The dilemma
Will has a 2002 Mazda 323 SP20. He loves the way it combines economy, dependability and practicality with a bit of driving fun but its dated looks, old-school safety and lack of modern gizmos are grating, so it's time to move on. He's keen to stay in the Mazda fold with a 3 SP25 manual of about 2010/11 vintage, or should he be considering other options?
The budget
About $15,000
The shortlist
The second-generation 3 was a leading small car of its era, so would be a good yardstick even without Will's good, er, will towards the franchise.
Other options? Well, warm hatches such as the SP25 that straddle the mainstream and hot-hatch divide aren't that common in this price range.
And not all are worth chasing up in this context. Holden's Cruze SRi and Nissan's Pulsar ST-S, for example, have turbo engines with more punch than the Mazda but are also fundamentally less appetising.
That leaves just two serious alternatives, both of which are more rounded and rather harder to dismiss.
2011-15 Ford Focus Sport hatch, from $10,800*
This Ford gets the driving side right with its poised, engaging handling and willing, flexible 2.0-litre petrol engine.
It's economical (7.2L/100km), ticks the big safety boxes (stability control, curtain airbags) and has sat-nav and other trinkets.
It's sharp buying ? models in this price range tend to be a couple of years newer than equivalently priced SP25s ? and covered by Ford's lifetime fixed-price servicing regime.
But it doesn't have the roomiest back seat or boot in the small-car class. Its engine doesn't quite have the vitality of some warm hatches.
Will's manual preference means no Powershift dual-clutch transmission ? a big reliability thorn in this generation of Focus' side ? but the odd reliability niggle isn't unknown.
Read Drive's Ford Focus reviews:
Used-car review: Ford Focus
2013-15 Hyundai i30 SR, from $17,700*
This Hyundai gets an A for practicality with its spacious back seat and large boot.
Its sensible side extends to its economy (7.2L/100km), tech/safety serve (it has the same key features as the Ford) and servicing credentials (it's covered by a lifetime fixed-price servicing regime).
Its five-year warranty means even the oldest example will have coverage until 2018.
It's even a bit of fun ? its 2.0-litre petrol engine delivers reasonably strident performance and its handling is surefooted and confidence-inspiring.
Unconvincing steering, however, knocks its fun score back and its engine isn't remarkably punchy or refined by the warm-hatch standards.
It's a tougher ask than its rivals at this budget ? the odd private-sale example pops up in the $16k realm but most tend to cost a couple of grand more.
Read Drive's Hyundai i30 reviews:
Road test: Hyundai i30 SR
First drive: Hyundai i30 SR
2009-14 Mazda 3 SP25, from $11,900*
This Mazda's 2.5-litre petrol engine has a capacity advantage over its rivals here. It's no more powerful (actually, it's less powerful) but it does have a little more in the way of bottom-end shove.
Its robust power characteristics combine with its agile, entertaining handling to deliver plenty of driving fun.
It ticks the big tech/safety boxes (sat-nav, curtain airbags, stability control) and has a strong reputation for quality and dependability.
But this generation of 3 is this group's oldest design and the only car here without a reversing camera.
It's not a paragon of thrift (8.6L/100km) or open-road quiet and has this group's smallest boot.
Solid resale means settling for an earlier year model than similarly priced Sports and SRs, and it predates Mazda's fixed-price servicing regime.
Read Drive's Mazda3 reviews:
Used-car review: Mazda3
Road test: Mazda 3 SP25 hatch
Drive recommends
The Mazda delivers the advances Will is looking for, plenty of driving fun and is a safe bet. But it is also the thirstiest car here with the smallest boot, the only one without a reversing camera and the only one not covered by a fixed-price servicing scheme.
The Hyundai goes the opposite way, serving up sensible asset after sensible asset but not quite as many smiles as its rivals. And Will mightn't want to wait around for the bargain-priced example he'll need to meet his budget.
We'd like the Ford more without the spectre of quality niggles, and a little more punch wouldn't hurt it, either. But its balance of emotional and rational assets is also this group's most equitable, its value on the used-car lot is compelling. On points, that gets it to the line a short nose in front.
* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.
7 Comments
Mr Majestyk | 2016-10-12 02:17:00
The only way you could describe any of these are warm is if you left them in the sun on a 30 degree day and I own an SP25.
Craig Dennington | 2016-10-12 21:59:36
Glad the author didn't wail on about the Cruze. It's slower off the line than my Diesel Focus!
Bethel Thunderpatch | 2016-10-12 22:15:05
Mk VI Golf GTIs are in that price range now.
TDubs | 2016-10-13 00:54:44
I disagree regarding the Cruze. The MY14 SRi is on par, if not better than the focus. I owned the MY14 SRi-V hatch and it was a gem! (test drove the focus a few times) Punchy and economical little turbo 1.6L engine and everything inside was comfortable, practical, intuitive, solid built etc. It was the best value warm hatch when new and now it's a bargain 2nd hand because people don't realise. Before the MY14 update the SRi had a 1.4L engine - perhaps the writer of this article was thinking about this older model. Or perhaps an auto transmission disappointed - I had the manual which was easy to shift, no dramas. (no I don't work for Holden...)
ekim | 2016-10-13 02:56:12
I owned a 2013 SP25 manual, and it was the worst car I have ever owned. It had terrible traction no matter what rubber you put on the wheels, the worst traction I have ever had on a FWD car. This wouldn't be a too big a problem except, unlike the previous version of the car, this car had an electronic throttle and traction control would totally cut the power at even the smallest slip of the front wheels. This meant on a wet day or with any loose surface that you would find yourself in the middle of and intersection with no power. scary! So the only option was to turn off traction control and use left foot braking aid traction, but no, Mazda had programmed a brake interlock device to that if you pressed brake and throttle at the same time the engine would cut all power. The infotainment was poor and unreliable, and bluetooth was patchy at best. No I would not recommend that generation of the car., I think the previous generation car was better I currently have a 2015 SP25 manual and Mazda has fixed all the above issues, this car is by far one of the best FWD cars I have driven.
Peteralexander | 2016-10-13 05:59:43
SP25 is much more nose heavy than the Focus, who cares about the Hyundai. Just buy a standard model in the ranges and upgrade the springs/shocks and rear sway bar and you'll have a much more engaging car.
Michael Daly | 2016-10-13 10:57:46
The Ford Focus is a wise and excellent choice, particularly with the manual gearbox. I have a 2013 Diesel Focus and it's certainly not a speed demon off the mark, but that's because I drive it very gently to get the best mileage and I'm very comfortable driving like that. But if you do give it some stick it's a great handling car. In fact one of the main factors why I purchased it was because at the time it was the best 'drivers' car, and they were spot on. I like the infotainment system as I know the buttons and it all just works. In fact I rarely touch the buttons because I can do the lot from the steering wheel, and the cruise control is the easiest I've ever used in a car. I love my Ford Focus. Give it a go - they're great cars.