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Sedans Honda Civic Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla vs Mazda3
879 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
You are in the Honda Civic Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: backy (Jan 10, 2008 5:58 pm) 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! |
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Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 8:16 pm) Learning how to drive is even cooler... |
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Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 8:16 pm) |
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Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 2:21 pm) |
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 11, 2008 8:10 am) 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.
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Replying to: gene2 (Jan 11, 2008 12:22 pm) |
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Replying to: gene2 (Jan 11, 2008 12:22 pm) I would strongly recommend that you look into Street Survival.
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Replying to: tomkozski (Jan 11, 2008 11:33 am) 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.
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Replying to: gene2 (Jan 10, 2008 8:16 pm) Also, FYI ESC is standard on the Elantra SE for 2008, and the Elantra also has 4-wheel disc brakes, compared to rear drums on some Civics. I think the Mazda3 has discs all around also. The 2009 Corolla, due out next month, should get excellent crash test results, with its heavier structure and six airbags standard, but those results haven't been done yet (or at least not published yet). But VSC is standard only on the rare XRS trim; optional on others however.
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Replying to: backy (Jan 11, 2008 9:10 pm) Thank you for correcting me about the Elantra. You're right, the higher end SE DOES have ESC. Didn't mean to mislead anyone. BTW, I've owned 2 Elantras (an '03 and an '05). I loved them both. Not so good handling, but what a great, comfortable ride for straight-line driving! The '03 I used primarily to commute between San Antonio and Houston. This thing had the most comfortable driver's seat of ANY car I've ever owned, it was reliable, the ergonomics were wonderful, and it had plenty of power. After 2 years and 60K miles, I foolishly traded it in (gave away) for a car I'm too embarassed to mention. After getting rid of the embarassing car, I went back to Hyundai. It was like going back to an old friend. Unfortunately, after running over a trailer hitch with the '05 Elantra, it was never quite the same, and I sold it (after numerous repairs) and bought an '07 Civic. The Civic I'm finding to be far less comfortable than the Elantra, but handles 10X better. With the '03 Elantra, I only had two problems - both low beam headlight bulbs burned out, which Hyundai replaced for free and with no hassle. The problems I had with my second Elantra I believe were all related to the trailer hitch fiasco, which filleted the bottom of my car. I was very impressed with both Elantras, and look forward to seeing how they fare in the next round of crash tests. Thank you for correcting me about the Elantra's ESC. Thanks to you, this car's back on my radar screen. |
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