Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla

[Deal Princess]

Does anybody have advise regarding these 2 cars I'm considering:
Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla

Thank you for your insight

[Maxspeed]

toyota corolla more reliable.... madza 3 more fun to drive....u decide...

[Maxspeed]

are you leasing or buying the car?

[Samir]

toyota corolla more reliable.... madza 3 more fun to drive....u decide...

+1

Also, in the same compact/cheap hatch class:
-Suzuki SX4 (Cheapest All-wheel drive)
-Pontiac Vibe (Toyota Matrix twin)
-Honda Civic
-Pontiac G5/Chevrolet Cobalt
-Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio (the "budget" options)

I bought a Mazda3, but I test-drove pretty much everything in this class. I picked the 3 because it had the best driver's feel and handling. The Civic is a fun car too, somewhere between the 3 and the Corolla on the Fun to Reliability Scale. The Corolla is just an A to B reliable car. Depends whar u want.

[BBQPorkBun]

Does anybody have advise regarding these 2 cars I'm considering:
Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla

Thank you for your insight

Corolla being redesigned for next yrs model.
M3 is fun, 07 version has curtain air bags.

[ar_ken]

Does anybody have advise regarding these 2 cars I'm considering:
Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla

Thank you for your insight

Providing a bit more information (ie. budget, main usage of vehicle, etc) would be more beneficial if you want us to give you more insight.

[Supershyguy]

Mazda 3 is pretty crappy on gas from what I have heard from my friends with them

[xenyz]

Mazda 3 is pretty crappy on gas from what I have heard from my friends with them

I think it depends on how you drive it. Because it's so fun to drive you end up burning more gas getting off the line.

I've had the car for three months so far and it's great. I've got a 24 month lease and nothing to worry about except driving it too many KM's :)

[Maxspeed]

24 month lease???....how much per month?

[Mulder and Scully]

Mine gets about 500km+ on a full tank (55L) and the onboard computer says it uses 9.8L/100km. This is all city driving in Toronto.

Mazda 3 is pretty crappy on gas from what I have heard from my friends with them

[Maxspeed]

my corolla does about 7.9 L/100km and i only drive in the city.

[Deal Princess]

Providing a bit more information (ie. budget, main usage of vehicle, etc) would be more beneficial if you want us to give you more insight.

Thanks to everyone for your help. :)

I was planning to lease the car. I would use it mainly to get to and from work (takes me 1 1/2 hour each way by public transport). I would use no more than 20,000km per year. Regarding budget I would like to spend no more than $250 per month. I just need a gas friendly and reliable car, no frills needed.

[rfdrfd]

One other big question is, ask ur insurance company on how much to insure them.

[rfdrfd]

Thanks to everyone for your help. :)

I was planning to lease the car. I would use it mainly to get to and from work (takes me 1 1/2 hour each way by public transport). I would use no more than 20,000km per year. Regarding budget I would like to spend no more than $250 per month. I just need a gas friendly and reliable car, no frills needed.


Then i think ur choice is clear = Toyota Corolla.


#1 in reliability, value, re-sale value, gas consumption

[Maxspeed]

You could get the corolla 06 for 285 a month including taxes new with auto, a/c. With 0 down and 0 security deposit.

Which is a good deal, the lease rate is 3.5% rate now.

[mon1]

I had a Mazda 3 nothing but problems and Mazda Canada was the worst customer service that I have ever experienced in my life. Gas mileage was brutal amongst all the other problems. I got rid of it as soon as I could.
Save yourself grief - go for the Toyota where they appreciate their customers.

[kyo_death]

like i said, these threads are awesome for gathering information on these 2 cars, but remember to take each opinion with a grain of salt since u will be hearing from both sides.

I have a mazda3 sport (06 model) and i love it. It can be good on gas as long as the driver is in control of his/her right food (this is with all cars). I bought it because of the ride (sporty but still comfortable) and i felt it was the best value for my money. A fully loaded one with leather costs only about 25k, no other car in this class gives you that option. This year's version even has HIDs , auto climate system, and side airbags. Its an avg increase of 700+ but well worth it. One gripe tho is the A/C in this car takes forever to get going and once it does, u have to be on setting 2 in order to feel it. Apparently that has been fixed with the 07 model with the auto climate. Also, consumer reports on mazdas have shown big jump in their quality control and it does show. Of course, i admit, every manufacturer has its problems and there will be lemons. At that point, its your responsibilty to go to your dealer and ask for help. If that is no help, move on to the Canadian HQ. Of course, depending on "how" you deal with it, will result in what kind of service u get back. Do your research and you should be fine.

