2011 Ford Focus Runout - 2.0L Tdci For Just 999,000 Baht

[MoonRiverOasis]

I don't normally make these style of posts, but it's not very often you get to save this kind of money in Thailand..

IMHO, this is a knock-out buy considering this is for the 2.0L TDCi diesel (which manages 21KM/L highway and 14.5KM/L city) with 6-speed powershift transmission, dusk-sensing headlmaps, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone AC, electronic stabiility and traction control, leather trim etc..

Promotion details here (note: it's only available if financing with Ford Leasing):

http://www.ford.co.th/servlet/Satellite?c=DFYPage&cid=1178852676946&pagename=wrapper&site=FTHEN

Vehicle link here:

http://www.ford.co.th/servlet/Satellite?c=DFYPage&cid=1178852034908&pagename=FTHEN%2Fcontroller&site=FTHEN

Now of course, the reason why it's on run-out is because the new 2012 Focus is heading our way in a few months time, but the 2011 is arguably a better driver's car.

[culicine]

Yep that's great value, but wouldn't 100K be lost immediately when the new model is introduced? I've probably seen no more than a dozen of the tdci on the road since they were introduced. They should have been priced more competitively from the start, given Thai aversion to diesel sedans. Will the new model diesel will be more powerful and refined?

But I think a sedan is out for me now. Just saw a new crv stranded in the flood water (water was only up to 3/4 the height of the wheel). I would have thought it could have gone deeper. Meanwhile we pounded past it in a triton plus. Other flood victims in the back were talking of getting a ranger as well.

[ExpatOilWorker]

F.O.R.D. = Found On Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily.

Don't want another Ford.

[Will27]

MRO, how does the Ford leasing plan work?

Thai bank accounts and employment history?

I must say, it's a great deal.

Regards

Will

[wandrinstar]

Where is the Mondao , Thailand never gets Fords top Models. Allways something missing , of 7 years late getting here it seems to me . Sat Navs cost nothing these days, but such a Drama if you ask where is it. Toyota's the worst with short measure, i looked at a Camrey, bloody extra again.Honda has Nav standard .

[wandrinstar]

MRO, how does the Ford leasing plan work?

Thai bank accounts and employment history?

I must say, it's a great deal.

Regards

Will

My understanding of Leasing here is that its to a Registered Company with assets to a Value Required , hence the Tax Saving. Unless you are hi mileage it doesn't pay. But that's my take , i may well be wrong.

[katabeachbum]

wow, what a deal

for some reason I couldnt find the finance package, whats it like?

[katabeachbum]

wow, what a deal

for some reason I couldnt find the finance package, whats it like?

at Ford.co.th in Thai it looks like 20%down and 0,99% on 48 terms. not bad. Ford Finance only, but usually Ford has a similar deal with Tisco in the provinces

and at racechip.de its 178hp/405 Nm which should provide good fun through the 6 speed dsg in an excellent handling car

[WarpSpeed]

MRO, how does the Ford leasing plan work?

Thai bank accounts and employment history?

I must say, it's a great deal.

Regards

Will

My understanding of Leasing here is that its to a Registered Company with assets to a Value Required , hence the Tax Saving. Unless you are hi mileage it doesn't pay. But that's my take , i may well be wrong.

They call finance companies leasing companies here but it's not really leasing in the terms we commonly understand, it's an outright sale with Ford leasing financing the sale..

[MoonRiverOasis]

MRO, how does the Ford leasing plan work?

Thai bank accounts and employment history?

I must say, it's a great deal.

Regards

Will

My understanding of Leasing here is that its to a Registered Company with assets to a Value Required , hence the Tax Saving. Unless you are hi mileage it doesn't pay. But that's my take , i may well be wrong.

They call finance companies leasing companies here but it's not really leasing in the terms we commonly understand, it's an outright sale with Ford leasing financing the sale..

Correct, "Ford Leasing" is just a company name, the finance product being discussed is still standard hire-purchase though.

[skydiver77]

The real facts are that Fords can't move Focus models. Most of which are languishing in the showrooms. Everytime we put our 1.8 auto sedan in for service or 'yet again' for crap reliabilty problems, a guy wearing a tie pops up and tries to flog the 'next' model.

Still, must admit though the car looks smooth from any angle, but prefer the original front styling. And at least the Mrs has clocked a near 100000km despite long periods in the shop.

