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08 Mitsu Lancer vs. 07 Mazda3 - READ ONLY

18 messages,  Last post on Jul 23, 2007 at 10:10 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Mitsubishi Lancer

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 18 08 Mitsu Lancer vs. 07 Mazda3 by dtran2149

Apr 14, 2007 (5:47 am)

Was curious on folks' opinion of how well the new Lancer compares to the Mazda3 (excluding the Mazdaspeed version).

#2 of 18 Re: 08 Mitsu Lancer vs. 07 Mazda3 [dtran2149] by eldaino

Apr 16, 2007 (7:37 am)

Replying to: dtran2149 (Apr 14, 2007 5:47 am)
I think that the lancer should put up some very competative handling numbers. Especially the gts (18's standard? Thats pretty ballin'!)
 
The interior on the mazda 3 will be significantly better tho. Mitsu, even the newer ones, is not known for amazing interiors. Better than the prev gen lancer yes, but not as good as the 3.
 
The 2.0 in the lancer makes a little more hp than the 2.0 in the 3, even though given the performance pretensions, i'm sure it'll get compared to the 2.3.
 
The lancer does offer some things the 3 doesn not have: paddle shifters, 18's standard on the gts (only 18's you'll get standard on the 3 is by stepping up to the mazdaspeed.)and a cvt. Wether the cvt is good or bad is up to you though, and i think the only other cars in this class to offer a cvt are the nissan sentra and the honda civic; and on the civic its only available on the hybrid.
 
The only other paddle shifting car would be the fit sport, and then maybe the gti, but then we are getting a little out of its price range. (evo anyone? )

#3 of 18 08 Lancer VS 07 Mazda3 by redbrien

Apr 20, 2007 (9:42 pm)

I just test drove both a few days ago. I will first say that I have to disagree with the previous post; moreover, I feel that the interior feel in the 3 was not nice at all. My wife and I were commenting on how cheap the roof lining felt. The seats had a funny feel to them as if they were designed for looks instead of comfort. But the biggest thing that stood out was the center console, it have a very very cheap plastic feel to it. The car needs a update very bad. On too the Mitsu. I first like to say that I am a faithful Honda buyer. I first saw this new Lancer on Motortrend.com and really liked the way it looked, but was little put back that it was infact a mitsu. So a month goes by and I test drove the 3, Sentra, and the Civic. I was not crazy about anyone of them. Then out of chance I drove by a new Mitsu dealer. There was a new Black Lancer GTS. It looked like a IS250. I was actually "wowed" by it. I decided to test drive it, and boy was I supprised at the space I had compared to the others. (6'1 Large Frame) I actually got to test drive it by myself which was a hoot. Nothing worse then test driving next to a saleman making small talk. So I drove it for about 25mins. Loved the new dash with the VW trip computer. I am not into the radio as all I do is listen to sports radio, but I was shocked how clear it was. The Handling was very fine. The paddle shifters were awesome, and had so much fun REVing up or down. Totally loved this car insided and out. The only thing I didn't care for is the spoiler. I felt like it obstructed some of the rear viewing. So when I get one I might just unscrew the 4 bolts holding the spoiler on and replace it with deck lid spoiler. It would totally look like a smaller version of the IS250 then. I also found out that there is 4.9% Financing over 60months right for 08 Lancers. Just to give everyone heads up.
 
Later Brian

#4 of 18 Re: 08 Lancer VS 07 Mazda3 [redbrien] by rasldasl

Apr 21, 2007 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: redbrien (Apr 20, 2007 9:42 pm)
Has anyone driven the Sentra to compare to these? I bought a Sentra without driving the 3 or the Lancer and I am having second thoughts due in part to the less-sophisticated rear suspension. It hops quite a bit over bumps.

#5 of 18 Re: 08 Lancer VS 07 Mazda3 [rasldasl] by stallionre

Apr 21, 2007 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: rasldasl (Apr 21, 2007 1:48 pm)
I test drove three different Sentra's and sorry to tell you that the torque is too low. The 3 has a higher end torque. I didn't like the sentra's at all, not even the SE-R with the CVT trans. They feel like they were pulling to one side when you floored it. However in the 3 all was going well. You floor it and you got your trans right up with your RPM's right away. In the Civic can Nissan with the CVT trans, you had to wait until the CVT trans stepped into the gears to catch up to the RPM's. There is simply no torque in these cars. The 3 won hands down. You should drove the 3 before buying. I beat you would of bought the 3.
Do me a favor, go test drive the 3. But don't be sad that you didn't get it. Trade in I hear. JK. I like the civic's and Nissan's also. The SE-R and Spec V is a nice car, but the CVT is not good in these two cars. The engine red-lines than has to wait for the trans to catch up. This does not sit well with me.
 
The CVT is only for gas, but has less power than the 3. I take the more torque and power over the gas mileage difference.

#6 of 18 Re: 08 Lancer VS 07 Mazda3 [stallionre] by eldaino

Apr 25, 2007 (9:49 am)

Replying to: stallionre (Apr 21, 2007 4:49 pm)
this post is very familiar...

#7 of 18 Re: 08 Lancer VS 07 Mazda3 [redbrien] by eldaino

Apr 25, 2007 (9:50 am)

Replying to: redbrien (Apr 20, 2007 9:42 pm)
what part did you disagree with? the interior? it may be subjective, but i'm pretty sure the mazda owns in this regard...
 
anything else or just the interior comment?

#8 of 18 Re: 08 Mitsu Lancer vs. 07 Mazda3 [eldaino] by cchicago

Apr 25, 2007 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: eldaino (Apr 16, 2007 7:37 am)
I did look at the Lancer at the Chicago Auto show in February. I did like the looks, but I purchased a 3 Hatch without waiting for the Lancer to arrive for a couple of reasons:
 
1 -- Stability Control is not availible on the '08 Lancer but it is on some trim levels of the 3.
 
2 -- I wanted a hatch for the versitility.
 
#1 was the deal breaker for me

#9 of 18 Buying maybe! by ellusionz21

May 04, 2007 (9:55 am)

I'm actually considering the Mazda3 or 08 Lancer. It's going to be my grad gift since I just finished college yesterday! On to the real world.. getting an affordable price for my dad to pay LOL. I've got one Mazda place to bring the I sport auto down to under 15k with nothing extra (man am I going to miss the extras). But the Lancer is just a bit more at over 16k (but has a few extras). One lady at the dealership suggested I check back at end of month during their quotas and email all the internet departments at the local dealerships to get them competing. I may try to haggle my dad into going to bout 16/17k on my loan and paying the difference over 300/month so I could get into an ES/i-touring model maybe.
 
I drove both and I really did like the comfortable feel of the seats in the Lancer. I mean it was really snug. I felt like I was in a big sporty car like a mustang or charger might feel having that big car all around me. I'm in a truck now but the gas sucks for driving right now being under 20mpg, and being so low to the ground is a big change! Well I'll keep ya'll informed of my shopping case ya interested.

#10 of 18 Re: Buying maybe! [ellusionz21] by audia8q

May 04, 2007 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: ellusionz21 (May 04, 2007 9:55 am)
Do some research on mitsu and their warranty....they have a nasty habit of finding reasons to not warranty their iffy transmissions....

Messages Page 1 of 2

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