So, you are admitting on FR that you are not a patriot and are considering buying a foreign automobile?
Get a Ford. The only American automobile mfr. left that didn’t need a bailout.
I bought a Mazda6 last year. It was built in Detroit by American workers. But alas ... their relationship with Ford is over and the next generation will be built in Japan.
“Get a Ford. The only American automobile mfr...”
...that supported the Nazi’s in the 30’s & 40’s.
Hate to break it to you. Ford and Mazda share a lot in common. Including many of the 4 cylinder powertrains..
In the U.S. today many "foreign" cars are built in U.S. plants ... while a "domestic" car is just as likely to be built in Canada or Mexico.
The Ford Focus would be the small car I'd consider. It's OK and seems like a good car, but the Mazda has superior fuel efficiency even with better performance, and the Focus has too much "road noise" for my liking. Interestingly, about 60% of the components are identical in the Ford Focus and Mazda3 (and one or two Volvo models, too).
I buy trucks. I prefer to lease small cars. I'll buy or lease whatever gets me the best value. There's nothing patriotic about hiding behind an "American" corporate logo that has little or no meaning in the global world of auto manufacturing.