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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si
1379 messages, Last post on Oct 01, 2009 at 10:54 AM
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Replying to: carfanatic007 (Sep 16, 2007 5:28 pm) wow. just wow. so i'm assuming that when you posted the bulk of your comments, you had yet to try the vw out huh? so do you still think the si is the 'best'? i personally probably would have kept the si, just for the handling. the gli is a good handler too, but its not flat through corners. the mkV's biggest weakness imo. but the torque is nice. |
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I test drove all 3 of these cars. I hated the SI. You have to drive it like it you're stealing it and I just couldn't get the hang it. I never seemed to go to the right gear. I guess I would get used to it if I had bought it but it soured my test drive so much that I just couldn't buy it. The layout of the guages was fine to me, I didn't mind the speedo being high up compared to the tachometer. And even with a nav system, it was the least expensive. The GTI was great. I drove one with the DSG transmission and loved it. I have to drive through some tough traffic which can be a chore with a standard, but this would have allowed me to still be involved with driving the car while being convenient during stop and go traffic. The biggest problem with the GTI is that to get one with a sunroof, DSG, and upgrade to the 18 inch wheels (I don't like the way the 17's look) the price would have been over 26K. The MSP3 just seemed to fit me perfectly. It's priced higher than the SI but with the added power, space, and amenities (I got the GT package) its justified. The shifter can be a bit vague sometimes and the clutch is very abrupt making it tough to get a smooth start and not having a sunroof is a bit of a drag but the power this car has in third gear is so intoxicating that you completely forget about all that stuff. I just can't imagine a better car in this category. The new Caliber SRT-4 might give the MSP3 a run in the straight line from 0 - 60, but I don't see how a vehicle that tall will ever be able to beat it in the corners, and it's interior is crap. And why people insist of pitting the MSP3 to Evo's and WRX's? Those are AWD cars and thousands of dollars more expensive.
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Replying to: scoobasteve (Sep 27, 2007 8:12 am) because of its strong grip numbers. but to me, that hardly justifies the comparisons. the other 2 are significantly faster, and handle even better. |
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Replying to: scoobasteve (Sep 27, 2007 8:12 am)
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Replying to: blueguydotcom (Sep 27, 2007 8:20 am) The Speed 3 is really nice inside and I'd say it's a few notches above my older Rex, but I haven't checked out the new WRX and it looks like it will need some mods right out of the box to kill all that body roll it's got. FWD is not my first choice but the Speed 3 looks really good. I'll take oversteer which I'm used to over understeer although I like my setup to be a bit neutral with a bit of oversteer. |
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http://newsletter.autoexpress.co.uk/c/14s2ea5Bnoeq5 Energy-wasting AWD combines w/ lack of steering feel. At least it's got good ride comfort: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/210611/subaru_impreza.html The new Euro-built Saturn -- lack of multi-link rear suspension means a comfy ride is not even remotely possible if the handling has to remain decent, steering-feel sucks, too: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/210614/vauxhall_astra.html With the Focus-II platform, the Mazda has the highest "driving experience" rating here, but its ride is not tuned comfortably the way Focus' are: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/210612/mazda_3.html |
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| I don't put any stock in magazine reviews. They say the Si has a good interior - it doesn't to my eyes. I'll visit a Scooby dealer soon to take a peak at the WRX. If it's up to par with my old 2003 Protege ES, then it's more than adequate to be a daily car. | |
still has the best-looking interior, at least from the brochure 
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Replying to: creakid1 (Oct 05, 2007 7:55 am)
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Replying to: blueguydotcom (Oct 05, 2007 7:56 am) man blueguy, sometimes i've wondered if you have ever peeped inside of any other car that the civic competes with. Most would agree it has a high quality interior. You may not 'personally' like it, but to call it garbage is a bit harsh, and totally contradictory to the long history of quality interiors that the civic has had.
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