Mazda 5 vs. Ford Focus Wagon

[changsta]

interesting, i traded in my 2004 ford focus ztw wagon for a 2006 Mazda5 GT, and i have regretted that decision ever since. yes, the mazda has more clever features etc, but the focus is much more fun to drive in my opinion. i liked the much firmer steering. it is also much easier to park. the mazda5's hood slopes dramatically in the front, and i find it difficult to judge where the hood ends. Also, the mazda's paint chips much more easily, and looks worse than my focus did.

The focus' interior isnt as nice, but in my opinion is much more durable. i find that the plastics in the mazda5 scratch very easily, especially the silver trim pieces and the glovebox.

I've also had many little issues with the mazda. I've had the suspension fix done 3 times, but it still squeaks. I live in toronto, and i suppose it does get cold, but i think that a squeaking, groaning suspension is inexcusable in a 2006 model year vehicle. My brakes also went fairly early (35000 km), and i've had little niggling issues. ironically, i traded in the focus because i wanted something more "reliable".

The focus is fairly reliable, but i did need to get my cd-player replaced, a wiper relay, a power window motor and a serpentine belt. these issues to me, however, seem less severe than suspension issues. to me, the focus had quality issues, while the mazda seems to have not been fully engineered.

the focus will certainly have a lower resale value etc compared to the mazda5, it is also much cheaper to purchase initially. i would say that if you like the looks of the focus, you should definitely go for it. i really do miss mine. i think that when ford introduces the next gen focus, i will definitely be looking into one.

hope you enjoy whatever you end up with!

 

[lslater]

Changsta - Thanks for telling me the other side of the coin!! Fingers crossed that your 5 shapes up a bit

 

[dw8]

Oh, and resale/trade-in on the Focus -- not very good at all. BIG hit, unlike with the Mazdas.

Have you checked that lately? I looked last night and it isn't fairing too well either.

 

[dan4behr]

I purchased my 5 (Touring 5 speed model) back in September 2007. My previous car was an '03 Focus ZTS. The Focus was completely trouble-free other than what I considered premature brake rotor/pad replacement (45K miles). Both cars are great fun to drive. I will echo what changsta said about the interior of the 5 being somewhat of a disappointment. My ZTS was a bit more comfortable and held up very well in use for 4.5 years. The main issue I've had is the jet-black 5 interior and a happy-dappy yellow lab who likes rides... and the resulting doggie hairs which show all too readily in the 5's upholstery. Scratches in the trim show as well.
One thing in particular kept me from considering the Focus wagon when I was purchasing last fall - availability. The wagon did indeed go out of production last summer and very few were left by fall...certainly any with reasonable equipment levels combined with a manual were long gone. I suspect there may be no more left by now, unless you find a lone leftover '07 model.
I had a heckuva time finding a Touring-spec 5 with a manual too, btw....

 

[lslater]

There are a few Focus Wagons left in my neck of the woods for 05, 06 and 07 model years so I have a decent amount to choose from. According to a local dealer, the wagons were infinitely more popular in Canada so they may have shipped all the leftover US ones up here.

So unfortunate that the interior on the 5 seems substandard. I'll get a closer look this evening but my ride happy pooch is light brown which also does not match. Whereas the Focus I have my eye on is leather interior... MMM leather.

 

[coolmazda5]

There are a few Focus Wagons left in my neck of the woods for 05, 06 and 07 model years so I have a decent amount to choose from. According to a local dealer, the wagons were infinitely more popular in Canada so they may have shipped all the leftover US ones up here.

So unfortunate that the interior on the 5 seems substandard. I'll get a closer look this evening but my ride happy pooch is light brown which also does not match. Whereas the Focus I have my eye on is leather interior... MMM leather.

Well, you seem to have made a decision, at least get a ZTS, decent sound and wheels if I remember correctly!

 

[daan]

Both of the Ford dealers by me told me "Focus wagons were never made with 5-speeds" before I bought my 5. Plus the sliding doors that everyone else mentioned already. However the Focus wagon was pretty much the only other thing I was seriously looking at.

 

[cancoi]

Don't get me wrong; we loved our wagon, but I was quite surprised at the hit we took when we sold the fully-loaded SE wagon (top of the line in 2000), purchased for $20K and traded for $3500; most selling in the paper privately for about the same. My dad sold a 20 year-old Volvo 245 for $4000 the same year (2006).

We bought a used 2006 Sport for $12.5K in December from a Lexus dealer. Most of the other comps at other Mazda or Mazda-linked dealers wouldn't budge from $14-16K, so I don't see the depreciation as being that horrible for the Mazda5, at least in NE Ohio.

The Focus is a great car; it's really too bad they didn't keep the wagon.

 

[coolmazda5]

^^ Not even the Focus hatchback ... and the 2008s just got uglified (I hope I don't offend anyone, but I like the 2006-2007s much better)

 

[lslater]

Well all - the decision is in. I test drove the 5 last night and the second it was over I said to myself, 'Wow, that sucked.' Like I anticipated, I felt like a soccer mom driving a minivan while the Focus felt like an extended car. It didn't have the up front legroom or the nice interior details of the Focus either. The worst was the positioning of the front armrest... My elbow was bumping into it the whole time... Makes me wonder what the engineers were smoking!

Thanks to everyone who commented on the post!

 

[coolmazda5]

(pics)

I felt like a soccer mom driving a minivan while the Focus felt like an extended car

LOL, How different taste is. My mom drives a Ford Escort wagon and that is the stigma that I have of all Ford wagons when I see them: my mom driving one (Would that make it a Soccer Grandma mobile? )

 

[dw8]

Both of the Ford dealers by me told me "Focus wagons were never made with 5-speeds" before I bought my 5.

You need some better Ford dealers in your area. I know for a fact that the Focus wagon was made in a 5-speed. I know of a couple people that have them. And one of them is a ZTW (fully loaded). I owned 2 Focus ZX3's from Dec. 1999 to Sept. 06. And I am a member of Focaljet.com the largest Focus owners forum on the internet. Keep searching, that 5-speed is out there.

 

[daan]

My guess is that they had many auto-equipped wagons right there and didn't want to order me a 5-speed one.

 

[B16RacerN2NR]

Well all - the decision is in. I test drove the 5 last night and the second it was over I said to myself, 'Wow, that sucked.' Like I anticipated, I felt like a soccer mom driving a minivan while the Focus felt like an extended car. It didn't have the up front legroom or the nice interior details of the Focus either. The worst was the positioning of the front armrest... My elbow was bumping into it the whole time... Makes me wonder what the engineers were smoking!

Thanks to everyone who commented on the post!

In my opinion the wagon is clear cut to be a soccer mom vehicle when compared to the 5. The 5 is just completely different than your average mini-van. From the low look, down to actual performance. Bet you couldn't take a freeway on ramp in a Dodge Caravan at the same speed you could a 5

Of course the arm rest kept bumping into your elbow, because you're supposed to REST YOUR ARM ON IT!!! (doughpoke