Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Mazda3 Sport GS

[Autos_Editor]

Vive la difference.
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[ChaosphereIX]

my first choice in the segment, hands down

[Rupert]

   Oh..it's a nice car with good handling and a nice engine. The whole thing somewhat refined in fact. Possibly my choice in this range also...except...I don't like the sound of 'noisy interior' and this aspect was one that we recently frowned upon in cars. Anyway if the other 'quiet vehicles' mentioned have ordinary or better feel, then they are somehow in an equation that they might otherwise not be. There is only so much handling needed on Canadian roads but noise can wear you out and is always not needed. Anyway the other vehicles mentioned handle perfectly alright and always have.
   

[mlin32]

So they have fixed the glitchy MZD Connect system, lack of rear reading lights, road noise, and lack of rear visibility then ?

[Jaeger]

More power.  Less noise. Kudos for offering a great looking manual hatch.

[greengs]

my first choice in the segment, hands down

For me it would be hard not to pick up a Golf Trendline over the GS version of the 3.  The engine is much better in the Golf, the ride is more compliant and the car more practical. 

[Nuttygent]

  Or you could have a torque monster Kia as I have for the $800 more. It all depends on how much passing power you need/enjoy?

[conwelpic]

Why are sedans listed in the competition? 

I would have thought that if you were in the market for a hatchback then a trunk version would be out of the equation?  Personally I rate a hatch as a top requirement (within a reasonable price range) and then see what is available that has that main feature and start comparing.

[mlin32]

my first choice in the segment, hands down

For me it would be hard not to pick up a Golf Trendline over the GS version of the 3.  The engine is much better in the Golf, the ride is more compliant and the car more practical.

Agreed. I had trouble fitting my MTB in the back of the Mazda3 sometimes because of the sloped hatch. Would have to wiggle the bike around at just the right angle for the hatch to close.

[CSH]

I always love the looks of Mazda cars..
A friend of mine with 3 driving age boys has 3 CIVIC's one Grand Caravan and 1 Mazda 3 in their family. All cars are in the 2006-2008 Year range except the Grand Caravan which is a 2010
He mentioned to me that he has spent more on maintenance (scheduled and unscheduled) on the Mazda than what he spent on the Civic's combined and a little more on the GC than what he spent on the Mazda..
My point being with the new CIVIC, Coupe, Hatch, Type R, Si etc at a very strong price point its going to be tough for Mazda or anyone else in the segment

[Fobroader]

The 200hp Forte 5 to me would be the pick of the litter....I just like the looks better.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Road and wind noise would be problems for me, but not nearly to the extent of that horrible infotainment system. Can't stand it in from nor function.

Golf 1.8TSI, likely Civic and Focus would rank higher for me. I haven't tried the Koreans for a while.

[Noto]

I also disagree about the value comment in the article.  I think it's too pricey compared to the Civic, Corolla, and definitely Elantra in terms of value.

[84im]

We rented a base Mazda 3 a couple of years ago while vacationing on Maui.  My wife and I found the front seats to be very uncomfortable.   

[OliverD]

I also disagree about the value comment in the article.  I think it's too pricey compared to the Civic, Corolla, and definitely Elantra in terms of value.

Civic LX: $19,055
Corolla S: $19,780
Mazda3 GS: $19,850

They're similarly equipped, though only the Mazda has alloy wheels. Regardless, that pricing is very close.

[2JDM]

The 200hp Forte 5 to me would be the pick of the litter....I just like the looks better.

I believe that doesn't have a independent rear suspension.

[hemusbull]

In my personal classification Mazda is Tier 2 Japanese car (Tier 1 is Honda/Toyota/Subaru and Tier 3 are Mazda/Mitsubishi/Suzuki). Like previous gen Mazda3, this one is again a good looking car and with expected no rust prone plus fun to drive it has just one main problem - long term reliability and from here the residual value...

[mlin32]

Mazda parts and repair costs are also very high.......higher than a Civic.

[sszoomzoom]

In my personal classification Mazda is Tier 2 Japanese car (Tier 1 is Honda/Toyota/Subaru and Tier 3 are Mazda/Mitsubishi/Suzuki). Like previous gen Mazda3, this one is again a good looking car and with expected no rust prone plus fun to drive it has just one main problem - long term reliability and from here the residual value...

I have to argue that as I have been driving one  for 4 years and the only think I had to do is regular oil changes and tire rotations. Also you call it Tier 2 then you call it tier 3. I am curios what is the criteria in your mind to call Mazda a tier 2 or 3?
My wife has a 2010 5 and that car has been bullet proof too.
I had an accident so I was given a 2015 Civic with 10000 km and that car felt so cheap. Closing the doors sounded like metal, rolling up and down the front windows would make the door flex (whats up with that Civic) and a huge tach on the dash for a fringing CVT transmission (Stupid). The trunk wasn't even insulated and the dash looked like was not put together right. Also with the CVT transmission the fuel economy was on par with my ZoomZoom. Driving that honda felt like driving an appliance and made me think what is all the hype with Civic. I also had a Corolla back in 2007 and I hated everything about that car. I do not deny Toyota reliability but I wont buy based on that. I commute for 100 km round trip on windy roads and cannot just drive an appliance.

[mixmanmash]

I had a 2002 Protégé that I purchased brand new and drove nearly 340k kms on it.  Pretty reliable overall.  Only issue was rust.