Comparison: Mazda3 vs. Other Competitors
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I would pick the Mazda over the others without thinking about it. Call me weird, but I really like the fact that it is made in Japan. That means a lot to me. Also, with the exception of the Volkswagon, I believe it's the only one out of all the cars you mentioned to come with 4-wheel discs. Rear discs aren't even options on cars like the Civic and the Corolla.
Not to mention, you can get side curtain air bags, HIDs, 17s for under USD$19K. No other car can offer that. The exterior is nice, European, reminds me of the SEATs I saw while in Spain. Interior is knock-out and has no business being in this class of car.
The list goes on. But despite all this, the 3 will barely put a dent in Civic or Corolla sales. Honda and Toyota probably don't even care this thing is on the road. It is much more of a driver's car than any of the ones you mentioned, but the vast majority of people are comfortable with the softer Civics and Corollas. Plus, Honda and Toyota have a better "word-of-mouth" reputation than Mazda. Then again, this means that the 3 won't be as common as the others, so you'll have something more unique.
In short, the 3 rules. 8)
Not to mention, you can get side curtain air bags, HIDs, 17s for under USD$19K. No other car can offer that. The exterior is nice, European, reminds me of the SEATs I saw while in Spain. Interior is knock-out and has no business being in this class of car.
The list goes on. But despite all this, the 3 will barely put a dent in Civic or Corolla sales. Honda and Toyota probably don't even care this thing is on the road. It is much more of a driver's car than any of the ones you mentioned, but the vast majority of people are comfortable with the softer Civics and Corollas. Plus, Honda and Toyota have a better "word-of-mouth" reputation than Mazda. Then again, this means that the 3 won't be as common as the others, so you'll have something more unique.
In short, the 3 rules. 8)
Yeah for myself out of that list the GTI and Imprezza are about it. That Imprezza isn't the WRX so nix it (also $5000 more expensive than the 3 I just bought) and the GTI is only 2 doors so that cuts it out as well.
Pretty easy for me to pick my car a couple weeks back, LOL.
Pretty easy for me to pick my car a couple weeks back, LOL.
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Why do people say that? The Protege certainly put a dent in Honda/Toyota sales... to the point in some parts of Canada especially that it's BARELY 3rd.USCMazda3 said:
If Toyota wasnt worried, why are they coming out with a Corolla XRS?
And get this: I wanted a Matrix at first. But instead I waited out on it for the 3. I have 4 friends that are ordering/waiting for their 3s.
And judging by the forum, and what people got, the:
Sedan 3 was chosen over the Corolla/Civic/Jetta/Sentra/Focus/Lancer
and
Hatchback 3 was chosen over the Matrix/Vibe/PT/Lancer Sportback
Just the beginning. Toy/Hon should fear.... the 3 will dominate.
And get this: I wanted a Matrix at first. But instead I waited out on it for the 3. I have 4 friends that are ordering/waiting for their 3s.
And judging by the forum, and what people got, the:
Sedan 3 was chosen over the Corolla/Civic/Jetta/Sentra/Focus/Lancer
and
Hatchback 3 was chosen over the Matrix/Vibe/PT/Lancer Sportback
Just the beginning. Toy/Hon should fear.... the 3 will dominate.
Dude, I think Toyota and Honda each sell about 200,000 Corollas and Civics, respectively, annually. How many Proteges? World-wide, it's not contest and probably never will be.MZ6ZoomZoom said:
My man, have you read how many XRS Corollas they're aiming to sell? I don't know it right off the top of my head, but when I read it, it was such a small number I was shocked that Toyota would even bother. They're doing it for the profit...You know how much profit there is on a Corolla that will probably end up stickering for $17K? Don't believe that just because they're releasing an XRS model they fear Mazda. They don't need to. Seriously. And you're right: The 3 will dominate...Dominate magazine shoot-outs that test performance. You've got to understand that most people shopping in the economy/compact segment are looking for a basic transportation appliance. They could care less about side sills and Xenons.vaBooM said:
Exactly. We represent a [very] small fraction of people shopping in the economy/compact car segment.Kazbaeden said:
I think if Mazda can keep dolling out fine products like the 6 and 3 people will start to notice. They may not win the war this year but ever year they keep this up the more ground they gain. I do know that thanks to the Protege and Protege5 Mazda made huge ground in Canada. This could be why some of us Canadians are having a hard time figuring out why you guys say they'll never catch up because here they are starting to.
Well, maybe in Canada. In the US this is really not the case. Mazda really does not have the reputation or the sales numbers. In fact, I remember reading just recently that the 6 was not selling as well in the US as they expected it to. I can see why. While a young person like me thinks the 6 is cool, it's just too hard-edged for middle-age people looking for a family car. Same will be true for the 3. You don't see Toyota and Honda rushing to put 5-speed manuals in their V6 sedans, do you?cowtown said:
Let us not forget the next-gen Civics and Corollas will be here in no more than 2 model years. Trust me, Honda and Toyota have plenty of time to adjust their upcoming cars based on the response to the 3.
The Mazda6 really set the standard for mid-size sedans. I was envious of it while I had my Jetta. At the time, couldnt afford another car.
Then the RX8 comes out. Setting the record for the only "true" 4 seater in a sports car. Wins mad awards for the engine and such.
Now they focus on their compacts. We all admit that the Pro/P5 handles awesome. And the motor was matched well. But their was one factor that didnt cut it: the power. I love the way the P5 handles, much sharper than my 3. But the power wasnt there.
Im not saying the 3 will "steal" the sales of Civics/Corollas, but it will definately dent them.
Then the RX8 comes out. Setting the record for the only "true" 4 seater in a sports car. Wins mad awards for the engine and such.
Now they focus on their compacts. We all admit that the Pro/P5 handles awesome. And the motor was matched well. But their was one factor that didnt cut it: the power. I love the way the P5 handles, much sharper than my 3. But the power wasnt there.
Im not saying the 3 will "steal" the sales of Civics/Corollas, but it will definately dent them.
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Toyota's are made in Ontario, Canada. The Mazda 3 is assembled in Japan.USCMazda3 said:
I don't think Toyota's are that much more reliable now. From the 80s, yes. In the 80s, the Toyota's were (And still are) super reliable cars. I should know. I own one
I'm debating between saving money and getting a used Impreza (non2.5RS or WRX model) or getting a base Mazda 3.
the Impreza 2.5RS is definately a great base for a tuner car. I seen one that I thought about buying for $14k. It had less than 40k miles and was mint mint!
As for Toyota quality.. I felt as the Celica came back out, redesigned, the quality level dropped tremendously. I work with cars electrical almost every day and I can definately see the worksmanship is going to crap. They tend to have tons of electrical problems due to cheap materials and poor quality control.
And the 3 compared to the rest out there: It will lose to the SVT Focus in all aspects except comfort and value. The SVT has impressive track and braking numbers. The others: haha.
As for Toyota quality.. I felt as the Celica came back out, redesigned, the quality level dropped tremendously. I work with cars electrical almost every day and I can definately see the worksmanship is going to crap. They tend to have tons of electrical problems due to cheap materials and poor quality control.
And the 3 compared to the rest out there: It will lose to the SVT Focus in all aspects except comfort and value. The SVT has impressive track and braking numbers. The others: haha.
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