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Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla vs Mazda3

879 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2008 at 3:57 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda MAZDA3, Sedan

Messages Page 72 of 88

#710 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [aviboy97] by autonomous

Jan 10, 2008 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 10, 2008 11:11 am)
Did you happen to see the notation "2005-08 models mfg. after Aug. 2004 without side airbags" in reference to the Mazda3? This is a major problem as to the rating on this car, it has not been tested with the same equipment as others in its class.
 
My understanding is that the manufacturers are asked to submit a model for testing. If that's the case, why does Mazda not submit theirs with side airbags?

#711 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [gene2] by backy

Jan 10, 2008 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 7:17 am)
FWIW the current Elantra has not been tested yet by the IIHS for side impact. So it's unfair to compare the scores of the current Civic and Mazda3 to those of the Elantra, since they reflect an old design that hasn't been sold in the U.S. since the fall of 2006.

#712 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [backy] by gene2

Jan 10, 2008 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 10, 2008 6:58 pm)
I also agree with you that it's unfair to compare scores of the current Civic and Mazda3 to those of the Elantra, since they reflect an old design that hasn't been sold in the US since the fall of 2006.
 
However, I am forced to make buying decisions using old crash test data because that's the only data available on Mazda3s and Elantras. The new Mazda3s and Elantras might do very well in IIHS side impact crash tests. Until I know that for a fact, however, I would rather drive a vehicle I know will do well in a side impact versus driving a vehicle that MIGHT do well in a side impact.
 
BTW, just to muddy the waters, I will point out that you cannot buy a Civic with electronic stability control (ESC) unless you buy the Si. In a Mazda3 "S" line and above, ESC is available. This is a big deal to the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS), as they won't even recommend a vehicle unless it's equipped with ESC. They feel so strongly about ESC because the IIHS claims that roughly half of all fatal vehicle accidents are single-vehicle accidents. In other words, the driver lost control of the car. The IIHS believes that ESC MAY reduce those fatal accidents by fifty per cent.
 
Pick your poison. If you're more concerned about surviving a side-impact collision, then buy a Civic. If you're more concerned about maintaining control of your vehicle, and possibly avoiding an accident entirely, then buy a Mazda3.
 
IF the new Mazda3's get a GOOD rating after the IIHS's NEXT round of crash testing, then to me, if one is concerned about buying the safest vehicle that's also a hoot to drive, then buying a Mazda3 would be a no-brainer. Good crash test scores AND electronic stability control! Wouldn't that be cool!

#713 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [gene2] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2008 (9:10 am)

Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 9:16 pm)
Good crash test scores AND electronic stability control! Wouldn't that be cool!
 
Learning how to drive is even cooler...

#714 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [gene2] by rascal99

Jan 11, 2008 (11:20 am)

Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 9:16 pm)
I have to agree that superior handling, braking, and inspired driving confidence (not to mention driver skill, certainly the most important) trumps whether the side door is going to protect you. My main gripe with SUV's is their perceived "safety" qualifications. What happens to a 5k pound truck when you emergency maneuver at 70mph? There is more to safety than crash test scores.

#715 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [gene2] by tomkozski

Jan 11, 2008 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 3:21 pm)
My understanding of IIHS testing is that they do not "get" cars from the manufacturers. I once watched either 60 Minutes or Dateline about their testing procedures. They go to a dealership and buy them off the lot, sort of to make sure what they're getting is something a regular consumer would get. Therefore, it's up to the IIHS and not Mazda to retest the Mazda3.

#716 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [roadburner] by gene2

Jan 11, 2008 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 11, 2008 9:10 am)
Roadburner: "Learning how to drive is even cooler ..." That's pretty funny, but you're right. This is what my daughter's doing right now - learning how to drive. Sure, she's had driver's training, is responsible, is a good driver, has good judgment, but nothing changes the fact that she is a new driver. I read somewhere that the most dangerous time in a person's life is their teen driving years. I'm trying to do everything I can to improve her odds of surviving beyond her teen years. Right now, she's driving the family minivan. After a few years of that, I intend to put her in the Honda.
 
Roadburner, you're right. All the airbags and safety whistles and bells are no substitute for safe, attentive, smart, anticipatory driving skills. I think, however, that we're probably smoking dope if we think that a brand new driver, no matter how well trained or responsible, has all those great driving skills right out of the box.
 
Am I making the right decisons? Are you making the right decisions? I only hope we never find out.

#717 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [gene2] by rascal99

Jan 11, 2008 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: gene2 (Jan 11, 2008 1:22 pm)
Exactly. We do the best we can. If some clown runs a red light and hits me I would rather be in an Escalade; however, I wouldn't want to be in one whizzing down the highway. I drive a pretty safe 4 door sedan (Audi A4) and, believe it or not, I feel much safer in this vehicle than I would in a supersized SUV. We all have to make a choice; hopefully it is the right one. Cheers!

#718 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [gene2] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2008 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: gene2 (Jan 11, 2008 1:22 pm)
I'm trying to do everything I can to improve her odds of surviving beyond her teen years.
 
I would strongly recommend that you look into Street Survival.

#719 of 879 Re: Own The 3 And The Civic [tomkozski] by backy

Jan 11, 2008 (10:04 pm)

Replying to: tomkozski (Jan 11, 2008 12:33 pm)
I don't think that's true. I remember reading on the IIHS site that a manufacturer can pay a fee to the IIHS to have the car tested earlier than the IIHS' test schedule. That would mean the car does not come from a dealer. Also, for frontal impact tests most IIHS tests now are done by the manufacturer using the IIHS' procedure, and the results are reported to and published by the IIHS. You can read in the ratings whether the test was done by the manufacturer or by the IIHS. The IIHS still does all the side and rear tests themselves.
 
So anyway, Mazda could pay the IIHS to re-test the Mazda3 with side bags and curtains. It's likely the IIHS won't test it again until the redesigned Mazda3 comes out in a year or two.

Messages Page 72 of 88

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