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Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit

389 messages,  Last post on Apr 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Volkswagen Rabbit, Car Comparisons, Hatchback

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#4 of 389 mazda 3 vs rabbit by dweber4 Jul 20, 2006 (3:22 am)
I have a mazda 3 five door touring, and recently drove the new Rabbit. The VW drive train was less responsive, the seats worse, and it was obvious they cut corners to keep the price down. The Mazda is more refined.
#5 of 389 Former VW owner here by bruce6 Jul 21, 2006 (8:55 pm)
In January I traded in my 2001 VW Golf (which I liked but got bored with) for 2006 Mazda 3 hatch, 5-speed. I LOVE the Mazda beyond words. It's solid, smooth, comfortable, remarkably roomy for a fairly small car, agile and quick. Of course, my Golf was the base model with the 2.0 engine, which has now been mercifully put to sleep, so the new Rabbit will be closer to the 3 in performance.   VW has made a specialty of giving its cars more upscale-looking interiors than you'd expect for their size/price class, and are probably still a notch ahead of Mazda in that department, but my VW was also prone to annoying little problems -- pieces of interior trim coming unglued in hot weather, warning lights mysteriously coming on for no reason, stuff like that. While I haven't owned my current Mazda long enough to say much about reliability, it's trouble free so far, and 2 Mazdas I owned in the '80s -- both of which had about 80,000 miles when I traded them -- were absolutely trouble-free. I mean literally no repairs. Zero.   Ultimately you'll have to drive both and see which suits you, but my Mazda 3 is easily my favorite car of any I've owned.
#6 of 389 Re: Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit, auto & manual [jmnapp] by jaesee75edmund Jul 23, 2006 (6:43 pm)
Replying to: jmnapp (Jul 10, 2006 6:24 am) I'd wait on the reliability reports on the rabbit first. I had an 02 jetta vr6. bought it in 2002 knowing how unreliable jetta/golf are, but the styling and overall package really impressed me. I had to take a massive loss only a year and half later, traded it in for a toyota 4 runner. completely diff car, yes. I also now have a Mazda 3. love it. yes, the jetta was quieter, but it was much more expensive. I only paid 20 for the m3, taxes and all, with sport and 2.3. my jetta was in the shop every other month, with the radio dying twice, window glitches, shakes all over the place, engine problems that NEVER got resolved (I had to drive around w/o a radio and only on 4 of 6 cylinders while they ordered the parts, etc, and tended to god knows how many others with similar problems for 2 MONTHS one time! So, I finally got sick of it and got rid of it.) I would wait for the reliability report. you don't need the headache of owning a nice looking/performing car that needs mechanics every other month. And, the service sucked. Probably because they were overworked and had to deal with so many unhappy customers. Replies to this message: dc_driver (Jul 24, 2006 5:27 am)
#7 of 389 Re: Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit, auto & manual [jaesee75edmund] by dc_driver Jul 24, 2006 (5:27 am)
Replying to: jaesee75edmund (Jul 23, 2006 6:43 pm) wow, jaesee75edmund, we had almost the exact same experience (I owned a 99.5 Jetta VR6 that had nearly the same, if not more, problems that you had).   I now own a Mazda3, and love the car. I recently drove a VW Rabbit (4dr auto) and, while I liked the interior, there is no comparison between the Mazda3 and the VW when it comes to performance and handling. The VW's electronic power assisted steering feels numb compared to the 3's handling. Like you though, my biggest concern for folks cross shopping these vehicles would be VW's previous reliability issues with the Golf/Jetta (both cars share many of the same parts).   I think that VW missed the boat by not offering the TDI engine in this car until 2008. If the Rabbit could achieve 40mpg highway, it would have stole sales away from the likes of Mazda, Toyota, and Honda.   My advice to anyone shopping these two vehicles is to drive them back-to-back. There is simply no comparison with regards to the driving experience, the 3 blows the Rabbit away (unless you like numb steering and roll when cornering)....
#8 of 389 Mazda3 Vs. Rabbitt Price by aviboy97 Jul 24, 2006 (2:52 pm)
I just priced out a Mazda3 S Touring 5-door with the moon roof/6CD package in 5-speed Vs. the VW Rabbit 4-door hatch with side impact airbags, sun roof and 17" alloys.   Mazda $19,065 MSRP VW $20,329 MSRP   That's quite a difference in price. Take it as you wish.
#9 of 389 mazda vs vw by clownfishfunk Jul 24, 2006 (3:12 pm)
I test drove both cars and thought they were rather similar. Both handled well, and both were my two top choices. I ended up with the rabbit because I liked the look of the hatch better on the rabbit than the mazda, and I also liked the interior better. The rabbit was also available with the extra options that I wanted at the dealer. Unlike what many people have said, the people at my VW dealer were very nice and helpful with my questions and the purchase, so that did not factor into my decision. I've had the car for about a month now and have had no problems it, and am quite pleased with my decision. Replies to this message: dc_driver (Jul 24, 2006 4:44 pm)
#10 of 389 Re: mazda vs vw [clownfishfunk] by dc_driver Jul 24, 2006 (4:44 pm)
Replying to: clownfishfunk (Jul 24, 2006 3:12 pm) "Unlike what many people have said, the people at my VW dealer were very nice and helpful with my questions and the purchase, so that did not factor into my decision."   I did not have a problem with the VW sales team. I had a problem with the service department and customer service.   I do like the fact that you drove the 3 and the Rabbit and picked the vehicle that was best for you. It would be a boring world if everyone drove nothing but Rabbits or nothing but 3s.. Choice is a good thing
#11 of 389 Re: Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit, auto & manual [jmnapp] by carfanatic007 Jul 24, 2006 (9:18 pm)
Replying to: jmnapp (Jul 10, 2006 6:24 am) Huh? You must be joking! The Mazda 3 is rated extremely well by all publications in handling, reliability, etc. The Mazda 3 is made in Japan. You can get a loaded Mazda 3 2.3 with leather, etc for the same price as a Rabbit. I would take the Mazda 3 in a heartbeat! Replies to this message: moparbad (Jul 25, 2006 3:26 pm) aviboy97 (Jul 26, 2006 8:55 am) moparbad (Jul 26, 2006 9:26 am) and 32 more... funpg (Aug 09, 2006 11:57 am) and 26 more...
#13 of 389 Re: Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit, auto & manual [carfanatic007] by moparbad Jul 25, 2006 (3:26 pm)
Replying to: carfanatic007 (Jul 24, 2006 9:18 pm) The Mazda 3 is made in Japan.   Despite all of the recent recalls of Japanese built cars, the Mazda 3 is still an excellent choice. Do not let the fact that it is built in Japan scare you away. Most of the recalls have been by Toyota anyway. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jul 26, 2006 8:55 am) moparbad (Jul 26, 2006 9:26 am) dc_driver (Jul 26, 2006 10:47 am) and 31 more... funpg (Aug 09, 2006 11:57 am) aviboy97 (Aug 09, 2006 12:42 pm) and 25 more...

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