Ford Focus ZX3/ZX5 or Protege 5
 

Since there is so much comparison between the two, and often accusations of Protege's 5 inferiority. I want to know what you guys honestly think is a better car. (Stock cars)

If you get any focus, get the SVT :)
The rest are overpriced vs. the proteges and you get way less equipment. Plus Ford has some weird options that you have to group together that really brings the price up quickly.
Not to mention the occasional reliability problems that are reported with the Focus.

Plus, Ford salespeople aren't very nice. they're all old white men. heheh .. OK, that's a generalization from only 2 dealers but I was car shopping for like 5 months and never got to drive a ZX3 in that whole time because they didn't have any in stock.

The Focus is a great car. If the Protege didn't exist I'd be driving a 2001 Focus ZTS.

The SVT is kick ass, totally blows away all the "competition" in the sports compact class. Put an FS-ZE in the MP3 and the Protege may be able to compete.

TheMan, you are right on the money. This pool is not very credible, mostly for it's location.
If I could only buy ZX3/5 in it's original european design, build quality and reliability Focus would be my choice.
Overall great and very innovative design, raising the bar for all cars in it's class.
But, we are talikng about N.A. version and that's just a different story, so P5 is my choice.
More here, quote from my earlier post:


To me Focus (ZX3/5) looks great, very innovative, bold and inspiring. It is not only my opinion, it's interior/exterior got series of awards for it's looks and practicality. Whole concept of Focus (in it's original hatchback version) did a lot for all of us car enthusiasts. It did rise the bar for all sub $20K cars on world wide car markets. Unfortunately we (in N.America) got it's cheapened and poorly build version, it's a shame that Ford N.A. treats this great car as nothing but cheap econo car, the antient Escort's replacement. In Europe it's build like it should be build, and it's suspension is tuned for much more sporty ride, build quality is excelent and reliability is top notch. In U.K. Focus is on top of it's class in terms of reliability and resale value!!!
Anyway, I had 2 ZX3's in 18 months, first one got totaled in a rear collision, second one was a lemon (Ford bought it back from me after 8 months of use, and whole bunch of repairs without taking it to court!!!).
Despite all of it, I loved that car for it's unique character and despite softer N.A. suspension It handled great, mostly due to superb rear suspension along with quick and responsive steering feel.
I got P5 to replace it mostly for it's tights handling and great steering response and most important Mazda Japan great assembly/build quality.
You don't have to like Focus and it looks but if you want to stay credible you must admit it's very ambicious design. Great Job Ford Europe! We will all share some of it in next Protege/Mazda3, Focus and Volvo V50.
I'm very excited about those three great upcoming cars, Mazda3/Pro may be the best value out of that bunch, we'll see.

i nkow this is a weird place to put this, but my bestfriend has a ZX3 with a Wings West type W body kit, o wait..no let me change that, he has a ZX3, someone assholes at UCF stole his body kit, thats so dick, i cant believe they did that. anyway im really pissed about htis, peace

I also would be...I was waiting to buy the Focus but I needed a car about 3 mos. before it came out. I chose the '99 Protege LX-T and I'm glad I did. The Focus is nice and I took a rental to Michigan (from Ontario) and quite enjoyed it (My Protege met a moose). The Focus has a bit nicer ride but when it comes to performance, the Pro handles better and the FD-ZE engine is better suited to spirited driving over the Focus (unless you spend the $$ and get the SVT...but the SVT isn't in the same class as a stock '99 Protege either!)