First of all, I want to say great job this year on the Top 10 list. I'm lucky enough to have spent seat time in every car on the list save the Caddy and the GT-R,and there isn't a single one I wouldn't be happy to own. But let's talk top slot. Mazda3? Look, I know gas prices are high and small is in, but the Mazda3 ain't exactly frugal. With the 2.3-liter engine, the six-year-old design gets less than 30 mpg– on the highway. Around town you're talking 22 mpg. That's about the same as a Chevy Silverado Hybrid. The dash is kooktastic and I still think the four-door's funny looking (the wagon is the sex). Yes, it drives quite well and I recommend the 3 to people all the time. But I recommend the cheaper, better-driving Honda Fit even more. What's that you say? You're not talking about the standard Mazda3, but in fact the rip-snorting 263 hp MazdaSpeed3? Again, a good car, but not #1. Why not? The all new Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Ralliart blows its FWD, torque-cutting doors off. And then there's the little matter of STI and EVO. Am I wrong? Are you?
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Firstly, quick typo, I’m sure you mean mpg and not mph.
Next, as a commentator already noted in the main thread, it’s doubtful that the Mazda3 is the number 1 best out of 10 in the list. It is merely that it was included in the top ten list of the majority of poll respondants, hence the overall greatest number of votes.
Finally, I didn’t realize when I voted that I didn’t have to actually vote for ten cars. I could have merely have voted the six that I thought were the best out of the 20. I thought that I had to vote ten, so picked the remainder 4 which I normally would not have included. I’m sure this case cause the inclusion of cars unneccessarily. Or maybe it was just me…
My brother had a Mazda3 and I for one thought it was a good car. Not number 1 in a top ten list, but merely good.
I can’t tell you why it had the most votes. But I can say that after 2 years and 45k miles on mine, it’s been a great car. I have the loaded Grand Touring wagon with the 2.3l and 5AT. I’m happy with the fuel mileage (24 city/31 hwy) and power output, it’s not a sports car/sedan or a hybrid but it does many things and does them well.
I never really set out to buy this car but I’ll admit I had planned to stick within in the FoMoCo family due to some fleet discounts. Drove this while waiting on an Escape to be brought from another dealer and left with the 3 instead. In restrospect, the Escape may have served me a little better in the winter time or when camping, but the 3 is much more enjoyable on a daily basis.
I often think about what other car I would have bought with my $23k (yes, I paid cash). Not really sure; I liked the hatchback Civic Si but they were hard to find, considered a CR-V but they want blood for them in SLC, even a Golf but reliability scared me, a Focus hatchback merely because it was the cheapest, an Escape, a Tacoma, and a Mustang GT. A wide variety of vehicles with (except for the Stang) utility in the back of my mind. Maybe a Subie would have been good, but I don’t care for the boxer motors. Of course, I could have gone used.
I guess I’ve been more lucky than some, as I’ve only had the car in one time for an unscheduled stop. The passenger side window was slightly off-track. Of course, the most vocal are those with either a problematic car or those that regret their purchase decision.
But the 3 wagon is a good compromise among the reasons for considering all of those vehicles. It’s not a single-focused vehicle and I think that is why it has sold so well and was voted so many times. And it still turns my head everytime I close the garage.
But, so does my Volvo 760 but that’s because I’m cchecking to see if a fluid is leaking.
Consider one of those “guess the number of pennies in the ridiculously large jar” deals.
When a single person guesses the penny count, they’re usually wrong by a significant margin. BUT if you average out ALL the guesses, the final number is usually extremely close to the actual count.
So the choice of the Mazda3 may not be right for any one of us in particular, but the TTAC hive’s choice is righter for more people than other, more singularly attractive options, all things considered. (Does that make it TTAC’s Camry?)
That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.
Oh, and I cross-shopped a Ford Focus and a Mazda3 once (they were sitting right next to each other in the showroom) and it was game, set, match Mazda.
