Just test drove an '08 Mazda3 GT Sport (nice!), also '09 Civic Si (wow)

[Nutella]

Coming from a 2003 Protege5, I just test drove a 2008 Mazda3 Sport GT. 5spd. Damn fun and I was impressed! Power is noticeably faster than P5 for sure. Suspension is great in stock form. I dont even want to bother with Mazdaspeed3 for the turbo woes down the road and premium fuel.

Then I drove a 2009 Civic Si sedan and was very impressed. But I know that is a different animal. Over +$650 / yr extra gas and insurance costs for me. And up front about $3000G more to buy, although I'd only go 2009 Mz3 not 08.

I'm on the fence. Civic Si or Mazda3 GT? I love the VTEC hahaha. but costs more..

[kckev99]

If cost is your concern stick to Mazda 3. If you want some extra fun and don't mind paying extra for it then opt for the Civic. I personally don't like the interior of the Civic but I believe the engine is better than the 2.3L found in the Mazda. I've seen cars with the K20 engines at 300K kms with little more than just routine maintenance. If you want lots more fun and don't mind paying for you should consider the Speed3 or even a WRX (at this price I prefer AWD).

Mazda 3 GT - Probably more financially friendly. On going costs like fuel and insurance will likely be less. Fuel consumption is about the same as Civic SI.

Civic SI - Premium fuel (already ~10% more expensive than regular fuel) and likely higher insurance costs. IMO, Faster and funner car and solid K-series engine. I do not believe this engine burns any oil the way any of the other Honda B and H series engines did.

Speed3 - Premium fuel also, faster than Civic SI and probably handles about as well if not better. Also probably Pricier than Civic

[Nutella]

One thing I found annoying with the 3-GT, my elbow kept hitting the armrest on shifting into 2nd or 4th Stupid stupid placement. I must have a short shifter mod (b/c stock is granny shifter) and that would make the elbow hit it even more... That was such a turn off.

Mz3GT has No USB like '09 Si, and weak azz stereo. It had heated seats and I was very impressed with the overall package.

[shu5892001]

I guess if you want to mod and go hardcore N/A route, get the Si, it definitely has more parts and more potential for modding. If you want to keep it stock get the Mz3, since there is not much mods anyways.

[ismail_alikhan]

My preference if you want a sedan.....go for the Si....yes fuel is more expensive for premium, although the 2.0L Si engine is fairly efficient.

Plus much better resale value.......and less rust issues.

Yes...interior in Mazda is nicer (IMHO), and it runs on regular fuel, but my 2.3 4AT is downright heavy on gas, comparable more to CRV than Civic. The Manual transmission 2.0L is better from my experience though.

And if you really want a hatchback go for the 3.

[Nutella]

Yeah all the research I dig up shows the mileage on the 2.3 MT is not great, 9-9.5L/100km which is what I'm getting from a 2003 Protege5 which has 12 or 13 yr old engine design with no VVT!

The rust is the worth thing. I am heavily leaning to the Si now, but not sure if I can find the right deal. I loved its handing and sound, the extra surge of VTEC is very very nice but overrated for sure, it aint no turbo.

[gotak]

The numbers suggest the mazdaspeed 3 whichever gen is the one to get if handling is the criteria. The civic si in slalom is a lot slower and in C&D lightning lap the si is 10 second slower around the track (now it's not just all handling I know but 10 seconds is really large difference). And modding might help with handling but don't expect miracles as the mugen si is only 1.7 seconds faster and they have way more resources than your average joe.

As for regular mazda 3 vs the civic si the slalom and skid pad suggest handling is actually similar. So, as much as it's strange to say that about a honda, getting the si is really a matter of if you want more power. I have friends with 8th gen si and their fuel economy numbers aren't that great. Haha mostly cause who wants to drive around at low RPM when it screams at 7800 and you get max power? So just be aware if you drive it like you stole it the cost rises.

BTW a friend of mine's selling a RSX type-S if you are interested in that instead I can PM you some contact info. It's at 95k km he's asking 17,400.

[greatwhiteshark]

Go for the RSX!! Those are hard to find in good shape...

[kckev99]

Yeah all the research I dig up shows the mileage on the 2.3 MT is not great, 9-9.5L/100km which is what I'm getting from a 2003 Protege5 which has 12 or 13 yr old engine design with no VVT!

The rust is the worth thing. I am heavily leaning to the Si now, but not sure if I can find the right deal. I loved its handing and sound, the extra surge of VTEC is very very nice but overrated for sure, it aint no turbo.

keep in mind VTEC is by no means comparable to any type of FI like Turbo or SuperCharger. Power curves are more constant with modern turbo and super chargers. Turbo and Supercharger has a more usable power band compared to VTEC. HP and Torque gains are far greater with FI engines.

