2013 Ford Focus or 2013 Toyota Corolla

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mike7139

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Which one would be better? I checked out the so called "true pricing" at a few dealers online and it looks like I can get a new Corolla for 15,700 vs. 16,500 for the Focus. I am just looking for a reliable car that will not break down on me and I prefer a car that has already been out a few model years, so all the new car bugs have been worked out.

Which one would you choose? Which one would better fit my needs?
 
Of the two, the Corolla is probably the more proven car, and the Focus is probably the better driving car. The cost difference at purchase is immaterial over time. Buy the car that puts a smile on your face. Both will be dependable for many years to come. If you are looking at the automatic transmission, make sure the Focus shifts to your satisfaction, if it uses Ford's dual clutch unit.
 
2014 Mazda3
laugh.gif
If you enjoy your driving experience.

Any of the three are good vehicles. You may be able to work a great deal on the 2013 Corolla or Mazda3 as they are outgoing models. Start looking now, but in a couple months when the 2014s are out, the deals should get good.

Test drive them all and see which one 'does it' for you.
 
The trade off is yours to make. The Focus will probably be more enjoyable to drive out of the box. If that's not a concern I think the Toyota will do the basic job of getting you there and back for less money overall, and that includes the resale value which has always been good since the Corolla has such a good reputation. Drive them both and let us know what you think. You would be surprised to see what better rubber and bigger wheels can do to make Toyotas handle, but you don't have to do that unless and until the factory tires wear out and you are still not pleased with the handling.
 
Get the Corolla now and regret less later. The focus is a good driving car, but the transmissions in those have problems, do a search on it. Consider a Civic also, they drive better than the Corolla and are very reliable.
 
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Get the Corolla now and regret less later. The focus is a good driving car, but the transmissions in those have problems, do a search on it. Consider a Civic also, they drive better than the Corolla and are very reliable.


Not all of them do. The early ones did, but after they got the software right and the plant that builds it are building them longer- they seem to be doing ok. Mine is just fine, for example.
 
From what I've read, the latest generation Corollas don't quite have the reliability of the older generations. granted, they are still ultra reliable cars, and given the leaps and bounds gains in reliability of most brands over the past decade, especially "domestic" brands, I agree with Hokie. Buy the one you want and will give you the most satisfaction.
 
18 months ago I took a job that requires me to drive an average of 350 miles per day using my personal vehicle and my fuel. At the time I did not own a suitable vehicle so I rented cars while I shopped (only $150 per week using Costco discount - not bad considering I was logging almost 2k per week)

They kept giving me Ford Focuses. I had 4 different ones. 3 of the 4 had transmissions that made the strangest sounds I have ever heard coming from an automatic transmission. Hunting for gears, refusal to downshift at very slow speeds then slamming into a gear. It felt and sounded like a dry, mechanical power delivery as opposed to the smooth hydraulic nature of an automatic. Somebody mentioned clutches earlier - it sounded like dry, rattling, banging clutches.

These were all very new cars with less than 12k miles. The one that shifted right was nice to drive and I kept it until they demanded it back for service. The other 3 I cussed and could not imagine how a major auto company could put out something like this in 2013. I suspect a traditional, smooth transmission would probably increase fuel consumption by 1% or something. I would not own one. Everything else about the car seemed nice.

I ended up getting a 2005 Corolla. With 250k on it now it drives and shifts like new.

I can't imagine a Focus having the same resale value 8 years from now as a Toyota. The styling is not the greatest though...

YMMV
 
From all I have seen and experienced, the Focus is just a better car. Better build quality, better engineered, better refinement and just as reliable if not more so.

I'd pay more for a Ford over a Toyota, but I'd buy a Mazda over either.
 
Originally Posted By: AndyinAL
18 months ago I took a job that requires me to drive an average of 350 miles per day using my personal vehicle and my fuel. At the time I did not own a suitable vehicle so I rented cars while I shopped (only $150 per week using Costco discount - not bad considering I was logging almost 2k per week)

They kept giving me Ford Focuses. I had 4 different ones. 3 of the 4 had transmissions that made the strangest sounds I have ever heard coming from an automatic transmission. Hunting for gears, refusal to downshift at very slow speeds then slamming into a gear. It felt and sounded like a dry, mechanical power delivery as opposed to the smooth hydraulic nature of an automatic. Somebody mentioned clutches earlier - it sounded like dry, rattling, banging clutches.

These were all very new cars with less than 12k miles. The one that shifted right was nice to drive and I kept it until they demanded it back for service. The other 3 I cussed and could not imagine how a major auto company could put out something like this in 2013. I suspect a traditional, smooth transmission would probably increase fuel consumption by 1% or something. I would not own one. Everything else about the car seemed nice.

I ended up getting a 2005 Corolla. With 250k on it now it drives and shifts like new.

I can't imagine a Focus having the same resale value 8 years from now as a Toyota. The styling is not the greatest though...

YMMV


The reason the transmission in the Focus acted like a manual is because that's what it is. It's a dual-clutch automated manual transmission.
 
Well, that makes perfect sense then.. I never researched it. I bet some software updates might be in order for the early ones I had bad experiences with.

Thanks for the insight - this board is a wealth of knowledge.
 
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I'd go with the Corolla, but the choice is yours.

Proven reliability, excellent build quality, and fantastic resale value.

You can put 300k miles on one and still sell it for decent money, try that with a Focus.
 
Originally Posted By: AndyinAL
Well, that makes perfect sense then.. I never researched it. I bet some software updates might be in order for the early ones I had bad experiences with.

Thanks for the insight - this board is a wealth of knowledge.


Yup, as per NickR's comments, Ford has been updating the software to tweak the behavior of the units and since his is new, his behaves properly. I've driven the previous MY to his and thought it felt a bit wonky, but it made sense to me since I knew what the unit was.
 
Drive both, both are probably pretty good--I haven't driven either. Without driving either, if I did lots of highway driving I'd go stickshift; if I did lots of city I'd go with the Corolla due to the slushbox (I wouldn't trust the clutches in the Ford, but I come from VW and their aweful DMF's).

If it were me, after test driving both, I'd probably go Corolla. Can't predict the future, and AFAIK the Corolla would have better resale. Would have it have less repairs / have the legendary Toyota reliability? No idea, but I doubt it'd be any worse to repair the Corolla over the Focus, if/when things break.

I wonder if there is any difference in insurance costs?
 
Focus. Just had a corolla rental and it was as plain and dull a vehicle as Ive ever driven.
 
Way to up your post count with a very well thought out and helpful comment.

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
For me the choice is easy, I'd take the Ford Focus, I don't like Toyota.
 
I think both cars will be pretty good in terms of reliability. The only thing I would be a little afraid of is the auto on the Focus but that could be mitigated with the extended warranty.

The deciding factor for me would be the form factor. If I needed a hatch I would get the Focus, otherwise I'd probably get the Corolla.
 
The Focus feels like it belongs in a higher class of vehicle -- it is truly that good.

Best thing to do is go drive both and see what you like best. I have no doubt that both of those cars will last you a very long time.
 
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