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Honda Civic vs Mazda3

1338 messages,  Last post on Jun 09, 2010 at 8:42 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

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

Messages Page 13 of 134

#121 of 1338 Re: Bad comparison [backy] by carguy58

Dec 31, 2005 (11:12 pm)

Replying to: backy (Dec 31, 2005 8:44 am)
"I wouldn't count on rebates on the Mazda3, except maybe some financing rebates. Mazda seems content to sell the Mazda3 at low volume but high profit. Maybe they have learned from Honda that holding off on rebates helps prop up resale values. A scan of prices on 2004 Mazda3's in my area shows they are holding their value very well, e.g. $16k for a '04 3i."
 
Well thats because Mazda has a strong demand for the 3. Thry same can;t be said for other models in their line-up which have hefty rebates. Mazda builds good cars but with the exception of the 3 they can't sway the Honda and Nissan buyer away. Its all about supply and demand in regards to how many rebates a manufacturer offers on cars.

#122 of 1338 Re: Resale value of Mazda3 vs. Honda Civic [mcap] by carguy58

Dec 31, 2005 (11:28 pm)

Replying to: mcap (Dec 27, 2005 3:15 pm)
"They are also glossing over many complaints commonly heard on this board. They rave about the leather which, here on edmunds has been referred to as hard, cheap plastic. I have also read complaints in the Mazda forum about the non maintenance free battery, grooving on the rear rotors, shift problems between 1st and 2nd, the center console that really cuts into leg/knee room, a large rear blindspot, the uncessary funkly orange lights on the dash, and above all, consistent complaints about an A/C system that on some cars, is poor at best."
 
I'm sure Honda owners have their complaints about their cars too. Not every car is trouble free. I like both Honda amd Mazda. I think both the Civic Coupe and Mazda 3 are some of the best cars that both Honda and Mazda have ever styled as a admirer of both companies.
 
"Finally, you have to look at cars in the long term. The 6 was apparently very reliable until it was downgraded recently."
 
In Consumer Reports CR reccomended the Mazda 6 Sedan 4 cyl(average reliability and the Mazda 6 wagon(above average reliability.) Cr didn't reccomend the 6 cyl 6 sedan(under average reliability and 6 hatch(below average reliability as well.)
  
"Who knows what the long term viability of the 3 will be (although the civic is unproven for 06 as well)."
 
The 3 has been reliable according to CR scoring above average reliability for 04 and 05. 05 models only had 3,000 miles on them of CR's survey however. Yeah the last generation(01-05)Civic did have first year bugs with the suspension for the couple of years of bodystyle but the last generation Civic did still have good reliability.

#123 of 1338 Re: Blanda Civic [backy] by carguy58

Dec 31, 2005 (11:47 pm)

Replying to: backy (Dec 29, 2005 8:51 pm)
"IMO the '06 Civic is Honda's first move off the bland scale for the Civic in quite some time. For instance, notice how some people love the new exterior and interior and some people hate it. That is a sure sign of non-blandness."
 
Backy, I'm with you 100% on this one because I even as a hard-core Honda fan I was shocked Honda went this bold with the styling. I;m talking about the Coupe models's styling. I think it looks pretty sharp. It may look unusual but at least its more sporty than the past 2 generation Civic's on the exterior.

#124 of 1338 Re: Bad comparison [backy] by allfiredup

Jan 01, 2006 (12:23 am)

Replying to: backy (Dec 31, 2005 8:44 am)
Hey backy-
 
Although some folks on here refuse to accept it, the Mazda3 is holding its value quite well. I compared the '04 Civic and '04 Mazda3 and found that after two years, the Honda retained 83% of its original value and the Mazda3 retained 82%. Considering that Honda always has been (and probably always will be) the benchmark of residual value, I think that's a great showing for the Mazda. Unfortunately, the Mazda6 doesn't fare nearly as well. Interestingly, Mazda has offered a lot of rebates on the 6 and haven't on the 3, which supports your statement that not offering rebates does help prop up resale values.

#125 of 1338 Re: Problem with comparing a Civic Si to a 3 [midnightcowboy] by hondamatic

Jan 01, 2006 (12:30 am)

Replying to: midnightcowboy (Dec 31, 2005 9:53 am)
Civc Si , only two adults. Well actaully most of the time that is what I fgot the car for. But The Si and EX coupe can accomodate adults in the backseat. However, I wouldn't go on long trips. The backseat is actaully more roomy thatn the GSR and/ot BMW M3 sedan I had.
 
Sorry, have to disagree with you about the EX coupe's backseat.
I've sat in it after adjusting the front seat to my driving position and I'm not tall, under 5'10". The back seat is just as uncomfortable if not as unusable as those of "real" sports cars--only comfortable if you enjoy riding with your knees shoved into your armpits, or close to it. Even short trips in it would not be fun. Don't know about Si.
 
