This is what I was going to say. Consider the 3.
Corolla or Civic?
- Thread starter R18Civic
- Start date
Sure. It's a 2023 with 4,158 miles on clock when I drove it off lot last night. It was the dealer loaner vehicle for service. Excellent condition. Brand new really. Paid $21,568 out the door. I still have to pay the property tax though.....
All in all, it was a good deal. Its the 2023 Mazda 3 S Preferred edition. Sticker was $26,900.
Only thing is they gave me one key. Sales guy wasn't too interested in getting me another one. The business guy I signed papers with said he would get me one. Who knows. I do need another one though. Need to research how to do that. Prefer NOT to use dealership if possible ($$$$$). Anyone knows, let me know.
The local Ace Hardware store has sold me keys and fobs, and programmed them for me.
I would keep at the dealer to get you another key. Lexus got me another key for our GS350.
Unless it's in writing on a WE OWE form, good luck. Never accept any verbal promises from a dealer.
Congrats on the Mazda!
We've owned many Corollas. Undoubtably one of the most reliable cars made, but I have a bad back and never could get comfortable in a Corolla.
How's the seating position and visibility in the Mazda3?
We've owned many Corollas. Undoubtably one of the most reliable cars made, but I have a bad back and never could get comfortable in a Corolla.
How's the seating position and visibility in the Mazda3?
There was a thread here a short while back discussing about how Mazda's with cylinder deactivation were chewing up their transmissions? Is this concern overblown? That thread threw a red flag in my mind about the long term durability of the newer 3's.
Yeah, there is a tech bulletin on it. It’s a very small number. It caused a “chirping” sound between 3rd and 4th gear. Since then, they have moved to a different ATF called A7 (withstands heat better than FZ I guess.). I asked the sales guy and talked to the service guy about it and neither even knew of it. So don’t think it’s a lot of vehicles. Power train on my car is LIFETIME warranty in writing. Only at this dealership though.
I was concerned about this as well. I found the Mazda 3 much more comfortable. Really good leg room also.
Visibility is fine. Don’t see any issues.
I had a 3 hatchback for a while. Nice car but the control wheel was a little annoying at times. And like my current CR-V the center screen is too small unless you buy the megabucks turbo. Spoiled by the Ford Escape. And the 3 automatic parking brake is a MAJOR annoyance. And the 3 is not tall enough but none of the cars are. Spoiled by Rav, Escape and CR-V. I'd maybe consider another 3 hatchback though as they have one of the best red paints around.
I had one of those too and it was some taller but that was the only real advantage I found. Both Mazda suffer from smaller cargo area and narrow cabin among other issues. I may be on my last car with this CR-V. We'll see.
Corollas have better axles, even if later models may be built to a lower standard than their predecessors.
They are probably the simplest machines on wheels for those who are on the level "small engine" competent, aka most DIYers. No fancy complicated failures as the systems are simple and independent of each other.
And they are pretty consistent and straightforward to service. You know that alternator is going to be on a passenger side, with a 14 and/or 12, and you have to loosen that tensioner.
Fronts are Macpherson struts and a lower control arm.
Toyota overstates their service intervals by about 125%, so adjust accordingly. 10 years should be 8. 5000 should be 4000.
They are probably the simplest machines on wheels for those who are on the level "small engine" competent, aka most DIYers. No fancy complicated failures as the systems are simple and independent of each other.
And they are pretty consistent and straightforward to service. You know that alternator is going to be on a passenger side, with a 14 and/or 12, and you have to loosen that tensioner.
Fronts are Macpherson struts and a lower control arm.
Toyota overstates their service intervals by about 125%, so adjust accordingly. 10 years should be 8. 5000 should be 4000.
JHZR2
Staff member
Imo the latest model civic is the better looking model of the two. Imo wouldnt be that concerned about the fuel dilution thing, there are many high mileage models out there. For the money imo it’s the better car unless you’re absolutely caught up on paying a premium for excess simplicity and poor integration of subsystems.
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The problem with the Civic is the AC system. It WILL fail. The compressor seal and condenser both have a 10-year extended warranty. I'm not sure if this is transferable to the non-original owner, though. Also, the evaporator is prone to leaking, and that is NOT on warranty, and it costs $2200 to fix.
That Silverado was available until 2013 with the 4.8/4L60E. Our company had one for 160k miles. It didn't have any major problems.
Mazda
1000000%
2.5L non turbo Skyactiv with 6 speed automatic is an excellent and very reliable combo.
We got one in our family and it’s a great driving car, not econobox feel.
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My answer to OP's question is Yes.
