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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 29 of 139

#278 of 1379 Re: VW also beat the Civic Si [bman33] by aviboy97

Jul 24, 2006 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: bman33 (Jul 24, 2006 11:16 am)
As for reliability, my 2004 VW GTI has been trouble-free for 28,000 miles. Not one warranty claim! Mazda's have issues, too - just take a look at the following forum - Mazda3: Problems & Solutions
 
 
Not doubting your luck with your VW, but, the VW GTI has had more problems, historically, then the Mazda3.
 
Every brand made has problems, no car is perfect, not even Lexus/Toyota, which is considered by many to be the most reliable car company.
 
On a side note, a friend of mine had a 1994 Chevy Cavalier with 225K on it with NO problems before the engine block finally cracked, and it "pissed" all sorts of engine fluids all over my driveway. And we all know where Chevy's reputation for quality and reliability are..."flush"...

#279 of 1379 When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? by bman33

Jul 25, 2006 (6:55 am)

I admit it is premature to make an objective assessment of the Mazdaspeed3's performance. Does anyone have an arrival date for Mazdaspeed3 on US soil? There is a dealer near my house that carries Mazda and VW - it'll make a back-to-back comparison easy!
 
My criticism of the Mazdaspeed3 is based on hands-on experience in a Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed6. I'll be honest, I was super excited when I read the spec sheet and "First Look" articles in the car mags on the Mazdaspeed 6. I visited my local Mazda dealership in March with the intent of trading in the GTI and buying a Mazdaspeed6. After my test drive, I didn't think it was worth the extra monthly payment.

#280 of 1379 Mazdaspeed3 Pricing by aviboy97

Jul 25, 2006 (7:45 am)

Sport.............................................$22,800
Grand Touring.....................................$24,515
Grand Touring w/SIRIUS radio......................$24,945
 
Prices include $560 destination (Mazda)
 
VW GTI cloth interior w/ 18" rims.................$23,370
VW GTI leather interior w/18" rims/SIRIUS radio...$26,530
 
Prices include $630 destination (VW)
 
All models are with manual transmissions
 
I placed two of the prices in bold text so you can see the price difference between the Mazdaspeed3 and GTI loaded. Big difference.

#281 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [bman33] by rorr

Jul 25, 2006 (8:17 am)

Replying to: bman33 (Jul 25, 2006 6:55 am)
"I visited my local Mazda dealership in March with the intent of trading in the GTI and buying a Mazdaspeed6. After my test drive, I didn't think it was worth the extra monthly payment."
 
Out of curiousity, what was it you were expecting and did not find after your test drive of the Speed6?

#282 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [rorr] by aviboy97

Jul 25, 2006 (9:02 am)

Replying to: rorr (Jul 25, 2006 8:17 am)
Out of curiousity, what was it you were expecting and did not find after your test drive of the Speed6?
 
I guess un-matched handling, comfort, cutting edge design, AWD, and lots of power for $30K was not enough!

#283 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [aviboy97] by bman33

Jul 25, 2006 (10:03 am)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jul 25, 2006 9:02 am)
I don't want to get too off topic, but the things I didn't like in the Mazdaspeed6 were some missing standard interior options(like memory seat, aux audio input, heated seats) the cheaper feel of the interior touch surfaces, the ride quality on rough roads and low end torque. I know the Mazda has direct injection and loads of HP and Torque, but the engine felt sluggish off the bottom. I've been told that the difference between my 1.8T turbocharger and the Mazdaspeed6 turbo is that VW uses a variable vane design, but I don't know enough about the two to confirm this. Perhaps someone with more engine knowledge can do a compare/contrast on the 2 motors and turbos?
 
After test driving almost every AWD sports sedan, my favorites are the Subaru Legacy GT, Infiniti G35x and Passat 3.6. I'm looking to move to one of those in October or November.

#284 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [bman33] by rorr

Jul 25, 2006 (10:33 am)

Replying to: bman33 (Jul 25, 2006 10:03 am)
From what I understand, the Speed3 will have heated seats and aux audio input. No memory seat. I can't attest to the interior plastics since I've not sat in a VW.
 
I'll await driving impressions of the U.S. spec Speed3 before commenting on ride quality. But IMO ride quality is one of those highly subjective traits.
 
The only problem I'm aware of with regards to torque and the Speed3 is the fact that there may be too MUCH of it. The fact that peak torque may be a bit higher in the rpm band may be a benefit. You also seem to overlook the fact that the Speed3 has SUBSTANTIALLY more peak torque than the GTI in a lighter vehicle.
 
I know you were testing the Speed6. Were you inferring that the Speed3 would also feel 'sluggish' off the bottom?

#285 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [bman33] by aviboy97

Jul 25, 2006 (10:50 am)

Replying to: bman33 (Jul 25, 2006 10:03 am)
don't want to get too off topic, but the things I didn't like in the Mazdaspeed6 were some missing standard interior options(like memory seat, aux audio input, heated seats) the cheaper feel of the interior touch surfaces
 
The GT trim level has heated seats and is actually quite nice to the touch.
 
My brothers GTI has the trim surfaces pealing apart, especially around the power window controls, door handles and many other places. This started to occur at 10K miles. Not to mention the constant "melted crayon" smell. He has never had crayons in the car, or any little kids.

#286 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [rorr] by bman33

Jul 25, 2006 (11:29 am)

Replying to: rorr (Jul 25, 2006 10:33 am)
One thing I wish they included in the car mag and online comparison articles is an actual torque and horsepower curve chart. On the motorcycle side, every comparison article lays out the bikes torque and HP curves and it shows remarkable differences between bikes with almost identical top end power.
 
Perhaps that would explain my perception of the Mazdaspeed6 feeling a little sluggish of the line.
 
With its lighter weight, I'm sure the Mazdaspeed3 will be more comparable to the "get up" I feel with my '04 GTI.
 
Regarding the torque and HP differences, the final Mazdaspeed3 SAE numbers have not been released, so we have to wait and see. But I know that for $600, a 10 minute APR reprogram of the 2006 GTI 2.0T ECU will net you 252HP/303ft/lbs of torque! Here is the link
APR GTI upgrade

#287 of 1379 Re: When is the Mazdaspeed3 hitting US soil? [bman33] by aviboy97

Jul 25, 2006 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: bman33 (Jul 25, 2006 11:29 am)
Wow, thats quite a bit of power for $600. Isn't is crazy how a computer can control an engine that much?
 
As for SAE numbers on the Mazdaspeed3, you are right, numbers are not out yet, however, on www.mazdausa.com, they are stating "over 250hp" and 280 ft lb's of torque. Really, the only thing that bug's me is the restricted power in gears 1-3. I guess a test drive is the only way to tell. We will have to wait until September/October for that.

Messages Page 29 of 139

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