Audi A3 v Honda civic v Toyota Corolla - how to choose?

man! after going thru all that you might be better just getting a morry and have a classy ride all together.
It seems you have yr sites on the corolla, and they are up there with nothing should go wrong with them.if you're not into performance and a good reliable car then yr on a good thing with toyota. boring as hell to some but while they have put there car round the pole or throught the front fence 2 in the morning your boring car will be ready and waiting to take where you wanna be.
v tec, if you don't know what that is doesn't mean diddly.
 
Sunster said:
Zetec is also the name given to the Ford variable valve engine technology...
Click to expand...

Nope. It's actually called Ti-VCT. Available on Focus 1.6 Titanium & Ghia models, and the Focus ST.

Should be on the new Mondeo but may not be.
 
Initially the zetec engine was developed by Yamaha and Ford and a few years ago only zetec engined cars had this badge but now zetec refers only to interior spec. It tends to be an up spec car with sporty options. Nothing to do with engine these days.
 
Ford has given the Zetec name to two different types of 16v engines. To confuse matters even more, Ford also badges some of their models as Zetec to denote that it is a sports version (usually with alloy wheels, sports suspension, spoilers, etc). A Zetec badged car therefore does not always have a Zetec engine under the bonnet! Zetec E - The original Zetec engine was fitted to Escort, Orion, Fiesta Mk3, Mondeo, Cougar and 1.8/2.0 Focus models. It has been produced in 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre capacities. All engines produced up to April 98 use hydraulic followers, those built from May 98 were redesigned using mechanical followers. The con rods and pistons were also significantly changed with the later engines using a longer rod with a shorter compression height piston. These later engines are fitted in 1.8/2.0 Focus, Cougar and late Mk2 Mondeo models. Zetec S - This is the baby Zetec as fitted to the post 95 Fiesta, Puma and 1.4/1.6 Focus models. It has been produced in 1.25, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 litre capacities. These engines bare no mechanical resemblance to the Zetec E engines. Most tuning parts are available only for the Zetec E engine.

The Duratec HE engine is the latest 4 cylinder engine from Fords that, due to it's near perfect dimensions and characteristics, provides an ideal platform for a performance engine that can be modified with relative ease. Built around an aluminium block, these engines weigh around 92kg (less clutch and alternator). As a natural progression from the Zetec E engine, the Duratec HE is rapidly becoming a popular transplant engine for classic RWD cars and kit cars. We are therefore able to supply most conversion parts for such applications (as we already provide for the Zetec E), along with a range of modified engine components. This engine has currently only been fitted to Mondeo models produced after 2001 and is available in 1.8 and 2.0 capacities. A 2.3 version is also produced in the USA. It should not be confused with the Duratec V6 Mondeo engine or the new Duratec 1.3 and 1.6 SOHC engines that are being fitted to the latest Ka and StreetKa models (nice one Fords!!)
 
All the genius' at Ford could have thought up some more names than call everything zetec!
At least Honda (VTec) have kept their consistency in this respect
 
RS2K said:
Ford has given the Zetec name to two different types of 16v engines. To confuse matters even more, Ford also badges some of their models as Zetec to denote that it is a sports version (usually with alloy wheels, sports suspension, spoilers, etc). A Zetec badged car therefore does not always have a Zetec engine under the bonnet! Zetec E - The original Zetec engine was fitted to Escort, Orion, Fiesta Mk3, Mondeo, Cougar and 1.8/2.0 Focus models. It has been produced in 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre capacities. All engines produced up to April 98 use hydraulic followers, those built from May 98 were redesigned using mechanical followers. The con rods and pistons were also significantly changed with the later engines using a longer rod with a shorter compression height piston. These later engines are fitted in 1.8/2.0 Focus, Cougar and late Mk2 Mondeo models. Zetec S - This is the baby Zetec as fitted to the post 95 Fiesta, Puma and 1.4/1.6 Focus models. It has been produced in 1.25, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 litre capacities. These engines bare no mechanical resemblance to the Zetec E engines. Most tuning parts are available only for the Zetec E engine.

The Duratec HE engine is the latest 4 cylinder engine from Fords that, due to it's near perfect dimensions and characteristics, provides an ideal platform for a performance engine that can be modified with relative ease. Built around an aluminium block, these engines weigh around 92kg (less clutch and alternator). As a natural progression from the Zetec E engine, the Duratec HE is rapidly becoming a popular transplant engine for classic RWD cars and kit cars. We are therefore able to supply most conversion parts for such applications (as we already provide for the Zetec E), along with a range of modified engine components. This engine has currently only been fitted to Mondeo models produced after 2001 and is available in 1.8 and 2.0 capacities. A 2.3 version is also produced in the USA. It should not be confused with the Duratec V6 Mondeo engine or the new Duratec 1.3 and 1.6 SOHC engines that are being fitted to the latest Ka and StreetKa models (nice one Fords!!)
Click to expand...

Jaysus...Right RS2K...If your knowledge extends to other marques I expect to hear from you pronto on my next car related post!;)
 
RS2K: you are either heavily involved professionally with Fords, or you definitely need to get out more. Just hope it's the former, for your sake....
 
BTW, maybe I'm slow but have only just copped: RS2K = RS2000, as in Ford?

...we should have known all along!
 
Ok back to the poster's dilemma...

Now looks like Audi is out but Focus maybe in?

In that case, personally speaking you can forget Corolla - nothing against it particularly but not in the same league as Civic or Focus.

Have driven both of these - both good cars but I would still say the Civic. Focus has undoubtedly better ride quality and possibly better spec. for the money but the Civic is a good ride also, is more reliable, has better resale value and is roomier inside - much roomier.

Don't know how important power and economy are but broadly speaking, ( i.e assuming you're not going for the most basic or the highest spec. versions of either) I think it's fair to say that the Focus will be a bit more powerful but the Civic more economical.

The Civic has been described as ugly - I wouldn't say that. The 02 version may be a bit 'sensible' looking but one aspect is, you may not care, but there's the sense of 'being different' - there are much less Civics than Focus on the road. But of course appearance is very much a personal thing.

By the way, the 02 Civic will have a dash mounted gear - may strike as odd initially but trust me, you'll get used to it very quickly.

Well that's my last throw of the dice for the Civic - good luck with whatever you choose!!
 
The original poster didnt like the look of the Focus which was why it was on the list. He did appreciate that it was a good car though
 
well waddaya know!?! thanks for that RS2K,although I didn't lose any sleep over it, BUT!
i now have knowledge and thats a good thing
here's to all, have a good day cool tag too by the way,
if I was into ford my tag would've been MPV but thats a down under thing,
 
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Copy and paste guys - a gift. Info came from a tuners website.

I own a MkII Escort RS2000 btw :D
 
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