I could pick 8 cars on that list that should have been in first over the Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3. And as my postings have indicated, not only do I own a Speed3, but I really don’t think it should have been on the list at all. I treat this car much like I treat the Neon/Caliber SRT-4. Awesome idea on paper, horrible execution.
Maybe it would win a “bang for the buck” comparo but best car? FWD? Really?
I’ve never driven it, and I can’t see myself buying a compact car, but I think the sedan is far and away more attractive than any other compact sedan (BMW 3-Series included), and apparently it handles better and is faster than everything in its class as well, so I may or may not (I can’t remember) have voted for it
RFortier- may I ask why you bought the car if now you dislike it so much? I thought about trading for an MS3, while the extra power is nice it’s really not worth it to me on a daily basis as it cannot be exploited. Or at least my driving style and other drivers would not allow for it.
What are comparing the car too when you think it is horrible? Something in the same price range or a bit more expensive? Just curious…
I will stand up for the 3 on this basis. Everyone complains that there are no economical small cars that are fun to drive and you aren’t embarrassed to be seen in. So Mazda went out and designed a fun to drive small car that you won’t be embarrassed to be seen in. Granted, they missed a little on the economy, but really, is averaging mid to upper 20’s bad gas mileage? I don’t think so. Granted the Civic is “nice” looking, but it still looks kind of quirky, especially with the UFO dashboard and strange shifter position. It also offers a wide verity, 4 door economy (2.0L), 4 door fun (2.3L), and for those who need a wagon there is a wagon version which for once is the more attractive one. Seriously, when is the last time a 5 door car looked nicer than its 4-door siblings? And then they add an affordable, high performance version as well. They covered all bases and with and interior that is actually welcoming instead of repulsing for a reasonable price. It is one of the few examples of a small car with a little class.
My opinion of the new WRX isn’t as high as yours. I much prefer the MS3. Drove them the same day.
I also can’t say I found the Fit much fun to drive. But I drove the automatic. I’ve been told the manual is much better.
Haven’t driven the new Ralliart yet. The new Evo is awesome, but much more expensive.
I think kericf explains the popularity of the car quite well.
Thanks for this QOTD Johnny. I’ve driven it, priced it, researched it to death, and came away with, “nice little car, I love the handling and interior, but…”
the gas mileage wasn’t high enough,
the EuroNCAP crash test ratings were suspect (the Mazda2 scores better),
the price was rather high for a Mazda (this is not a Honda Civic, or even a Toyota),
I clocked my head on the sill getting in, and couldn’t open the glove box all the way because my knees were in the way.
Really it’s a decent car and a nice benchmark for say, Ford, but my $20000 will still go to the Honda before a Mazda. I think it’s overhyped.
Lots of reasons, really. The price point was attractive at the time, and I didn’t want to buy a used car. I wanted something cheaper to modify than the BMW I was coming out of, and flashbacks to my first gen Turbo Eclipse made it seem like a good idea. It felt nice and solid on the test drive, really did. Not quite as nice and solid as the E46, but much more so than the Eclipse. I saw a budget Evo/STI. I was wrong.
After one year of ownership (and, yes, 25k miles in one year as a commuter car), the car is not fun to drive at all. I don’t get any more excitement out of it. First gear is obnoxiously stupidly short, I’m shifting before I’m even off the line to keep revs under 3k. It has, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, to much torque. The LSD really doesn’t handle the problem at all. Handle is decent, of course, I spent more money on suspension than power on the BMW, so I could be biased there.
I wasn’t expecting the interior to be Audi/Lexus quality. And I wasn’t thinking it would be awesome after some time, it was all but falling apart on the Eclipse. But on the Eclipse, I picked it up with 98k on the clock (and it oddly managed to survive a new, 16 year old driver, and gave me three honest, good years of service) so I expected it to be on the fall. The Mazda isn’t even a year old, and it feels meh at best. Rattles abound, no longer has that solid, strong feel, oh, and don’t drive down a road with the slightest bit of gravel, the concept of sound deadening is lost on this car.
