Idly comparing cars of similar weight, power

I drive a 2018 Fit Sport 6MT. 130hp, less TQ, <2600lbs -------Loaned it to my mom for a trip across country and she left me her 2005 Focus ZX3 2.0 5MT to drive for the next few weeks. It weighs similar to the Fit according to internets, and has more power  (145ish) and much more torque.

The Ford has 152k on the clock and for all intents and purposes I've done all the maintenance for the last 90k. It also has a 2.5" cat-back with Magnaflow muffling, a Steeda intake and has seen several years of abuse at the hands of my brother. It is a base model, steel 15" wheels and power nothing. No cruise.

The Fit is smoother to drive. The clutch is lighter, steering is lighter, engine sounds better (my opinion). I know it is 13 years newer and is just more refined.

The Focus is faster, has more torques, and less gears and less doors. The seats are worn and things rattle. 

These cars were designed and marketed to the same demographic, similar in price, size and function. 

I like driving the Fit, though I haven't driven it in anger. I love driving the focus, warts and all. The steering is slower, but has more feedback, the clutch is better, it has a cable operated throttle and it just feels lighter. 

I like the spirit of the honda engine more (more revs, better sound, wind it out and it thanks you), though I am a big fan of the duratec.

Just idle thoughts. Comparisons.

I have no experience with those exact cars, but some with similar. 

I had an '09 Fit 5MT. New off showroom floor I loved it. Wrecked it. Miss it. However, it was fly by wire, and the only real complaint I had about it was It wanted to help me with my clutch/gas pedal operation. If you let it out slow enough, you could start in 1st with no gas. Took a while to acclimate. It also ruined me for a bit when I got a Matrix to replace it as DD. The Matrix has a real, hydraulic clutch, and didn't "help me".

My brother has an "03(I think) Focus 5MT non  ZX3. It is a perfectly nice car. A bit new school for me (clutch and brakes share master cylinder, plastic slave cylinder, plastic intake, plastic valve cover). It is kind of crude, but I appreciate the directness of the way it drives.

I hate the clutch delay valve in my '13 Fit that combines with the TBW to infuriate me. It messes with my shifting and smooth driving at every opportunity. It seems that Honda in their infinite wisdom programmed everything for fuel efficiency and all else be damned. I understand why it wasn't programmed for fun, but damn Honda can't you have responsiveness combined with efficiency?