In fact its in the shop right now, but can't blame the car for this one. The Mrs ploughed thru. the wet stuff at night, thinking it was same as previous night. It wasn't. Both ends , exhaust and air intake. In a panic she tried a restart.

Towed to dealer. Bloke used a socket to turn over engine with plugs out. It wouldn't. Looks like a seize up,[or hydro lock] I think they call it these days. Surprised to learn new engine will come from Malaisia. A cool 100000bt.

Must be a glutton for punishment. Now she wants a Fiesta.

[caphant]

in for service or 'yet again' for crap reliabilty problems,

The new ford looks pretty decent and promises to improve upon an already well handling and reliable car, do you feel as though your car had a lot of post production problems or is this the general trend with the focus in thailand. I havent had much issue with my escape and to be honest im considering this clearence package as my daily driver (when in thailand), Looking at the ford th website now, looks pretty good but seems as though there are only 2 airbags when same gen mazda3 come with important curtain side airbags...?

not sure i want to pull the trigger on a focus without trying the new one which has been available overseas. I think the mazda 3 looks better than the equivalent ford focus both inside and out, but the mazda3 (detuned in thailand) apparently is like a bad party guest who drinks too much and wont go haha

Edited November 23, 2011 by caphant

[wandrinstar]

I get lost with Fords Old Wine in New Bottles. Im told the Focus S.T. isn't even on sale in the U.K. . 1800 cc Diesels have been in the Fiesta and Escort for 20 odd years, doing 60+ mpg.. All this MPG talk is hypothetical to most ferangs here they don't do the Klics to justify the extra cost of an oiler. Yours Sincerely, Muddled in Mukdahan..

[caphant]

I get lost with Fords Old Wine in New Bottles. Im told the Focus S.T. isn't even on sale in the U.K. . 1800 cc Diesels have been in the Fiesta and Escort for 20 odd years, doing 60+ mpg.. All this MPG talk is hypothetical to most ferangs here they don't do the Klics to justify the extra cost of an oiler. Yours Sincerely, Muddled in Mukdahan..

True on both accounts, wouldnt notice much change on the showroom floor in ford dealers if a time lapse camera was installed since 2004, very dated car options, also agree completely you have to calculate how many kms your going to be doing to get the servicing and fuel incentive of oilers, i heard the mazda3 and ford focus run on subsidized e20 though im not sure.

Edited November 23, 2011 by caphant

[wandrinstar]

I get lost with Fords Old Wine in New Bottles. Im told the Focus S.T. isn't even on sale in the U.K. . 1800 cc Diesels have been in the Fiesta and Escort for 20 odd years, doing 60+ mpg.. All this MPG talk is hypothetical to most ferangs here they don't do the Klics to justify the extra cost of an oiler. Yours Sincerely, Muddled in Mukdahan..

True on both accounts, wouldnt notice much change on the showroom floor in ford dealers if a time lapse camera was installed since 2004, very dated car options, also agree completely you have to calculate how many kms your going to be doing to get the servicing and fuel incentive of oilers, i heard the mazda3 and ford focus run on subsidized e20 though im not sure.

Love the Time Laps comment.

[WarpSpeed]

Well I have to say this thread has made me consider a new car for the first time since being here. 170,000b discount on the outgoing model is great by any measure and no one will know how much discounted it was on resale so it accounts for depreciation and still keeps us right side up on the sale depending on down payment.

My neighbor just bought one a few months ago and they love it so parking mine next to his being newer for a substantial discount will feel good if we do finally opt for it, depends on trade deal.

Being the tried and true sorted model also peaks my interest versus the first year newer model so that's another feather in the deal. Thanks for the heads up MRO we'll post an update, searched round for a local dealer close to Bang Na today but no joy. May have to go all the way to Cheangwhattana we plan to go there anyway but would like to check out more then one dealership.

[MoonRiverOasis]

you have to calculate how many kms your going to be doing to get the servicing and fuel incentive of oilers, i heard the mazda3 and ford focus run on subsidized e20 though im not sure.

There's not much to gain in using E20 - what you save at the pump (~3%) is largely negated by it's poorer fuel effieciency. Even E85 (which is massively subsidized) has a hard time stacking up against E10 91 RON, which in turn has a hard time stacking up against benzene 91 RON, given the current state of the oil fund...

But anyways, let's do some calcs

Something like a Mazda 3 2.0L 5AT gets 8.85KM/L around town, which on E10 91 RON equates to 3.62 Baht per KM.