Comparing it? Performance wise, I’m comparing it against all the Evo IXs sitting on dealership lots they couldn’t get rid of before the Evo X hit the ground. They were going for as low as 25 for an MR around here. So I consider that in the same price range. I have no problem modifying the car, in fact I love doing it, but you would have to spend 2 grand just to keep up with an Evo IX, then more to surpass. That’s also assuming you aren’t getting overcharged in the aftermarket because it seems that all AM companies consider Mazda a “niche brand” and hardly make any good parts for it that are priced along side other parts.
Interior wise, I’m looking at the GTI I test drove. It was 24k, had a nice leather interior. Not super nice on the Audi/Lexus level, but better than this. A buddy of mine has a MkV GTI with 50k miles on it, and it still feels pretty solid.
Like I’ve said elsewhere, if you have the scratch and your looking for a hot hatch, then go to the STI or R32. If your on a bit of a budget, lean towards the GTI. If you are dead set on a Speed3, just let me know, lol.
I was seriously considering a MS3 for my next car (currently have an 03 325iT which I love) but RFortier’s words give me definite pause. I can see how it would be a fabulous testdriver, but living with it day to day might be a chore. Something to keep in mind if I ever do a test drive.
Currently I’m scoping out cars as replacements for the wife’s pathfinder.. Something like the Fit might be just the ticket..
I think it was a mistake to group the Mazda3 and the Mazdaspeed3 together as one car. They are different cars. That would have been like giving the VW Rabbit/GTI a spot on the list in the same slot.
The Mazda3 is the most fun you’re going to have in an econocar. But number 1? Maybe 10? But the speed3, while one of the best pocket rockets, is bested by the GTI, WRX and Ralliart by most opinions.
But most of all…the Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 share a frame and sheetmetal…and thats about it.
I think the Hive Mind answer is correct, and I don’t think the cars you compare it to are really that comparable. The fit is great, but it looks like a mini mini-van, is hard to find at a dealer, and is nowhere close in performance, even if it is every bit as much fun to drive. The Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Ralliart are both more expensive and look dumb, the Ralliart in particular having clumsy cheap lines. The Mazda 3 is the best all around small car on the market at the moment…plus its proven reliable and lacks the potential high $$$$ repair cost associated with any 4 wheel drive car.
The STi and EVO are way more expensive than the MS3. So it really isn’t fair to compare those cars.
With the MS3’s closest competition, the Ralliart isn’t available to the public yet (so it’s unproven), and the WRX is a polarizing car. Then you’ve got a considerably slower Civic Si, quality/dealer concerns for the GTI and Cobalt SS, and horrible ugliness from the Caliber SRT4. Combine up all this and it is not suprising that the MS3 would win out in a large-scale vote.
As far as the normal Mazda3, I like RF calling it the “TTAC Camry” because although it might not be far and away the best, it doesn’t have any major deal-breaking flaws.
I have never for one moment regretted the fact that I got a Malibu Maxx instead of a Mazda3 hatch. Same price, same fuel economy, more power, more room (leg, shoulder, hip, rear-leg, cargo!).
Yeah, there’s depreciation, but I’m not selling this baby. And even if I do, I bet there’ll be a huge market of SUV refugees.
Yeah, there’s handling, but I’m used to the electronic assist, and can take the Maxx through the twisties just fine.
Maybe next year have a vote for number one separate from the other nine?
OK, I’m gonna plod my way through this discussion as an adjunct to the main discussion over at ten best cars to point out that the 2.0 litre version averages 35 (imperial) mpg on the highway with a manual transmission at the legal “forgiveness” speed of 117 Km/h on the 401 in Ontario. Following a vintage car rally as back up vehicle, it actually got 42 mpg. Antique hunting requiers a hatchback. Previously that role was played by a couple of Golfs. A 1989 and a 1998. Both cars were good, but after 2000 VW reliability fell off a cliff, so the 5 door Mazda replaced them. Mr Fortier(?) is obviously a very young enthusiast and for him it was absolutely the wrong car. For us older geezers it’s definitely the best in class – based on price, reliability and performance.
