Quote Originally Posted by niky View Post
The Mazda3, reputedly mahina yung front shocks... Focus has better shocks (diesel variant uses heavier duty suspension than regular Focus... which already has a better suspension than the Mazda3. Also brake pads are expensive for both Mazda and Focus, but IMHO, the Focus has better brakes. (though it is much heavier in diesel form)

The Focus' main problem areas are:

1. Flywheel... the clutch is absolutely fantastic in terms of durability, but the flywheel is a consumable item. Since it's dual mass, you can't reface it like an ordinary flywheel. Again, you will have to ask at FCP about rebuilding it or sourcing a replacement outside casa.

2. Turbo... if the previous owner was an idiot... goodbye turbo. Replacement is expensive, but there are places that can rebuild for about 30k pesos. Which is pretty reasonable.

Mazda6: No idea... not enough owners. Don't doubt suspension parts and bushings will cost more.
I researched on these usual maintenance bits for the said cars. The flywheel of the Focus costs anywhere from 30-50k, and most folks over at FCP recommend against converting to single-mass. Turbo would be about 50k again.

In comparison, the Mazda 3's shocks cost under 4k each. The Mazda 6 would probably be around 6-8k.

Pads for any of the three would probably be around 2k.

Either way, it seems that maintaining either of the Mazdas is a less risky proposition than a potentially overused Focus. Of course, this is assuming that the clutch/turbo will fail. What are the chances of that happening for a 70,000-150,000 km car?


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