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Honda Civic vs Mazda3

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

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#1111 of 1333 3s Mileage by sandman46 Apr 23, 2007 (5:45 pm)
Our Civic gets close to 9 mpg's better than our 3s, but it's engine has less power. The 3s accelerates much faster and is a real rush to drive. But compared to the Civic, the 3s mileage kinda sucks. But we knew that going in. We swapped our '01 Altima with it's 2.4 engine for the Mazdas 2.3 engine, as the wife wanted a smaller car with similar power. Reliability issues drove us away from the Jetta and also it's a German car, eventhough some are made in Mexico. Prefer Japanese cars over German, so the Jetta was nixed.   The Sandman
#1112 of 1333 break the silence by onlyimports Apr 23, 2007 (9:10 pm)
After observing this discussion for some time, I feel the need to add in my 2 cents. I used to owned a 01 protege and traded for a 03 Camry V6. I was disappointed with the Protege's built quality after over a year of ownership. Traded the Camry for a Highlander in 04 and still in my possession. Bought another 03 Corolla and traded for a 06 Mazda 3 GT last November because of the extreme beauty and top rating from car journalists. Sold my 3GT last week and bought a 07 Civic Ex sedan. Here's my take: Try a second chance at Mazda and found no improvement. Nice to drive during test drive, but poor built quality show after a short ownership. Bad road noise like there is no insulation at all. Every bump kind of radiates to the driver. Steering has no bite(feel) of the road at hgher speed. Squelling brakes and ultra thin carpet. The chassis do not have tightness feel of a new car. My Corolla still feel like new after 3.5 years of driving. Had good experience with a couple of Hondas before so I hope I'll be happy with my Civic. The only advantage of the 3 is the smooth power. The Corolla has a little better off the line power than the Civic. Hope the Civic will improve after the break-in. Anyway, the Civic has the same quality feel and tight handling like the Corolla. I think the next remodelled Corolla is the one to beat. My take is anyone thinking of a 3 to take an extensive test drive. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Apr 24, 2007 5:33 am) mongoose65 (Apr 24, 2007 7:24 am)
#1113 of 1333 Re: break the silence [onlyimports] by thegraduate Apr 24, 2007 (5:33 am)
Replying to: onlyimports (Apr 23, 2007 9:10 pm) I find it interesting that your opinion seems to be the dissenting one here. Nothing wrong with that, it is just that a lot of people (including myself) are likely to disagree with you. The Corolla has to have about the numbest steering and the worst low-end torque off the line of any compact. It rides better than many midsize sedans, but it is no fun at all to drive by many's people's opinion. The Mazda has the absolute best handling/steering feel on the other hand, although you pay for it in having a firmer ride.   My ex-girlfriend's Corolla rattled more than any car I've ever driven (it is a 2004 and had 25,000 miles or so at the time I was driving it regularly); more than my 1996 Accord with 172,000 miles. It felt anything but solid.
#1114 of 1333 Re: leaning toward the Honda [thegraduate] by aviboy97 Apr 24, 2007 (5:50 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Apr 23, 2007 5:31 pm) This according to fueleconomy.gov:   Honda Civic 5-speed manual 1.8L 26mpg-34mpg Mazda3 5-speed manual 2.0L 24mpg-32mpg Mazda3 5-speed manual 2.3L 22mpg-30mpg   Honda Civic automatic 1.8L 26mpg-36mpg Mazda3 automatic 2.0L 23mpg-31mpg Mazda3 automatic 2.3L 22mpg-29mpg Replies to this message: eldaino (Apr 24, 2007 8:54 am)
#1115 of 1333 Re: break the silence [onlyimports] by mongoose65 Apr 24, 2007 (7:24 am)