I love my Mazda3. Everyone who has ever driven it cannot believe how much fun it is to drive. There’s a reason this thing is the #2 best selling car in Canada (Next to the venerable Civic).
“Best” is subjective, but let me tell you, it is the best handling, most fun to drive Econobox on the market, bar none, and the MS3 is the best price/performance ratio Hot Hatch out there.
Even moreso, the service, support, and build quality has endeared me to Mazda – I’ll definitely be looking to give the Zoom Zoom family a good look when I next buy. RX8 maybe?
Edmunds compared the Mazdaspeed 3 to the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Ralliart (twice i think) and the 3 kicked both their butts. Just sayin.
While I don’t think the Mazda3 is the “best” car, I think it made enough people’s lists that in aggregate it polled the most votes.
That said, I need to pour cold water on the Impreza/Lancer love fest. The new WRX/STI and Ralliart/Evo may have better interiors than the previous generation, but they have eliminated the purity that made them special while at the same time pricing them out of the range of most buyers. People that can afford the new STIs and MRs won’t shell out 40k for a Mitsubishi or Subaru- they’ll buy twin turbo BMWs.
Austinseven: Mr Fortier(?) is obviously a very young enthusiast and for him it was absolutely the wrong car.
I’m 23, so not exactly old, lol. I can’t comment one bit on the regular Mazda3, I’ve never driven one. I can only comment on a year of owning the Speed3.
Oh, and Dealership service has been by far subpar. Don’t even get me started on the engines falling out or the smoking turbos. And if I have to see another regular Mazda3 owner say “I just got an M3 hatch” one more time, I might snap. My current response to them is “I didn’t know that the M3 came in wagon form yet. How is that V8 treating you, and did you get he six speed DIY or DCT?”
That usually throws them off pretty well.
Phil…I’ve seen most of those tests myself, and after getting a night of flogging on a friend’s 2008 STI wagon, I’m really not sure how. It is far more composed in the really hard twisty bits, and damnit, AWD launch just can’t be beat.
In all fairness the Mazda3 is a Mazda that is built to the same formula that Mazda has been using forever.
Mazda’s have always been cheaper (in price and quality) yet more fun cars than the average Toyota, Nissan, or Honda product that they are meant to compete against. That is the Mazda way and for the most part is has worked for them.
The problem IS you need to understand this fact before you do buy a Mazda. If you are looking for long term commitment you will generally be disappointed with any Mazda outside of the Miata.
Understand that the xeon lights, 17″ wheels w/VR tires, leather, shiftable 5spd tranny, all cost $$$$ so something has to give to get it to market at the price Mazda does.
It is easy to call a Corolla or Civic boring when are willing to NOT look for the fine details that make for 200,000 mile, 10 year cars.
Personally, I am an old school dude, I will always go for high quality up front and pass on the frills (that can be added later).
For the record, I’m talking about the just-refreshed WRX — the one with the STI turbo, stiffer everything and 265 hp.
Despite having owned many much more expensive vehicles, I find myself suprised by how much I like my daily driver Mazda3 and how easy it is to live with. To me it is a greater achievement to engineer a car that is fun, frugal, good looking and $16K then it is to throw millions at a “money is no object” supercar that only a handful of people can afford.
While I am surprised that the TTAC readers have chosen the Mazda3 (given the lead foot demographic), I can’t say that I disagree with the outcome.
I’m dissapointed the GTI didnt make it. I own one.
It tickles 40mpg on the highway and i get about 35mpg highway even with my ECU flash (250hp, 280tq FTW!1).
The GTI seems to be a very good all round car. Decent room, excellent fuel economy, quality interior, great power, stellar handling; Dont know why it didn’t make it. It really does everything well.
