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

[sw1tch..]

Weird. The Mazda3 is currently the best selling car in Canada, and they literally are everywhere. My mom has a 2007 GT Sedan with 140,000KM. No problems at all.

True, maybe it is just the ones being sent to Australia? :wacko:

[abysal]

Exterior styling is very biased, and I admit Mazda went a bit radical with the front grill design. It took a while to grow on me. However even with it's radical styling I prefer the 2010 Mazda3 look to the VW GTI's. The GTI's styling is too similar from previous generations (except the rear, which looks great). If you get the GTI you have to get the 4 door version, the coupe doesn't look right.

Inside, both the 2010 MS3 & the 2010 Mazda3 interiors look better then the GTI's, but I'm not sure if they feel better. I know in my 2008 MS3 I have a few rattles with it. It has 67k miles on it.

Both the GTI and Mazda3 are good cars I think; but if you go with the GTI also ask for a supply of head light bulbs ;)

As for the Mini... it's too small and costs too much for what you get. However it is fun to drive.

Regarding gas mileage; Both the GTI & Mazda3 get similar. MS3 is a little less. I get 25.5 mpgs with mine (rated 18 city/26 hwy), but it requires 93 octane.

As for reliability; I've owned several Mazda's and haven't had any problems (MX6, 626, & 6s). On my 2008 MS3 I had a evaporate fuel purge valve die, and I replaced thermostat around 20k. Other then that it runs like a champ.

[TokyoKiller]

I don't know about you guys, but reception to the original Mazda3 was also harsh at the beginning. Look at cars on the road now...

[MR_Candyman]

Both the GTI and Mazda3 are good cars I think; but if you go with the GTI also ask for a supply of head light bulbs ;)

As for reliability; I've owned several Mazda's and haven't had any problems (MX6, 626, & 6s). On my 2008 MS3 I had a evaporate fuel purge valve die, and I replaced thermostat around 20k. Other then that it runs like a champ.

Why a supply of headlight bulbs? Just because they're HIDs? They have the same (good ones actually have better) life than halogens, though they are a bit more expensive.

I find it weird your thermostat died at 20k. Well, it's weird your fuel purge valve died too, but that seems more crummy luck. The thermostat should last a lot longer than that.