2006 Honda Accord vs 2006 Mazda3

[raildogg]

So once again, I'm pitting two cars against each other and asking for your input. I have realized that there is no point in spending a lot of money on luxury cars. It is all for show and I don't like flashy things (but I did buy a Razr, so I'm kind of contradicting myself), so I want something a bit more simpler and a bit more practical. Therefore, I have decided on 2 sedans, the Accord and the Mazda3. Plus, I'm also considering an SUV, the Subaru Forester.

I drive quite a bit so having a good fuel economy would help. I want something sporty and fun to drive that feels like I'm driving it, not the other way around. It should have a good set of features and decent interior capacity so 4 people can sit comfortably. Reliability is one of the top concerns. Resale value is also something that I want.

I know that these cars are not exactly in the same segment - the Accord is considered a midsized family sedan, while the Mazda3 is considered a small sedan. But they are sedans, nonetheless. And I like both of them. I like the new redesign of the Accord and they seem to have made some improvements. As always, the Accord interior is among the best in its class. So that is a plus. But I'm concerned that the Accord might not be as sporty or as involving to drive as the Mazda3, plus it is probably not hip for a young person to buy a new Accord. Or is it?

Is it normal for a young person to like an Accord? Or to actually buy and drive one?

The Mazda3 is also a great car, from the sounds of it. I'm somewhat concerned about the resale value, but that is something down the road.

Tell me, between these two cars, which is the better car overall and which would you buy and drive?

 

[Wheatmaster]

actually i think the correct matchup would be honda civic si vs mazda3, correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Sheepathon]

As much fun as the 3 is to drive, it will eventually get old, and if you plan on keeping the car until it dies, or at least until it hits like 100-150k+, I'd probably go for more room, more space, more comfort, reliability and utility over a smaller, slightly less refined car.

 

[NFS4]

You're comparing a mid-sized sedn to a compact sedan/hatch. Doesn't really make sense.

It would be Civic vs Mazda3. And in that case, 3 FTW:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=108601

 

[raildogg]

Yes, I've already stated that these two cars are not in the same segment. But I have narrowed it down to these two, plus an SUV, the Subaru Forester. We can still compare them even though they may not be in the same segment, or would that be breaking the natural laws?

 

[opticalmace]

if you're cross-shopping the two, you can obviously afford the accord...

and in that case, that's what i would go for: the accord.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Yes, I've already stated that these two cars are not in the same segment. But I have narrowed it down to these two, plus an SUV, the Subaru Forester. We can still compare them even though they may not be in the same segment, or would that be breaking the natural laws?

LOL, it just seems kinda weird

I'd personally rather have a new Civic over a current Accord myself...

But between the two cars, I'd only get the Accord if it was a V6. If we're talking a 4-banger Accord, I'd rather have the 3s

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: raildogg
Yes, I've already stated that these two cars are not in the same segment. But I have narrowed it down to these two, plus an SUV, the Subaru Forester. We can still compare them even though they may not be in the same segment, or would that be breaking the natural laws?

LOL, it just seems kinda weird

I'd personally rather have a new Civic over a current Accord myself...

But between the two cars, I'd only get the Accord if it was a V6. If we're talking a 4-banger Accord, I'd rather have the 3s

I don't think I want to spend that much on an Accord. If I did, I'd rather get the Acura TSX. So the V-6 is not something that I'm considering. If they dropped the price a bit on the V-6 Accord, I could consider it.

I don't want the Civic, something about it. If I want a Honda sedan, I'll take the Accord.

So basically, in your opinion, a Mazda3 is superior to a regular Accord? Hmmm ...

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: NFS4
You're comparing a mid-sized sedn to a compact sedan/hatch. Doesn't really make sense.

It would be Civic vs Mazda3. And in that case, 3 FTW:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=108601

The Civic gets better gas mileage and that's part of his criteria.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: raildogg
So basically, in your opinion, a Mazda3 is superior to a regular Accord? Hmmm ...

No, I'm just saying that if I buy a mid-sized sedan, I'd want at least a V6. If I'm gonna get a 4-banger, I'd rather it be in a smaller, lighter vehicle.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: raildogg
So basically, in your opinion, a Mazda3 is superior to a regular Accord? Hmmm ...

No, I'm just saying that if I buy a mid-sized sedan, I'd want at least a V6. If I'm gonna get a 4-banger, I'd rather it be in a smaller, lighter vehicle.

Yes, the Accord probably wouldn't be as sporty as the lighther, small Mazda3. I am not really a car enthusiast, so to speak. I don't care about racing and I don't really care if I out-accelerate other cars off the line when driving on the streets. But I want something that is fun to drive. I've driven various cars and I prefer that ones that let me control the driving aspects of the car with little interference.