Blah this debate again? Okay I concede. Don’t buy this car. Our residuals need help. Also, screw you Loverman. Time to get a real man’s car and ditch the WRX. Might I suggest a Miata?
After three years and 58,000 miles, I’m still in love with my ‘06 Mazda3 s 5-door (and yes, it is much hotter than the 4-door). I can’t think of anything under $25k that I’d possibly choose instead of it….nothing is as much fun and drives as well for under $20k.
BTW, cruise set at 70mph on the highway, 30-31mpg is realistic and 27mpg overall is no problem.
In defense of the Mazda 3:
I think that given the automobile industry in it’s current state the Mazda 3 is one hell of car. It is a competitive small car sold in the U.S.
There are arguably a handful of “competitive” small cars in the U.S. but many of them suffer from serious flaws. The Civic’s styling is too polarizing, and the engine is gutless. The Corolla lacks driving dynamics. VW (Golf,Jetta) has a spotty history.
As a platform the Mazda 3 offers plenty of versatility. If you want better fuel economy get a 2.0L model. Want a little more power? Get the 2.3L. Want a hatchback? They have that too. Looking for something with “too much torque”; they got that too.
The interior and exterior styling are nice. The engine isn’t put together with electrical tape like the current Focus (US). This is essentially the Euro-spec Focus that many people on this site and countless others have been pining for since 2004.
It is a car made for both piston-heads and appliance drivers. It has style, is affordable, and is fun to drive. Is there really any reason why the Mazda3 isn’t the best car sold today?
I must admit, I too am seriously considering the purchase of a Speed3 to replace my humble Elantra, and although RFortier1796’s comments have given me slight pause, I still think it’s the best bang for the buck hot hatch you can get. And I think, despite the WRX having AWD, the Speed3 is far superior to the WRX (the ‘08 version) and perhaps the Lancer Ralliart.
My brother has a DSG equipped MkV GTI and according to him a) dealer service is horrendous b) warranty service is even worse c) the car hasn’t really held up mechanically as well as he’d thought. It’s still a great drive though but compared to the other long terms comments on the Speed3, the latter is superior.
I’ve stolen many test drives and each time, the car just continues to grow on me.
Maybe it shouldn’t be number one, but it definitely deserves a place on the Top Ten list.
Oh and Lieberman…isn’t this the Top Ten for 2008 list? The new 265hp WRX wouldn’t qualify since it’s actually a 2009 model.
All this discussion combined with the discussion on the other post about the “best 10″ shows the improper nature of this idea. “Best 10″ is confusing, means different things to different people, plain stupid in the very end.
Then I’m thinking, who in their right mind would come up with something like this and why? There is only one answer that I could come up with: Bottom line, what’s the purpose of this website? To attract people here and generate web-traffic, period. “Best 10″ or twelve or “The crap list”, it does not matter. The more intrigued you are, the more worked up you get, the better for the bigger cause of generating and maintaining web traffic. Just my 2 cents and my little contribution to the bigger good (traffic).
As a Mazdaspeed 3 owner myself, I am happy to see it at #1. However, I would liked to have seen the Miata higher. There seems to be a large Mazda 3 mafia present and accounted for here reading and responding, and I think that says something about the car. Drive one and you’ll understand mentality. Sure I wish mine (and the regular 3) could squeeze out better MPGs, but it’s a rocket at a VERY good price.
RFortier- I would say that austinseven is pretty accurate in his statement and being 23, you’re still a young enthusiast. And since you’re (probably) just out of college with a well-paying job (all relative, of course) you want the absolute best car for your money. But, “best” to a 23 y/o male is fast, looks good, gets the ladies, and is nice inside. Plus some cool tech is always helpful. Add some years, a kid, a wife and “best” changes quickly. That’s how the regular Mazda3 makes a bit more sense to people (especially myself). Yeah, there are some better cars out there, but this is one helluva value.
