.

[deesun]

Thanks all, all food for thought.

[robjh80]

I would go for the new Focus personally, at least you know it hasn't been thrashed, bashed and mistreated.

In saying that I do think the SP23 is a smart bit of kit ... they look very nice on the road, always admire them when I see one.

[dusty86]

hey mate, I work at Mazda, the SP23 is a great car and your looking at the later one which is a good idea, problem wise.. not a lot, as mentioned tyre noise is a drama but if they are religiously rotated every service they will do, there isn't much I can say bad about them unless you get up them, wheelspin get's pretty violent, as in axle tramp violent (but you won't regularly do that)
if you need any more help don't hesitate to shoot me a PM

[XR_Strider_GuY]

Depends what you prefer. In the market place I would say the Mazda will hold better resale as generally Japanese small cars are percieved and have proven to be very reliable and thus in great demand on the 2nd hand market.

The Focus has that little something in handling. I have never felt a small car that handled so crisp and well around corners. Remember the VW Golf trails behind the Focus in terms of steering feel and suspension setup. Even the bogo base model handles terrific and is a genuine great drive.

The Mazda I would say would have "agreeable" handling that is not bad but not fun just does its business gracefully.

[GQ_Smooth]

If you have a budget of 27K you can pick up a new Mazda 3 MaxxSport on the road for that. Last week one of my staff purchased a new Mazda 3 Maxx for 24 on the road. The SP 23's are a great car but IMO at the moment overpriced as a 2nd hand buy.

[dusty86]

also, mazda warranty has it all over ford's by the sound of things. at my work at least

[waggaclint]

Go the mazda mate youl be better off in the long run