[serenity]

Hi,

I am seriously thinking about buying a Mazda 3. Really like it. Yet, my friends keep telling me "Mazda" is not good (e.g. engine is not as good as Honda or Toyota) and resale value is really low.

Can someone share some views on this? So far, I get the idea that it is only worthwhile to buy if I am going to drive the same car for 10 yrs (not thinking about reselling later).

Thanks very much.

 

[limck]

Hi,

I am seriously thinking about buying a Mazda 3. Really like it. Yet, my friends keep telling me "Mazda" is not good (e.g. engine is not as good as Honda or Toyota) and resale value is really low.

Can someone share some views on this? So far, I get the idea that it is only worthwhile to buy if I am going to drive the same car for 10 yrs (not thinking about reselling later).

Thanks very much.

Hi you from SG also?

Maybe I can offer you some of my personal views.

You're the one buying the car, paying for the car, so dun care what your frens tell you whether the car is good or bad. If you like the car, go ahead and get it.

Maybe I can compare the current 1.6L models in SG for you now.

1) Toyota Altis OMV (15.9K)
-Pros - Good FC (13-14km/l)
-Cons - Made in Thailand. QC not as good?
- Exterior design and interior design not that appealing compared to MZ3

2) Honda Civic 1.6 OMV (18k+)
- pros - Honda engine, supposedly more powerful
- cons - facelifted 2004 model still looks almost the same as old model

3) Mazda 3 1.6 OMV (16.3K to 17K+)
- pros - nice exterior and interior design
- Made in Japan
- Continental feel
- Good handling
- cons - heavy car (1250kg)
- OK FC (9 - 12km/l depending on driving habits and route)


I'm a MZ3 owner so my views might be biased. But I feel that if you wanna get a car, first of all you MUST like the car. no point buying a car if you're gonna hate it's looks as you're gonna be stuck with it for the next few years.

If your main concern is Fuel Comsumption (FC) then can just get a Toyota as Honda's FC also not that good from what I understand. As for engine, I feel it's how the car owner takes care of the engine and driving habits. If you're gonna red line the car everytime you drive even if you get a toyota or honda the engine is also gonna fail you.

Anyway the waiting time for car delivery in SG is 6 months now. Book now delivery in Sept.

Lastly, I would urge you to take a day off from work and go to test out the different cars you have in mind all in one day before coming to a decision on which one to buy.

 

[Genki01]

YOu said it bro

Yup, as what limck says it you who is driving the car not your friends.... :twisted: I been driving a mazda for about 8 years now i have no complain...From miata to 121,to the 323 and now the MZ3

 

[cya]

if u really like it then go for it... u r the one who will be seeing and driving the car everyday... buying a car really depend on ur luck... be it any car brand if u r unlucky it will have problem... just go look at Honda and Toyota forum in spore... many are facing a lot of problems... and dun tell me abt resale value... now no matter what car u drive... only scrap value will be offer if ur car is >5yrs old...
be aware that sour grape do exist... i know there are many peoples out there "sour grape" on the MZ3 design caused it just look so cool... they trying very hard to find fault on MZ3... just IMHO... no offence... :wink:

 

[des_k]

I had asked myself the same question as well sometime in January when I was shopping for a car. The choice of a car really boils down to 3 things (put in priority)

1. Cost - can you afford it?
2. Safety on the road - many factors here: car's performance (weight and feel), safety features, driver's skills (of course!)
3. Styling!

Think about it! I was looking at all 3 cars mentioned by limck (by the way, that is a good summary ) back in Jan. I ruled out Honda as the cost was relatively higher and you don't get all the free-bies as with M3 and Altis.

My 1st test drive was with M3. Although overall, it is a good car, its cost is relatively higher than the Altis. Also, backseat passenger's entrance is a bit tight (my wife complains as she often gets the back seat looking after the baby). Nonetheless, the feeling from the car is very good - the response from the steering, the stability, the finishing and the styling (interior and exterior) captivated us.

When we test-drove the Toyota's Altis' , I find the steering too light and floaty - you don't get the feel of the car at all. Overall interior finishing in the car at the showroom is quite good. But I find the exterior very typical of a toyota - not a car to excite a driver. Coupled with the light steering, the only car that gives me the confidence and assuarance that I needed was the M3.

So, it is M3 for us - anyway, as my wife told me - the M3 is a driver's car! But I feel for any choice of car, the driver must like the car first!

Thank about it!