And I’m probably a bit younger than austinseven.
Who cares what people call their car, M3 or Mazda3…I doubt they’re trying to say they have a BMW M3. I usually just say I have a Mazda wagon and an old Volvo turbo. Would be nice to say I have a 760, and people think it’s a big V12 Beemer.
Yoo-hoo. We have numerous Mazdaspeed3 owners here! RFortier isn’t the only one and I’m sure I’m not the only other counter example of someone who loves their MS3s.
Actually I retract that statement. I hate it. Don’t buy it because I already see enough of my “limited edition” car out in wild. My campus alone has been slowly but surely growing. Hell, a quarter of the faculty staff seem to possess one. Oh and I’m 22 and
clawing furiouslyliving by biweekly paychecks still.I was so happy that a normal car got the top slot instead of some expensive performance machine. The everyday cars are so much more deserving in my opinion. I would have rather seen the Fit there instead of the 3, but I’ll take what I can get.
The 3 doesn’t have great rated fuel economy, but you should be getting the 2.0 for one (it isn’t much less powerful and the economy is better) and for two, from what I’ve seen the 2.0 is underrated in terms of fuel economy. It looks like it’s really easy to get high 30s with it, and some people are cracking 40+. A lot of times with cars like this they get rated lower than their potential because of the gearing. Keep the rpms low (slow down on the highway in particular) and you can get big gains.
Having owned a Mazda3 for a few months now, and having cross-shopped much of the competition, I feel the Mazda3 is one capable car, offering a lot of bang for the buck, as cliché as that is. It isn’t perfect, but no car is.
Firstly, I test drove one fitted with the 2.0 engine, but decided against it (too slow from stop, not enough power) and tried out the 2.3, which I felt was a good fit for the car. Since its going to be my commuter car, I had no interest in the Mazdaspeed.
I have no qualms with the 2.3’s gas mileage return. I regularly hit 30 mpg (mostly freeway driving), not ostentatiously great but good enough to warrant the purchase on an economy basis. The ride, in my eyes (or in my bottom, as it were), seems perfect, firm but not so harsh that I’m cursing the morning drive. Though it’s subjective, I like the styling and think the interior is really nice for a car in its price bracket.
Some faults:
RFortier1796 wrote: “First gear is obnoxiously stupidly short, I’m shifting before I’m even off the line to keep revs under 3k” – I have that exact same problem! It’s annoying.
The rear seats are useless to anyone not sporting a Napoleon complex. But I rarely need to transport anyone more than myself, and if I do, I have other cars that can.
I wouldn’t have placed it as my personal #1, but I did vote for it. A lot of others probably did as well. If enough people voted for it based on it being their number 2 – 10 choice, than numerically it’s destined (not unlike Ludacris) to go for the number one spot. Overall, I think the Mazda3 is one of the best compact cars in the market right now, and I have no regrets about buying mine.
Well, let’s look at the rest of the list:
Cadillac CTS- Want to know the difference between the Cadillac CTS and its foreign compeittion? In 3 months the Cadillac is going to have more squeaks, rattles, and loose trim bits than a Hyundai Excel. Sure it’s got a great engine- it’ll probably crap out at around 110k.
Honda Fit- Here we have a car that’s ugly, underpowered, is mated with either a dim-witted Auto (that makes it more underpowered) or a very nice 5 speed (but needs a 6th gear for the highway) and costs as much as most cars in the next price bracket up. The driving position is all wrong, and its only claim to fame is the neat folding seats and mediocre gas mileage. And you’ll usually end up paying about the same as you would for a Mazda3.
BMW 3 – this car has been a shadow of itself since the past revision.
After everything else, you’ve got the Mazda3, which feels like a small “deluxe” car (maybe even premium, but lose the nasty headliner and some plastic bits.) Its mileage is a few off of the Corivic, but it’s a simple, honest machine with excellent dynamics. And while some pistonheads prefer RWD, as a daily driver you can’t beat it.
