Handing a car back

[fredgroves]

I don't think any mk8 made yet is software fault free... Or seat or skoda or audi...

[willni]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

[Wrex22]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Been looking at the focuses too, I think the exterior styling is really nice, ok the interior isn’t amazing, but at least it should be reliable and fault free

[Splashalot]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.  Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it.  I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover).  Interior especially is very premium.  Worth a look, maybe?

[Boothy1979]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Been looking at the focuses too, I think the exterior styling is really nice, ok the interior isn’t amazing, but at least it should be reliable and fault free

I have just changed from a Focus ST-Line X to my GTI. Like you said the interior on the Ford is not as premium as the Golf but it was still decent, although I had a couple of rattle! Exterior, I loved it. I had a pan roof and it was in the desert island blue metallic colour and have to say, prob one of my favourite colours on any car I have ever had. I had the 1l ecoboost engine and it never missed a beat.

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.  Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it.  I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover).  Interior especially is very premium.  Worth a look, maybe?

I had the last previous gen of Mazda 3, it was a spot black and I agree with Splashalot, it was premium inside and didn’t have one rattle. It was a brilliant car. I did look at the current model but the Focus believe it or not just pipped it on styling for me.

[ar899]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.  Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it.  I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover).  Interior especially is very premium.  Worth a look, maybe?

What engine did you get in the 3? I did look at that as an option (Mum had one years ago and it was bomb proof) but was put off by reports that the engine was a bit strained and needed a turbo.

[Boothy1979]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.  Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it.  I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover).  Interior especially is very premium.  Worth a look, maybe?

What engine did you get in the 3? I did look at that as an option (Mum had one years ago and it was bomb proof) but was put off by reports that the engine was a bit strained and needed a turbo.

I had the 2.0L 118bhp and if I’m honest, it needed more. Great engine and great fuel economy but just lacked when you needed it. That didn’t put me off the experience of having it. It’s in the top 5 overall of cars I have owned. Splashalot can comment on his 2.5L current model.

[fredgroves]

All of the reviews say the Mazda 3 is a well built car. They also say the engine isn't great.

2.5 litres and 180bhp but still slower than a GTD and only manual.

Tech looks a bit retro even vs the Mk7.5 too.

I think the exterior looks nice though.

[willni]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.  Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it.  I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover).  Interior especially is very premium.  Worth a look, maybe?

I actually forgot about Mazda, I like their designs both exterior and for the interior was tempted by one myself but again engine was the issue.

For the average person that see a car as an A-B experience Mazda probably offers the best value for money.

Another car that would be very high on my list is the Toyota Corolla saw one in the flesh a while ago look great.

In reality we're so spoilt for choice for great hatchbacks there's no real difference between them all, with the only stand out ones approaching the same power as the early 2000's E46 M3!

[Splashalot]

The current Ford Focus is very good looking car imo with a fairly inoffensive interior. I'd try that after the BMW, but as said previously probably down to the finance taking into account the old VWFS.

Shame you don't get the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.  Bought a top spec one for my wife two months back and we are both blown away by it.  I actually prefer it to drive to my 7.5GTI (ducks for cover).  Interior especially is very premium.  Worth a look, maybe?

What engine did you get in the 3? I did look at that as an option (Mum had one years ago and it was bomb proof) but was put off by reports that the engine was a bit strained and needed a turbo.

We have the 2.5 litre SkyActiv-G engine.  139kw and 252nm.  I've driven the 2.0 litre and agree it would feel under-done in the current 3, IMO.  They're quite interesting engines - some good innovations: https://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/technology/skyactiv/skyactiv-g/  Mazda also seem to have largely overcome the DI inlet valve/tract coking issue by running inlet valves at 400 degrees celcius!  Engine is responsive and to my ears has a lovely growl.

As for the drive, I can honestly say it is every bit as good as the Audis and BMWs I've driven.  Genuinely premium.  Ride is firm but compliant (think of a GTI DCC on comfort but without the float - feels way more tied down).  It is a very quiet car - little wind and road noise.  The whole feel is definitely premium.  The highlight for me is the steering, which is slower than my GTI but has a lot more feel and to me is more natural.  None of my GTI's two-bites at each corner - just a feelsome, flowing, natural feeling tiller.  Engine performance from the 2.5 is great - more than enough to provide sprightly performance when you need it.  I'd put it on par with the 2.4 litre Accord Euro my wife had previously.  Fuel efficiency is very good - about half a litre/100kms better than my GTI in most circumstances (except pure hwy driving where they're on par.)

The external styling is personal preference.  We love it.  I thought the awful rear and 3/4 vision would be a problem, but the combination of reversing cameras (including a neat birds-eye 360d one), and sensors all-round have overcome my concerns.

And the interior is, IMO, a cut above anything else in the price range.  And most in the segment above.

This is the colour and model we went for.    https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-reviews/2019-mazda-3-astina-g25-review

Does UK get the new 2.0 SkyActiv-X engine?  If so, that would be a good Golf alternative.