The Focus 2.0L TDCi gets 14.5KM/L around town, which equates to 2.01 Baht per KM.

So the Mazda3 2.0L 5AT costs 1.61 Baht more per KM in city driving than a Focus 2.0L TDCI 6AT.

You can do you own math on that based on the KM's you'd travel over it's lifetime, bering in mind that the gap will only ever widen, not lessen.

Here's how it'd work out for me:

Based on my around town usage (25K per year) that means the Focus is 40,250 Baht cheaper to run, every year.

Multiply that by 3 years (the max. I'd ever own a car) and it's 120,750 Baht saved.

Now compare purchase prices:

Mazda3 2.0L 5AT: 1.064M

Focus 2.0L 6AT TDCi: 0.999M

So before resale, the Focus would have cost me 185,750 less, or if you want to look at it monthly, 5,159.72 Baht per month cheaper.

There's absolutely no way the Mazda3 make anything close to that up on resale (if indeed it would make up anything at all).

So if I were in the market for a larger hatchback, it would be a no brainer. (I'm not though )

And let's not forget the current low gasoline prices have less than 9 months to go, then they'll rocketing back up again - but diesel will always be (relatively) cheap.

Just my 2 satang

Edited November 23, 2011 by MoonRiverOasis

[katabeachbum]

and if one drops the money, and just look at the diesel power, ad 12k baht for a racechip.de and have 178hp/405Nm through a 6 speed dsg with no converter loss, its hard to find a 2 million baht new car faster.

just wish it had been in a mondeo estate body at 1,2 million baht

[Familyonthemove]

Looks like a good deal to me. And ther new Focus looks like a Mondeo after a serious rear end shunt. Ugly.

[MoonRiverOasis]

Looks like a good deal to me. And ther new Focus looks like a Mondeo after a serious rear end shunt. Ugly.

The 2012 Focus 4-door looks good (if you're into sedans), but I'm no fan of the 2012 Focus hatchback - I'd take the 2011 over it in a heartbeat.

[MoonRiverOasis]

and if one drops the money, and just look at the diesel power, ad 12k baht for a racechip.de and have 178hp/405Nm through a 6 speed dsg with no converter loss, its hard to find a 2 million baht new car faster.

just wish it had been in a mondeo estate body at 1,2 million baht

I'll keep wishing with you

While there's an outside chance we might see the Mondeo in Thailand yet (TH is a hot prospect for export market manufacturing of it), the chances of us seeing an estate version are pretty darn slim

[katabeachbum]

and if one drops the money, and just look at the diesel power, ad 12k baht for a racechip.de and have 178hp/405Nm through a 6 speed dsg with no converter loss, its hard to find a 2 million baht new car faster.

just wish it had been in a mondeo estate body at 1,2 million baht

I'll keep wishing with you

While there's an outside chance we might see the Mondeo in Thailand yet (TH is a hot prospect for export market manufacturing of it), the chances of us seeing an estate version are pretty darn slim

even the focus estate would do

Must admot I almost fell in love the other day. carshow at central Phuket, bmw 520d estate. In white with black glass, black glass dual sunroofs and all black interior. 19inchers and full package at 3.850.000 baht

back to the real world, If I would spend this silly money on a car, I would have moved up to 525d to get the 3,0

[MoonRiverOasis]

Well I have to say this thread has made me consider a new car for the first time since being here. 170,000b discount on the outgoing model is great by any measure and no one will know how much discounted it was on resale so it accounts for depreciation and still keeps us right side up on the sale depending on down payment.

My neighbor just bought one a few months ago and they love it so parking mine next to his being newer for a substantial discount will feel good if we do finally opt for it, depends on trade deal.

Being the tried and true sorted model also peaks my interest versus the first year newer model so that's another feather in the deal. Thanks for the heads up MRO we'll post an update, searched round for a local dealer close to Bang Na today but no joy. May have to go all the way to Cheangwhattana we plan to go there anyway but would like to check out more then one dealership.

You got it Warpy - the last of each car generation is always the best, every single time.

Once the new 2012 models are out, the entry price for a new one increases, and that's what drives used car prices in TH..

So whatever the used value is of the 2012, subract ~10-15% and you've got the used value of a 2011. No matter how you cut it, resale of the 2011 runout will be much lower TCO than the new 2012.

