please help... new car purchase

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by waggaclint

fiestas arnt built in germany (they are designed there) the only ford built there is xr5....and they arnt the same as a mazda2 the new mazda2 has a new platform as does the new 6 about to be released as well....

Try again. WP and WQ Fiesta (Mk6 and Mk7 in Europe) are built in Germany. The Focus is built in South Africa with the XR5 in Germany.

The Mk8 Fiesta [i]will be[/b] built in Thailand, however the current models are still all German made.

[Steffo]

I thought I'd add, with cars as similar as these two - ie the same car with a different badge - you should really buy based soley on subjective reasons IMO. Its the same product packaged slightly differently. For me, the Mazda 2 has that cheap tacky feel associated with pretty much every car I've ever sat in that's come from Japan. It also doesn't handle as well as the Fez IMO, with a fair bit more body-roll, plus a distinct lack of low-rpm torque. Also on the manual, the shifter location is silly (up on the dash).

In the time I owned my Fiesta the only thing "wrong," with it was that I wanted a faster car. Impeccable. Not a squeak or rattle to speak of, it used to average 7.5L/100km with a spirited driving style and was a joy to throw around. If it was faster, I'd probably still have it.

Test drive both again and get the version of the FoMoCo/Mazda supermini that you like best. Good luck with your decision!

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by Steffo

You do realise that the German built Fiesta, which is, exactly the same car underneath as the Mazda 2 has about as much to do with your built-in-Melbourne F6 Typhoon as a piece of beef does with an apple? They're both food, just as the Fiesta and F6 are both cars.
Reminder to all - the quality or lack thereof of American and Australian Ford products has absolutley NOTHING to do with cars like the Fiesta.

OK. So maybe your reply puts forward a positive stance on warranty, but the disinterest by Ford regarding "service" remains. That issue alone would put me in a Mazda 2 seat.

[Casablanca]

id go an xr4 same power as a focus in 900kg's of fun

[aussiblue]

Also check out the Honda Jazz, Mitsubishi Colt and most importantly the Toyota Yarris.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by Casablanca

id go an xr4 same power as a focus in 900kg's of fun

900kg? Not quite, try 1090 before driver.

[Casablanca]

Originally Posted by Steffo

900kg? Not quite, try 1090 before driver.

close enough though, geez picking at straws are we :

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by Casablanca

close enough though, geez picking at straws are we :

Well, yes.

See with cars this light, those 190kg make a huge difference. As it is an XR4 can hit 100 in what, 8ish seconds at best and do what, 16 dead, perhaps a high 15 down the 1/4. Its got 100.92kW/tonne (110/1090kg). At 900kg it'd have 122.22kW/tonne, giving it the power to hit 100 in the mid-low 6 sec bracket and run mid 14's down the quarter.

Little cars really feel the kilo's. I wish it really was 900kg... I'd buy one yesterday if it was.