Mazda 3 wagon

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: jjanders
I drove a Matrix a few years ago as a rental, HATED the way it drove and couldn't get comfortable in the seat for the life of me. Not sure if they've changed much in the last few years.

Haha, just a suggestion for gas consumption
I test drove the new one about a month ago and I hated it as well. It simulated an SUV-like higher seating position and felt very awkward.
The Impreza and 3 were much more fun to drive cars.
But I tend to not like most Toyota's that I've driven.

 

[jjanders]

Yeah if I want a wagon/hatch it seems the 3 or Impreza/Outback Sport are my only options, unless I step up in price to an Outback.....but all of these get less than stellar MPG, just have to decide what is more important to me, the utility or the economy....right now the economy is winning.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

My point was that if he wasn't bent on getting a hatchback, there is the 2L Mazda3i sedan that is better comparison to Civic. 24/32 for manual, 23/31 for auto.I think once you actually drive these cars back to back, you'll go for the Mazda3. It just drives like a fun premium car. It's based on the same platform as Volvo S40.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

My point was that if he wasn't bent on getting a hatchback, there is the 2L Mazda3i sedan that is better comparison to Civic. 24/32 for manual, 23/31 for auto.I think once you actually drive these cars back to back, you'll go for the Mazda3. It just drives like a fun premium car. It's based on the same platform as Volvo S40.

I have driven both. the 3 does drive better, but the new civic is a better car over all.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

My point was that if he wasn't bent on getting a hatchback, there is the 2L Mazda3i sedan that is better comparison to Civic. 24/32 for manual, 23/31 for auto.I think once you actually drive these cars back to back, you'll go for the Mazda3. It just drives like a fun premium car. It's based on the same platform as Volvo S40.

I have driven both. the 3 does drive better, but the new civic is a better car over all.

For you.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

My point was that if he wasn't bent on getting a hatchback, there is the 2L Mazda3i sedan that is better comparison to Civic. 24/32 for manual, 23/31 for auto.I think once you actually drive these cars back to back, you'll go for the Mazda3. It just drives like a fun premium car. It's based on the same platform as Volvo S40.

I have driven both. the 3 does drive better, but the new civic is a better car over all.

For you.

For most, actually. I'd have a hard time believing any objective review that didn't favor the Civic as an overall package (comfort, reliability, noise, fuel economy, insurance, resale, etc).

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

My point was that if he wasn't bent on getting a hatchback, there is the 2L Mazda3i sedan that is better comparison to Civic. 24/32 for manual, 23/31 for auto.I think once you actually drive these cars back to back, you'll go for the Mazda3. It just drives like a fun premium car. It's based on the same platform as Volvo S40.

I have driven both. the 3 does drive better, but the new civic is a better car over all.

For you.

For most, actually. I'd have a hard time believing any objective review that didn't favor the Civic as an overall package (comfort, reliability, noise, fuel economy, insurance, resale, etc).

exactly. The 3 beats it in terms of performace and handling, but it pretty much loses in every other category.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

My point was that if he wasn't bent on getting a hatchback, there is the 2L Mazda3i sedan that is better comparison to Civic. 24/32 for manual, 23/31 for auto.I think once you actually drive these cars back to back, you'll go for the Mazda3. It just drives like a fun premium car. It's based on the same platform as Volvo S40.

I have driven both. the 3 does drive better, but the new civic is a better car over all.

For you.

For most, actually. I'd have a hard time believing any objective review that didn't favor the Civic as an overall package (comfort, reliability, noise, fuel economy, insurance, resale, etc).

To me, Mazda3 was a better overall package, especially the hatchback.
It drives better than the Civic. And I mean a lot better. It's more fun, more stable at high speed cornering, has better steering feel, and feels more sophisticated. I test drove both before buyng, Civic was OK, but for the mountain roads around here, I'd much rather be in a 3. It has better performance, so you are trading down from a V6, it won't be such a let down. Looks a lot better to me, is much more practical. Seats are comfortale and supportive in corners.
Resale is about the same. Used Mazda3s are expensive, which is why I bought a new one.
With Mazda3, you are getting a decontented premium car, and it feels like it, while with the Civic, you are getting a pretty good economy car, but the driving dynamics feel like economy car.
Mileage is good for the power and torque you are getting.

 

[raildogg]

Actually, the disparity between the Civic and the Mazda 3 in terms of handling and performance isn't as wide as you claim. The Civic will get way better mileage and will be a better overall car. The Mazda 3 has been my top choice for a long time but considering its so-so fuel economy, I am leaning towards the new 2009 Honda Fit. I want a car to have the complete package and for that, the Civic is a better choice.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
How's the engine?

Mine has just got this problem where it squels at constant low RPM while driving. Dealership seems oblivious to what it is.

Gas mileage is alright (wagon only comes in 2.3l) with an auto. When I first got the car, it was horrible (17/23), but has improved to 21/27.

Keep in mind also that the air conditioner sucks in the car. Also, the paint is very weak and my brakes have a rumble sound while braking at very low speeds. Dealer does not know what the porblem is either since I still have 85% of my brake life left.

BTW, I had this car for about 7 months and already has 15k on it.

That's the same gas mileage as my RWD 240sx got. Why isn't it better??

 

[BMdoobieW]

I loved my 2005 Mazda3s sedan. Was pretty fun. No reliability problems with the engine or otherwise. I drove it for three years and racked up 25,000 miles.