Subaru 2.0i v's Mazda 3

Nevermind · 15-02-2007, 08:35 PM

In a nutshell, Looking at a new basic model Impreza or a Mazda 3. (I know its not a Ford).

Whats better? What should I look out for?

MITCHAY · 15-02-2007, 08:42 PM

Well neither of them are going to go particularly fast but as I own a Subaru, I can tell you they are hell nice to drive. Boxer engine and AWD are great for handling.

I have heard that Mazda have quality problems with the MPS 3 so I'm not sure if that extends to the whole 3 range. Subarus generally are really well built.

The Mazda sounds like a good package so I'd say you would be a winner with either so it would come down to what you think is better.

f6speedster · 15-02-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermind

In a nutshell, Looking at a new basic model Impreza or a Mazda 3. (I know its not a Ford).

Whats better? What should I look out for?

The 2.0L Mazda 3 engine is the same as the Focus......Ford owns I think 40% of Mazda

Kryton · 15-02-2007, 08:48 PM

i would get niether.
i would go the Liberty, but thats just me.

Steffo · 15-02-2007, 08:51 PM

The Mazda displaces 2.0 litres (1999cc) (its a Ford Duratec engine) and makes 108kW @ 6500rpm and 182Nm @ 2000-4000rpm. Which is quite a decent torque curve for an n/a four-banger.

The Subaru displaces 1994 cc and makes 92kW @ 5600rpm and 184Nm @ 3600rpm. Both are all alloy.

Looking at them, they're a fairly similar package, with the main difference being the Subaru costs $3000 more which is basically going towards AWD and being 100kg heavier. I'd buy the Mazda.

XR8-260 · 15-02-2007, 08:51 PM

I would go for the mazda. The interior looks cool and it goes fairly hard for a little 2.0L.

naddis01 · 15-02-2007, 08:52 PM

Go the Mazda 3. They are excellent. Dont listen about any problems they may have had. They intially had a few problems but they are now on top of that. My girlfriends one is great. Very happy with it, with 60000km on the clock. Dont forget to ask about the waiting list. I dont know what it is like now but when she bought hers the waiting list was over 6 months. I doubt it would be that long now tho.
Reliability is not an issue with either so basically it comes down to which you prefer. The mazda would probably be cheaper and in my opinion looks much better, but as Mitchay said, you would probably be on a winner with either.

Road_Warrior · 15-02-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

i would get niether.
i would go the Liberty, but thats just me.

Well he's obviously after a small car, a Liberty is a mid size car. Bloody brilliant car too I might add.

Difficult choice for me between the Impreza and the 3. They are both my favourite small cars. For funkiness and probably a zippier ride, I'd go for the 3. For a bit better build quality and AWD I would go for the Impreza. The hatch version.

Steffo · 15-02-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6speedster

The 2.0L Mazda 3 engine is the same as the Focus......Ford owns I think 40% of Mazda

They own alot more then that.

Nevermind · 15-02-2007, 10:03 PM

Its basically to commute around in, do the shopping and for the wife to travel to work (100km+ round trip inc freeway driving -newcastle to gosford- ). It will be replacing a Holden Viva (which she won 12 months back). hoping to have a 15K change over or less.

They have runout 06 model Subaru's for 23K, checking out Mazda tomorrow.

Lagom · 15-02-2007, 11:26 PM

Out of interest, why aren't you looking at a Focus?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

They own alot more then that.

Actually less.

Ford only own 29% of Mazda - Mazda Share Data

Steffo · 15-02-2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagom

Out of interest, why aren't you looking at a Focus?

Actually less.

Ford only own 29% of Mazda - Mazda Share Data

Its 33.6% according to that.

Look at the last line....

Ford Automotive International Holding, S.L. and FLP Canada are 100% subsidiaries of Ford Motor Company.

So Ford Automotive International Holding, S.L. has 29% and FLP Canada has 4.6%.

Bill_R · 16-02-2007, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermind

Its basically to commute around in, do the shopping and for the wife to travel to work (100km+ round trip inc freeway driving -newcastle to gosford- ). It will be replacing a Holden Viva (which she won 12 months back). hoping to have a 15K change over or less.

They have runout 06 model Subaru's for 23K, checking out Mazda tomorrow.

My ex gf has a Mazda 3 and I'm honestly not too impressed by the way it drives. For your wife - it might be ok.
Power/weight is fairly low for the Mazda 3.
I'd take a look at the Focus - a friend across the road loves his Focus.

Bill_R · 16-02-2007, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

Its 33.6% according to that.

Look at the last line....

Ford Automotive International Holding, S.L. and FLP Canada are 100% subsidiaries of Ford Motor Company.

So Ford Automotive International Holding, S.L. has 29% and FLP Canada has 4.6%.

geez, Ford is actually the biggest shareholder (assuming the other companies are unrelated). I wonder how much of the Ford MoCo Ford actually own.

Nevermind · 16-02-2007, 10:52 AM

Going to take both for a test drive today. I guess thats the only good way to tell......

XR06T · 16-02-2007, 11:22 AM

may i ask how come the viva has to go if you guy sown it outright?

