Mazda 3, Impreza or Civic hatchback.. Which one ?

[Mr Nice]

I test drove the Mazda today and I liked it. The car is the base 'Sport' model with 2.0L engine and manual transmission.... no sunroof, cloth seats, 16" wheels, no navigation, no glitter and glam optional package with 10 speaker Bose stereo system, lane departure, adaptive headlights, radar cruise control, etc...

I still have to drive the Civic and Impreza.

 

[gofast182]

I think the Honda will impress you with how it drives. The chassis is the best I've ever experienced in this class.

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
The Civic, Golf, and Mazda3 are the most fun to drive; I can't imagine being sentenced to driving a soul-killing appliance on a daily basis.
The Fiesta ST is also a hoot, but probably smaller than a lot of people prefer.


Soul crushing ???

Not everyone can afford a fancy non ‘soul crushing’ vehicle like a BMW....

 

[surfstar]

Gotta test drive a Golf, if you haven't yet. I feel that the VW Golf has a nicer "simpler" interior style, yet feels more upscale; the way the things fit together, the thunk of the doors being closed, etc. I also don't think I could go back to an NA engine - the low-end torque of a turbo is so much more useful, as I'm not a boy-racer who wants to wind out their engine all the time.

Broaden your search radius if you can't find many manual Golfs in your area - we drove 4.5 hrs for ours. Got the color and trans we wanted at the best price I could find, so it was worth the one day of driving.
37k miles currently, no issues, 38+ AVERAGE mpg lifetime.

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
dareo, have you have the decarbonization done on the intake valves yet?

https://desertoasisautorepair.com/direct-injection-carbon-build-happens-prevent/

Also, is yours AWD?


The 1.8T in the 2015 and newer VWs has not been reported to have carbon issues like prior ones.
I'm taking the preventative steps of using RLI Bio-Plus in the gas (1oz/fillup and it is very cheap) along with LC20 dosing. I get well over the EPA mpg ratings and believe that this regimen would help, but also don't know if there is even an issue with these specific engines. Either way, I believe the cheap to use fuel/oil adds are possibly helping my mpg, as I seem to report higher than most.

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Gotta test drive a Golf, if you haven't yet. I feel that the VW Golf has a nicer "simpler" interior style, yet feels more upscale; the way the things fit together, the thunk of the doors being closed, etc. I also don't think I could go back to an NA engine - the low-end torque of a turbo is so much more useful, as I'm not a boy-racer who wants to wind out their engine all the time.

Broaden your search radius if you can't find many manual Golfs in your area - we drove 4.5 hrs for ours. Got the color and trans we wanted at the best price I could find, so it was worth the one day of driving.
37k miles currently, no issues, 38+ AVERAGE mpg lifetime.


I think you guys recommending the Golf are talking to a brick wall. Even I mentioned one earlier on in the thread. Pretty sure the OP is not going the VW route. That and I don't think too many people will drive almost 5 hours to find one. I went 2.5hrs, but it was something I had my mind set on.

 

[NewEnglander]

I've had both the Mazda3 and Impreza though not the current generations. I will say the Rio has been a great step forward for Korean subcompacts and is a terrific car to bomb around in and work on, though it hasn't needed much yet - plus the warranties are best in the business and you get a lot more inside than you do some competitors in terms of value.

Off the cuff I'd recommend the Mazda over the Impreza. It hurts me to say that as my first two cars were Imprezas, but they really blew it the last decade.

But with one caveat. The new Subaru global platform is supposed to be rock solid and a major improvement. From what I have seen I would believe it, but not sure we have enough data on it yet to really know what's what. I'd drive both a Mazda3 hatch and Impreza hatch and get a feel for both. I could see a strong argument for the new Impreza if it is as good as they say.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Mr Nice, what did you end up buying?

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
I've narrowed my search down to these 3 cars and will test drive soon.
Any other cars I should consider ?

Golf 1.8

The Golf has long been the gold standard when it comes to hatchbacks.


What makes the Golf the... 'gold standard' ?



The current Golf is built on an incredible platform called MQB. The same platform is shared with Audi cars and SUVs. I think it just makes an incredible driving small car.

All your choices are great, I think it turns out to all be ice cream, what is your favorite flavor(model).

The only qualm I had with Mazda is their dated interface on radio etc. The other two models you list have Android and Apple integration which is incredibly handy to get Maps on a nice touch screen interface.

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Mr Nice, what did you end up buying?


We didn’t buy anything yet, we’re in no rush. Maybe wait till end of the year clearance.

VW is on our list.