There are other aspects of the car too that I equally value, like the ones covered in the OP. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[clickynext]

Why don't you cross-shop the Accord with the Mazda6 instead? Those are in the same segment, and the Mazda6 is good looking, sporty, and fun. Get the hatchback version for extra functionality and arguably even better looks.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: NFS4
You're comparing a mid-sized sedn to a compact sedan/hatch. Doesn't really make sense.

It would be Civic vs Mazda3. And in that case, 3 FTW:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=108601

"The Civic comes standard with a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder rated at 140 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The EX model we ordered for this test came loaded with standard features often found only as options on most cars. "

WTF?! THe EX model is the laoded model. of course it'll come w/all those features. you're also paying for all those features as compared with a DX or LX model

wow.. Edmunds being a shill for Honda? or did they just copy/paste from Honda's PR kit?

Edmunds has just dropped a couple of notches in my book...

 

[dandruff]

Originally posted by: raildogg
So once again, I'm pitting two cars against each other and asking for your input. I have realized that there is no point in spending a lot of money on luxury cars. It is all for show and I don't like flashy things

first of all - these two are not in the same class

second - you sir have no clue about finer things in life ... that quote is stunningly stupid ...

thrid - i am driving a rental mazda 3 2005 with 10k miles on it - and here is my review - keep in mind this is a rental so prolly has been treated like a whore and only based on this one particular rental -

1. the car is certainly zippy - i for one was surprised to see a steptronic like transmission
2. the cabin noise is LOUD ... comparable to a roadster .. so that should tell you something ... (again this depends a lot on tires too...but still)
3. putting dancing red LEDs on stock radio console is just ghetto and a no-no imho (but u wouldnt get it ... then again u dont like flashy so heres a reason not to get the mazda
4. the console is all over the place and buttons not intuitively marked ...
5. the interior is clean but no where close to umm ... a flashy luxury sophistication ... again since these things dont matter to you ... they wont be an assault on ur sensibilities ...
6. the doors are lightweight .. tin ... i dont think in a side impact they will provide any protection ...
7. the dash and center console has the pixelated characters but the clock has standard digital calculator style digits ... again something that wudnt matter to you
8. the fabric is pretty rough - again wont matter to you
9. the rear view mirror in the cabin was unstable - a bump wud move it around ...
10. the seat controls are awkward
11. the dome lights have a plasticky chromy reflector - somehting that u wud find in a toy at dollar store
12. back to drive qualities ... the steering response is not tight (then again this is relative)
13. more lurchy than a 1999 ford escort on an downhill s-ramp
14. the engine light icon comes and goes (this is rental tho..)
15. the steering has vibrations at 65+
16. braking is pretty good but not solid and confidence inspiring
17. the 3 ringed instrument cluster is FLASHY .. and so are the dancing red lights and ALL for SHOW

and thats after 2 days of driving ... i might call enterprise and switch to something else .. that engine icon doesnt seem like a good sign ....
btw ... how about taking art appreication 101 or something ... and DE at any porsche / bmw / audi club ...

out of the two .. honda ...

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: NFS4
You're comparing a mid-sized sedn to a compact sedan/hatch. Doesn't really make sense.

It would be Civic vs Mazda3. And in that case, 3 FTW:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=108601

lol... "the Mazda 3 simply stomped the Civic in any test that involved moving. "

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: dandruff

Originally posted by: raildogg
So once again, I'm pitting two cars against each other and asking for your input. I have realized that there is no point in spending a lot of money on luxury cars. It is all for show and I don't like flashy things

first of all - these two are not in the same class

second - you sir have no clue about finer things in life ... that quote is stunningly stupid ...

thrid - i am driving a rental mazda 3 2005 with 10k miles on it - and here is my review - keep in mind this is a rental so prolly has been treated like a whore and only based on this one particular rental -

1. the car is certainly zippy - i for one was surprised to see a steptronic like transmission
2. the cabin noise is LOUD ... comparable to a roadster .. so that should tell you something ... (again this depends a lot on tires too...but still)
3. putting dancing red LEDs on stock radio console is just ghetto and a no-no imho (but u wouldnt get it ... then again u dont like flashy so heres a reason not to get the mazda
4. the console is all over the place and buttons not intuitively marked ...
5. the interior is clean but no where close to umm ... a flashy luxury sophistication ... again since these things dont matter to you ... they wont be an assault on ur sensibilities ...
6. the doors are lightweight .. tin ... i dont think in a side impact they will provide any protection ...
7. the dash and center console has the pixelated characters but the clock has standard digital calculator style digits ... again something that wudnt matter to you
8. the fabric is pretty rough - again wont matter to you
9. the rear view mirror in the cabin was unstable - a bump wud move it around ...
10. the seat controls are awkward
11. the dome lights have a plasticky chromy reflector - somehting that u wud find in a toy at dollar store
12. back to drive qualities ... the steering response is not tight (then again this is relative)
13. more lurchy than a 1999 ford escort on an downhill s-ramp
14. the engine light icon comes and goes (this is rental tho..)
15. the steering has vibrations at 65+
16. braking is pretty good but not solid and confidence inspiring
17. the 3 ringed instrument cluster is FLASHY .. and so are the dancing red lights and ALL for SHOW