[MoonRiverOasis]

and if one drops the money, and just look at the diesel power, ad 12k baht for a racechip.de and have 178hp/405Nm through a 6 speed dsg with no converter loss, its hard to find a 2 million baht new car faster.

just wish it had been in a mondeo estate body at 1,2 million baht

I'll keep wishing with you

While there's an outside chance we might see the Mondeo in Thailand yet (TH is a hot prospect for export market manufacturing of it), the chances of us seeing an estate version are pretty darn slim

even the focus estate would do

Must admot I almost fell in love the other day. carshow at central Phuket, bmw 520d estate. In white with black glass, black glass dual sunroofs and all black interior. 19inchers and full package at 3.850.000 baht

back to the real world, If I would spend this silly money on a car, I would have moved up to 525d to get the 3,0

Once you start approaching 4M, I start thinking why not go to 5? and start looking at things like 3.0L TDI Audi Q7's

hehe

[MoonRiverOasis]

Here's another comparison

The Toyota Prius 1.8L CVT does 25.64 KM/L around town, which translates to 1.25 Baht per KM

So, 0.76 Baht/KM cheaper to run than a 2.0L Focus TDCi 6AT.

However, even the most base model Prius 1.8L CVT (which is incredibly basic features wise) costs 1.19M, so in theory you'd need need to travel 250,000Km to break even with the runout 2.0L Focus TDCi 6AT - but of course the Prius would have needed a new battery pack by then (at your expense), so it's moot

[caphant]

you have to calculate how many kms your going to be doing to get the servicing and fuel incentive of oilers, i heard the mazda3 and ford focus run on subsidized e20 though im not sure.

There's not much to gain in using E20 - what you save at the pump (~3%) is largely negated by it's poorer fuel effieciency. Even E85 (which is massively subsidized) has a hard time stacking up against E10 91 RON, which in turn has a hard time stacking up against benzene 91 RON, given the current state of the oil fund...

But anyways, let's do some calcs

Something like a Mazda 3 2.0L 5AT gets 8.85KM/L around town, which on E10 91 RON equates to 3.62 Baht per KM.

The Focus 2.0L TDCi gets 14.5KM/L around town, which equates to 2.01 Baht per KM.

So the Mazda3 2.0L 5AT costs 1.61 Baht more per KM in city driving than a Focus 2.0L TDCI 6AT.

You can do you own math on that based on the KM's you'd travel over it's lifetime, bering in mind that the gap will only ever widen, not lessen.

Here's how it'd work out for me:

Based on my around town usage (25K per year) that means the Focus is 40,250 Baht cheaper to run, every year.

Multiply that by 3 years (the max. I'd ever own a car) and it's 120,750 Baht saved.

Now compare purchase prices:

Mazda3 2.0L 5AT: 1.064M

Focus 2.0L 6AT TDCi: 0.999M

So before resale, the Focus would have cost me 185,750 less, or if you want to look at it monthly, 5,159.72 Baht per month cheaper.

There's absolutely no way the Mazda3 make anything close to that up on resale (if indeed it would make up anything at all).

So if I were in the market for a larger hatchback, it would be a no brainer. (I'm not though )

And let's not forget the current low gasoline prices have less than 9 months to go, then they'll rocketing back up again - but diesel will always be (relatively) cheap.

Just my 2 satang

Thanks for that, i was going to do the numbers once i got home from work, I havent yet looked at the fuel prices for gasahol as i usually just fill up with the vpower at shell for my diesel truck and use benzine 91 for the escape as the difference in fuel price was negligible, hence i never even used the b5 for the truck. I too have a brain last i checked and agree I wouldnt EVER get the mazda3 new over the focus diesel as the fuel economy and savings even over 3 yr ownership is considerable enough to offset mazdas tendency to fetch a higher resale.

