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toyota matrix or mazda3 hatch? - READ ONLY

32 messages,  Last post on Dec 07, 2004 at 10:48 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Toyota Matrix, Hatchback

Messages Page 4 of 4

#23 of 32 The Aerio is a joke by creakid1

Dec 06, 2004 (12:03 pm)

After I got my high-chair Focus ST w/ a dome-like moonroof-less ceiling, I felt like inside of a minivan but corners AND rides like a German sport sedan.
 
Then I noticed the Aerio & the Five Hundred on the road looking like my little & big bros, respectively. But they are totally unrelated to my German-designed Focus. 'cause the Aerio is Japanese & the Five Hundred is derived from the Swedish S80.
 
Japan does not have the technology to design a tall narrow little car that rides comfortably, let alone riding comfortably while handles like a sports car. Just take a look at the Aerio, xA, xB, Echo or even the Matrix/Corolla(which rides OK). & some of them can even feel tippy on cross wind.
 
The German-platform Mazda3 is somewhat close just lagging behind the Focus, both I & II, in ride comfort.
 
By the way, like the Chevy Aveo, Suzuki cars these days are just bunch of Daewoo's from Korea. Don't confuse them w/ the Japanese-designed Geo Metro/Pontiac Fire Fly(Canada) being a Suzuki Swift w/ one cylinder deleted.

#24 of 32 criteria by el_bagador

Dec 06, 2004 (12:42 pm)

1. < 20 g's-->necessary
2. reviews, what owners are saying about them
3. reliability
4. maintenance & insurance costs
 
as you can probably tell, the matrix has been more or less eliminated for me--there were too many things i didn't like about the way it drove. it's been replaced with a subaru impreza rs wagon, which i have yet to test.

#25 of 32 Check out the Scion xB... by strager

Dec 06, 2004 (7:26 pm)

I was in the market for a compact hatchback/wagon from a Japanese nameplate, and bought a Scion xB (from Toyota) after also looking at the Matrix and Mazda3.
 
If horsepower is a priority, then forget about the xB. But if you want a high quality, fun to drive, compact wagon with a HUGE interior and great gas mileage for only $15K fully equipped (including stability control and ABS), the xB is a no-brainer choice. The xB is simply the most fun car I've owned.

#26 of 32 creakid by nippononly

Dec 06, 2004 (8:46 pm)

while many of the Suzukis are rebadged Daewoos, remember that the Aerio is the exception - designed by Suzuki for Suzuki.
 
Having said that, if the Aerio interests you then you really ought to be taking a closer look at the Matrix, IMO. Some of the negatives of the Aerio are erased in the Matrix, and all of the good points are present, and then some.
 
Regardless of what the Matrix XRS and Mazda3s hatch will do in instrumented tests, the Mazda will always "feel" sportier from the driver's seat, because of the more connected controls, the lower seating position (and lower roof), and the less buslike relationship of the driver to the steering wheel.
 
But the flip side for me was that the Mazda was crashy over bad pavement and gave up a lot of rear seat passenger room and cargo space to the Matrix. Not to mention having a lot more road noise. The Mazda is definitely the sport alternative to the Matrix, but you might be surprised at just how sporty the Matrix can be. The Matrix just needs to develop a fatter power band than 6200-7800 rpm.

#27 of 32 Re: creakid [nippononly] by creakid1

Dec 06, 2004 (11:50 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Dec 06, 2004 8:46 pm)
"But the flip side for me was that the Mazda was crashy over bad pavement and gave up a lot of rear seat passenger room and cargo space to the Matrix. Not to mention having a lot more road noise."
 
The solution is to donate its 17"s to the 16" 3's right there in the lot before you purchase the 3 hatch. If that doesn't work well enough, then replace the shocks with...uh...Volvo S40's non-sport units. Why don't you just get the (reliable '05)Focus hatch/wagon w/ std 15"s or optional 16"s! I guarantee the suspension-tuning rides damn comfy!(See CR's half-red-circle rating)

#28 of 32 I thought this was a Matrix vs. Mazda3 discussion ... by mdaffron

Dec 07, 2004 (6:19 am)

?
 
Meade

#29 of 32 Re: I thought this was a Matrix vs. Mazda3 discussion ... [mdaffron] by Sylvia

Dec 07, 2004 (7:01 am)

Replying to: mdaffron (Dec 07, 2004 6:19 am)
It is. Let's get back on topic folks. If you want to talk about the xB, use the Browse Forums by Vehicle menu on the left to locate discussions for it.

#30 of 32 Re: I thought this was a Matrix vs. Mazda3 discussion ... [Sylvia] by strager

Dec 07, 2004 (8:26 am)

Replying to: Sylvia (Dec 07, 2004 7:01 am)
Since I originally was trying to make the same decision (Matrix vs Mazda3), but ended up buying the xB, I posted why I made that choice.
 
One post about the xB isn't going to remake this topic into a xB discussion. Please note that others have also mentioned the Ford Focus, Suzuki Aerio and the Volvo V40 in this discussion, probably because they felt those cars were similar in some ways to the Matrix and Mazda3.

#31 of 32 Re: criteria [el_bagador] by oskwi

Dec 07, 2004 (8:38 am)

Replying to: el_bagador (Dec 06, 2004 12:42 pm)
Thanks for the information. I'm pretty much in the same situation.
 
It seems as if I started something by inadvertently mentioning the Aerio...which I explicitly stated as being dropped from my list. I'll refrain from further non-M3 and non-Matrix word usage.
 
I haven't spoken with my insurance rep. as of yet, but how do the rates compare for the M3 and Matrix in your area? I would assume that they are similar?

#32 of 32 Re: criteria [oskwi] by el_bagador

Dec 07, 2004 (10:48 am)

Replying to: oskwi (Dec 07, 2004 8:38 am)
probably...i haven't looked into that aspect of thisng yet, though. as soon as i do, it will be public knowledge.

Messages Page 4 of 4

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