and thats after 2 days of driving ... i might call enterprise and switch to something else .. that engine icon doesnt seem like a good sign ....
btw ... how about taking art appreication 101 or something ... and DE at any porsche / bmw / audi club ...

out of the two .. honda ...

Appreciate the criticism, that was a nice post. I was really generalizing when I made that point about flashy things. Of course, there are other reasons to consider expensive luxury cars and I certainly have, but the more I realize it, I don't really need one. I already know they are not in the same class, I just prefer these two from each maker. LOL red LEDs.

From the sounds of your review, the car simply sounds flakey, if that is the correct word. The 3 ringed compartment is no big deal. Interesting, because I have heard that the Mazda3 supposedly has good brakes. Considerng this was a rental model and probably an I model instead of an S, that may have played a role in it.

Nice stuff there, thanks for your time.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: NFS4
You're comparing a mid-sized sedn to a compact sedan/hatch. Doesn't really make sense.

It would be Civic vs Mazda3. And in that case, 3 FTW:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=108601

"The Civic comes standard with a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder rated at 140 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The EX model we ordered for this test came loaded with standard features often found only as options on most cars. "

WTF?! THe EX model is the laoded model. of course it'll come w/all those features. you're also paying for all those features as compared with a DX or LX model

wow.. Edmunds being a shill for Honda? or did they just copy/paste from Honda's PR kit?

Edmunds has just dropped a couple of notches in my book...

Uhh, the Honda got beat in the comparison...

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: clickynext
Why don't you cross-shop the Accord with the Mazda6 instead? Those are in the same segment, and the Mazda6 is good looking, sporty, and fun. Get the hatchback version for extra functionality and arguably even better looks.

Good point, I'll consider it. The reason I chose these two models was that they are different from each other. I basically have three vehicles right now that I'm liking a lot: Forester, Accord and Mazda3. Each is different from each other, yet there are smaller similarities and that is what led me to these vehicles in the first place.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: dandruff

Originally posted by: raildogg
So once again, I'm pitting two cars against each other and asking for your input. I have realized that there is no point in spending a lot of money on luxury cars. It is all for show and I don't like flashy things

first of all - these two are not in the same class

second - you sir have no clue about finer things in life ... that quote is stunningly stupid ...

thrid - i am driving a rental mazda 3 2005 with 10k miles on it - and here is my review - keep in mind this is a rental so prolly has been treated like a whore and only based on this one particular rental -

1. the car is certainly zippy - i for one was surprised to see a steptronic like transmission
2. the cabin noise is LOUD ... comparable to a roadster .. so that should tell you something ... (again this depends a lot on tires too...but still)
3. putting dancing red LEDs on stock radio console is just ghetto and a no-no imho (but u wouldnt get it ... then again u dont like flashy so heres a reason not to get the mazda
4. the console is all over the place and buttons not intuitively marked ...
5. the interior is clean but no where close to umm ... a flashy luxury sophistication ... again since these things dont matter to you ... they wont be an assault on ur sensibilities ...
6. the doors are lightweight .. tin ... i dont think in a side impact they will provide any protection ...
7. the dash and center console has the pixelated characters but the clock has standard digital calculator style digits ... again something that wudnt matter to you
8. the fabric is pretty rough - again wont matter to you
9. the rear view mirror in the cabin was unstable - a bump wud move it around ...
10. the seat controls are awkward
11. the dome lights have a plasticky chromy reflector - somehting that u wud find in a toy at dollar store
12. back to drive qualities ... the steering response is not tight (then again this is relative)
13. more lurchy than a 1999 ford escort on an downhill s-ramp
14. the engine light icon comes and goes (this is rental tho..)
15. the steering has vibrations at 65+
16. braking is pretty good but not solid and confidence inspiring
17. the 3 ringed instrument cluster is FLASHY .. and so are the dancing red lights and ALL for SHOW

and thats after 2 days of driving ... i might call enterprise and switch to something else .. that engine icon doesnt seem like a good sign ....
btw ... how about taking art appreication 101 or something ... and DE at any porsche / bmw / audi club ...

out of the two .. honda ...

