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Fit vs Vibe/Matrix vs Mazda3 - READ ONLY

8 messages,  Last post on Oct 01, 2012 at 5:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Pontiac Vibe, Mazda MAZDA3, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Hatchback

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 8 Thanks for the Feedback by linkalee

Sep 28, 2012 (6:34 pm)

countertop4: Thanks for the advice on end-of-the-year sales. It's good to hear that older Vibe models are that reliable, I found a 2008 in the area, but it had 92,000 miles on it already, and I was a bit leery of that number.
 
bobw3: I'm mostly afraid of http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr041409.html . In that article, they even go as far as calling the Fit a "minicar" in the same category as the Smart Fortwo, and I admit it's not THAT thin, though it definitely felt smaller compared to other vehicles I test drove the day I was at the dealer. The Fit does have excellent crash ratings into barriers though, so maybe it's not that much of an issue.
 
I guess my big question is, no car is perfect, but which one has the more liveable vices: The Fit's small frame, the Vibe/Matrix's blind spots, or the Mazda3's poor gas mileage/new engine's unknown reliability? I've already got points for the Fit, but are the blind spots easy to adapt to in a Vibe, and has anyone had trouble with the Mazda3's Skyactiv engine? I found http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=393637 as a possible flaw, though it is possible to fix.
 
Maybe I'm being a bit too pessimistic, though trying to find the "best" vehicle in a market swamped excellent choices is actually fairly difficult, for me anyway.

#5 of 8 Re: Thanks for the Feedback [linkalee] by autonomous

Sep 29, 2012 (5:38 am)

Replying to: linkalee (Sep 28, 2012 6:34 pm)
Maybe I'm being a bit too pessimistic, though trying to find the "best" vehicle in a market swamped excellent choices is actually fairly difficult, for me anyway.
You're right. However, the "best" vehicle for you is not what others say but what you say.
  
Your criteria (cost, fuel economy, size, trunk capacity) are reasonably achievable by several vehicles.
 
The issues you cite are in some cases unproven (e.g. Mazda 3 Skyactiv unrealiability) but concerning.
 
When I went through a similar process last year I laid out my criteria along with the pros and cons for a dozen models in a table. Eventually the table identified my top three (Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, VW Golf). I then emailed dealerships for the best deal and to arrange test drives. I chose a Mazda3 Sport with a 2.0 (non Skyactiv) automatic and have not regretted the decision. BTW at the time Honda was not providing attractive offers, so the Fit was eliminated from the list.
 
p.s. Used cars (such as the Vibe) were too much of a headache; getting used cars checked by an independent garage is necessary and a pain.

#6 of 8 Re: Thanks for the Feedback [autonomous] by bobw3

Sep 29, 2012 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Sep 29, 2012 5:38 am)
when I compare reliability of honda vs vw vs mazda honda wins everytime.

#7 of 8 Re: Thanks for feedback by countertop4

Sep 30, 2012 (5:50 pm)

Something to keep in mind in favor of the Mazda 3. The new 2.0 Skyactive engine is available in the 5 door hatchback model, so your will have great gas mileage, not poor gas mileage. Second, regarding the comment of honda reliability vs mazda reliability, that would radically change if you only compared mazda cars made in Japan excluding rotary engines. Look at the Protege/3 quality/reliability and it is right up there with honda. Keep in mind honda and toyota have slipped a notch or two in the past several years. Already seeing $4000 off MSRP on 2012 3 sedans and expect that October will see the hatchback get a sizable discount as well. Good luck.

#8 of 8 Re: Thanks for the Feedback [autonomous] by linkalee

Oct 01, 2012 (5:52 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Sep 29, 2012 5:38 am)
I agree that the "best" vehicle varies between individual cases. Thank you for the insight, autonomous, a table is a smart way to keep everything present and in order. Indeed, all the vehicles I listed fit my criteria fairly well, so I suppose what the real deciding factor now is which ones are available in my area for which prices. I can't find any Mazda3 hatchbacks, though a dealer a few miles away has new 2012 Fits for a fairly inexpensive pricetag. I'm thinking about test driving a Mazda3 sedan though, if the ride is that much more solid than the Fit, then I can probably make do with folding rear seats versus a full-on hatchback. Anyone know if you can sleep in a Mazda3 trunk? Jk.
 
PS: I agree that Mazda's reliability is right up there with Honda's, or at least it should be. Both brands keep reappearing in my searches and both are Japanese-made. I can't really debate which is better, having never owned a Mazda, but they both seem excellent enough by my standards.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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