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Corolla S.
2013 Ford Focus or 2013 Toyota Corolla
- Thread starter mike7139
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Another thing to point out is that the Focus should get better fuel economy by a couple mpg - more if you do a lot of highway driving.
Personally I'd get the Focus, the available hatchback is more than enough of a reason for me. You should really test drive both.
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
Sorry to derail the thread, but I have a question for AndyinAl:
If you don't have any other costs other than fuel, $150 for 2000 miles put you at about 7.5 cents per mile in depreciation/financing/licensing/insurance/repair/maintenance/&c. costs. That is a bargain! I don't see how you could do better than that buying/financing/leasing a new car. To me, with that kind of miles being driven, it makes sense to keep on renting, just keep a beater car for weeks when you don't work. Leave the rental company/other renters holding the bag on repairs/mtce./depreciation/wear & tear/tires/oil.
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
Sorry to derail the thread, but I have a question for AndyinAl:
If you don't have any other costs other than fuel, $150 for 2000 miles put you at about 7.5 cents per mile in depreciation/financing/licensing/insurance/repair/maintenance/&c. costs. That is a bargain! I don't see how you could do better than that buying/financing/leasing a new car. To me, with that kind of miles being driven, it makes sense to keep on renting, just keep a beater car for weeks when you don't work. Leave the rental company/other renters holding the bag on repairs/mtce./depreciation/wear & tear/tires/oil.
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How many miles/year do you drive? Prius C might save you $ in just a few years.
Corolla really feels like a $10k car not a $15k car. It's really cheap inside with cheap feeling plastics. It's got an antiquated engine and transmission, and the only thing going for it is that it's proven. It's like buying a Jetta with the old 2.0L engine.
Ford and pretty much the rest of the competition is heads and shoulders above Corrola, so that $700 difference for the Ford is more than made up in better material quality, drivetrain, ride quality and overall refinement.
Ford and pretty much the rest of the competition is heads and shoulders above Corrola, so that $700 difference for the Ford is more than made up in better material quality, drivetrain, ride quality and overall refinement.
Originally Posted By: kschachn
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.
LOL Like I said an easy choice for me. The poster above me said the Corolla quality has been dropping, I agree. Ford seems to be doing quite well lately, so given the choice, I'd take the Ford. I hope that clears things up a bit for you, I should have elaborated more in my original post.
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.
LOL Like I said an easy choice for me. The poster above me said the Corolla quality has been dropping, I agree. Ford seems to be doing quite well lately, so given the choice, I'd take the Ford. I hope that clears things up a bit for you, I should have elaborated more in my original post.
Part of the problem with the DCTs is people who have never been in a manual and heard someone change gears in a manual.
Friend of mine is a tech at a Toyota dealer, he said he wouldn't buy a new one. Says the build quality is way down. But that is only what he told me, could be that he hates working on the new ones.
Corolla 100%. My previous year Focus started out to be a fine car. Then, after 2 to 3 years.....it's a very poor example of Ford products. I baby my vehicles...treat them well and use top quality fluids at more than the recommended intervals. It did not matter with my Focus. Rough idle when cold, horrid break noise and vibration when wet, uneven tire wear (even when rotated...and I had the car aligned), two burned out wheel bearings, a highly annoying rattle on the right front underside that the dealer can't locate, and worn out front end parts at 60k miles (forgotten the name of them...maybe control arms or stabilizer bars?). I'm done with Ford and after driving a recent new Focus with that strange transmission shifting? No way I'd ever buy another.
Go for the tried and true Corolla.
Go for the tried and true Corolla.
Reliability wise, the Corolla; and you don't have the DI issue to contend with. Owned a '06 Matrix, 202K before it was totaled in a car wreck by a bad driver. Easily a 300K engine and other than tires, batteries and routine maintenance, no issues.
For your needs which make no mention of driving experience, Corolla hands down.
You mention reliability and Corolla uses old school and very proven technology vs Ford going over the top.
Driving experience Ford kills the Corolla and others.
You mention reliability and Corolla uses old school and very proven technology vs Ford going over the top.
Driving experience Ford kills the Corolla and others.
Originally Posted By: mike7139
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?
Although I don't like the current Corolla, I think it's the right car for you in this situation.
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?
Although I don't like the current Corolla, I think it's the right car for you in this situation.
Wait for 2014 models! Corolla, Forte, etc.
If you're considering a manual transmission, I believe the Focus uses a clutch slave cylinder that is mounted inside the bell housing - the Focus STs do. That means if it ever fails, you're breaking out the powertrain to get to it. I don't know what Toyota uses on the Corolla.
This very issue is what made me buy a 2013 Mazdaspeed3 over the ST. The Speed3 has his slave cylinder mounted outside the bell housing where replacing and servicing it (bleeding fluid) will be a breeze.
I know it's a ridiculous thing, but just thinking about long term ease of service.....
This very issue is what made me buy a 2013 Mazdaspeed3 over the ST. The Speed3 has his slave cylinder mounted outside the bell housing where replacing and servicing it (bleeding fluid) will be a breeze.
I know it's a ridiculous thing, but just thinking about long term ease of service.....
Check out what owners have to say about their Focus or Corolla here: FOCUS COROLLA.
If I was born yesterday and was in your shoes and knew nothing about the reliability of a Ford vs. Toyota in general and just happened to take everyones' word on this forum, I would actually listen to what AndrewG had to say. He is an actual owner of a Ford Focus advising you to look at the competition, the Corolla.
Buy what you want then come back in 5 years and let us know how you feel about what you bought.
If I was born yesterday and was in your shoes and knew nothing about the reliability of a Ford vs. Toyota in general and just happened to take everyones' word on this forum, I would actually listen to what AndrewG had to say. He is an actual owner of a Ford Focus advising you to look at the competition, the Corolla.
Buy what you want then come back in 5 years and let us know how you feel about what you bought.
9th gen Corolla was my DD for almost 10 years and while it was not 100% trouble free (trust me, avoid first year of redesign), I liked it and it handled better than expected (S trim).
When I test drove the 10th generation, I hated the cheap plastics and numb electric power steering. The only good thing is quiet engine, the previous gen had a noisier one.
That experience steered me toward Prius and I'm a very happy camper. I'm not familiar with Focus, except I know those had ridiculous numbers of problems and recalls many years ago.
BTW, my kids still drive the old Corolla.
When I test drove the 10th generation, I hated the cheap plastics and numb electric power steering. The only good thing is quiet engine, the previous gen had a noisier one.
That experience steered me toward Prius and I'm a very happy camper. I'm not familiar with Focus, except I know those had ridiculous numbers of problems and recalls many years ago.
BTW, my kids still drive the old Corolla.
My 03 focus with close to 90k miles sure doesn't feel worn out. There are no squeaks or rattles, unless the temperature goes well below freezing and even then it's not too bad.
The clutch feels good, shifts are smooth and the engine is quiet, squeaky clean through the fill hole and consumes no oil. Everything electrical works, ABS and TC work as well and there are no foreseeable problems that I can expect.
It had few minor issues, but overall it's a solid car.
The clutch feels good, shifts are smooth and the engine is quiet, squeaky clean through the fill hole and consumes no oil. Everything electrical works, ABS and TC work as well and there are no foreseeable problems that I can expect.
It had few minor issues, but overall it's a solid car.
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