between Mazda 3 2007 and Honda Civic 2007

[coolchick]

Hi All,

We are considering buying Honda Civic 2007 or Mazda 3 2007. We have test driven both and they both seem great with all the features that we want, though Honda seems to have better acceleration despite its 1.8 L engine. Now, I would like to hear from the RFDers.

What would you recommend?

Thanks.

[googoo]

My opinion,

The Civic will have better resale value, and looks fresh.

The Mazda 3 is finally starting to look dated ... kind of like Altezzas 3-4 years ago, lower resale value, but more of a drivers car.

Civic will have better shifter and more mods and more futuristic lines, Mazda 3 looks cooler "out of the box" on lower levels , and has better looking rims on higher levels.

Civic has bad parking brake location and weird dash(love it or hate it), mazda 3 has ugly dash.

ME? it's the Civic, just upgrade the rims on lower levels and get a dark colour to hide the non colour coded door handles, or sit with "as is" on higher levels.

Brent

[kamal007]

Honda

[ar_ken]

IIRC the Mazda3 has better rates than the Civic. If you are leasing/financing you might want to look into it. As for driving one, unfortunately I've never driven any one of them for an extended period of time to comment. Not too sure if you like the 2-tier dash design of the Civic though, however it might grow on you.

[number84]

i feel the mazda 3 has a more sportier driving feel than the civic...unless you are really into modifying your car, i would go for the mazda 3...best value i think...but resale is definitely something to consider. i took a bit of a hit on my 2.5 year old mazda 3 when i sold it

[Embolus]

Both have their pro's/cons...
I'd choose Civic...unless you wanna pony up for a Speed3...then 3 all the way!!
2cents:

07 Honda Civic
+Better fuel efficiency
+Better resale value if you don't intend to keep it long-term
+Tons of storage space inside.
+White EX one looks sweet, best color to choose I think
+Not nearly as many 07 Civic's out there compared to Mazda3 "currently"
+/-Having driven the 07 Hybrid on a few long trips, the dash grows on you and you get adapted eventually and start to like it...but some may not
-Exterior definitely not as sporty as Mazda3, could use a bit more spice
-Not as "fun" of a car to drive compared to Mazda3

07 Mazda3
+Mazda3 is a great car overall, I just have few pet peeves about the 07 one, otherwise rest of car is superb
+The LED Taillights are new for 07, nice touch I think.
-If you don't get the GT, the grill has the Chrome upper lip....which is pretty ugly to me...didn't look that great on Mazda6/MPV...
-GT Rims seem too busy, not feelin' the design...prefer the previous years simplier design
-Foglamps redesigned,,,prefered the round design over the rectangle, but to each his own
-Plus....it should be re-design soon,,,it's been out since 2004...hopefully within next year or 2

Hope this helped a bit...cheers

[number84]

07 Mazda3
+Mazda3 is a great car overall, I just have few pet peeves about the 07 one, otherwise rest of car is superb
-If you don't get the GT, the grill has the Chrome upper lip....which is pretty ugly to me...didn't look that great on Mazda6/MPV...
-GT Rims seem too busy, not feelin' the design...prefer the previous model
-Foglamps redesigned,,,prefered the round design over the rectangle, but to each his own
-Plus....it should be re-design soon,,,it's been out since 2002?? hopefully within next year or so

Hope this helped a bit...cheers

could have sworn 2004 was the first year of production for the mazda 3

[Embolus]

could have sworn 2004 was the first year of production for the mazda 3

yup, you're right, my bad

[ClubberLang]

i feel the mazda 3 has a more sportier driving feel than the civic...unless you are really into modifying your car, i would go for the mazda 3...best value i think...but resale is definitely something to consider. i took a bit of a hit on my 2.5 year old mazda 3 when i sold it

how much did you let it go for?

[number84]

how much did you let it go for?

18.8...it was a 5-speed GT

[tidus888]

if u talk about ride and straight performance.. i think the Mazda 3 is really nice... especially GT model with the 2.3L engine.

i find the new Civic kinda weird for some reason..

but anyways.. i dunno how to comment about the long run of the car.. but all i can say is.. you are paying something around the same price but imported from Japan... LOL

[Maxspeed]

+1 for the civic...

[thephenom]

but anyways.. i dunno how to comment about the long run of the car.. but all i can say is.. you are paying something around the same price but imported from Japan... LOL
Civics are made in Canada! (Alliston, ON) :D

The Civic will definitely have more resale value if you don't plan to keep the car for a long period.

Go test drive both of them and see which one you like more.

[blue_xii]

+1 for mazda 3.

Here's a link to some badge resale values for Canada. I'd guess the miata has the best resale value, with the 3 being second, the 6 next and the rx-8 last by a significant margin.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/060327-1.htm

[coolchick]

Thanks everybody for the input. We will have to go test drive both cars again.
:)

[Brandon]

I think the front of the 2006/7 Civic is UGLY. The 2005 model looks better IMO. Don't know much about either car, but the build quality of the paneling in my buddy's 2007 Civic is poor. It had to be brought back to the dealer to replace some of the loose parts (cosmetic only).