I test drove all those cars in this class, and it did come down to the civic and mazda3 since they were the best to drive and felt put together the best. The Corolla is a nice a to b car, but i rather feel like i'm driving a car, not a van. I didnt' like the sitting position at all as it felt like like the seats came from a van. The drive belt that toyota uses is really loud in comparision to other cars, even the matrix/vibe ( i have one of those too).

You know that toyota reliabilty and fuel efficiency is the best, but your decision should also factor in how you like to feel when your driving too.
So like others, just go and test drive the cars your interested in and see how they "move" you. Remember to try to test drive cars with the same accessories so you get a better idea of each one, and of course check out insurance as it will be a fee to pay for the life of your car and if it is in your budget

[Deal Princess]

Thank you once again for everyone's feedback.

[xenyz]

24 month lease???....how much per month?

24 month lease on '06 Mazda 3 Sport, 5 speed , AC
$2495 down
$199 / month
20,000 KM's per year allowance, .12 / km over

This was a promo going on June/July so I don't know if you can still get it or not. Pretty sweet deal for me. PC Insurance for $90 a month on this car too!

[lilgreek]

I have my Mazda 3 for 2.5 years now and I love it..I've had some small hickups along the way like my tranny going after only 5000 km's but besides that really..The car is awesome. Mazda covered the tranny issue, gave me a rental and I was happy.

To me, having a car that I actually want to look at and drive everyday was very important (I get bored easily). I dont really like the interior setup of the Civic and corolla's so I didnt even bother....The again thats just me. Bottom line, the Mazda 3 is an amazing car for the price. My 2cents.

[Bullseye]

If you're just leasing, you shouldn't care about reliability or resale value, the car will be under warranty the whole time, and you just give it back at lease end. So why pay a premium for a Toyota or similar? Just get a Kia or Hyundai, you can lease one for well within your budget, and even get a few comfort features that you wouldn't get with a higher priced car.

[Arkaine]

24 month lease on '06 Mazda 3 Sport, 5 speed , AC
$2495 down
$199 / month
20,000 KM's per year allowance, .12 / km over

This was a promo going on June/July so I don't know if you can still get it or not. Pretty sweet deal for me. PC Insurance for $90 a month on this car too!

That's a sick price, where did you buy it from?

Im test driving mine today (as long as the rain lets up). I have read nothing but amazing comments from other websites and from buyer reviews about this car.

The offer given to me was:
24 month lease, 07 Mazda sport, automatic (with the manual shifter), AC etc.
$3500 down
$212/month
25,000km

[andrei_2006]

2007 Corolla Sport is something i recommend

[achc]

toyota corolla is much more reilable.

mazda parts cost is sky high

[plucky duck]

When you're leasing, resale and reliability would not be a part of my considerations, but rather insurance cost and gas mileage (given you said it will strictly be a point A to B vehicle).

[2000fordfocus]

M3 get my vote! Looks, fun factor, power, handling... all better than the current corolla!

Mazda IMO is pretty reliable too, my friends 1990 mazda 626 is still running strong! as long as you take care of your car, any car will run 200000kms+....

[xenyz]

That's a sick price, where did you buy it from?

Im test driving mine today (as long as the rain lets up). I have read nothing but amazing comments from other websites and from buyer reviews about this car.

The offer given to me was:
24 month lease, 07 Mazda sport, automatic (with the manual shifter), AC etc.
$3500 down
$212/month
25,000km

Airport Mazda (Rexdale & 27)

So how did you like the car? I think the '07 added some new airbags and the only feature I missed on this model: An 1/8" stereo line-in jack on the console to plug an mp3 player into. I'm stuck with an FM transmitter.

That offer isn't too bad, considering it's literally a brand new car and an extra 5,000 km's a year is decent. I'd be paying $1200 more if i drove an extra 10,000 kms as well.

Also, the auto is +$1,000 over the base price so that's almost the same deal I got. I wonder if you asked them about 20,000 per year KM's and no auto if you'd get the exact same deal...

