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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit
389 messages, Last post on Apr 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM
You are in the Mazda3 Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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Replying to: fl2113 (Aug 20, 2006 12:20 pm) It feels much more solid. Although it does not feel as sharp in the corners, it still has great handling and road feel. That 25 mph corner you take in the Mazda3 feels very nice. But I have taken 90 degree turns in my Rabbit and 25 mph and not even has the tires squeel (only H rated, too). For the money, no other car has the safety features and technology built into them like the Rabbit. Bosch active steering electronic limited slip traction control emergency brake assist abs, of course Eight air bags 6 speed triptronic trans and a host of other acronims that are part of ESP (electronic stabalizatio program). There is alot of technical info online as to the other safty features. Mazda is offering traction control and stability control for 2007. Reliability probably goes to the Mazda3, but I don't think is as scary to own a vw as people say. Anyone can have a horror story with a car. Go to the honda forum and see some of the issues posted with the new Civic. Buy an extended factory warranty when the original is used up. OMO. Finally, the 2.5 five cylinder engine in the Rabbit has 170 ft/lbs of torque. That makes it really pull. The powerband is so wide that the six speed triptronic trans can pull in just about any gear. I love this car more and more every time I drive it. So drive both cars a few times and see which you like better. I could be happy with either car, but the vw has an edge for me.
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Replying to: ninjaman (Sep 21, 2006 11:16 am) I already own a Mazda5 so I'm looking for something other than the Mazda3. Here is a good link. link title
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Replying to: poita33 (Sep 22, 2006 7:29 pm) 
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Replying to: bodble2 (Sep 22, 2006 10:24 pm) You are probably right about the interior and I haven't been in the SX4 yet, but from the posts on the SX4 most seem to like the interior. |
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I went in search of a rabbit and when i could not find one i test drove a GTI. grinned ear to ear for a week, had GTI dreams. but, alas too pricey for me. finally found a 4 dr rabbit to test drive, was looking for a 2dr, and was not quite so impressed, in fact a little disappointed. then i drove the mazda it put the smile back on my face. not as potent as the GTI, but also about 5 grand less. I got an 07 5dr. A big factor for me is that the vw dealerships (nice guys) would not give me a decent price for my trade. I got 2 grand more from the mazda guys. The 3 is a pure joy to drive, and for me it was the right choice. although I still have gti dreams every now and again. 
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Replying to: ninjaman (Sep 21, 2006 11:16 am) Maybe, but seems like VW owners have those horror stories pretty consistently... TOO consistently.  I know many current and past VW owners, and virtually EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has a reliability horror story to tell. Or, more precisely, a SERIES of reliability horror stories, involving multiple trips to the shop... the consensus seems to be that your average VW car prefers inhabiting the shop to anyone's garage. Ugh. Long story short, the ex-VW owners tell me they will never touch one again, and the current VW owners are all saying that their next car will NOT be a VW, no matter what. Not exactly a recommendation.  For that reason, a VW could serve me mixed drinks and give world-class shiatsu massage and I probably still wouldn't buy one. But then I've already exceeded my lifetime quota of being stuck on the side of the road by a factor of five or so (owned a series of 1970s-era used American cars, fun fun fun, not), so my tolerance for poor reliability is basically nil at this point.
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| I just got a '07 Mazda3 GT hatchback. My previous car was 2000 VW Golf TDI and yes it kept giving me problems but it really helped me save fuel until finally the auto transmission failed on me. So I sold it and decided on which hatchbacks to buy. My other choices were VW Rabbit and Audi A3. I prefer the Golf/Rabbit over the Audi cuz I thought the A3's roofline was too short. But both cars were high on insurance and personally I think the Mazda3 is better designed than the Rabbit since it looks too tall & too stubby. I'm so happy I bought the Mazda3 but I missed the great mileage of the diesel. Yet, the Mazda3 with the Grand Touring package makes it a very refined car and also a fun car to drive. | |
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Replying to: johnnyvj (Sep 25, 2006 4:43 pm) |
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i went to my local vw-mazda dealership a few days ago to test drive both the 07 mazda 3 and a 07 vw rabbit.this dealership sells both brands.anyway,i test drove the mazda 3 first and while it handled pretty well it rode pretty rough and there was lots of road noise.you feel every bump with the mazda 3.next was the rabbit 4 door with auto,and what a difference the rabbit test drive was.the rabbit felt much more solid on the road,had a more comfortable ride with great handleing,and was more quiet inside than the mazda 3.a few key selling points that the rabbit has over the mazda 3 is,better ride,quieter interier,better stereo,and better bumper to bumper warranty coverage.4/50,000 compared with 3/36,000 with the mazda 3.
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Replying to: steven39 (Oct 20, 2006 6:03 pm) I hope you bought an extended warranty with that. After 50K, VW's have been known to be an electrical nightmare after 50K. If you leased it, you should be OK. I have driven the new Rabbit as well. It is a nice driving car, with a competitive price. I just don't trust German reliability. |
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