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Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si - READ ONLY

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic, Car Comparisons, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 106 of 138

#1049 of 1379 Re: Agreed... the si will wallop a mazda3 [blueguydotcom] by thegraduate

Apr 14, 2007 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Apr 14, 2007 5:40 pm)
8 seconds is slow. No two ways around it. Around town the Mazda3 would be far easier to live with. On the freeway, daily life, heck in practically every way I'd say a Mazda3 is a better daily life car than a Civic Si.
 
But in terms of performance, well the Mazda3 is laughably behind the Civic Si.
 
The Civic Si ought to blow the doors off of a basic Mazda 3. It's the performance model of the Honda, vs. the basic model of the 3.
 
But relative to the cars it competes with, it is quick. Quicker than the Civic, Elantra, Cobalt, Corolla, and Jetta, of comparable price and class. Last I checked, the Mazda 3s wasn't being compared to a Civic Si? And, at 7.3 seconds according to Car and Driver's comparison test (the 140 hp Civic got 7.7 sec), the Mazda 3 is ahead of the pack it runs with.
 
Personally, having driven a 130 hp 4-speed Auto Accord which runs 0-60 in about ten seconds, for years, my 8.1 second Accord with 166 hp (Car and Driver) seems fast. It's all relative guys. I've never had a problem because I didn't have enough power in my 1996, so my 2006 is like bonus power considering it gets better mileage than that same 130 hp Accord.

#1050 of 1379 si vs m3 by eldaino

Apr 16, 2007 (6:25 am)

its funny that you mentioned this grad, becaus for awhile, no one wanted to accept the fact that the mazda 3s was the highest level 3 and would HAVE to be compared to the si.
 
For me the only civic that should be compared the the speed three is the type R, and now there are 2 versions in existence and the japanese version is rumored to come over here.
 
Anyway, i'd have to agree with the 0-60 times; the si is quicker in general, whereas the 3 has a more relaxed torque curve, making it easier to drive on a daily basis; its a more 'normal' engine, as oppossed to the si's more quirky demeanor. But i do agree with grad in ref. to what blue guy said about 8 seconds being slow no matter what. We live in a world where some call the si sedans 0-60 time of 7ish seconds slow. 8 seconds may not be a blazing time, but for the class, is anything really fast? Even the mazda speed's 0-60 of 5.8 is slow compared to what a gallardo can acheive, but they are 2 different classes huh? Anything is fast when its realtive to its competition.
 
I think the 3s is relatively quick for its class,...but when you look at how it only edges out the 140 hp civic lx by .04 seconds, is that really anything to brag about?
 
No, it really isn't.
 
In fact, the difference is so small, if you were going to do the classic 'from stop light to stop light' deal, (which im sure most of us wouldn't im just saying this for comparative reasons. )it would not be unheard of for the civic driver to come out on top.
 
I myself have more than just nipped on a few mazda 3s heels when i had my ex. And being and ex, it weighed more and was an auto.
 
Then again, all of this belongs in the "Mazda 3 vs Civic" forum, since none of it has anything to do with the si or mazdaspeed. Or the gti for that matter.

#1051 of 1379 Re: Just test drove the Civic Si Sedan and Mazda 3s back-to-back [carfanatic007] by stallionre

Apr 16, 2007 (7:46 am)

Replying to: carfanatic007 (Apr 14, 2007 6:50 am)
I still think that these numbers are bias. Anyway, what about the torque? Huh??
 
I know that the 3 has great speed and torque for it's class. I really don't care about 0-60 range, unless if you are racing. In LA, 0-60 means nothing, because the freeways are mostly run at 40MPH. Damn traffic and congestion.
 
I still think a 160HP engine is better than a 140HP. At least for the noise part. The Civic sounds like it screams, too much noise for me to like, However the 3 purrs along, nicely. SWEET!!!!

#1052 of 1379 Re: Just test drove the Civic Si Sedan and Mazda 3s back-to-back [stallionr by blueguydotcom

Apr 16, 2007 (8:29 am)

Replying to: stallionre (Apr 16, 2007 7:46 am)
In LA, 0-60 means nothing, because the freeways are mostly run at 40MPH. Damn traffic and congestion.
 
Couldn't disagree more. Freeway merging is where I want power. Lots of it. I despise people who mosey onto the freeway as I feel totally endangered by them - they refuse to match the flow of traffic and thus freeway traffic must slow for them or even worse I'm stuck behind them getting on the freeway. I've taken to hanging back and giving the other car a huge lead if I think it's a slow-merging/slow-thinking dullard in front of me. If they're slow, the gap will allow me to merge at a decent speed and get around them more easily.
 
And I drive in LA all the time. It's freeway/hour dependent. I've been on the 405 at 5 in the morning and been forced to do 90 to keep up with traffic.

#1053 of 1379 Re: Just test drove the Civic Si Sedan and Mazda 3s back-to-back [stallionre] by thegraduate

Apr 16, 2007 (8:30 am)

Replying to: stallionre (Apr 16, 2007 7:46 am)
156 hp (as the 3s has) is better than 140 hp. 26/35 MPG is better than 22/29 MPG as well.
 
As for the engine note, that is subjective. I've got a friend with a 2004 3s (4-speed Auto) and it isn't particularly quiet, and you feel like you can feel every single tread block of the tires (stock wheels and tires). Again, subjective.
 
0-60 is a HUGE deal here, where freeways typically run 75MPH all the time, and on-ramps vary in length. Top end power is a big deal to me, since typically, when I need it (I'll be pushing the pedal further) the engine jumps to max hp/high-rpm. When I don't need it (lightly pushing the pedal) the engine runs more economically than a torquier engine would.

#1054 of 1379 Re: Just test drove the Civic Si Sedan and Mazda 3s back-to-back [stallionre] by eldaino

Apr 16, 2007 (8:30 am)

Replying to: stallionre (Apr 16, 2007 7:46 am)
it may 'scream' to you stal, but thats part of the character. The 3 you have is not the performance version of the 3. The si is the performance version of the civic. Honda wouldn't want complaints of a sedate si.
 
160hp better than 140? Yeah in some ways. But you gotta realize that 160 hp isn't all that amazing for a 2.3. Honda had a 2.0 that put out the same amount. They have one that puts out 197...

#1055 of 1379 I think... by thegraduate

Apr 16, 2007 (8:33 am)

We're all guilty of going off topic. We should move this to the "economy sedans" board if we're gonna keep it up. I'm just as guilty as you guys.

#1056 of 1379 Re: Just test drove the Civic Si Sedan and Mazda 3s back-to-back [stallionr [blueguydotcom] by stallionre

Apr 16, 2007 (11:00 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Apr 16, 2007 8:29 am)
OUCH, OH, I feel your pain. the 405!!! Are you crazy? Sorry. I am in the same boat, try the 101 and 5? Double trouble. When I enter a freeway, I put the pedal the metal and merge, then of course you have to slow down till you 40MPH. Which sucks!!!
 
You explain LA very well.

#1057 of 1379 Re: I think... [thegraduate] by stallionre

Apr 16, 2007 (11:01 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 16, 2007 8:33 am)
I know, we are just trying to make lite of the situation and humor of course with the roads now a days.

#1058 of 1379 Re: I think... [stallionre] by thegraduate

Apr 16, 2007 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: stallionre (Apr 16, 2007 11:01 am)
Oh, I just meant the talk of the basic versions of these cars. A lot of people would be interested in what we've talked about between the 156 hp 3, 140 hp Civic, etc...I certainly am interested!
 
Not trying to be a mommy/daddy to the forum, that's not my job.

Messages Page 106 of 138

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