Yeah, the focii switched over to the 2.0 duratec at some point (my buddy has the old zetec, not bad engine at all, just a little slow) and the new focus st uses the same 2.3 with 160 hp-ish.

 

The 2.0l in the Mazda is completely different.
Its the MZR in the Mazda - the 2.0l in the Focus is the 2.0l Zetec.
They are similar in some ways - but hardly the same.

The 2.3 I can't recall off the top of my head.
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nope... the duratec motors the focus currently have are ford designed engines used in both the fords and mazdas. The mazda 2.3 has VCT so it gives 160 hp and the ford has 151 hp. I have the focus ST with the 2.3. The 2.0 in both the ford and mazda are identical from what I can find. They are very good engines that have timing CHAINS... not belts. so there is no maintenance with them. The extra price for the jap crap does not justify the implied and much over relished supposed longer durability of japanese cars any more. that is so old school. Your taking your chances with the caval... opps I mean cobalt. It does not have a good record so far. Things like condensation dripping from the vents INTO the radio are just unacceptable. The electric steering system has a lot of customers wondering too. The focus was ahead of it's time when it came out.. especially after the first year problems were fixed. It is still in the hunt and better in a lot of areas with the compitition now. The price makes it an unbeatable deal. I know I love mine. Get one with some options and you will be very happy.

 

oops, misread. nevermind.

 

climbed underneath the back of a cobalt today-thought the design was pretty interesting. It is not a solid axle like I was picturing, instead they combined the axle and anti roll bar. The back axle is actually mostly an anti roll bar, with coil over suspension. The whole axle pivots when bumps are hit, and twists if the car is tipping. Why do some of you say this is a bad design?

 

because it isn't nearly as good as an independent rear suspension. It will work fine for 98% of the people, but the whole reason they did this is because it is cheap. I don't like cheap when there are better cars out there. It is typical of what gm does. It goes on the cheap because it costs them more than any other manufacturer to make a car. They have to cut corners somewhere to make a profit and be competitive on price. It is insulting and for the same money your getting less car. Go to edmonds.com and search for cobalt problems. That might change your mind. A real piece if you ask me

 

Been to edmunds, before I posted this too. Focus has a lower rating, and there seem to be as many or more problems with it. On top of this, ford has inflated gas milage ratings to make it look superior, while people are getting considerably less than what the sticker says they should be. There are horror stories with any car, but most people don't have them. From what I've seen the cars seem to be very similar, most of the difference is personal preference. There are pros and cons to each. Why do you say independent suspension is better? Remember the cobalt doesn't have a straight axle like a minivan. It seems to me to be a good combination of coil over and anti roll bar, with less pieces than independent rear suspension.

 

Every manufacturer that sells in the US has inflated mileage ratings, the way that the EPA tests vehicles is flawed...and will soon be changed.

The EPA's test to determine Hwy miles goes like this:

A specially prepared vehicle is sent to the EPA testing lab by the manufacturer.

The EPA runs the vehicle on their dyno...a/c off...at exactly 48.7 mph. to determine the hwy. mileage figure.

Now who drives like this on the highway in real time?

No one.

Your mileage will vary...no doubt about it!

 

Been to edmunds, before I posted this too. Focus has a lower rating, and there seem to be as many or more problems with it. On top of this, ford has inflated gas milage ratings to make it look superior, while people are getting considerably less than what the sticker says they should be.
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LOL look again. Look for focus problems from 2002 and up. vertually none. The 2000-2001 models had issues. The milage thing in my experiance is a bunch of bull. I have had two focus and both got better milage than the epa rating My current 2005 st was epa rated at 31 mpg highway. I have gotten as high as 36 mpg. I usually get 31-32 in mixed driving going back and forth to work. I can tell you from my experiance and people that I know, the focus is a much better car. Period. The cobalt has higher hp with the ss model. So what? the focus is by far a better all around car. My wife drives a 2000 mustang GT with a 5 speed.. if given the choice of what to drive, 98% of the time I will pick the focus. It is that fun.

 

As I recall my '03 Focus with automatic got 33-34 mpg, and our '06 Cobalt SS (non-supercharged) with automatic gets 33-34 mpg. The Focus never went to the shop for anything other than routine maintenance, same with the Cobalt.
Both are good little cars.

 

You should do some reading. Current Duratec engines are the "jap crap" Mazda MZR. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Du...bal_straight-4

 

Ford/GM/DC or any other company that sells in the US do not over inflate gas mileage figures, as those figures are direct from the EPA...see my post above for an explaination of EPA HWY mileage testing.

 

depends on who you read seftonm. I have read both that the engines are mazda design, or ford design. My best source says it is ford designed. Kind of makes since because it has the ford logo cast in the block and heads.

 

i have a o5 focus and my better half does too my brother has a 07 i work w/ a guy who has a 02 we all like them none of us have had problems withthem plus one more thing about the focus

http://www.focusfanatics.com/