Power curve on a VTEC engine comes across as a spike at high RPM. It will give you the extra little "get up and go" if you drive it like you stole it as somebody mentioned. If you drive it in the lower ranges like you normally would like any other car it is just as gutless and slow until you spin up the engine.

If you want HP and lots of Pep and don't mind paying the ongoing $$$... you should definitely go w/Speed3. Speed3 probably has similar fuel consumption as Civic SI. Speed3 generate more HP and has better handling as somebody mentioned.

For long term reliability... i would go with the Civic SI. You'll never have to worry about the Turbo giving out and K-Series engine is rock solid. Also I don't think rust is an issue with the newer Civics unlike some of the Mazda3.

If money is a concern you should stick with the Mazda3 GT. Regular gas and cheaper on insurance. You should consider this option more if you drive a lot.

I will tell you from personal experience that it is fun to toss around a car with power on tap. However if you drive a lot it will eventually hurt your wallet. Don't be a victim of your car as there are more important things to spend your money on. I sold my '99 Prelude for '10 Mzda3. Immediately I saved 40% on insurance, ~10% savings since using regular gas and also now saving and additional 20%-30% on consumption of fuel.

Unfortunately I have not seen much of my savings due to the off set of increased fuel prices but the flip side of looking at the situation is that I could be paying even more money if I kept my old Honda.

If you were to ask me which one would I pick if I were presented the same choices. You will find the answer in my Sig. I prefer money over extra bit of fun. Gas is no longer $0.65/liter and premium used to be only $0.10 extra on top of regular (this was only about 6-7 yrs ago).

[Nutella]

^^ Thank you very much, very good advice and input for me.. I agree on all items you said.. Hardest part is deciding! Bottom line, I do love the civic Si and the reliability and extra vtech oomph, but I hate that it's premium gas and $350/yr more insurance. Im ok with the upfront price being more by $2500-3000+ more ...

arghhhhh decisions decisions!!

[kckev99]

vtech oomph,

I wouldn't say this in a Honda forum as you'll get flamed for it.... It's spelt VTEC.

Also remember that part of the VTEC is psychological. It's more noise than power. :D

[gotak]

I wouldn't say this in a Honda forum as you'll get flamed for it.... It's spelt VTEC.

Also remember that part of the VTEC is psychological. It's more noise than power. :D

Yep that's why they added that lights to the 2012 cause in the 2012 it makes even less differences.

[Nutella]

oops to the vtech typo! Yes I know it's VTEC hahaha.. yeah 80% psychological aint it..

[Booostin]

Get the SI

[Gods Son]

I'd get the Si on reliability and on going maintenance alone. If you drive the car hard all the time then expect to pay a premium in terms of gas. But overall, you cannot put a price on piece of mind. I've seen far too many mazda 3's rust that I can no longer recommend the car to people. When its spot on, I absolutely love my 3, but the rust factor is too much too ignore on such an expensive item.

[hamza7]

I would get a SI given the circumstances, you'll save over the long run, if you can keep this car for a long time i.e. not expecting any family growth any time soon

[Kevin@nextmod]

Coming from a mazda 3 and a civic si. I would highly recommend a civic si myself. I still have it and it drives amazing with NO problems. Just regular oil changes and brakes. The 3rd gear issue didn't affect me because i never had the problem. The car is lack of torque but the car is light as well. I can easily push the car if i find that my car is parked too far forward or backwards. When i tried pushing my mazda 3 , it wasn't the case. The Mazda 3 does have lots of good features in the interior part and the civic obviously can't compare it. But the civic si does have a better sounding system then the 3. Comes with the mp3 cd player with 6 speakers and a sub. The seats hug you more then the 3.

When people ask me would i buy another mazda 3 i said probably not. But when people ask me would i buy another SI i said yes definitely.

[sp3GT]

OP, I'm probably biased since I currently own an Si. But in terms of the fun factor in driving, you can't even compare the 2 cars.

I had a 06 GT hatchback then moved onto the Si last year. Yes the interior I'd say is nicer on the 3, technology wise about the same. But the Si wins everything else, even fuel economy although it takes 91 Octane.

[cSPEED]

Si is a super fun car but you wouldn't get much better mileage than the MS3 and its also premium fuel anyway. I drove an RSX before and now the speed 3. I really enjoy the speed more. Test drive one, I doubt you'll go with the Si to be honest.

[n00bMeiSter]

Dude, this thread is 6 months old.

[chinsterr]

Get the SI

+1

I get horrible mileage on my 2.3, its almost equivalent to my parents 3.0L BMW SUV.

[sp3GT]

^lolol, my Si is sick on gas. My average on fuelly is 27.3 MPG