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Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit - READ ONLY
389 messages, Last post on Apr 17, 2009 at 1:40 PM
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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Volkswagen Rabbit, Car Comparisons, Hatchback
#382 of 389 Re: Mazda3 2.3 vs. '07 VW Rabbit, auto & manual [myershift] by autonomous
Oct 22, 2008 (3:17 pm)
Replying to: myershift (Oct 22, 2008 2:44 pm)
The Mazda3 IS noisy. In my opinion, many car magazines tend not to be systematic in their testing so I rely on Consumer Reports.
As it turns out CR agrees with you about the Mazda3, i.e. "road noise is pronounced." Inerestingly Tony Swan, one of the Car and Driver reviewers found the Mazda3 "quiet". When I tested the Mazda3 earlier this fall I did not find the noise excessive.
Regarding the Rabbit, CR says in the June 2008 issue: "Some road noise is persistent over most surfaces, and the engine can sound gruff when it is revved up, but overall the Rabbit is fairly quiet." I guess I'll have to drive a Rabbit and find out myself.
#383 of 389 by whitesands
Dec 16, 2008 (12:02 am)
My wife and I have been trying to find a new car for her and we test drove a few cars including the Mazda3 and the VW Rabbit....The Mazda 3 was nice but betwen the two of us we both thought the Rabbit was better by far....The interior of the rabbit is outstanding...You can tell a difference just by closing the door...
The Rabbit = Better interior, fit and finish, less road noise, less wind noise, much stronger engine, better sound system, absorbs bumps more smoothly, similar handling and braking, very solid feel when driving yet very smooth...Traction control, and electronic stability programming ect ect...
The Mazda3 is nice and both of us thought it was better than the rest of the small cars but we liked the Rabbit better...But it is about $1,500 to $2000 more for us....
Don't think you would go wrong with the Mazda3 at all...It's nice too we just liked the Rabbit better.
#384 of 389 I liked the Rabbit better... by shipo
Dec 16, 2008 (6:05 am)
...but I bought the Mazda3. Why? Simple, around here at least, finding a black Rabbit with a manual transmission is more difficult than finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. After being asked for the umpteenth time, "Could we interest you in a Rabbit with an automatic transmission?" I went over to my local Mazda dealership and found a Mazda3 i Touring Value Edition that was similarly equipped to the way I'd set the Rabbit up, and for less money too.Had a Rabbit 5-Speed been available, I would have bought it over the Mazda3, that said, am I sad that I bought the Mazda? Nope, it's a fine little car.
Best regards,
Shipo
#385 of 389 Re: I liked the Rabbit better... [shipo] by roadburner
Apr 16, 2009 (8:58 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Dec 16, 2008 6:05 am)
Funny thing; I started looking at the GTI after Automobile, C/D, and R&T printed such glowing reviews- I was also tired of waiting for a nice CPO M3 or 330i ZHP to turn up. Like you, the VW dealers in Louisville were only interested in selling me what they already had on the lot. The sales guy even acted like special ordering a GTI was just about impossible. My research on the GTI led me to the MS3. That said, the Louisville Mazda dealers also suck, but fortunately I found a great dealer(Kings Mazda) in Cincinnati. Am I sad I bought the Mazda? Well, I wasn't for about nine months- that's when drop-dead gorgeous Sterling Gray/Imola Red 2004 M3 popped up at CPO showroom... 
Regardless, the MS3 is a nice car.
#386 of 389 Re: I liked the Rabbit better... [roadburner] by shipo
Apr 16, 2009 (9:21 pm)
Replying to: roadburner (Apr 16, 2009 8:58 pm)
Funny thing, there are a few changes afoot in the Shipo household, and if one particular scenario pans out, we'll be needing a third car. Mrs. Shipo likes driving the Mazda3 i 5-Speed so much she's already decided that its her "new" car; as such, I'm poking around for a good deal on one of the few remaining MKV GTIs. 
Best regards,
Shipo
- roadburner (Apr 17, 2009 1:40 pm)
Replies to this message:
#387 of 389 Re: I liked the Rabbit better... [roadburner] by ahightower
Apr 17, 2009 (5:32 am)
Replying to: roadburner (Apr 16, 2009 8:58 pm)
I know the feeling. I really try to keep myself from browsing after I've made a purchase. Not that I have any regrets, but I can't stop wondering what if. I second guessed myself on passing over a really nice used 2003 Acura TL Type S, of all things, for months after I bought my '08 3i touring. Not something you'd expect to cross shop, but it was a really great car and a good deal. Gorgeous deep blue color, excellent condition. As gas prices went up, I felt affirmed. As they dropped, I felt remorse again 
. Then I tell myself, no, I really really love the manual transmission, wouldn't want an automatic even if it was hooked up to 270 hp. Plus the Mazda was cheaper, and the grocery bill keeps going up. Then I have to give the kids a ride somewhere and kick myself for having such a small back seat. And that's only one of many things I didn't buy. I love window shopping, and test driving, and getting something new, but the downside is the constant second guessing. I can't even quit thinking about the other COLORS of the same car! I love galaxy grey mica, but gosh darn that copper color is nice, or maybe the light blue. But that had tan interior, and I definitely wanted black. Right?... Right. Okay, no more looking. I want what I have, serenity now!
- roadburner (Apr 17, 2009 10:58 am)
Replies to this message:
#388 of 389 Re: I liked the Rabbit better... [ahightower] by roadburner
Apr 17, 2009 (10:58 am)
Replying to: ahightower (Apr 17, 2009 5:32 am)
I love window shopping, and test driving, and getting something new, but the downside is the constant second guessing. I can't even quit thinking about the other COLORS of the same car! I love galaxy grey mica, but gosh darn that copper color is nice, or maybe the light blue. But that had tan interior, and I definitely wanted black. Right?... Right. I think we were separated at birth...
Okay, no more looking. I want what I have, serenity now!
Ley me know if that works out.
#389 of 389 Re: I liked the Rabbit better... [shipo] by roadburner
Apr 17, 2009 (1:40 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Apr 16, 2009 9:21 pm)
I'm poking around for a good deal on one of the few remaining MKV GTIs. Good for you!
I always say that you can never have too many entertaining cars...
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