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Mazda 3 vs. Honda Civic Si - READ ONLY

43 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2004 at 2:27 PM

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Messages Page 4 of 5

#24 of 43 by muffin_man

Oct 27, 2004 (10:04 pm)

The 3 did feel like it would be more comfortable over long distances. That said I've driven my Si 6-8 hours on many occasions and it's never bothered me, the seats are excellent.

#25 of 43 there's always by nippononly

Oct 27, 2004 (10:06 pm)

my old friend...........the MATRIX!!!! Or Vibe, whichever's styling floats your boat. And now there's the Daewoo-Suzuki Reno too.
 
As to the Matrix, it is bigger than any of the cars you have mentioned so far, with a mondo back seat (which is a big part of the reason I bought mine long ago), but the XRS (Vibe GT) is fast, feels light on its feet, has some body roll (about on par with the SI), and never felt enclosed to me. You sit up high though - I know that is not for everybody. Be sure you don't mind shifting frequently to keep the engine in its power band if you consider the Matrix, but I would say the same of the SI.
 
And hey, it even has cool stuff like the 115V power outlet and the glass in the back hatch that pops open separately from the door (neither the 3 nor the SI has that right? In fact I don't think the Focus has it either, don't know about the Reno or Spectra5 right off hand). And a rush like the VTEC Hondas of old above 6200 rpm.
 
A note in passing: they just don't make cars anywhere near as light as your early 90s Tercel any more, and all the beltlines have risen since those days too, so if you are sure you want a new car rather than used, you will have to make peace with those two facts, I think.

#26 of 43 by carlisimo

Oct 28, 2004 (1:25 am)

Thanks for all the info =]. I'll be thinking about it, and trying new and old cars out.
 
I'm leaning towards the Civic because it's short, has great seats, and ergonomically it felt great. I do wish it had the Mazda's choice of colors, and its more poised-looking stance (when not lowered).

#27 of 43 by anonymousposts

Oct 29, 2004 (4:31 pm)

We considered the Mazda3 but nneither of is could get comfortable in it. We already had a 2003 Si and felt that the 3 was not worth trading our Si for nor would we have bought the 3 over the Si in direct comparison.

#28 of 43 by bunk1968

Nov 19, 2004 (7:50 pm)

Does anyone know what 0-60 times the Si and the 3 have put out?
Is the new Focus a better competitor with the Si's peppiness?

#29 of 43 by anonymousposts

Nov 20, 2004 (8:09 pm)

The Si has been clocked any where from 7.4-7.8 seconds to 60. So far the best time I remember seeing for the 3s is 7.9.

#30 of 43 by carlisimo

Nov 20, 2004 (9:23 pm)

The Si is a little faster than its 0-60 indicate; it needs a shift into third before 60.
 
The "new" Focus doesn't come in SVT form anymore, so you can't really get an Si competitor.
 
I can't wait to go to the SF Auto Show (which really isn't very special) to sit in the cars I might buy someday. Last time I was turned off by the 3 on the inside and felt very good in the Si, but in real life the Si turned out to be a bit boring to drive.

#31 of 43 Re: [carlisimo] by creakid1

Nov 21, 2004 (3:30 am)

Replying to: carlisimo (Nov 20, 2004 9:23 pm)
“The "new" Focus doesn't come in SVT form anymore, so you can't really get an Si competitor.”
 
The new ST notchback sedan is even better than the SVT! Ever wonder why the production MazdaSpeed 6 switched from the show-car hatch into the notch? Mazda claimed that it's got the needed structure for performance handling. The notch's rear speaker panel acts like a rear-suspension bracing just like the RX-8 & the 350Z's cargo-blocking arch.
 
The ST has the same SVT shocks & swaybars. Only the springs are longer to handle bumpy turns better.
 
& its Mazda-developed 2.3 engine really really kicks ass when compare to the SVT's 2.0 that's weaker all the way until near the redline!

#32 of 43 by carlisimo

Nov 21, 2004 (4:46 pm)

If I wanted a sedan in that price range, I'd have lots more cars to look at... the Lancer Ralliart, the Sentra Spec-V, the Neon SRT-4, the Corolla XRS, the Impreza... but I don't. I probably should've pointed out what I meant by "competitor," so my bad there.

#33 of 43 creakid1 by muffin_man

Nov 21, 2004 (5:54 pm)

I have never heard of anyone, or any reviewer, that liked the new Focus ST better than the old SVT. I certainly don't. Ss Carlisimo mentioned, there are a lot of better competitors for the Mazda 3 than the Focus ST.

Messages Page 4 of 5

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