Should I get Mazda3 over TSX?

[ianS]

Hi, I am new here. I dunno am I too old for this board too. :p NEway I am currently searching a new car to replace my 99 Prelude. Yes, I love my lude a lot but I have to let it go since I need to ride my 2 kids to school this coming Sept. So my searching criteria is
1, 4 dr or 5 dr
2, made in japan
3, manual trans
4, fun 2 drive(dun need to be very fast)
5, nice looking
So endup TSX & mazda3 will be my final choice. My wife & I have debating on this for a month and still dunno which to get! So ne1 have chosen between the 2 and tell me why you chose the 3 instead(yes, I know TSX is 10G more, dun need to tell me:sarc ). Also, ne problem with your Mazda3 so far?

[M Cube]

Hi and welcome.......and wow you\'re early, so good morning :D
No one is too old for this friendly board........ :)
I kinda have the same choice with you, choosing over the 3/TSX but my situation was much more simple, $$$, so I picked the 3 other then the TSX......
First of all, they\'re from 2 different class.
The TSX is well built (from Japan), and it got the iVtec engine Honda is famous for (reliable and low maintance).
The Mazda 3 is also well built (from Japan), but it has the one of a kind styling that you couldn\'t find out there. And the standard features it comes with is well worth the $25,000. I believe you\'ve got enough details about the 2 cars so I\'m not going to write an essay about them. :p But there\'s one thing that I want to mention is there might be a Turbo/4WD version coming in 2005 (late 2004). So you might want to wait and see.

Reason I pick the 3 over the TSX:
1. $$$
2. fun factor (one of a kind exterior/interior styling)
3. you can get all the high-end standard features from high-end cars for $25,000
(Tilt/Telescope steering wheel, steeriing wheel audio controls, auto headlights/windshield wipers

Problems with the Mazda 3 so far:
1. excessive brake dust from the rear brake pads
2. not enough aftermarket modding parts available (so far) :D

I am very happy with the Mazda 3 and trust me if you can turn heads with a $25,000 car, it\'s really priceless ;)

Of course the above are just my personal opinions. Good Luck on choosing your new ride

:)

[miggiddy]

As M Cube said no need to get into details.

Don\'t get me wrong I love my 3. Handles great, looks great inside and out, quality so far seems really good. I wouldn\'t trade it for any other car in it\'s category. The primary reason I bought it was bang for the buck. I\'m not married and have no kids, but I figure in a couple of years that will change (I think it\'ll hold a couple of young kids for a few years) and for the time being the car will fill my current needs.

Other factors I\'d consider are; assuming you\'re purchasing the car, how long do you hope/would like to be driving the car? Growing up my folks had a Nissan Sentra wagon, it was fine when we were kids but at some point the back seat got cramped. I remeber praying for my dad to buy a new car, they had it for about 10 years. I\'ve gotten into the back seat of my car just to see what kind of leg room was back there (with the driver seat set to my preference) and it\'s pretty cramped for my legs (5\'10\"). Although I don\'t know the dimensions of the TSX I assume it\'s bigger, by how much I have no idea.

Ofcourse the biggest factor (well for me) is cost. If I had the money I\'d buy the TSX or maybe something else in that price range. I like the look, and the 6th gear, amongst all the other features. I wish the 3 had a 6 speed for cruising along the hwy. At 120kph rpm=3200/3300, grant it that\'s when the power kicks in.

The bottom line is that if you\'re getting a car in the compact segment then by far the 3 is the best of the bunch IMO.

Good luck with your decision.

[Xenon]

Wow... that is a hard call, especially if you can easily afford the TSX.

The Mazda3 is a great little car. I can tell you that it probably handles as good if not better than the TSX (note the TSX is only a Euro Accord). It will lack in acceleration, however, in comparison. The TSX has a good 40 HP over the Mazda3. As for interior appointment, the cockpits are very different. Note that I have heard the leather seating in the 3 will not be as high quality as the leather found in the TSX.

As mentioned before, the Mazda3 has it\'s styling and bang-for-the-buck factor going for it. For $30,000 ON THE ROAD it is definately one of the best cars you can buy. The TSX interior will have much higher quality appointments. Bettter leather, better materials. Of course that is why you pay more than the 3.

What it comes down to is what kind of car would you like to be driving? A sports car that will give you some features of luxury? or a Luxury car that will show some sportiness.

Test drive the cars, one after the other, focusing on how they drive. Then go back a week later and test drive them again, focusing on the interior trim and ergonomics. Carefully study both cars on the outside to see what styling you prefer.

IMHO, I would take the 3. Better run for the dollar. Also note that I may be biased because I own one, and the 3 suits my personality better than a TSX would.

[rsx_r04]

I liked what Xenon wrote, which was to test drive both back-to-back and notice the difference.

Since you have a family, you might want to go for a bigger car.

And if you have the money, go for the TSX (even though i bought the Mazda3).

[FLIPDADY]

Before I worked for Mazda I was at Honda/Acura. So you have nothing to worry about as far as reliability. If money isn\'t a factor go for the TSX. These 2 cars aren\'t even in the same class, even though I work for Mazda I would get the TSX. The bottom line is drive what you want.

[///M]

The TSX is a lot nicer than the Mazda3. If I had the money I would have gotten one instead.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

IMO, for a 4 door luxury car, G35 M6 sedan > TSX

if i had money, i would\'ve gotten a G35 M6 Coupe or the WRX STi.

[MAZDA Kitten]

How about a Mazda6?!? (wagon.. that is pimp) :D

[billyfo]

bring out the old topic live again, that\'s good, don\'t know ianS finally chose which car though.

for sure, if I have $10,000 more on hand, I would choose TSX cause I always like Honda cars, but if I have a bit more, I definitely have a 325i or 330:p