Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
C&D didnt think that the other cars did everything better... We dont either. And none of them have the utility or rear seat space that the rabbit does. I can sit perfectly comfortable in the rear seat of the Rabbit at 6ft 5, with perfect legroom. We've fit some BIG cargo back there. There is a utility that isnt had in small sedans.
The C&D test? The one that ranked the Mazda3S above the Volkswagen?
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comp..._s_sport_page_4
Granted, those were 2010s. The models I drove were '06-07s (except the Kia. I drove the Forte' much later. I did strongly consider a Spectra5)
And
none of them have the utility or rear seat space? Seems like the Mazda had the largest cargo area.
After driving all of those, I had really intended to buy an '07 Mazda3S but I found the 6S for less. The 3 was much better looking in it's earlier generation.
I liked the TDi Jetta and really liked the GTi, but they were almost as ridiculously priced as the Civic EX was. (Civic EX was the worst offender in needless dealer markup and dealer add-ons. I coud drive a 3S off the dealer lot with sunroof, leather and Bose for $18K or a Civic EX with cloth for $21K) At least with the Volkswagens, you are getting a turbocharger and/or a diesel for the price.
The 5-cylinders just didn't do anything for me. Where the Mazda's MZR would start to pull above 4000 rpm the Rabbit and Jetta seemed to just make more noise.
And neither was as well appointed as the competition for the price.
But it's all subjective. I'm sure there are people who drove the 3 and the Civic and chose the Civic because the 3 was "twitchy" and "noisy".
Did you even look at my link? What I was talking about was the 2008 test.
OK, let's look at the 2010 test, using the revamped golf which was a modest redesign to make the vehicle cheaper to build. Great.
All right, where is the wonder of the Mazda versus the VW? First let's look at the reviews:
Originally Posted By: VW:
Highs: As solid as Deutsche Bank, quiet on the go, broad torque, lovely inside.
Lows: Only five speeds, spongy legs, not much frill at this price.
OK, solid comments and issues. The lows were kind of weak, Ive said the engine should have a 6MT, and frankly, no frills is a plus as it makes for a good lifecycle cost for those of us who keep our cars a long time.
Originally Posted By: Mazda:
Highs: Delightful steering, suspension, and brakes; high-spec interior; large cargo space.
Lows: The engine lacks verve, the back seat blows, and wipe that grin off your face.
OK, so despite your claims of all the great space in the 3, they say the back seat blows? Yet Im saying that my 6ft5, 260# torso fits comfortably in the back seat of our rabbit and my brother's 11 golf TDI for long distances. Engine? I thought all the 4-cyl engines out there could do everything that the 5-cyl did... Yet C&D is saying that the engine lacks verve? Oh yeah, C&D said the VW had broad torque as a PLUS.
What else should we compare? Mazda is louder at WOT. Slower 1/4 mile, worse EPA highway mileage than the 2.5 (without its 6sp and now as weve seen, the 2.5 returns 33 so it is handily better).
The mazda only returned 0.01g better on the skidpad than the VW, and while it was faster in the lane change, let's not forget that the Mazda had $$$ 17" V-rated rubber, while the VW had economical 15" rubber on it. Funny too is that in the review I linked to, the 08 rabbit, also shod with 15" rubber, did that same lane change that the Mazda "won" in your review at 62.3 MPH, at 62.8 MPH.
Cargo space??? Well, the mazda 3 has 17 cubic feet to the golf's 15. Ill give you that. But the rear is only 43 vs 42, and the overall length of the Mazda is 177" vs 165" for the golf. So that sounds to me like the Mazda may actually be LESS space-efficient.
Yeah, youre not making any arguments that persuade me much. Why not look at the reviews objectively? Seems that folks want to hate the 2.5 just so they have something to hate. Im just looking for best value, and Ive still not seen any real argument to persuade me to prefer another car over the rabbit/golf. TDI over 2.5, sure, and we would have bought a TDI if they were available when my wife was shopping. I still dont see a better alternative...
