2010 Mazda3 5-door (hatchback). Good or Bad?

[perochan]

I am going to buy a new car (says on the title), but does anyone have problem with this vehicle?

my other options are VW GTi and Mini Cooper but my friends said they have heard nothing but problems.

I need opinions before i purchase the car. (for those who owns Mazda vehicles)

thanks

[chconline Veteran]

I don't have a Mazda; but I would generally say it's good because it has comparably cheaper insurance, good quality, fun to drive, and has a pretty decent interior. What I don't like about is that front (Seriously, who designed it?), relatively poor resale value for a Japanese branded vehicle, and so-so fuel economy.

I don't think the GT trim really compares against the GTI though. Mazda's MT setups are also not that spectacular either imo.

[Symbiotic Hat]

I bought my wife a Mini recently, the overall ergonomics are just awful, getting into a comfortable driving position is very hard for me, and there seems to be an intermittent glitch with the auto-down windows.

Engine is great. Very fun to drive. Much better handling than you would expect. Makes a great daily driver but still keeps you grinning.

I've never driven any of the other cars so I can't comment.

[pyehac]

as an owner of a 2004 Mazda3 hatch, I've never had any problems with my car - just normal maintenance (oil change, tire change, etc)

If you can grin and bear with the smilie grille, then it could be a good car.

What I don't like about it is that there's no tray under the cargo cover - just the spare tire.

[Starcom826]

I have a 2008 Mazda 3 hatch. It's a good car. However, I'm a little surprised that you're comparing the Mazda 3 with the VW GTI. The Mazdaspeed 3 is the Mazda car that would stack up against the GTI. Word is it stacks up rather well in fact.

[skyrocket]

I drive a 2005 3 sedan, I absolutely love it. If you can get past the hideous smile of the new Mazda 3, get it.

[ema]

Mazda 3 is really a car that's worthy of every $$ you spend for it. hahaha. Anyway, I found this mazda wallpaper. It's of 2010 I think.I hope you'll love it.

[MistaT40]

Mazda are pretty good cars and it has good value, pretty reliable. However, if you are looking for something with a little more "luxurious/european" interior feeling the VW GTi will do that for you. If you are looking for fun to drive the GTi will do that better than the Mazda. The Mini does it best, as it's the funnest car to drive of all 3. Back to reliability, I would say Mazda only because VW still has a poorer track record than Mazda for reliability despite much better improvements. Minis after 2006/7 have been much more reliable.

In case my thoughts are coming out jumbled - here you go: If you are looking for a reliable car without too much luxurious feeling ot it - go Mazda. If you have a larger budget, you want a more luxurious feeling interior, GTi recognition and a funner car to drive, go with the GTi. If you are all aout the driving experience then go with the Mini. To me, the GTi is the blend between Mazda and the Mini.

[chconline Veteran]

[Cube]

Between a 3, mini, and a GTI get the mark6 GTI.

I was considering the 3 too but after seing it in person, I think it looks awful. The smiley face is bad, but the rear design is even worse.

The mark6 GTI has plenty of class and refinement. The mini is not for me, it's like a little toy car.

I am waiting for the GTI to be released this fall.

[Razorwing]

lulz.

[raysteve]

It is a good choice man. I bought a hatchback just early this year and i am enjoying this new ride of mine. Its wonderful to drive.

________________

SG

just upgraded my mazda auto parts :D

[MR_Candyman]

With the MkVI Golf (and GTI they supposedly worked out all the electrical gremlins that plagued the past model (though honestly still weren't that bad). The GTI will be more refined, better built, and hold it's value better than a mazda.

[Xeon]

How could you compare the Mazda 3 to the VW GTI? First off, while the Mazda 3 may be a reliable car, it's absolutely hideous. I mean, wow. How could they have released such a monstrosity of a car to the public.

The GTI on the other hand, is a very pretty car for $21,000. It's fast, reliable, and most definitely fun. You can't compare the GTI to a regular Mazda 3 though. It would only be fair to compare it to the Mazdaspeed 3. You can however compare the regular VW Golf to the Mazda 3 in which case it wins in everything.

Buy a Golf or a Jetta man. You won't regret it.

With the MkVI Golf (and GTI they supposedly worked out all the electrical gremlins that plagued the past model (though honestly still weren't that bad). The GTI will be more refined, better built, and hold it's value better than a mazda.

What he said.

It is a good choice man. I bought a hatchback just early this year and i am enjoying this new ride of mine. Its wonderful to drive.

________________

SG

just upgraded my mazda auto parts :D

It may be wonderful to drive, until you step outside and have a look at it :whistle: :D

[Chasethebase Veteran]

Golf GTI.

That is all.