Also sat in the back seat of a 06 BMW 325. That was also surprisingly cramped for a sedan of that size. Seems these cars just cost more every year, which is normal, but end up less practical.

#126 of 1338 Re: midnightcowboy [backy] by allfiredup

Jan 01, 2006 (12:31 am)

Replying to: backy (Dec 31, 2005 12:54 pm)
Everyone gets soo preachy about driving manuals.
 
I completely respect every person's right to get an automatic or manual, whatever they prefer. As long as the carmakers give us a choice, I'm happy.
 
I do think a manual is the more fun choice and its the one for me, but then again I only have a five mile commute each way daily. I drove a stick in stop and go traffic over an hour each way for years and I still didn't want an automatic, although I was 19 years old at that time. Who knows, if I had that kind of traffic now, even I might change my mind.
 
But as it stands, I love my manual tranny! It was tough as hell to find, even on a Mazda3, but was well worth the trouble. FYI, the manual in the Civic is a gem, too.

#127 of 1338 My take on the Civic Si by allfiredup

Jan 01, 2006 (12:38 am)

I don't think the Civic Si automatically makes you look like a member of the "Fast and Furious" crowd. It's a great looking car with an incredible engine, transmission and suspension.
 
The main reason I chose a Mazda3 over the Civic is because the LX/EX didn't "do it" for me. My priorities and what I enjoy in an automobile vary from a lot of other folks. For instance, I was willing to sacrifice some fuel economy to get the exceptional handling of the Mazda3 with 17" wheels. To a lot of people (three times more from the sales figures), the Civic is obviously more appealing than the Mazda.
 
The Si would be an awesome car to own, but I didn't have $20k+ to spend nor time to wait for one to be available. The Mazda only cost me $16k. I'm also not a fan of 2-door cars (not practical for me). The Si Sedan, however, will probably make me want to trade in my Mazda3. Until then, I'll just enjoy zoom zooming (albeit slower than in an Si).

#128 of 1338 Defensive by mcap

Jan 01, 2006 (12:45 am)

It is funny how defensive we can get over our cars. I was myself probably only a few hours away from buying a Mazda3. The only reason I didn't was gas mileage and the fact that my last Civic was absolutely bullet proof and retained more value than you could believe. Couldn't bring myself to move away from Honda. The 3 is an awesome car though and great to drive. Both great cars for different reasons and the top of the class.

#129 of 1338 Re: Problem with comparing a Civic Si to a 3 [hondamatic] by midnightcowboy

Jan 01, 2006 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: hondamatic (Jan 01, 2006 12:30 am)
I said behind myself in a EX Coupe and it was a little tight but bearable. The Si will be the same. If the EX or Si Coupe were going to be your only car and you regularly have more than two people riding, then yes you should probably consider another car such as the Civic sedan or Mazda 3 sedan or wagon.
 
The Civic Si is no my only car and I don't plan to use it for long trips where I need to carry luggage and people.
 
6-speed smooth shifting,
 
MidCow

#130 of 1338 Re: Fair Comparison ? [gosteelerz] by midnightcowboy

Jan 01, 2006 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: gosteelerz (Dec 31, 2005 10:37 pm)
gosteelerz said:
 
"Bottom line is the Si is a couple of tenths quicker in a straight line than the 3, but gives up that advantage in handling and braking. As someone who obviously likes Hondas doesn't it sadden you to have to compare th SI coupe against the run-of-the mill Mazda. "
 
Let's see Mazdas whole slogan is "Zoom-Zoom" The run of the mill Mazada as you call it has a bigger engine than the even the Si at 2.3L 160 hp and 150 ft-lbs of torque. The Normal 1.8 liter 140 hp Civics get much better mileage than the Mazda 3 and almost exactly the same as the 2.0 liter 197 HP 139 ftlb Civic Si.
  
Ha! Ha! ON the couple of tenths of second quicker. Some of the early reports on the Si performance were ulttra conservative, in actuallity the Si will be around 6.5-6.7 seconds 0-60 mph. The Mazda 3 with a manual in in the low 8.0 seconds from Auto Consumer Guide.
 
I consider 1.3-1.5 seconds better time for 0-60mph to be vert substantial as opposed to "a couple of tenths".
 
All of the Mazda 3 engines are bigger and offer more horsepower and torque than the DX,LX,EX Civics
 
1.8L Civic 140 Hp, 128 ft-lb
2.0L Mazda 150 Hp, 135 ft-lb
2.0L Civic 197 Hp, 139 ft-lb
2.3L Mazda 160 Hp, 150 ft-lb
 
Bigger engine more torque, more horsepower, less MPG.
 
6-speed smooth shifting,
 
MidCow

Messages Page 13 of 134

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