You are here: Forums Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3i vs Elantra GLS

Mazda3i vs Elantra GLS

23 messages,  Last post on Dec 20, 2008 at 10:50 AM

You are in the Mazda3 Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Hyundai Elantra, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Car Values, True Market Value (TMV), Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 3 1 2 3 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#19 of 23 Re: 09 Mazda3 s T or 08 Elantra SE? [backy] by ogurek Dec 19, 2008 (8:25 pm)
Replying to: backy (Dec 18, 2008 12:59 pm) ive been reading that forum too, and the ones i noticed were clutch w/manual transmission (doesnt affect me since i plant to get automatic), funny noises, and excessive brake dust. maybe its not entirely fair to compare them since it takes years to get bugs out and elantra is a newer model than the 3.   sorry, im not interested in the elantra touring. it looks even blander than the sedan, and will most likely have bugs as a first year model. Replies to this message: backy (Dec 19, 2008 9:22 pm) ogurek (Dec 19, 2008 10:29 pm) backy (Dec 20, 2008 10:50 am)
#20 of 23 Re: 09 Mazda3 s T or 08 Elantra SE? [ogurek] by backy Dec 19, 2008 (9:22 pm)
Replying to: ogurek (Dec 19, 2008 8:25 pm) Blander? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. I think it's more interesting than the sedan, especially the front and rear. Not nearly as ugly up front as the 2010 Mazda3. What is "new" on the Touring is the body. That's about it. Same Beta II powertrain that has been proven over quite awhile. Same basic chassis and suspension (although with sport tuning). Same dash, probably same electricals. Not a lot of risk there, IMO. Also the 2007 Elantra did very well in reliability its first year of that new generation, so that should give you some comfort. Both the Elantra and Mazda3 have much better than average predicted reliability by CR.   Really hard to go wrong with either car, but since they are quite different cars it really should come down to which one you think you would like living with better over a number of years, vs. nits like a small difference in fuel economy and a longer warranty (can get an extended warranty on the 3 if that is an issue). Replies to this message: ogurek (Dec 19, 2008 10:29 pm) backy (Dec 20, 2008 10:50 am)
#21 of 23 Re: 09 Mazda3 s T or 08 Elantra SE? [ahightower] by ogurek Dec 19, 2008 (10:11 pm)
Replying to: ahightower (Dec 19, 2008 5:41 pm) thanks for the post. im 6'1 and i was worried about fitting in a 'compact' car. right now im driving an 06 corolla with plenty of headroom. i guess they just make compact cars bigger nowadays.   in the corolla i have the same situation. the driver seat is all the way back and takes away from the leg room of the rear passenger. im not sure if the elantra would make a big difference in this case. most of the time im the only occupant in the car so so its not a problem either way.   i dont really use cruise control, so the 3 console is not a problem.
#22 of 23 Re: 09 Mazda3 s T or 08 Elantra SE? [backy] by ogurek Dec 19, 2008 (10:29 pm)
Replying to: backy (Dec 19, 2008 9:22 pm) i dont think the touring is nearly as sporty looking as the 3 wagon. i prefer the looks of the elantra sedan to the wagon, i think its harder to make a good looking hatchback/station wagon.   the overall exterior of touring has good proportions (reminds me of volvo station wagons), but the details are pretty generic (not unlike the sedan), headlight and taillights, grill, bodylines at the hatch. there is nothing appealing to make it stand out from the crowd. for example another hatch that i like is the volvo c30, really sharp and unique looking.   the new elantra started in 2007 so i wouldnt call two years a while. i know CR gave the elantra a recommended rating, but two years is not enough to judge reliability, at least to me.   i plan to test drive the 3 soon. i think the handling of the elantra will probably be very similar to the corolla im driving now (more sedate). oddly enough, i think id be fine with either car as well.   pics:     Replies to this message: backy (Dec 20, 2008 10:50 am)
#23 of 23 Re: 09 Mazda3 s T or 08 Elantra SE? [ogurek] by backy Dec 20, 2008 (10:50 am)
Replying to: ogurek (Dec 19, 2008 10:29 pm) The C30 is quite a looker, but it is a 2-door and much more expensive than the Elantra Touring, or the Mazda3s hatch for that matter (unless you go Mazdaspeed). But consider that other than the all-glass hatch (in honor of a similar Volvo from years ago), it is actually quite bland in styling--note the smooth sides for example. Sometimes I think automakers go out of their way to make a car stand out in the crowd. The C30 is a good example of tasteful styling with a quirk or two to make it more interesting. The 2010 Mazda3 is a good example of designers trying too hard to make a car stand out. Personally, I prefer the more toned-down styling approach (as on the Elantra Touring or present Mazda3) as I think it will hold up over time.   But if 2 years is not enough for you to judge reliability (even though the powertrain has a much longer history, and the Gen 3 Elantra has held up well also), I wonder why you are considering the Elantra at all. Or is reliability not important to you?

Messages Page 3 of 3 1 2 3 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3i vs Elantra GLS