Already brought up the 2012 Ford Focus I don't think he is considering it.  If I had the money for a new car I would buy a Focus.  It has a nice size engine which you already brought up and it gets pretty good gas mileage out of that engine.  The only think I kinda don't like about the new Focus is that they all have a hatckback look to them even the sedan version. 

I don't agree that that's an issue.  There was a time when that was the norm.  The Ford Escort sedan and hatchbacks (4/5-door) in the 1980's looked essentially the same.  Though, they looked slightly more sedan-like than they did hatchback like.  Cut to today, and I think the European influence is clear.  Hatchbacks are the overwhelming majority of cars on the streets there.  With hatchbacks being significantly more popular than sedans, it would seem reasonable to expect the design of a current vehicle to reflect that.

I'm not exactly sure what the draw would be to a sedan on such a small car, as hatchbacks are much more practical.   

I have the estate/wagon version of the Focus and it's hard for me to understand why Ford dropped the wagon/estate in the US, simply because they're such a practical vehicle.

Adinnieken said: Did I miss a reason why you're not even considering a Ford? The Focus is one hell of a good looking car, extremely efficient, and peppy as hell. It's got European style and under pinnings, and it doesn't look like a it was designed by throwing a piece of clay onto a board and calling it done. i.e. it's got style. The engine is a reliable 2.0 liter, direct injection engine, and has excellent reliability ratings. At the very least sit your butt in one and take a test drive. My last three cars have all been Fords, The worst problem I had with any of them so far is a transmission that had to be replaced under warranty, and that was likely because I mistakingly thought that I could drive in 4WD at 70mph with my Escape. Other than that the Escape was a trouble free vehicle. My current Focus was used, with over 180,000 miles on it but even despite that it's a sound reliable car.

Already brought up the 2012 Ford Focus I don't think he is considering it.  If I had the money for a new car I would buy a Focus.  It has a nice size engine which you already brought up and it gets pretty good gas mileage out of that engine.  The only think I kinda don't like about the new Focus is that they all have a hatckback look to them even the sedan version. 

I've owned a lot of cars from different manufacturers and have worked on numerous vehicles in general.  Here's what I have to say.

If you take care of any car, it's going to last 200,000+ miles.  Proper care of a car is very expensive, but fifteen years down the road you'll be thanking yourself. There are always, however, bad eggs that just like to constantly fail and it happens with EVERY type of car.

Honestly, any vehicle from the 2010's on from any manufacturer is made with similar quality and reliability(With the exception of Dodge/Chrystler/etc..yuck).  GM stepped their game up(GM is still the largest vehicle manufacturer in the world for a reason, people), Ford learned from their mistakes, etc.

Of those three, i'd probably go with the Cruze. Driving toyota's is always a bore and I've had nothing but troubles with Kia(pre 2005 mind you). I did get the opportunity to test drive a Cruze when car hunting and it was my second favorite of the few i tested.(I tested a 06 Mazda 6s, a 02 Pontiac Bonneville, 08 Honda Civic, and a Cruze).  I did end up buying the bonneville because it was my favorite of the three(I'm a joyrider, it was more powerful by far than anything else and I still get 32 mpg highway)

I really don't see why everyone is saying American made vehicles suck.  In the 90s they were bad, but i have seen a lot of Pontiacs ranging from 2000-2005 and they have ALL made it to 200,000+ miles.  Even my 2002 Bonneville has 151k miles on it and the only thing i've had to replace on it is a plastic hose. My father has a 93 explorer with 250k miles on it, the body is shot(bondo!) but it is mechanically sound and is still a daily driver.

In terms of repair, every vehichle has things that are extremely easy to repair and things that are a complete pain in the ass.  If you plan on changing your own oil in your car, you'll want to avoid anything that's difficult to work on maintenance wise.  I haven't worked on any of the three vehicles so I can't really say much about them, but i've come to notice that working on Foriegn vehicles is more of a pain. In terms of costs, buying the parts for foriegn vehicles are going to cost you an arm and a leg and you'll be surprised at how expensive some things can be.  

Bottom line, if you beat the shit out of a car constantly it's not going to last.

I don't agree that that's an issue.  There was a time when that was the norm.  The Ford Escort sedan and hatchbacks (4/5-door) in the 1980's looked essentially the same.  Though, they looked slightly more sedan-like than they did hatchback like.  Cut to today, and I think the European influence is clear.  Hatchbacks are the overwhelming majority of cars on the streets there.  With hatchbacks being significantly more popular than sedans, it would seem reasonable to expect the design of a current vehicle to reflect that.

I'm not exactly sure what the draw would be to a sedan on such a small car, as hatchbacks are much more practical.   

I have the estate/wagon version of the Focus and it's hard for me to understand why Ford dropped the wagon/estate in the US, simply because they're such a practical vehicle.