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Mazda3 vs Honda Accord

99 messages,  Last post on Jan 24, 2008 at 1:01 AM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Mazda MAZDA3, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 8 of 10

#70 of 99 Re: Accord and Mazda3 test drives [chickenlips] by ecofun

Aug 06, 2007 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: chickenlips (Aug 02, 2007 5:42 pm)
If it's between a Mazda 3 and an Accord, here's my take:
 
I own both vehicles right now. Both are outstanding cars but much different. If you want to cruise around in comfort, go for the Accord. If you are looking for fun commuting, go for the 3.
 
We needed a third car in the family since we added two teenage drivers in the past year. When deciding what to do, we were driving an 03 CRV and and 04 Accord EX V6. I drove the Accord and for three years enjoyed trouble free driving, a real pleasure to drive on the highway with all the passing power you need. But when it came time to add the third car, I figured now was the time to add some fun driving to the lineup. I looked at the Civic EX coupe and Si coupe as well as the Mazda 3. The Si was probably the most exhilarating ride, but the other two weren't far behind when it comes to everyday driving. Let's face it, how often does one get to go crazy on some winding back road. I figured that the premium gas and lower EPA more than offset the extra charge I might get out of the Si on very infrequent occassions. Cross off the Si.
 
Moving on to the EX and the 3, I thought the EX handled well enough, got great gas mileage and could have been an excellent choice. It would have been my safe choice since I new well Honda reliability. Two drawbacks: 1) Honda still hasn't been able to deliver an interior look and feel that matches all the other Honda quality and performance. The cloth fabric in the coupe is just blah (and if it thinks the swirly action enhances the look, forget it!); 2)no stability and traction control that will come in handy in snowy NH.
 
For a while, I actually thought about an Accord EX manual given the discounts that Honda is passing on. Then I said to myself, stick with the more fun ride. That's why I went with the Mazda 3. With the choice of models offered, I went with a GT manual hatchback. Love the car. Solid as a rock, handles extremely well, good looking leather interior, BOSE system, stability/traction control, zenon headlights, rain sensor windshield, etc, etc. While not a primary reason for choosing the 3, I have had more compliments in two months of ownership than I had in three years with the Accord. The Mazda 3 has got to be the best value of any car I have owned including a BMW, Volvo, two Saabs, VWs, Toyota Celica, and others.
 
Before you make your decision, asked yourself "Do I want to sit back and relax and let the Accord do all the work or would I rather have a blast in the Mazda 3?"

#71 of 99 Re: Accord and Mazda3 test drives [thegraduate] by eldaino

Aug 08, 2007 (10:03 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 06, 2007 1:10 pm)
hey no prob man!
 
though it does make me feel bad, especially considering that i too have gotten into it with people over splitting hairs, but its usually provoked, i don't like to randomly lash out!
 
i actually read the article in question, and the parameters were : a base price at or less than 20k. (does the ex manual sticker for less than this? or at least AT this? i know an ex auto with no add ons now goes for a bit over 20k, whereas the sticke on my auto ex was 19 something.)
 
50lbs isn't much though, and not enough for a discrepancy in 0-60 times at least. (i.e. the gti 4 door weighs about this much more than the 2 door, but the times are the same, if not better for the 4 door. Samething for the si sedan with relation to the coupe.)

#72 of 99 Accord is too big by chickenlips

Aug 28, 2007 (6:30 pm)

Well, the '08 Accord has convinced me that I won't be buying an Accord. Too darned big.
 
I don't understand this constant growing of vehicles. The current gen Civic is larger than the original Accord. I assume that was the motivation behind bringing out the small Fit - they needed a new small car.
 
Where will the insanity end? Will the 13th generation Accord be the size of a Lincoln Town Car?

#73 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [chickenlips] by elroy5

Aug 28, 2007 (6:44 pm)

Replying to: chickenlips (Aug 28, 2007 6:30 pm)
Was an 07 Accord too big? Or does a mere 3" longer, and 1" wider make that much difference to you. It doesn't seem like much to me. The Accord has been growing, but so have us Americans. Are your kids bigger than you were at their age? I know my son is, and my nieces and nephews are bigger than their parents too.

#74 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [elroy5] by chickenlips

Aug 29, 2007 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Aug 28, 2007 6:44 pm)
Was an 07 Accord too big?
 
Yes. But just barely. I was wavering on the size issue. The extra inches of the 08 push it over the edge.
 
Are your kids bigger than you were at their age?
 
No, they are smaller. You make a valid point, but it doesn't apply to me. I am the largest in my family and am only 5'9", 145 lbs. And my kids have moved out, so most of the time it's just me or me and the wife. I don't need or want a car this large.

#75 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [chickenlips] by elroy5

Aug 29, 2007 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: chickenlips (Aug 29, 2007 6:34 pm)
How about a Civic, or TSX? I'm not a real Honda/Acura salesman, but I do play one on the internet. And I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express last night.

#76 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [chickenlips] by d_hyper

Aug 30, 2007 (9:38 am)

Replying to: chickenlips (Aug 29, 2007 6:34 pm)
There will be a new Mazda6 soon and it promises to be a looker (not much bigger than the current gen)

#77 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [d_hyper] by thegraduate

Aug 30, 2007 (9:40 am)

Replying to: d_hyper (Aug 30, 2007 9:38 am)
Based on the one spy photo I saw, I'm not really pleased with the looks. I'd rather have a current one than the new 6.

#78 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [chickenlips] by autonomous

Aug 30, 2007 (10:36 am)

Replying to: chickenlips (Aug 29, 2007 6:34 pm)
I agree. Too many new models are becoming increasingly bloated and heavier.

#79 of 99 Re: Accord is too big [elroy5] by chickenlips

Aug 30, 2007 (5:20 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Aug 29, 2007 7:01 pm)
How about a Civic, or TSX?
 
The non-Si Civic doesn't come with ESC, so I won't own one of those. The TSX and Mazda3 sTouring are both on my short list. I've test driven both and like both. Obviously the TSX is more refined, but I have to decide if it's worth the extra $10k or so. I don't like the wide turning circle of the TSX, but the Mazda3 has several small issues as well (weak A/C, hard to read dash displays).

Messages Page 8 of 10

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