Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
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
|
Replying to: zante64 (Aug 01, 2007 10:53 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: bodble2 (Aug 01, 2007 4:00 pm) what i was trying to say was that its unfair to single out vw with this, especially since most car makers are guilty of it, (moving upmarket, gaining weight on smaller vehicles, compacts that cost 20k) not just vw. a pig to the slaughter? (boble this isn't to you)certainly you don't mean the handling, but the impending doom of bad reliability? if thats the case, you needn't fear, ESPECIALLY since the 97 jetta you owned was almost as famous as the mkIV generation for being problematic. Did you test drive a rabbit by the way? if you are reffering to the handling, there is simply no way that you could drive a mk3 jetta and think it handles better than the new mkV's. Unless ofcourse, if you were driving a gti vr6, but that only solves the problem of moving quickly, not handling. And for that, theres a new gli to handle that one. 
|
|
|
First of all: I do apologize for disparaging those who choose to drive a new VW. The true target of my ire was VW itself. On a personal note to eldaino for future reference - it strikes a very condescending (and counterproductive) tone when you refer to a person as "pal" while also saying how wrong their opinion is. Secondly: Our '97 Jetta had virtually no problems until we hit 150,000. Only real issue prior was a rattling heat-shield. So we never paid any attention to reliability rumors until it came time to buy a new one. We first dismissed the Check Engine light issue as a fluke. Not liking the "feel" of the new models (and yes, drove a Rabbit & a Jetta) we started doing lots (and lots) of research, which is when I found so many complaints and concerns about the reliability of virtually all VW models for nearly a decade running. Finally - All cars may have gained some mass - but not all cars have been tuned to compensate for it equally. The current VW's seem to reflect a post Summer-of-Love philosophy of "just roll with it."  Doesn't it bother anyone else that VW has decided to move their "entry-level" cars upscale without a suitable replacement? And here's the bottom line - car choices can be hugely emotional - loyalty and all that comes into play. But how can anyone really be satisfied or even enthusiastic about a new offering which fails to surpass a competitor's offering that was first introduced several years prior? quote from post #322 i do agree that the jetta should have been what the 3 is now...but its still a great handler and its not worlds behind the 3. and the rabbit is EVEN BETTER, and only just behind the 3 |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: zante64 (Aug 02, 2007 8:15 am) You bring up some good points Zante. Mazda has done well with its Mazda 3, and the two cars have always been considered direct competitors for the price, with the Mazda being slightly more expensive than the '07 Rabbit for similar features. The bottom of the rung 2 door Rabbit is a much better deal compared to entry level Mazda 3 Hatch, or Mazda 3 Sedan, or even a Honda Civic with so many standard features.All the Mazda 3 praise gets kind of murky sometimes having three different models, Sedan, Hatch, and Sport hatch all bearing the same name. America has always been about conspicuous consumption, especially in Southern California. We enjoy some of the most expensive Gas prices, and a really good number of the vehicles I see on the road are SUVs, or large Chrysler 300's, and Chargers, and a lot of H2's. But, Zante is right, very popular entry level cars always seem to grow, with smaller vehicles replacing them. Toyota Corollas are the same size of older Camrys. Look at the new Scion XB compared to the old Econo-Box. Nissan Altima's are huge! There's definitely much smaller entry level cars outside the United States. VW offers 2 smaller models than the Rabbit/Golf overseas. The Fox and the Polo. Mazda also has a Mazda2 but wont be released in the United States for a few years. If you search the net you can see the 07-08 model that shares a lot of design style with the Mazda 3 and looks much less European. (and a lot like a Yaris on steroids). Speaking of the Yaris, Toyota even has a vehicle smaller than the Yaris, The Aygo. It’s only a matter of time before more small efficient vehicles (with decent interiors) become more popular in the US once Gas prices continue to rise and all the hugenormous vehicles become less and less appealing even to the rich people. Purchasing any car can be a risk, and I admit taking a bold risk with my '07 VW Rabbit given VW's track record. There is not a ton of info on the 07 Rabbit yet since it's the 1st year the US has gotten the MKV VW's, but it is a car that's been available overseas for a few years before it's been released here, and hopefully there is something to be said for the majority of the vehicle being manufactured in Wolfsburg Germany. Wolfsburg Germany is the final assembly point now also, compared to Mexico in the past. Unfortunately, the reliability of this vehicle is still a big "IF." I’m not going to try an defend which vehicle is better: It all depends on what you’re looking for. I love my car, and my only regret is how many miles I'll be putting on it before I get rid of it--already driving over 2,000 miles in the first month. Anyone who doesn't do their research before buying a car deserves what they get. I did my research, and was willing to take the risk. If it doesn't work out, at least I made an informed decision, and won’t make the same mistake twice.