Quicklier · 16-02-2007, 02:29 PM

Whilst you're out checking out the 3 and the Impreza, ensure you stop by the Honda Dealership.

A family friend was left with a shortlist of the 3 sedan, impreza and the civic. The black civic is due to be delivered in a week.

None of the cars could match the civics ultra quietness, or the shifting of the 5 speed auto. The mazda 3 sounded like it was really struggling to drive fluently in its 'ultra enconomy' auto. Holding on to gears until you merely get bored and get out.

**Mechan1k** · 16-02-2007, 05:47 PM

Must admit the new Civic is nice indeed ... guy at work just bought one and loves it ... I had a good look over it ... and it looked a bloody nice vehicle.

I do like the 3 ... but i think I'd get the Civic over the 3 ... it'd have to come down to how it drove though.

XR8-260 · 16-02-2007, 05:57 PM

The civic's side profile looks a little weird. The interior is cool though.

Steffo · 16-02-2007, 06:00 PM

Civic... built in Thailand.

3... built in Japan.

3 wins.

naddis01 · 16-02-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_R

My ex gf has a Mazda 3 and I'm honestly not too impressed by the way it drives. For your wife - it might be ok.
Power/weight is fairly low for the Mazda 3.
I'd take a look at the Focus - a friend across the road loves his Focus.

The 3 has a slightly better power/weight than the focus and much better then the impreza (Using base models of course, as thats what is being looked at).

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30487256

The civic's side profile looks a little weird. The interior is cool though.

Have to agree with that.

kocho · 16-02-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

i would get niether.
i would go the Liberty, but thats just me.

Problem is that its a bucket load more expensive...

:

DA68ZA · 16-02-2007, 08:33 PM

Looked at buying a 3 , astra and another rolla in the new year ,even waited for the 06 run outs (misses wrote hers off just before xmas) .

3 nice car but is very noisy and a max sport with auto was $30,000 plus on road take it or leave it .

Astra nice car but didnt do anything for me <plus resale is crap> base model auto with plus pack $23,990 .

Rolla well after having our 04 hatch writen off because a astra ran up its bum at about 30ks i was not impressed ,haggled them down to $23,500 for a seden ascent sport auto .

DA68ZA · 16-02-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30487256

The civic's side profile looks a little weird. The interior is cool though.

Thing i find with honda's in general is the seats are made for little people , looked in 04 at a crv , accord both of them and civic . I found after 20 minutes i could'nt get comfy .

XR8-260 · 16-02-2007, 09:18 PM

What about the suzuki swift sport? They sell for around 23K and perform/handle pretty well. Not to mention killer looks - i'm serious.

Clicky

mrgo40rd · 16-02-2007, 09:33 PM

have you looked at a mitsubishi lancer they are a great car have worked on subaru they are ok but do yourself a favour all take one for a drive

Nevermind · 16-02-2007, 09:50 PM

well, after driving both around a bit today (both manual), having a good look at them (inside and out), and their features. We settled on the . . . . . (drum roll)

Mazda 3 Manual in Aurora Blue.
Going to cost us 9,800 change over for a 06 Neo runout with the powerpack (windows mirrors etc etc), which I think is a pretty good bargin. Couldn't get a changeover price for the Subaru, as the sales people wouldn't commit to a price until we basically signed on the dotted line. I guessed it was going to be between 14 and 16K (limited edition model).

Was very disappointed with the Impreza 2.0i, felt as gutless as the Viva. When i put my foot to the floor sitting at about 50km/h in 3rd gear, the car didn't go anywhere.

I wasn't expecting it to pick up like my XR8 but I was expecting more.

The Mazda 3 felt alot nicer to drive and ALOT more zippier, looked much better (inside especially).

One thing the Subaru had over the Mazda was its features. Alloy wheels instead of steelies (didn't matter as we would be getting aftermarket ones anyway). As well as climate control (sort of) and cruise control. Plus the Limited Edition pack (+$1500 ) has leather seats and a sunroof.

So at the end of the day, the Mazda 3 won based on its looks, price and drive. think I need to be looking at a wrx or turbo liberty if I was going to Subaru (but then there's the MPS....... oh well)

XR8-260 · 16-02-2007, 09:55 PM

Congrats. The mazda 3 is a great choice. My cousin and friend both have one

.

naddis01 · 16-02-2007, 10:08 PM

Very very good choice. You wont be disappointed.

Mmmm MPS. Thats a very nice car. Especially with Dick Johnson driving. :eclipsee_

Did you get the hatch or sedan?

nb_351 · 16-02-2007, 10:46 PM

hat would be the facelifted version wouldnt it? is it now a 6 speed?
thats the only real ongoing complaint ive had with ours... it needs a 6th gear desperately on the freeway... around town its great though, loves going through gears... actually quite zippy for what it is... servicing is quite cheap aswell... approx 200 for the 3 services before the major... havent had the 40k yet, but its only approx 450... ask them for a list like i did so you know... next mod for it will be a cai...
would love the mps, but the torque steer is a bit over the top... love driving it though...