Topic: Comparison Test: Compact Cars

[Slow_lane]

The new threes are way quieter than the old ones.  But the tires are the issue, after only 10,000 km they become ridiculously noisy.

I have a 2004 Mazda 3 GT Hatch with about 50K on it. It has provided me bullet proof reliability. I like it but I do find it noisy and has a rough unrefined ride.

I recently help a friend find a 2nd hand car and while doing so I test drove a 2010 Mazda 3 Hatch with 27K on it. I was expecting the car to be quieter and more refined. It was not. It was just as noisy and rough riding as mine. No difference. I was shocked.

Oh by the way........... My friend bought the 2010 Mazda.

[jaari]

Puny '15 wheels?
How big of a rim do you need on a compact car

[PJ]

I was amazed at the number of comments already then noticed this article is from last may.  Reruns for the holidays I guess.


I also can't help thinking how much better all these cars would be with manual transmissions.  Small cars just seem wrong with an automatic.

[ArticSteve]

I was amazed at the number of comments already then noticed this article is from last may.  Reruns for the holidays I guess.

Same here.  Started into it and then saw that the Toyota pricing was not current and then saw that the Sentra was the old sh*t box.  Got me good there.     

[yarisse54]

During the world's recession, the last thing we need are boring, unreliable, and tasteless cars. Okay y'all. You know the drill. Toyota apparently retooled the robots for the 2012 Camry production line, so they could call the 2012 Camry "all new".

Why doesn't Toyota retool the robots for the 2012 Yaris sedan production line to bring us a 2014 Yaris sedan AND coupe? Who doesn't like a Coupe! Sounds like a word to use at all the fancy parties we go to. Instead of saying, I own a Yaris, now you say "I own a Yaris Coupe". Neat eh?

Now what about the 2014 Yaris sedan? Some of us LOVE the idea of having a trunk, but don't want to be caught dead in a Corolla.

So here is my rendering of the 2014 Yaris LE Sedan (with parts retooled from the 2012 Yaris HB) and a 2014 Yaris SE Coupe for those who want a 2-door Yaris, but hate the hatchback design (kinda like a first generation Toyota ECHO 2-door).

What do you think? I think I am on to something here.

[dkaz]

The Mazda 3 is noisy? It's better than my old Mazda 5 and I found the Mazda 5 to be acceptable on Canadian highways, not so much on American highways. The Mazda 3 is one of the least expensive vehicles available with good driving dynamics.