My bad for not specifying i was refering to the other thread where someone was considering a preowned mazda3 at 650k (which i feel is overpriced as ive offered few months ago 500k for a cash sale on a top spec 2.0 hatch with moonroof 6airbags (not 2 like focus) and under 70k km. It was my understanding that the unavailable 2.3 i enjoyed in australia was the one mated to a 5spd AT, whilst the 2.0 sadly got a 4spd, did thailand roll out the 5spd recently or was the 4spd only for the 1.6l unit? If it is a 4spd ill have to try it out first to see if it suffers like the 4spd 3.2 pajero, have yet to see how the revised pajerosport gt benefits from a 5spd auto. Otherwise id get a manual though i hate clutching in traffic or check into a second hand honda civic with paddle shift 5spd. Yes I agree some wont compare a brand new focus (even if same platform) to a second hand maz3, as one comes complete with manufacturer warantee, but ive had hardly any issues with new cars which would justify the premium commanded by buying a new focus of the outgoing model over a mazda which has already shed half of its 1mill acquisition cost as i think the sportier instrument pannel, interior touches and alteeza clear lights and muscular miata styling cues of the mazda will age better than the more conservative ford focus, this of course is a value judgement as If i bought 2011 ford focus 2011 id buy the sedan as i find it more attractive, and find the rear end of the 2012 sedan less desirable than the hatch. Mazda 3 im indifferent as both are nice, but as I enjoy building bandpass subwoofer enclosures for the boots of all my cars to date at home (car audio ethusiast) and i like the higher rear roofline of the hatch id prefer the 5dr hatch3.

LOL since I found out on here that the fortuner sportivo is holding its value at approx 1.2mil (350k more than i was hoping to get preowned one for), i was ready to resume the hunt for a 2006-2009 mazda3 hatch. but this thread has definately had me thinking about how much more fun it be drive the 2011 focus tdci with that 6spd knowing the fuel economy wont penalise the heavy foot like itll sting on the mazda especially with as you said the rising fuel prices. It be nostalgic to drive a diesel sedan like i used to drive a petrol many years ago without paying at the pumps.....the "good days" for us car ethusiasts.

Edited November 23, 2011 by caphant

[wandrinstar]

I hear Ford Thailand is pissed off with G.M.s Cruze being top of the worst sellers every month. They plan to re introduce the All New Model T. Featuring L.E.D. tail lights from a Lexus.

[caphant]

and if one drops the money, and just look at the diesel power, ad 12k baht for a racechip.de and have 178hp/405Nm through a 6 speed dsg with no converter loss, its hard to find a 2 million baht new car faster.

just wish it had been in a mondeo estate body at 1,2 million baht

I'll keep wishing with you

While there's an outside chance we might see the Mondeo in Thailand yet (TH is a hot prospect for export market manufacturing of it), the chances of us seeing an estate version are pretty darn slim

even the focus estate would do

Must admot I almost fell in love the other day. carshow at central Phuket, bmw 520d estate. In white with black glass, black glass dual sunroofs and all black interior. 19inchers and full package at 3.850.000 baht

back to the real world, If I would spend this silly money on a car, I would have moved up to 525d to get the 3,0

Lol yeah i like the new 3 series, the 5 sounds very nice with the 19" and dual sunroofs (that be nice to get dual sunroof on the new escape)...knowing what other people pay overseas keeps me from buying new imports though, same goes for some electronics the Sony td10 3d camcorder my brother checked for me the other day for 60k, will buy it for 35k in USA on a stopover home to LOS next week.

Yes its a shame there is such high tarrifs on imports, as i said before, whilst this encourages manufacturers to assemble their cars in Thailand, the artificial lack of competiton from foreign car makers (above the natural competitve advantage of domestics not paying the logistics/shipping costs) makes for a domestically produced car industry which is content to miss models (ford escape) or facelift their platforms more times than goldie hawn, shame mediocrity is rewarded and i sometimes wonder how much better the consumer experience would be if LOS benefited from more competition. I could afford an import but what id pay in service fees, parts, inconvienance of repairs out of bkk, and paying 2 or more times the MSRP, id rather go with a local LOS or ASEAN made car. Depreciation curves also annoying for those willing to buy preowned, only within the last 2 years has the toyota supra gotten just north of 1mil, used to be 2mil plus, nsx's at just shy of 3mill is obscene when compared to their price in Aus or North America.

Not familiar with the current tarrifs in Malaysia but remember it being crazy many years ago, crazy enough to make people buy protons!

Edited November 23, 2011 by caphant

[culicine]

MRO, I think you said the new focus will be introduced at the Motor Expo in December. Any idea on the price yet, and engine specs? Is the diesel engine all new or modified from the previous model?

[culicine]

you have to calculate how many kms your going to be doing to get the servicing and fuel incentive of oilers, i heard the mazda3 and ford focus run on subsidized e20 though im not sure.

