Quote Originally Posted by niky View Post
If you're picking amongst base versions, I'd get the Mazda just because it looks better... hmmm... even if its 2.0 sedan versus 2.0 sedan, I'd still go for the Mazda... more attractive looking... even if the Focus drives better.

If you can't ante up to the TDCi hatch, try for the 1.8 or 2.0 gasoline Focus hatch... it's a good car, and doesn't look as "old mooney" as the sedan version.
Thanks for all your inputs. My concern is the 1.6 base version of the mazda may be underpowered, given its weight. But I'm all for the looks of the Mazda 3. If budget allows, I may go with the Mazda 3 2.0, but if I break the bank, my backup unit will be the 1.6 Mazda 3.