 

[limck]

I had asked myself the same question as well sometime in January when I was shopping for a car. The choice of a car really boils down to 3 things (put in priority)

1. Cost - can you afford it?
2. Safety on the road - many factors here: car's performance (weight and feel), safety features, driver's skills (of course!)
3. Styling!

Think about it! I was looking at all 3 cars mentioned by limck (by the way, that is a good summary ) back in Jan. I ruled out Honda as the cost was relatively higher and you don't get all the free-bies as with M3 and Altis.

My 1st test drive was with M3. Although overall, it is a good car, its cost is relatively higher than the Altis. Also, backseat passenger's entrance is a bit tight (my wife complains as she often gets the back seat looking after the baby). Nonetheless, the feeling from the car is very good - the response from the steering, the stability, the finishing and the styling (interior and exterior) captivated us.

When we test-drove the Toyota's Altis' , I find the steering too light and floaty - you don't get the feel of the car at all. Overall interior finishing in the car at the showroom is quite good. But I find the exterior very typical of a toyota - not a car to excite a driver. Coupled with the light steering, the only car that gives me the confidence and assuarance that I needed was the M3.

So, it is M3 for us - anyway, as my wife told me - the M3 is a driver's car! But I feel for any choice of car, the driver must like the car first!

Thank about it!

bro, congrats on getting a MZ3 also. have you gotten your car? If you're interested, can join MCS at http://forums.delphiforums.com/Astina323F . it's more localised to SG and most of the MZ3/MZ2 bros are in there. so far already got more than 50 MZ3 owners in there liao.

 

[des_k]

Yep, bro lim_ck, just signed up yesterday in the other forum - very busy reading all the chat.

Nope, have not gotten my ride yet. Still waiting anxiously for it from my SE. Though the shipment is here already, but they are very slow in getting the car allocated. I hope I can get it by Mar.

I am getting the Lux version - Sherbet Green. Hope that I don;t face the problems like some of the bros here.

 

[Newbie]

bro, congrats on getting a MZ3 also. have you gotten your car? If you're interested, can join MCS at http://forums.delphiforums.com/Astina323F . it's more localised to SG and most of the MZ3/MZ2 bros are in there. so far already got more than 50 MZ3 owners in there liao.

Bro lim, 1 more signed up yesterday :wink:

 

[Hinoon22]

Yup! Could not agree more! It has to be first, you got to like the car. Be it, costs, performances, economical, looks...etc, cuz once you bought it, you will be facing it for at least 2 to 3 years depends...
Prioritize your desire of your future wheels, what are you really looking for in these new set of wheels?

 

[kevin1701]

1) Toyota Altis OMV (15.9K)
 -Pros - Good FC (13-14km/l)
 -Cons - Made in Thailand. QC not as good?
          - Exterior design and interior design not that appealing compared to MZ3

2) Honda Civic 1.6 OMV (18k+)
 - pros - Honda engine, supposedly more powerful
- cons - facelifted 2004 model still looks almost the same as old model

3) Mazda 3 1.6 OMV (16.3K to 17K+)
- pros - nice exterior and interior design
          - Made in Japan
          - Continental feel
          - Good handling
- cons - heavy car (1250kg)
          - OK FC (9 - 12km/l depending on driving habits and route)

Hi! good reviews on the other Japanese C-segment cars.

I just have one correction you might want to consider:
Mazda 3's in the ASEAN market are not buit in Japan, but in the Philippines.
See this site: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=20774

Ford Philippines manufactures the Mazda 3 and other cars for export to Singapore as well.

Thanks!

kev

 

[leeric]

HELP!

Hi guys,

Just registered since i believe i'm already a fan of the M3.... Anywayz...... I need to know what ur comments are on the 2006 m3 model since I wanna buy it na... Can't sleep na and I need your advice b4 I sign my chekin account and take home the m3....

Some questions I wanna ask....

1. An M3 S or V?
2. Are the add-ons really significant?
3. All forums talk about the airconditioning? Are there any truth to the gossip that its not good
4. How much where u able to get ur M3? I mean do you know of any good deals?

I'm looking at the Black or White M3.... Please help so I can decide na....

Thanks guys!

rich :lol:

 

[kenz]

im here in the philippines. anyone interested with these rims?


1.Mazda Speed Forged Monoblock MS-01F By Rays Engineering 16s 5x114 with bridgestone tires 205/16/50 90% thread- 40k

3.ARD Super License 5 x114 with DNA S. Drive tires 2 pcs 70% and 2 pcs 90%
broken size (17x7.5 front and 17x8 rear) - 55k