YACT: Scion tC vs Corolla XRS vs Mazda 3's

[Plasdom]

to the original poster, get the 06 civic

 

[jmagnum]

Proud owner of a mazda 3 here and I definitely recommend it.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Plasdom

Originally posted by: aphex
Almost fergot, pic of my 3s

http://aphexii.com/pics/mybaby.jpg

can you tell me about that color? How does it look when dirty. Does it show marks and streaks easily etc

I love the Black Mica. It actually dosent show dirt all that much, in fact it had been awhile since i washed the car when i took that pic. If you blow up the pic enough, you can see some lovebugs smashed on the windshield.

Only thing it shows easily is poop.

Its hard to describe the color, its almost like a silvery black. Still very very dark, but not a flat black. I love it.

 

[JBT]

Thanks for the feed back guys.
Any reason why no one likes the Corolla? I have to admit regular Corollas aren't really my cup of tea either but I do really like the XRS...

 

[randomlinh]

XRS doesn't handle nearly as well IMO as the 3. 3i or 3s.. that's your choice, for everything i wanted, 3s was the same price pretty much. I get 28mpg right now, w/ about a 70/30 mix of highway/city, including quite a bit of rush hour. Only flaw so far is really a crappy AC system. I was barely edged out by an SRT yesterday at an autocross

tC is nice too, but rear seats are not very comfortable for anything longer than a 30 minute trip probably. the benefit of it is that at least it has toyota (and the camry engine) behind it. A huge plus for me. With that said, I needed 4 doors, and the 3 just handled and looked better

 

[MAME]

mazda 3 is the best for the $

 

[computeerrgghh]

Mazda 3 for the reason that anyone who buys the ugly scions should be shot repeatedly.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: JBT
Thanks for the feed back guys.
Any reason why no one likes the Corolla? I have to admit regular Corollas aren't really my cup of tea either but I do really like the XRS...

the corolla XRS is a great car with the 6-speed. but its torque number is identical to the regular 1.8L and it takes premium (my friend's matrix XRS does). overall a nice car with excellent resale reliability/value, but the mazda3 looks better IMO.

check out motortrend.com for a comparo right on the main page, towards the right side of the page.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: computeerrgghh
Mazda 3 for the reason that anyone who buys the ugly scions should be shot repeatedly.

Unless they like it themselves, right?

 

[Maximin]

I'd consider either tC or 06 Civic.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Originally posted by: computeerrgghh
Mazda 3 for the reason that anyone who buys the ugly scions should be shot repeatedly.

The tC isn't ugly at all IMO. But mazda 3 > tC

 

[sleuth bandit]

I'm not a fan of the TC, and not a huge fan of the 3. The corolla is meh. Of thoes three I guess I'd take the 3.

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: JBT
Thanks for the feed back guys.
Any reason why no one likes the Corolla? I have to admit regular Corollas aren't really my cup of tea either but I do really like the XRS...

http://speedoptions.com/articles/4926/

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Vic
You better check the mpg figures on the tC before taking the advice of this board. 21mpg is pretty damn crappy for 160 hp (that feels even slower), small, and FWD.

Hell, I _average_ 23 with 275 hp/300 tq at the rear wheels. If I kept out of boost she'd see 26+.

Even the big Lincoln gets a little over 20 mpg.

Of the three you mention, I like the Mazda best, but that's just personal preference. Buy the car that you like the best and that fits you the best. It's worth it.

ZV

 

[Mrvile]

I'd get the Mazda.

 

[dethman]

Originally posted by: zoiks
I don't like any of those 3 cars but congrats on landing a good job.

 

[JBT]

I havn't actually looked into the Civic 06's. I hate the 05's looks personally.

I went to the Honda dealership here (Barre, VT) today and they didn't really even have any 06's and don't think they will for atleast another month.

I took a look online and do like the 06 versions MUCH better. I guess I can wait another month to do a test drive then.

 

[randomlinh]

blah, the 06 civic... the back end looks.. ugh. but again, personal preference. just to note the 06 3 gets a 5sp auto thrown in for the 3s, and I think they gave the 2.0 (the 3i) VVT. Which makes me wonder why they have the 2.3 anymore... it's just for the features, altho a 5sp auto is nice for some.

 

[JBT]

I'm definatly not set on the Civic its just an option I hadn't considered. I will be getting a stick shift no matter what. Auto is out of the question.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: JBT
I'm definatly not set on the Civic its just an option I hadn't considered. I will be getting a stick shift no matter what. Auto is out of the question.

Something to note from my test driving of the 3s and the tC.

One of my biggest gripes about the tC was the tach which was partially obstructed by the steering wheel. The tach on the 3s felt significantly larger and due to the electroluminescent gauges, was much easier to read.

Also, the 3s manual was buttery smooth, i loved it.

Gauge comparison
TC - Link to pic
Mazda 3s - Link to pic

Of course, the perspective will be different when your sitting back in the seat w/ the wheel infront of you.

 

[MikeMike]

of those cars, i test drove the 3 and the Civic, i loved the 3, the civic had a MUCH smoother manual, but the 3 was hotter in every way, not a cookie cutter design, and the seats were supportive and everything was put on right, i really wish i had had the money for that car, but alas, ill stick with my 50k car for 7k.

 

[Jamie571]

Just wait a month and buy the new civic, you will not be dissapointed.
Buy this and be happy

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: Jamie571
Just wait a month and buy the new civic, you will not be dissapointed.
Buy this and be happy

It looks like the bastard child of an Accord coupe and a Saturn.

 

[Terabyte]

Out of three, get the tC. If you get a Civic, only get the Civic SI - manual!

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

I've test-driven the tC before, and currently own a Mazda3. I've posted about it before, as this comparison comes up about once a month, but I thought the 3 had a much better feel to it. The manual tranny has a much more solid feel, the steering is lighter and more intuitive, the brakes are firmer, it feels more nimble, and it looks great. I really don't like the tCs looks (the sunroof is hideous when it hangs off the back of the car and the interior is very cheap and plasticy looking), its hard to check blind spots through the tiny rear windows, and in general it just wasn't as much fun to drive.

Haven't driven the Corolla XRS, so I can't speak to that.

Best advice when choosing a car is to test-drive everything and pick whatever you can really see yourself living with and enjoying.