[kleptodathief]

get the 07 civic si coupe! but the maz speed3 hatch is like 280hp with manny tranny? r those the cars u mean or the lesser models?

[tidus888]

Civics are made in Canada! (Alliston, ON) :D

The Civic will definitely have more resale value if you don't plan to keep the car for a long period.

Go test drive both of them and see which one you like more.

agree +1 for alliston!

[sunnybono]

Hi All,

We are considering buying Honda Civic 2007 or Mazda 3 2007. We have test driven both and they both seem great with all the features that we want, though Honda seems to have better acceleration despite its 1.8 L engine. Now, I would like to hear from the RFDers.

What would you recommend?

Thanks.

Search forum on Mazda 3's and you can read up on all the Cons of this car!!!

sk

[Renatinho]

I think the front of the 2006/7 Civic is UGLY. The 2005 model looks better IMO. Don't know much about either car, but the build quality of the paneling in my buddy's 2007 Civic is poor. It had to be brought back to the dealer to replace some of the loose parts (cosmetic only).

My sister's 2006 Civic also had a panel on the driver's side pillar pop-out 3 times. The car isn't as solid feeling as I would like.

[Beradon]

If you're keeping the car long term, go for the Honda. It has better reliability than Mazda.

[mon1]

I had the Mazda 3 - nothing but problems - I now have the civic and LOVE the car.

[Beradon]

I had the Mazda 3 - nothing but problems - I now have the civic and LOVE the car.Yeah I've heard from other Mazda3 and Protege owners that have had minor and major problems. None have gotten a problem free car.

[new_vr]

Yeah I've heard from other Mazda3 and Protege owners that have had minor and major problems. None have gotten a problem free car.
Is there such a thing? Cars have hundreds(okay thousands) of moving parts. Problems are going to happen, it's a given

[tidus888]

for like 3-4 years car =) enjoy the mazda 3 =)

for like others said.. long run = honda... not really because it is problem free, but because it is much cheaper to maintain.

[The_Professor]

I seriously don't know what you guys are talking about. I have a Mazda3 and have not had a single problem with it. Quite frankly the fit and finish is at least on par if not better than my co-workers new Civic, and he's even admitted as such. As for resale, if you do your homework you'd realize that Mazda ranks only behind Toyota and Honda according to Kelley Blue Book. That means they're ahead of companies like Nissan, BMW, Audi, etc.....not a bad spot to be in. Insurance is cheaper on the Mazda, and scheduled maintenance is about equal between the two.

I'm not saying the Civic isn't a great car because I know that it is, but trust me when I say that the majority of Mazda owners are extrememly happy with the car. RFD is very much filled with Honda loving nut-swingers (I used to be one of them after having owned various Honda's for nine years). Take what you read here and on other forums with a grain of salt. All cars these days will have problems, and to think otherwise is just stupid.

Keep in mind there is a reason that the Mazda3 is about to surpass the Civic as the best selling car in Canada.

[rinse]

+1 Mazda 3

Better bang for your buck

[ggweci]

My sister's 2006 Civic also had a panel on the driver's side pillar pop-out 3 times. The car isn't as solid feeling as I would like.

We had the same thing happen with ours... took it back and they fixed it. Seems ok so far. And that's our only complain. The car drives like a dream and is leaps and bounds better than the previous gen.

My brother-inlaw has a Mazda3 GT sedan... very nice car. He got it all optioned out including leather.

[evolution921]

My sister's 2006 Civic also had a panel on the driver's side pillar pop-out 3 times. The car isn't as solid feeling as I would like.

Is her car made in Canada or US? I heard quite a few people are having build problem with Canadian built Civics, like panel not aligning properly or rattle. I have a US built Civic and never noticed any build problem, no rattle or anything.

[new_vr]

If you check the TCO on edmunds.com, it comes out almost the same for both cars. I wish they had a TCO for here, but I don't know of one.
Buy the one you like the best...though I do favour Honda, and supporting the local economy.

[bpopd]

RESALE VALUE CIVIC - The number 1 reason to buy it

[spider78]

I think you should get the Civic....

I have a 06 Mazda3 GT, and i love it... I only wish it was less popular so that it would be more unique than all over the place :)

[nice4]

Lowest :cheesygri Civic DX + Air Cond. is the best deal if you can get a brand new Honda air cond. via other source...Oh, anyone able to find a real Honda air cond. here in Canada ?

[Renatinho]

Is her car made in Canada or US? I heard quite a few people are having build problem with Canadian built Civics, like panel not aligning properly or rattle. I have a US built Civic and never noticed any build problem, no rattle or anything.

The VIN starts with a 2 so I believe it's made in Canada. She bought it when it first came so they've hopefully worked out a few of the kinks.