Replying to: onlyimports (Apr 23, 2007 9:10 pm) Holy cow, I have never disagreed more with a posting in my life. To each his own, but I find absolutely nothing appealing about the Corolla at all. Like many, I started with the Civic, Mazda3 and Corolla as research points. The Corolla had no real personality at all, styling, driving, standard features, price points, interior. The Civic and M3 were both excellent. I went for the sportier ride and interior of the M3. After one year and 20k miles of hard Long Island/NYC driving, the Mazda looks, feels and drives like new. Just had an oil change and a wash and looked at the car and said "damn, this is a pretty cool little car." I say that about a Civic I see from time to time. I've NEVER said that about a Corolla. I do not see your points about carpet (my carpet is fine and the mats quite cushy compared to my previous SUV), no road noise, WAY better high speed steering (bite, feel as you say) than either the Civic or Corolla (I tested both). As for the driver feeling the bumps, that is a clear personal choice. It is a much stiffer Volvo frame and suspension. It took some getting used to the stiffness but I get repayed whenever the car smoothly hugs the road on turns and easily merges into highway traffic without topping 4 on the tach. The Corolla and Civic definitely feel more sedan-like with a softer ride and more sway. However, that is by design and not a flaw in the M3. It's a sports compact, not a mini-sedan. Oh well, to each his own.
#1116 of 1333 gas mileage by rwh Apr 24, 2007 (7:30 am)
Thanks for the fuel estimates.   I keep my cars a long time. According to the fueleconomy.gov estimates, taking the mid point numbers I calculate the following in 100,000 miles:   Honda Civic automatic: 3225.8 gallons (ave. 31 mpg) Mazda3 2.0L automatic: 3703.7 gallons (ave. 27 mpg) Difference: 477.9 gal.   These are objective numbers based on the available data, but your mileage may vary.   Disregarding the cost of additional fuel of $1443.71 over that period at $3/gallon (the Mazda is still about $2k cheaper) all other things being equal my motivation is to simply use less fuel. I feel better using 50 gallons less fuel per year. Others may not care that much. I'm not interested in starting an environmental debate. And I can't afford the hybrids.   It gets worse if I choose the Mazda wagon, which is what I would really prefer because of the utility. For me 24.5 mpg average mileage kind of defeats the purpose of buying a small car. Replies to this message: autonomous (Apr 24, 2007 8:54 am) eldaino (Apr 24, 2007 8:55 am) autonomous (Apr 24, 2007 9:08 am) and 1 more... aviboy97 (Apr 24, 2007 10:15 am) autonomous (Apr 24, 2007 12:58 pm)
#1117 of 1333 driving 85 unsafe? by eldaino Apr 24, 2007 (8:48 am)
wow. everyone here seems to live some place with really low speed limits.   I drive 80-90 everyday to work. If i did less, i'd get killed!
#1118 of 1333 Re: leaning toward the Honda [rwh] by eldaino Apr 24, 2007 (8:50 am)
Replying to: rwh (Apr 23, 2007 12:02 pm) really suprised at your wifes remarks on the styling. One thing is call it ugly, but designless? The only thing that makes the civic generic is the fact that many people drive it.   the 3 by comparsion, while still a great looker imo, is a more 'generic' styled vehicle, far more traditional looking than the extreme lines of the civic. Replies to this message: rwh (Apr 24, 2007 1:00 pm) eldaino (Apr 25, 2007 4:48 am)
#1119 of 1333 Re: leaning toward the Honda [aviboy97] by eldaino Apr 24, 2007 (8:54 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 24, 2007 5:50 am) since the 2.3 seems to be the most popular choice i'd say that the civics 1.8 does pretty damn amazing.   its less evident with the 2.0i, but no one really writes home about that engine in the 3 and a lot of the sporty appeal goes out the window.   I had forgotten why i couldn't justify gettin a 3 hatch over my rabbit...i remember now. My mileage figures match that of the mazda.
#1120 of 1333 Gas mileage and a future of lighter vehicles [rwh] by autonomous Apr 24, 2007 (8:54 am)
Replying to: rwh (Apr 24, 2007 7:30 am) It gets worse if I choose the Mazda wagon Agreed. Fuel economy is one of the disappointments of the Mazda3 wagon. The increased engine size and additional weight of the car, have compromised the Mazda 3s's fuel economy. The predecessor to the Mazda3 wagon, the Protege5, achieved the same fuel economy rating 5 years ago. Hopefully Mazda will get on the lighter is better bandwagon eventually. Building a lighter car does not mean less comfortable or decontented. TIP: When comparing cars check their curb weight. A small vehicle that exceeds 3000# should be penalized by consumers. Manufacturers should be aiming for 2500# or less for small cars. Replies to this message: eldaino (Apr 24, 2007 8:55 am) autonomous (Apr 24, 2007 9:08 am) eldaino (Apr 24, 2007 9:20 am) aviboy97 (Apr 24, 2007 10:15 am) autonomous (Apr 24, 2007 12:58 pm)

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