Need advice on choosing a Ford or Mazda that is good on gas mileage?

What are Ford and Mazda cars (model years 2000 and up) that are smaller/good on gas mileage? Trying to find a mom car!|||Quality


Mazda 3 is the most reliable car in Europe - ever.





That's the result of German TUV industrial audit. TUV is the largest quality audit instutition in the world. Mazda has most vehicles in the top 20. BTW, all Mazda3 cars are made in the same factory in Japan. See the links for details.





Mileage


As for mileage, for the 2000 model year you'd be better off with Mazda - Brother's 1999 Mazda Protege with 225,000 miles with a 1.8 liter engine runs at 36 mpg. My old 2.0 liter 1998 Mazda 626 (auto) has average at 30mpg with 100,000 miles.





Untill 2001-2, Ford used their own engines, which were then replaced with Mazda's MZR powerplants (that goes for all Ford Duratec bradned engines between 1.5 and 2.5 so the mileage got more levelled.





General comments


However, Mazda has alway had better chassis than Ford in comparable models.





Just for the record, we never had any problems with our cars. Nor had our father with his 2002 Mazda6 2.3 liter and Mazdaspeed6.





To sum up - late generation Protege, say 2002-2003, would serve your mother well. Little more upmarket you'd have an early 2002 Mazda6, slightly larger and more comfortable.





P.S. Ford owns Volvo Cars, but it doesn't own Mazda. Ford is the largest single share-owner (33.9%) and doesn't have decisive majority. Volvo, Mazda and Ford co-develop nad share many components, especially in European models (Mazda3, Volvos C30, S40, V40 and European Ford Focus share jointly developed chassis platform). US Focus is a different car.





The only Mazda that is a rebadged Ford is Mazda Tribute. All other Mazda cars are developed and manufactured by Mazda.





You may be interested to know, that a Jaguar X-type is essentially a previous generation Ford Mondeo. Even some body parts are 100% identical. Ford recently sold Jaguar to Indian manufacturer TATA.|||I would suggest a Ford if you look at what consumer report says that Ford is as good as a toyota cars now. Mazda falls short of that. Also if you buy a Ford you are helping to keep Americans in jobs. You can also find a Ford dealership and parts at any parts store and you want find that with a mazda|||Willaims obviously doesnt read consumer reports, They just ranked Mazda #4 overall, ford 10th. Ford doesnt offer a whole lot int he US worth looking at in a small car. Mazda makes the 3 in a 2.0 liter that gets a good 30 mpg. 150 Hp and low diaplacement. The are is cheap and relaible as well.|||Choose the mazda because Ford tends to lie about there gas mileage it could be 35 bt it is really 25 but mazda donsnt the bad part of this is that mazda is a brother company of ford so whater it says on the sticker you will probubly get alot lower.|||Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is the best small car sold in America. And horserider8000 is an idiot. Ford doesn't publish the numbers on the sticker, the EPA does. All cars go through the same tests to get their EPA numbers on the sticker. There is no possible way for Ford to lie about it.|||I bought a Mazda 3 a little over a month ago and am loving it. previously I had a Civic. The gas mileage is slightly less w/ the Mazda but it still does good. Mine is a 4 door but it's not a big sedan.|||go with the Mazda 3. Higher rating and much higher trade in value. The true test is total mileage. Mazda's are known for longevity. They're fun to drive. Cool song too. ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM|||Did you know Ford owns Mazda?!





I suggest reading the details of the cars on their websites, they usually list the average gas mileage.|||In Fords, I'd recommend lookiung at the Ford Escort, Ford Contour and Ford Fusion.





In Mazda, Mada3, Mazda5 and Mazda6|||i go with William buy a ford