[monkey13]

Whilst I haven't owned any of these I am looking in this area as well and at the same/similar cars. From speaking to friends and people who own them:

Mini: I just don't like these. Noisy power steering pump (wines like mad) Least practical overall and you don't get a lot of car for your money. Paying for the image (Apple of cars?)

VW Golf GTi: Best driving of all the cars. Reliability and residuals are good. Insurance and fuel consumption will be higher though.

Mazda3: Very practical and you get plenty of car for your money. However the new styling makes me sad and lacks any wow factor at all. The dullest.

I've actually started looking at slightly bigger cars of this class such as the the Honda Civic i-CTDi and the Audi A3 2.0 TDi Sportback. To meet my needs whilst still being good cars.

[Xeon]

Whilst I haven't owned any of these I am looking in this area as well and at the same/similar cars. From speaking to friends and people who own them:

Mini: I just don't like these. Noisy power steering pump (wines like mad) Least practical overall and you don't get a lot of car for your money. Paying for the image (Apple of cars?)

VW Golf GTi: Best driving of all the cars. Reliability and residuals are good. Insurance and fuel consumption will be higher though.

Mazda3: Very practical and you get plenty of car for your money. However the new styling makes me sad and lacks any wow factor at all. The dullest.

I've actually started looking at slightly bigger cars of this class such as the the Honda Civic i-CTDi and the Audi A3 2.0 TDi Sportback. To meet my needs whilst still being good cars.

The Audi A3 TDI is a great looking car, and obviously reliable and excellent on gas too. Just a little on the expensive side!

[monkey13]

The Audi A3 TDI is a great looking car, and obviously reliable and excellent on gas too. Just a little on the expensive side!

Just been looking and here the GTI is about the same as the A3 do you Americans pay more?

Are you thinking of the S3?

I'm leaning more towards the Civic. I love the interior (best in class IMHO) just not sure about the styling and rear visibility. It's just starting to look less fresh (if that makes sense).

Good would I love an S3 Sportback tough.

[Xeon]

Yep. That's the negative on that one. Is offset a bit by very good residuals on it but still have to stump up the cash.

I'm leaning more towards the Civic. I love the interior (best in class IMHO) just not sure about the styling and rear visibility. It's just starting to look less fresh (if that makes sense).

Good would I love an S3 Sportback tough.

I'm guessing you're in the UK? We don't have S3's in the United States, unfortunately :(

As far the Civic goes, I read it has a lot of build quality issues. Rattles, weird noises etc. On the other hand, while I'm sure the Honda Civic interior is "nice", no interior (not Porsche, not BMW) can compare to that of an Audi. My parents own a 2006 Honda Odyssey and while the interior is nice, full leather etc, it put my 996 Porsche 911 to shame in terms of quality. After getting rid of the 911 and jumping into an Audi S4, well... I've never been so impressed with an interior. Absolutely LOVE Audi interiors.

[MR_Candyman]

Just been looking and here the GTI is about the same as the A3 do you Americans pay more?

Are you thinking of the S3?

I'm leaning more towards the Civic. I love the interior (best in class IMHO) just not sure about the styling and rear visibility. It's just starting to look less fresh (if that makes sense).

Good would I love an S3 Sportback tough.

If you get the civic be sure to get the 4 door. I have a huge list of things I hate about the 2 door, but the 4 door fixes all but the tremendously deep dash.

[monkey13]

Whoops just edited my post. I thought there was a price difference between the 2 as well but when I looked it up they are vary similar. Surprised me. I've already discounted the GTI though for other reasons.

Ah for the ultimate Audi interior you do have to pay more though. I'd agree that if you max out the spec on the A3 the Audi is great but in terms of what you get for base price or with a small bump I favour the Civic.

[MR_Candyman]

Whoops just edited my post. I thought there was a price difference between the 2 as well but when I looked it up they are vary similar. Surprised me. I've already discounted the GTI though for other reasons.

Ah for the ultimate Audi interior you do have to pay more though. I'd agree that if you max out the spec on the A3 the Audi is great but in terms of what you get for base price or with a small bump I favour the Civic.

May I ask why you discount the GTI now?

[Xeon]

May I ask why you discount the GTI now?

Curious as well. There is nothing the Mazda 3 can do better than the GTI or the Golf. Nothing. :)

[monkey13]

It was purely personal preference and what I need from the car rather than the car itself and as I said before, thirsty petrol and high insurance as well.

Also I have always found Golfs to be dull looking both inside and out. I may look at a GTI and think "That's a good car" but I've never looked at it and thought "That's a good looking car".

Just finding myself leaning more and more towards the A3 or Civic.

[MR_Candyman]

I'd go for the A3 then personally, but the 4 door civic is nice (my mom owns a 2010 4 door)