cllo

I did try the veloster. Its fun to drive. but its slow. Very slow. Need to pretty much stand on the gas pedal for it to go. I would wait for the turbo model.

What price range are you thinking of cause a base 2.4l sonata is not expensive. and its very good on fuel too. Maybe you can think about that too. Or hybird version at 30k. might save you in the long run. but i think the kia optima looks better and drive better as the sonata feel a little softer.

Thank you for everyone's reply and I appreciate all of your inputs.

I agree that the 3 will find v ...
Eddie6 發表於 2012-3-4 14:40

Eddie6

Thanks for all the inputs.

I'm looking for an automatic and I noticed Mazda3 does shift earlier & faster than a typical automatic.  And that's probably why it's a 6 speed transmission.

Yes, I heard the lack of power on the Veloster and the turbo version does make it better.  But I don't think I would consider it at this time.

The Sonota is a good car and I do like it.  It matches in dimensions and feel of my current 6.  Budget-wise, I'm looking at less than 25k with taxes & fees included.

So, I have these 2 choices right now.  The toughest part is to make a decision.  Everyone that I talked to said Toyota is better than Mazda regarding reliability and reputation.  Only here in Loyaukee where you guys said Mazda 3 is better in this case.

I'm trying to justifiy going to a Matrix coz I like the 3 better myself.  I believe with the Matrix, it is going to be a safe choice with minimum problem and possibly better in a long haul.  But it's boring !!!  Furthermore, it's probably the last year of the current version and a new one will be out soon.  For the 3, I like how it drives and looks.  However, the Skyactiv technology is not proven yet and there might be potential problems ahead.  Poeple always say not to get the 1st year of a new engine/car; wait for all the kinks to be worked out in the 2nd year model.

It feels like I'm going upstream in waterfall.  Should I insist or should I go with the flow ??? ={

someone16

Go with the 3, the whole point of buying a new car is for the new technology. The Matrix is so outdated...(Not to mention you already like the 3 more)

If you are going for a Matrix maybe you should look at used ones?

PS. Buy the car that you like and not what other people want. The worst thing to happen is to get something you aren't happy with and having to drive it for the next 5-10 years.

peter236

Mazda has higher quality than Toyota according to the latest reports.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2 ... USTRE81R1JL20120228

Honda slips; Mazda, Chrysler gain in key quality report
Photo
Tue, Feb 28 2012

By Ben Klayman

DETROIT (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) lost its top spot in an influential annual automotive report on quality, while Mazda and Chrysler showed the biggest gains.

Honda, the winner the past four years in Consumer Reports' annual report card, slipped to fourth place among 13 major automakers at 72 points.

The Japanese automaker was hurt by problems with several redesigned models, including the Civic small car and Odyssey minivan. Those models scored lower than the popular earlier versions they replaced.

Subaru (7270.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) earned the top score of 75 points for the first time in the influential consumer buying guide's 2012 report, followed by Mazda (7261.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (74 points) and Toyota (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (73 points).

"While Japanese automakers still hold the top five spots, their lead is shrinking," David Champion, senior director for the magazine's automotive test center, said in a statement. "In some of Honda's and Toyota's recently redesigned models, cost cutting has become noticeable."

Surveys by Consumer Reports are used heavily in auto industry marketing and are seen as influential in shaping consumer perceptions.

Mazda showed the most dramatic improvement, climbing from seventh place last year and increasing its overall score by 9 points. It was helped by shedding two low-scoring models, Consumer Reports said.

Although Chrysler remained in last place, its overall score jumped 8 points to 51, making it the second most improved automaker due to extensively redesigned vehicles, Consumer Reports said.

Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), on the other hand, dropped the farthest, from fifth place last year to 10th place in the 2012 report. While the U.S. automaker's road-test score rose by two points, Ford's rating was hurt by consumer complaints about the complexity of touch-screen navigation and radio controls in the MyFord Touch system.

Volvo (0175.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), at 64 points in sixth place, earned the best grade of any of the European brands tested.

Nissan (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) was fifth (67 points), Hyundai (005380.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and BMW (BMWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) both finished with 63 points and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) had 62 points. The other automakers tested were Mercedes-Benz (DAIGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (58 points) and General Motors (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (56 points).

The complete Consumer Reports report is available at www.consumerreports.org.

(Reporting By Ben Klayman)

spoonek4

有樣野要講既係2011+ mazda3，係唔係skyactiv都好，原廠係recommend 0w20 synthetic機油既(原廠收購51.95+ tax, shop charges & disposal) ，自動波箱油我都建議起碼每年半至兩年/40,000km，事關我睇開D 客既車自動波箱油有時行3萬幾已經可以好污糟，如果你係好似之前部車咁長keep呢一部既，呢樣野絕對要留意。

Prelude

Recommend 0w20?  I wonder what's the reason for that.

Also, someone said "部車算好力", only when you compare to matrix.  Even then it's barely noticeable.  Especially when it's a 3k lb car.

I agree it should more fun to drive than Matrix though.

Eddie6

It's really frustrating and depressed when no one supports you !

spoonek4

宜家好多車廠都追求慳油好力，好多車廠06年打後都已經recommend由以前果D 5w40/5w30既偈油轉去5W20，用更熙既偈油相信會對特別係加拿大呢度既涼爽天氣既地方cold start既時候warm up得更快，提供更好既lubrication從而達到慳油目的﹖

部車算好力，我係以一部自動波2000cc車黎計，唔係同其他牌子做比較。

eddie6: 轉波反應同係唔係六速冇咩關係，睇睇呢個video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y ... e=player_embedded#!

Eddie6

Thanks again for all your inputs.

I have, against all odds (outside loyaukee that is), decided to go for the Mazda3 !!  I will be picking it up this week.

This car buying experience definitely has mixed emotions in it; the joy of getting a new ride vs the pain of trying to convince people about your choice.

Public perception of company brands does impact people and sometimes other factors are over-looked.

I'm still happy with my choice and I hope I'll even happier when I am driving it.

I shall remember the oil change/maintenance tips too !!

Thanks everyone and please take care !!!  ^^

P.S.  I'll post my driving experience with the 3 later.

pkphilip

Factory oil for my Mazda3 is 0w20, that's the same with Ford and Volvo. I too use 0w20 for winter as it allows the engine to work better in cold days.

I wish Toyota could have the Wish in North America as I find Matrix it too small for a modern family of 4, then the Sienna/Venza is too big and expensive.

Philip