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: sharpedgeshurt (Aug 02, 2007 10:56 am) Gas prices continue to rise. But America has always been about conspicuous consumption, especially in Southern California. We enjoy some of the most expensive Gas prices ... Actually US prices are likely not high enough. Imagine if European (or even Canadian) prices were in place in the USA. How does $4.00 a US gallon sound? I'm not advocating higher prices, but they appear to be effective motivators for us. I did my research, and was willing to take the risk. If it doesn't work out, at least I made an informed decision, and wont make the same mistake twice. Agreed. We all need to do our homework and try to extract the facts out of the hype, trivia and mythology. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: zante64 (Jul 30, 2007 9:37 pm) Hell, my 1997 Jetta is at 225,000 miles and still going strong - and doesn't burn a drop of oil to boot (the fact that I use synthetic oil has something to do with it)....  Good luck with your Mazda 3. Nice car, not my cup of tea (everybody and their brother seems to have one)... |
|
Mazda 929, Camaro, Mercedes 230E, Nissan Pathfinder, VW Gti, Silverado, and Tocoma. I have owned the above vehicles in that order all bought new. I have found out that although the german cars cost a little more to keep the driving quality of the vehicle does not decline with time as much as other makes. German vehicle dont rattle or squeak. Another thing that I notice is that japaneese cars dent very easy. There is more quality in German cars no doubt and I still believe that japaneese car makers are copy cats, actually great copy cats. They have not invented one new technology, all taken from the USA and European car makers. Take the Gti and the Mazda 3 and after 5 years and 100,000 miles. Drive both, then you will know the extra $2000 you paid for VW made a difference.
|
|
|
Replying to: zante64 (Aug 02, 2007 8:15 am) sorry about being condescending, but this is the internet, try not to take to much to heart. i still don't understand your issue with reliablity. My bunny's quality control is years better than any 97 jetta...and look how long yours lasted! look how long 600kgolfgt's lasted! what i'm saying is that i just don't understand how reliability became such an issue...ESPECIALLY considering the fact you did reasearch which would have shown you that massive amounts of people with problems on mk3 and mkIV jettas/golfs...and the realative NON-EXISTANCE of complaints on the current rabbit/jetta. even the vw lemon websites have next to nothing on the newer models! Again, i know that choosing a car is an emotional thing, i'm just referring to the reliabilty issues that swung your decision away from vw. i don't see how vw can have a summer of love feel....they ride extraordinarily nice and absorb bumps well...but i think a lot of people (including you) mistake relaxed,smooth steering for a not so great and not so connected to the road car. You said you and your wife did lots of research, surely you read many comparison tests from places like edmunds and car and driver pitting the 3 against the rabbit...did you notice how close the numbers were? Again, i don't blame you for your decision, as the 3 IS a great car...heck, if i could get a 4 door hatchback(as my rabbit is a 2 door) the 3 would be a contender, given that you don't see as many of them as the sedan, and its more affordable than a gti.(which i would totally take over the 3 if i had the extra funds.) To echo what sharpedgeshurt said, i dont that vw has done anything wrong with moving their entry level cars more upscale... can you remember getting a mkIV golf for a starting price of less than 15k for a 2 door? I can't, because it never happened! How is the rabbit a lesser car than the golf it replaces? It totally decimates the previous golf with regards to handling, performance, interior quality, features AND price. What more does it need to do to beat the previous version?  VW is actually loosing money on the rabbit, because its such a well made vehicle with virtually no cutting corners on materials and standard features, that they are rolling out its replacement 2 years earlier than they had planned. a 2 door german built hatchback for less than 15k with more standard anemities than ANY of the competion is offering? what model do they need right now to fill this void? it doesn't get better than that. |
|
|
Replying to: eldaino (Aug 05, 2007 6:43 pm) On the upside off all this VW/Mazda "fun factor" discussion... I feel that when it comes time to replace the 3 - we certainly would check out VW again, but Mazda will warrant a "fair shot" as well. Choice is good! One final note in regards to reliablility... In the ultimate twist of irony - I also own a FIAT X-1/9 and absolutely LOVE driving that car!
|
|
|
Replying to: zante64 (Aug 06, 2007 12:21 am) ah the irony. 
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Mazda MAZDA3
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
