Topic: '06 Mazda3 vs. '06 Acura TL

[Arctic_White]

Here's my take:

Having a TL as a courtesy car obviously has its perks: superb acceleration combined with the luxury experience.  The TL has a lotta options: handsfree bluetooth technology (which can be set-up with my V551), dual climate-control, butt-warmers, and so much more.  What it lacks is rain-sensing wipers, auto-headlights, and ALR (which Mazda3 offers).

Pros for TL:
-Superb acceleration - you step on it, off you go.  No need to wait for VTEC to kick in.  And it's supposed to be a Honda?!?  I like the VTEC feel... too bad you cannot find it.
-World-class braking - no fading here.  I thought Mazda3's have superb brakes...  until i drove the TL.  They're very edgy, however.  It took me a while to get smooth.  And it's very difficult to come to a complete stop without any jerks.
-The looks - wow!  It has by far the sweetest interior one can imagine.  The blue lights comfort you.
-HIDs - unbelievable!  I never thought that road could be this bright: going down SFU hill, i could see everything!  Mazda3 clearly is way behind in terms of headlights, even with its' fog lamps turned on.
-6 airbags - did someone say safety?
-Heated seats - as soon as RN sat in the car, he could feel his bums burning.  Enough said.
-Sound system - superb!  DVD-quality, indeed.
-Acura quality - heaters work with "right now!" command!  It heats up waay quicker than the Mazda.  Quality wise, Acura > Mazda, no questions asked.  But you are paying for the premium...

Pros for Mazda3:
-Weight - weight, weight, and more weight.  Weight advantage is HUGE!
-Gearbox - no autotragic transmission here.  =)
-A bit more features: auto-headlights, and rains-sensing wipers for starters.
-Price - you can get two top-models Mazda3 for the price of one TL.  Enough said.
-Gas consumption - requires 87 Octane... and is cheaper.  A lot cheaper!
-No torque steer!  A big issue with the TL.  Ugly.

All in all:
If Mazda3 is a ballet dancer, then the TL is a fat lady.  I kid you not, that car is HEAVY.  You can feel it.  Going on a curve, it inspires no confidence.  Sure, it is very, VERY quick, but that's about it.  Yes, it has a lot of nice features, but hey, i prefer dancing.  I'm young (22), and i'd much rather be with a ballet dancer than with a fat lady.  (No offense.)  ^^

Sure, the "fat lady" has got a lot of class, experience, and money, but for me, i'd prefer a ballet dancer any day.  Mazda3 handles better than the TL! (And i've only upgraded the tires: stock tires are only good in the dry pavement.)  So if the stock Mazda3 (with ultra-high performance tires) can outhandle the TL, imagine what the possibilities are when i put on the SCC springs.  =O

Basically, the TL is for older people.  I wouldn't be caught myself driving a TL.  TSX, on the other hand, handles a lot closer to Mazda3.  It's a little bit quicker too (than Mazda3), but i still wouldn't pay 13G's more for a TSX.  Mazda3 should appeal to the young, or to the young-at-heart crowd.

I love my car sooo much more.  Love it for the price i paid, for the little gas consumption, and for so much more.  Mazda3 is the best bang for buck right now.

As i said earlier, the TL is for older people; people who just want comfort, and occasional speed off the line.  But as Donald (M_Speed) said: going fast off line is boring.  I will be returning the TL tomorrow... and getting another car.  Hopefully something that handles a lot nicer.

Bring on the curves, please!  (Plain power doesn't please me.)  I'll have my Mazda3.

=)

[Arctic_White]

I wrote this comparison last year in my blog.  More comments can be read at : http://www.xanga.com/PWP_6MT/397230233/item.html

[mdxtasy]

If I were in the market for a $40k TL, a Mazda 3 would not cross my mind.  People look for different things when you aim at a TL vs an econobox Mazda3. 

The little Mazda is the big leader in the compact segment and is a great car no doubt....but it offers different virtures that appeal to a specific market (like you who is young) who may not have the income to purchase a $40k vehicle.