LOL, using a rental car to judge a vehicle. That's great

That like paying for a night with a hooker so that you can describe what's it's like to have a relationship with a woman.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: dandruff

Originally posted by: raildogg
So once again, I'm pitting two cars against each other and asking for your input. I have realized that there is no point in spending a lot of money on luxury cars. It is all for show and I don't like flashy things

first of all - these two are not in the same class

second - you sir have no clue about finer things in life ... that quote is stunningly stupid ...

thrid - i am driving a rental mazda 3 2005 with 10k miles on it - and here is my review - keep in mind this is a rental so prolly has been treated like a whore and only based on this one particular rental -

1. the car is certainly zippy - i for one was surprised to see a steptronic like transmission
2. the cabin noise is LOUD ... comparable to a roadster .. so that should tell you something ... (again this depends a lot on tires too...but still)
3. putting dancing red LEDs on stock radio console is just ghetto and a no-no imho (but u wouldnt get it ... then again u dont like flashy so heres a reason not to get the mazda
4. the console is all over the place and buttons not intuitively marked ...
5. the interior is clean but no where close to umm ... a flashy luxury sophistication ... again since these things dont matter to you ... they wont be an assault on ur sensibilities ...
6. the doors are lightweight .. tin ... i dont think in a side impact they will provide any protection ...
7. the dash and center console has the pixelated characters but the clock has standard digital calculator style digits ... again something that wudnt matter to you
8. the fabric is pretty rough - again wont matter to you
9. the rear view mirror in the cabin was unstable - a bump wud move it around ...
10. the seat controls are awkward
11. the dome lights have a plasticky chromy reflector - somehting that u wud find in a toy at dollar store
12. back to drive qualities ... the steering response is not tight (then again this is relative)
13. more lurchy than a 1999 ford escort on an downhill s-ramp
14. the engine light icon comes and goes (this is rental tho..)
15. the steering has vibrations at 65+
16. braking is pretty good but not solid and confidence inspiring
17. the 3 ringed instrument cluster is FLASHY .. and so are the dancing red lights and ALL for SHOW

and thats after 2 days of driving ... i might call enterprise and switch to something else .. that engine icon doesnt seem like a good sign ....
btw ... how about taking art appreication 101 or something ... and DE at any porsche / bmw / audi club ...

out of the two .. honda ...

LOL, using a rental car to judge a vehicle. That's great

That like paying for a night with a hooker so that you can describe what's it's like to have a relationship with a woman.

but domestic bashers dont get that, if they rent a domestic car and that is a POS all domestic cars are POS


o yea, btw, Mazda 6 FTW

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: NFS4
LOL, using a rental car to judge a vehicle. That's great

That like paying for a night with a hooker so that you can describe what's it's like to have a relationship with a woman.

What are you talking about Willis? What you see in porn = reality, or she's really conservative

 

[Ricochet]

How 'bout test driving the two and find out for yourself which is more appealing to you?

 

[JoPh]

how many mazda3 vs something threads can we have? this is getting old.

 

[dandruff]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Appreciate the criticism, that was a nice post. I was really generalizing when I made that point about flashy things. Of course, there are other reasons to consider expensive luxury cars and I certainly have, but the more I realize it, I don't really need one. I already know they are not in the same class, I just prefer these two from each maker. LOL red LEDs.

From the sounds of your review, the car simply sounds flakey, if that is the correct word. The 3 ringed compartment is no big deal. Interesting, because I have heard that the Mazda3 supposedly has good brakes. Considerng this was a rental model and probably an I model instead of an S, that may have played a role in it.

Nice stuff there, thanks for your time.

Hey ... thanks for not getting offended ... i was a bit acidic tho .. anyhoo - i hope you are right about this one being flaky .. as i said brakes were good but the lurching and unsteady chassis might have played a role ...

but in all sincerity, take a DE class with porsche / bmw / audi club in ur city - in your own words "I want something sporty and fun to drive that feels like I'm driving it, not the other way around. "

go here and find ur local chapter:
link

then goto the chapter website .. and see if they have a DE / driver track school - trust me u will love it ... it will influence and help this whole car buying process and you will meet some very passionate ppl ...

 

[dandruff]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: dandruff
... i am driving a rental mazda 3 2005 with 10k miles on it - and here is my review - keep in mind this is a rental so prolly has been treated like a whore and only based on this one particular rental -

LOL, using a rental car to judge a vehicle. That's great

That like paying for a night with a hooker so that you can describe what's it's like to have a relationship with a woman.