[boneca]

I recently drove the Mazda3 and find it to be a spunky car which accelerated quite nicely...the only problem I found was that the suspension wasn't "stiff" enough...but I only noticed it after my friend pointed it out :lol:

[Jaytee]

24 month lease on '06 Mazda 3 Sport, 5 speed , AC
$2495 down
$199 / month
20,000 KM's per year allowance, .12 / km over

This was a promo going on June/July so I don't know if you can still get it or not.

In August I got exactly the same thing (24 month lease, Mazda 3 Sport, stick shift, AC). They were clearing out the '06s so they were ready to deal.

I got
24 month lease
0% lease financing
$0 down
$320 / month
20k km a year.

Anyhow, I got it at Agincourt Mazda (5500 Finch Ave E.). My friend got the last 06 manual at Agincourt in September. They gave me the best price out of 3 Mazda dealerships I went to. If you do end up going to Agincourt, ask for Lily and tell her Jack sent you. :)

Regarding the Mazda 3, Ive only had it for a few months but so far Im pretty happy with the car. If I was buying, I would buy the Toyota Corolla/Matrix because I think Toyota quality is better. If I was leasing I would get the Mazda 3 because you get more for your money. More standard features (power windows, power locks, 16" rims, cd, 160hp, auto lights/wipers, etc). The Matrix is not a fun car to drive. Doesnt have any power at all. A little better on gas, but I hated driving it. (I had a 2 week rental)

My 2 cents. Good luck.

[Arkaine]

Airport Mazda (Rexdale & 27)

So how did you like the car? I think the '07 added some new airbags and the only feature I missed on this model: An 1/8" stereo line-in jack on the console to plug an mp3 player into. I'm stuck with an FM transmitter.

That offer isn't too bad, considering it's literally a brand new car and an extra 5,000 km's a year is decent. I'd be paying $1200 more if i drove an extra 10,000 kms as well.

Also, the auto is +$1,000 over the base price so that's almost the same deal I got. I wonder if you asked them about 20,000 per year KM's and no auto if you'd get the exact same deal...

Hey man, I absolutely loved it. The saleperson let me go by myself and told me to take it to my GF so she can look at it and stuff. He even told me to go as fast as I like because I need to know what it can do.
I never drove the 06, so I cant really compare, but this thing handled awesome and it has the manual shifting option which was so much more responsive than others that I have drove. The gearing down kicks in right away so it will be awesome for the winter.
I think I said in my previous post that I was looking for the sport, but I drove the sedan style. My only "flaw" (probably cause im use to my fishbowl windows of my mx6) is the rear window seems kind of small, but im sure I'll get use to it.
Anyways, I signed the lease and I recommend this car for sure to anyone, for now at least lol

How long did it take you guys to get your cars?

[xenyz]

Nice one. I actually had the Sedan auto on a three day rental because my old 626 was getting repaired. I liked the car but said to myself 'this would be so much better in a hatchback with 5 speeds'. To each their own, though.

I think I took delivery a week after I closed the deal. They had the car on the lot but it was Canada Day that weekend, so they had it ready in 4 working days.

Anyhow, enjoy the ride. It's a great little car and fun as hell to drive!

[charger]

One other big question is, ask ur insurance company on how much to insure them.

Quoted for truth.

I am certain the accident rate with the mazda 3 is higher, whereas the corolla is probably one of the cheapest.

[0124]

why not pick the New Civic?

the price is pretty close and i think Civic is bigger inside~~~

[crimsona]

Civic insurance rates are probably the highest of the three...if insurance costs are a major factor, don't get one.

[weedb0y]

If you're just leasing, you shouldn't care about reliability or resale value, the car will be under warranty the whole time, and you just give it back at lease end. So why pay a premium for a Toyota or similar? Just get a Kia or Hyundai, you can lease one for well within your budget, and even get a few comfort features that you wouldn't get with a higher priced car.

I agree..thats why I always tell people to go for the cheapest LEASE..as its not yours, you are not keeping it for life and you are certainly not reselling it.

Domestics are always good for that! GM's new warranty coverage is awesome and their cars are more reliable as well now.

Plus Mazda 3 = ford

[xenyz]

Quoted for truth.

I am certain the accident rate with the mazda 3 is higher, whereas the corolla is probably one of the cheapest.

Anyway, for my case (driving and insured for 10+ years with no convictions) I pay ~$1100 / year to PC Insurance for full coverage w/ $500 deductible on a black Mazda 3 5-door.

I'm curious to see what others pay for insurance on these cars.

[aznboi180]

definitely mazda 3 over the corolla.