There's not much to gain in using E20 - what you save at the pump (~3%) is largely negated by it's poorer fuel effieciency. Even E85 (which is massively subsidized) has a hard time stacking up against E10 91 RON, which in turn has a hard time stacking up against benzene 91 RON, given the current state of the oil fund...

But anyways, let's do some calcs

Something like a Mazda 3 2.0L 5AT gets 8.85KM/L around town, which on E10 91 RON equates to 3.62 Baht per KM.

The Focus 2.0L TDCi gets 14.5KM/L around town, which equates to 2.01 Baht per KM.

So the Mazda3 2.0L 5AT costs 1.61 Baht more per KM in city driving than a Focus 2.0L TDCI 6AT.

You can do you own math on that based on the KM's you'd travel over it's lifetime, bering in mind that the gap will only ever widen, not lessen.

Here's how it'd work out for me:

Based on my around town usage (25K per year) that means the Focus is 40,250 Baht cheaper to run, every year.

Multiply that by 3 years (the max. I'd ever own a car) and it's 120,750 Baht saved.

Now compare purchase prices:

Mazda3 2.0L 5AT: 1.064M

Focus 2.0L 6AT TDCi: 0.999M

So before resale, the Focus would have cost me 185,750 less, or if you want to look at it monthly, 5,159.72 Baht per month cheaper.

There's absolutely no way the Mazda3 make anything close to that up on resale (if indeed it would make up anything at all).

So if I were in the market for a larger hatchback, it would be a no brainer. (I'm not though )

And let's not forget the current low gasoline prices have less than 9 months to go, then they'll rocketing back up again - but diesel will always be (relatively) cheap.

Just my 2 satang

Thanks for that, i was going to do the numbers once i got home from work, I havent yet looked at the fuel prices for gasahol as i usually just fill up with the vpower at shell for my diesel truck and use benzine 91 for the escape as the difference in fuel price was negligible, hence i never even used the b5 for the truck. I too have a brain last i checked and agree I wouldnt EVER get the mazda3 new over the focus diesel as the fuel economy and savings even over 3 yr ownership is considerable enough to offset mazdas tendency to fetch a higher resale.

My bad for not specifying i was refering to the other thread where someone was considering a preowned mazda3 at 650k (which i feel is overpriced as ive offered few months ago 500k for a cash sale on a top spec 2.0 hatch with moonroof 6airbags (not 2 like focus) and under 70k km. It was my understanding that the unavailable 2.3 i enjoyed in australia was the one mated to a 5spd AT, whilst the 2.0 sadly got a 4spd, did thailand roll out the 5spd recently or was the 4spd only for the 1.6l unit? If it is a 4spd ill have to try it out first to see if it suffers like the 4spd 3.2 pajero, have yet to see how the revised pajerosport gt benefits from a 5spd auto. Otherwise id get a manual though i hate clutching in traffic or check into a second hand honda civic with paddle shift 5spd. Yes I agree some wont compare a brand new focus (even if same platform) to a second hand maz3, as one comes complete with manufacturer warantee, but ive had hardly any issues with new cars which would justify the premium commanded by buying a new focus of the outgoing model over a mazda which has already shed half of its 1mill acquisition cost as i think the sportier instrument pannel, interior touches and alteeza clear lights and muscular miata styling cues of the mazda will age better than the more conservative ford focus, this of course is a value judgement as If i bought 2011 ford focus 2011 id buy the sedan as i find it more attractive, and find the rear end of the 2012 sedan less desirable than the hatch. Mazda 3 im indifferent as both are nice, but as I enjoy building bandpass subwoofer enclosures for the boots of all my cars to date at home (car audio ethusiast) and i like the higher rear roofline of the hatch id prefer the 5dr hatch3.

LOL since I found out on here that the fortuner sportivo is holding its value at approx 1.2mil (350k more than i was hoping to get preowned one for), i was ready to resume the hunt for a 2006-2009 mazda3 hatch. but this thread has definately had me thinking about how much more fun it be drive the 2011 focus tdci with that 6spd knowing the fuel economy wont penalise the heavy foot like itll sting on the mazda especially with as you said the rising fuel prices. It be nostalgic to drive a diesel sedan like i used to drive a petrol many years ago without paying at the pumps.....the "good days" for us car ethusiasts.

And you can chip a tdci focus to give about 170 HP and lots more torque too:) 11-12000 baht isn't it? Not much short of a turbo or supercharging will give a mazda 3 a bit of zoom. The torque of the diesel will help haul your big ass subs around too:)