Robert Farago :
Oh, and I cross-shopped a Ford Focus and a Mazda3 once (they were sitting right next to each other in the showroom) and it was game, set, match Mazda.
Our cross-shop was the Mazda3 and VW Rabbit. Both better than average on aesthetics, but the Rabbit was endearingly impractical (they come in two doors) and cheaper to boot (as long as you avoid the two extra doors, which sell for $1K/per.)
Ultimately of course it came down to the test drive. Our local favored route includes a half mile or so of tight S turns on a fairly steep incline (it’s just past San Quentin so criminally fast speeds are subliminally discouraged). Nonetheless, you know all those photos of VW’s in turns with one wheel in the air?
Game, set, match Rabbit.
Out of curiosity, are there any Mazda3 owners who aren’t male and in their early-mid twenties? Or are we all the same?
- A 24 year old Mazda3 owner
I bet the new one’s going to be alot better. :D
I live in Michigan, land of bad roads and no budgets to repair them. When I drove the Mazda3 over potholes, I thought it was going to knock the fillings out of my teeth. I’m all for a sporty handling bias, but it was just too harsh. Additionally, the fuel economy — as noted above — is bad for a compact, the gauges are somewhat difficult to read, the quality of the interior is so-so, and it’s very noisy, but not in an erotic zoom-zoom way, more like a blender with a bad blade. It’s better than Sentras and Elantras, to be sure, and it’s quick as hell for its class, with grippy seats. However, given my daily drive, my practical side just couldn’t be shouted down, and it couldn’t match the Civic or the Corolla.
Sorry, Jonny, but after the Citoren SM thing, I’m hereby revoking your right to question us on car-choosing matters. For a whole month. Now go stand in the corner.
Johnny!
Look…
I know the writers at TTAC are great.
The writing is proof that car fools are well read and educated.
But enough of the plain old subjectivity.
Its just not this group that voted the Spped3 the better of every car you list, but almost all other car reviewers.
I know, I know…you guys don’t think highly of other car guys, but I do.
And the engine has made Wards Top ten Engine list for 3 years in a row.
Come on…the cars you listed have not.
I read what most have to say.
Please… I need to shair this information in case you never read or refused to even acknowledge another writer’s opinion:
First, Motor Trend.
Yes, sometimes they get5 caught with their not even driving pants down…but still have some legitimacy…and ignor the initial videol:
http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtests/112_0803_economy_sedans_intro/index.htmlInnsideLine?
Well, many of us still frequent their sight for information:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=121942
MotorTrend.
Yes, their dead, but even still…they do pick the MS3…Not yours.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/press_release/2008_ms3_mx5_CD10best.pdf
Automobile Magazine?
Is there a real lot to diss on this e-rag?
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/hatchbacks/0611_2007_Mazdaspeed_3/index.html
Look, Johnny Ol’ boy…this list can and does go on and on and on.
There are tens or more of these sights…ALL stating the Speed3 or its li’l bro, the Mazda3 THE BEST of its class, and most likely many higher up.
The cars you listed again don’t match it…even at a much high cost.
So what gives?
I submitted the above and rewrote thinking it had not gone through. It has, so I edited the new remarks out.
Mazda has actually among my favorite brands for the last five years. The 3, MX-5 and 6 all gave a lot of new life to the brand, but…..
I still see some enormous gaping holes in all three of the models. The market is dying right now for a fun to drive and very affordable hatchback and what do we have? The valium induced Yaris and the not ready for prime time Hyundai Accent.
Yeah I know there are a few more alternatives out there for a few thousand more but nothing, I mean nothing, is remotely comparable to what a 3 could be if there were a smaller three door hatchback version available. Every time I see a Yaris drive away, I see a Mazda owner dying to come out of the Toyota induced coma.