[Incredible_NATE]

1) This is for you, Nathan Lam.  =)

Will post pics later.  ^^
Posted 11/29/2005 at 5:52 PM by PWP_6MT

Thanks Raheel!

2) I'll use my Legend and race your Mazda M3

Whoa... soo many comments already!?!  I'll respond later... when i have more time.

Nathan, bring it.  I can't wait to see which is more superior.  ^^

I take that back!

3) Driving is my passion; i can talk about cars for hours on end.

NL, bring it!

NL does not feel like bringing it anymore!

Hahaha.. Oh man.. Can't believe this is from a year ago.

If I were in the market for a $40k TL, a Mazda 3 would not cross my mind.  People look for different things when you aim at a TL vs an econobox Mazda3. 

The little Mazda is the big leader in the compact segment and is a great car no doubt....but it offers different virtures that appeal to a specific market (like you who is young) who may not have the income to purchase a $40k vehicle.

[Arctic_White]

If I were in the market for a $40k TL, a Mazda 3 would not cross my mind.  People look for different things when you aim at a TL vs an econobox Mazda3. 

I realize that, sir.  I was just doing a comparison because I was fortunate enough to ride in a nice, luxury car.  Hope I didn't offend anyone. 

[wing]

Such small things wow you... which is great, but as MDX said the comparison makes no sense.

Regarding the HIDs for $300 you can get HIDs in your Mazda3 well worth the extra money.  Your fog lights are useless.

[mdxtasy]

I realize that, sir.  I was just doing a comparison because I was fortunate enough to ride in a nice, luxury car.  Hope I didn't offend anyone. 

I didn't take any offense to your comparison, just question the rationale behind it.  I know you were able to get some seat time inside a TL, but to do a comparo doesn't make sense to me.  The two cars are just too different to be put into a comparison.

[Allen]

PWP

Yep us old folks love our TL's 

[MKII]

I realize that, sir.  I was just doing a comparison because I was fortunate enough to ride in a nice, luxury car.  Hope I didn't offend anyone. 

I didn't take any offense to your comparison, just question the rationale behind it.  I know you were able to get some seat time inside a TL, but to do a comparo doesn't make sense to me.  The two cars are just too different to be put into a comparison.

Hey Mdx, the poster is 22 years old. Do you forget what the rationale is when you are 22.. Like PWP writes, he could buy 2 Mazda3 for the price of 1 TL, which is perfectly logical for a 22 year old.
PWP posts is proof of the demographics between these 2 automobiles and nothing else. It has nothing to do with what is the better car. Thats what I read anyway.

[mdxtasy]

Hey Mdx, the poster is 22 years old. Do you forget what the rationale is when you are 22.. Like PWP writes, he could buy 2 Mazda3 for the price of 1 TL, which is perfectly logical for a 22 year old.
PWP posts is proof of the demographics between these 2 automobiles and nothing else. It has nothing to do with what is the better car. Thats what I read anyway.

When I was 22?  I was a recent graduate and out of university.....just getting settled in the workplace and starting up my first company.  I read a little less between the lines and saw a bit more of a comparo.  Mazda3 handles better than the TL.  Mazda3 is more nimble.  Mazda3 has a bit more features.  Mazda3 is cheaper.  Mazda3 has no torque steer. 

As allen has already confirmed, the TL is aimed at an entirely different demographic.  The pros of each vehicle really can't be compared....just wondering why such an observation was made and what the value is, considering the two vehicles are so different.

[Incredible_NATE]

It's a very nice entry luxury sports sedan.

PWP

Yep us old folks love our TL's 

[Incredible_NATE]

Well, as he owns a Mazda 3, and he got the privilege to drive an Acura TL as a courtesy car, why not compare the two cars? I know this is not comparing apples to apples, but what he was doing was comparing all the procs and cons for what one can get for the low $20,000s versus the mid $40,000s.

I'm only 18-years-old and if I drive vehicles that I have not driven before, I also compare them to my current vehicle.

Hey Mdx, the poster is 22 years old. Do you forget what the rationale is when you are 22.. Like PWP writes, he could buy 2 Mazda3 for the price of 1 TL, which is perfectly logical for a 22 year old.
PWP posts is proof of the demographics between these 2 automobiles and nothing else. It has nothing to do with what is the better car. Thats what I read anyway.

When I was 22?  I was a recent graduate and out of university.....just getting settled in the workplace and starting up my first company.  I read a little less between the lines and saw a bit more of a comparo.  Mazda3 handles better than the TL.  Mazda3 is more nimble.  Mazda3 has a bit more features.  Mazda3 is cheaper.  Mazda3 has no torque steer. 

As allen has already confirmed, the TL is aimed at an entirely different demographic.  The pros of each vehicle really can't be compared....just wondering why such an observation was made and what the value is, considering the two vehicles are so different.

[Julie]

Interesting.

I test drove a Mazda3 two years ago. I was very impressed with the car.

I was kinda surprised at the handling of the TL myself... I was disappointed after driving a TSX...

The TL's power was superb to me, and it has a very luxurious interior...

[The Mighty Duck]

I thought you were looking for an opinion between the two at first, and was going to suggest the TSX as the best of both worlds.

As has been said, the comparison, while interesting, is ultimately futile.  Few people will crossshop and 3 and the TL.    Me, if I could afford either, I'd take the Mazda.  Just imagine the mods you could do for that extra cost the TL commands? 

[Craig]

Two products I tested recently:

Westinghouse 42" LCD TV


Breville Blender:


The Westinghouse produces vivid television images good black levels.  There is no TV connection on the Breville unit - a major oversight.

The Breville mixes excellent milkshakes.  The Westinghouse emits a strange odour when you pour milk into it.

But, as the Breville did not cause a fire, and had no stuck pixels, I'd say it has emerged the winner.

[mdxtasy]

Two products I tested recently:

Westinghouse 42" LCD TV


Breville Blender:


The Westinghouse produces vivid television images good black levels.  There is no TV connection on the Breville unit - a major oversight.

The Breville mixes excellent milkshakes.  The Westinghouse emits a strange odour when you pour milk into it.

But, as the Breville did not cause a fire, and had no stuck pixels, I'd say it has emerged the winner.

 

Yeah, but imagine the mods you can make to the Westinghouse. 

[The Mighty Duck]

Naw, imagine the engine swap you could do with that blender.  Probably enough room to drop a Honda engine in their, turbo...  good for 300hp easy!   

[Incredible_NATE]

I test drove a Mazda 3, automatic, in rain. I wanted to floor the car, but didn't. However, normal driving seemed to be fine. The car didn't seem to lack power.

Then, in late August, I got to try out a Mazda 3 in manual. It was awesome. What I really liked was the car felt extremely light.. compare to my Legend!

I haven't drove a TL myself, but would like to one day. Two years ago, on a Sunday, my Dad and I were bored, and decided to test the Acura TL. I didn't drive that time as I only learnt how to drive for five months.

However, according to my Dad, the handling of the TL is equivalent to my Legend. He told me the previous 2003 Acura 3.2TL Type S was better. But too bad that car has transmission problems.

Interesting.

I test drove a Mazda3 two years ago. I was very impressed with the car.

I was kinda surprised at the handling of the TL myself... I was disappointed after driving a TSX...

The TL's power was superb to me, and it has a very luxurious interior...

[Arctic_White]

Two products I tested recently:

Westinghouse 42" LCD TV


Breville Blender:


The Westinghouse produces vivid television images good black levels.  There is no TV connection on the Breville unit - a major oversight.

The Breville mixes excellent milkshakes.  The Westinghouse emits a strange odour when you pour milk into it.

But, as the Breville did not cause a fire, and had no stuck pixels, I'd say it has emerged the winner.

 

Yeah, but imagine the mods you can make to the Westinghouse. 

LOL.  That's hilarious!


I understand that most people will not cross-shop these two cars yet I did a comparison just for the sake of it.  I didn't intend to irk anyone, but am glad nevertheless that some members of this board got a kick out of it.

[Mitlov]

Craig: 1
Rest of world: 0