Now the MX-5 may be among the best handling vehicles in the free world. Well, maybe not. Let’s just say it’s one of the better ones you’ll find in our neck of the woods.
Unfortunately, it’s easily the blandest looking MX-5/Miata ever made. When I say bland I don’t mean that perhaps some proportions have more redeeming qualities than others. Anyone named Bob Lutz can argue that.
What I mean is that every time I look at the MX-5, and especially it’s front end, I wonder whether I should feed it carp or whether the 2nd generation parent had a one night stand with an EV-1. It really looks like some type of leftover design from the late 1990’s. I just don’t really see where the phrases ‘good looking’ or ‘classic’ can be remotely associated with this vehicle. Compared to the prior generations it just doesn’t cut it.
Finally, the Mazda 6 has a cheap interior compared with most of it’s competitors. You can’t sell cars that way unless you have some huge cache behind the name and the number ‘6′ isn’t exactly what folks think of when it comes to buying a midsized car.
I can understand why it’s considered a great rental car. Like a lot of folks who have driven one, there is an undeniable quality in the riding experience that far exceeds most of the mid-sized rental car alternatives. But it’s never been better than an Accord, never quieter and easier drive than the Camry, and never as sporty as the Altima when it comes to the mainstream versions. It’s more or less the best also-ran in a market literally loaded with them and it’s been that way within the first two years of it’s release.
Did I mention I like Mazdas?
Because you can vote for ten, to get the number one spot all you have to do is be on alot of people’s list. And this car apparently was on alot of lists. It may not have been at the top of any of them. All this shows is the extremely broad appeal of the car. Including me. It has been on my list for a long time. I’ve test driven it. But I didnt buy one. Yet.
and people think it’s a big V12 Beemer.…
As an enthusiast site, we really should try to be correct with our automobile nomenclature. That would be Bimmer…just sayin…
Stephen Lang…
Before I reply, I thought I would give you a drivers ed story.
Tonight my son asked me to give him some more night time driving.
He requires 50 total hours with an adult, of which 10 must be night.
So…OK.
I had him drive me out for some good wine..
Now that’s doing two lessons with one, right?
Don’t know if you like good red wine, but I know you love Mazdas.
But understand the original 6. It was introduced in 03.
Now that’s a long time ago, in car life.
At that time it was meant to be a World Car…a poor man’s sporty car.
Since that damned Euro trash doesn’t have my large ass, they insist upon smaller rear seats.
Just sit in those Bimmers and Audis!
Any decent American who understands real BBQ couldn’t handle a trip across town, let alone the country!
Now, mazda took a lesson and like the Accord made a car JUST for the US.
See, their Accord is our small ass rear seat TSX.
Try the new mazda6.
Its an astonishing car.
In fact, my favorite 4 was always the Honda free reving 4.
Now, Mazda got it right.
The 4 is actually the better of the two 6 cars.
Its seems better balanced and the 4 and its 5 trans are just like bread and butter together.
The rear seat now is fitting my rear end…and comfortable enough for my every two week 7 hour trip to MO.
Yes…there is no other poor man’s BMW out there other than the Mazda car.
A few reasons to pick the Mazda 3 over the WRX and Ralliart
The WRX and Ralliart are relatively new. We are used to the 3 because it’s been around a long time.
The base model 3 is still an excellent car, $16K and your good. The Impreza might be decent but is hampered by weight,AWD and price. The Ralliart is a Lancer.
This one isn’t hard to figure out. The Mazda3 was not necessarily anyone’s top choice, but it was the easiest choice to add to the list. Enough fun, enough practicality, enough affordability, enough reliability to at least make the list. It’s a lot like the economy class version of last year’s TSX in that respect, but last year’s TSX is no more. The 3 benefits from the TSX’s fall from grace. If you did a second poll to weight the top ten, methinks the 3 does not get the top spot. It finishes in the middle. In fact it’s the 3’s very “middle-ness” that earned it the most votes. It’s a jack of all trades, master of none.