2013 Civic EX vs 2014 Mazda3 hatchback

[Kaido]

In the end I guess this purchase decision is strongly biased on what I want, rather than what she needs, lol. She's looking for a value proposition, something reliable and practical, while in my mind if we're going to spend ~$25k after all is said and done I very well want a car that a looker, has more torque, and puts a smile on my face, even if it means throwing an extra $2000 out the window. She's indifferent to us getting a sedan or a hatchback.

I'm really good at convincing myself on stuff I really want, and making myself feel good eh?

Eh, that's just human nature

I probably would have gone with a Mazda3 hatchback for the fun factor - more HP & torque, better looks. The Civic is surprisingly bland haha. It's getting into Toyota territory - amazingly reliable, but uninspiring

 

[A5]

$25K for an economy car is an awful lot of money. At that point it would make more sense to buy something like a Camry Hybrid as you'd get more power, room, fuel economy etc.

Camry Hybrid doesn't get much better MPG than a Mazda3. You get more room, but the interior isn't as good and the driving feel is in a completely different ballpark.

 

[JCH13]

Eh, that's just human nature

I probably would have gone with a Mazda3 hatchback for the fun factor - more HP & torque, better looks. The Civic is surprisingly bland haha. It's getting into Toyota territory - amazingly reliable, but uninspiring

I think that part of their reputation is slowly going away.

 

[NutBucket]

Nonsense. My CR-Z has been flawless...but that's only 2.5 years and 33k miles. I'll report back in 2020

 

[PricklyPete]

No question ... The Mazda 3

 

[dawheat]

I think the Civic is being refreshed again for 2014, since the last update was more of an emergency patch, it didn't change their normal cadence.

I believe it's going to be announced early Nov, though no idea when they'll make it to showrooms.

 

[foghorn67]

Mazda 3. It's like comparing your college biology professor to Heidi Klum.

 

[Kaido]

I think the Civic is being refreshed again for 2014, since the last update was more of an emergency patch, it didn't change their normal cadence.

I believe it's going to be announced early Nov, though no idea when they'll make it to showrooms.

Yup, at least for the coupe model:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1087953_honda-to-present-updated-2014-civic-coupe-at-sema

Should be at SEMA next week!

 

[dbk]

Mazda3 looks so nice! I prefer the sedan to the hatch though.. looks too out of proportion

 

[Kaido]

Honda Civic overtakes Toyota Corolla as America's best-selling compact:

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/04/honda-civic-overtakes-toyota-corolla-best-selling-compact/

 

[calvie]

Honda Civic overtakes Toyota Corolla as America's best-selling compact:

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/04/honda-civic-overtakes-toyota-corolla-best-selling-compact/

More reason not to get one....2 every corner. Seriously, the Mazda 3 has won every single comparison test out there. There is no reason to get a Civic.

 

[theeedude]

Mazda3 hatchback, no brainer.

 

[slugg]

Mazda 3 hatch is sexy as hell. That, alone, is reason enough. Zoom-zoom.

 

[npaladin-2000]

The Mazda3 is the best compact car out there hands-down. It would be the best seling if only Mazda had the manufacturing capacity to make them. Since they don't, you'll have a more exclusive and less run-of-the-mill choice.

I bought one, loving it.

 

[Alexator]

Man I am in the exact same situation as yours (Added the jetta to the list though). What did you end up buying/leasing ? ( I do really like the Mazda 3 GT but I can only afford the GS. The trim on the GT is much nicer with the automatic AC and the chrome trim bar across the dash (Thanks Mazda for copying BMW style)!).

 

[Arkaign]

Mazda3. The Civic is completely bland and mid-pack in basically every respect. Bland styling, bland handling, bland interior, weakish on power, low on torque, mediocre fuel economy. The only + for the Civic is the resale value is absolutely top notch if you're the type to trade in every few years.

 

[Alexator]

I intend to lease it for 3 or 4 years and there is a chance a will sub-lease it before term end. My only concern with Mazda is it is now made by Ford which is known for not giving a crap about quality!

 

[npaladin-2000]

I intend to lease it for 3 or 4 years and there is a chance a will sub-lease it before term end. My only concern with Mazda is it is now made by Ford which is known for not giving a crap about quality!

Mazda hasn't been a part of Ford for years now. The Mazda3 is 100% Mazda and 0% Ford.

 

[Alexator]

Mazda hasn't been a part of Ford for years now. The Mazda3 is 100% Mazda and 0% Ford.

Don't Mazda and Ford still have a partnership ? How do we know for sure the Mazda 3 is 100% Mazda (no Ford parts in it) ? again quality is the concern here.

 

[nerp]

Don't Mazda and Ford still have a partnership ? How do we know for sure the Mazda 3 is 100% Mazda (no Ford parts in it) ? again quality is the concern here.

It's common knowledge. Just do a little reading up.

 

[Arkaign]

Yep, Ford and Mazda co-op is over now, has been for a while. That was mostly Ford using Mazda stuff for entry level vehicles, and not the other way around.

Ford has gotten really good though, it shouldn't be something you worry about these days anyway. I had a 2008 Focus 2Dr 5spd, and it never gave me a lick of trouble, and handily beat the rated MPG. Sold it to a friend and it's now at ~130k miles all original zero trouble, and still putting out 35mpg+ mixed, and 40+ on the highway. Only things replaced : tires, oil, a motor mount, and the typical suspension stuff.

If Ford was how they were in '93, or even '03, I'd agree a little to a lot. But they aren't, not even close. For that matter, Mazda is much better than they were as well.

The Mazda3 is a winner either way. The weaker resale value might make leasing it a bit pricier than the Civic though (leasing you are paying for the depreciation + profit margin for the leasing company, meaning vehicles that depreciate a ton are usually more expensive to lease). Run the numbers and see what you think. It's hands-down the better car, but if it's a lot more expensive, it might not be worth the difference to you.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Don't Mazda and Ford still have a partnership ? How do we know for sure the Mazda 3 is 100% Mazda (no Ford parts in it) ? again quality is the concern here.

There's a residual leftover in that the CX-9 and Flex share some architecture and an engine, and the Mazda5 is based on the old Focus-based Mazda3. That's all that's left though, Ford's ownership percentage ov Mazda is down around 3% if I recall correctly.

The 2014 Mazda3 and Mazda6 are based off of the CX-5 platform, which is a clean-sheet Mazda design. The SkyActiv engines are 100% Mazda designs. Though an interesting note is that all of Ford's 4 cyl engine lineup are actually variants of Mazda's old MZR line of engines, which means the Mazda5 is using a Mazda engine based off of a Ford engine based off of a Mazda engine. In the US anyway.

Anyway, the Mazda3 can be an expensive car, the higher trims are definitely premium. But it you're looking at competitive trims, the Mazda3i Grand Touring, and Civic EX-L /w Nav are only $500 apart. The 3i has leatherette instead of leather, but it also has more power and better MPGs in exchange. There's a few other tradeoffs in each but the two trims are for the most part equivalent. Civic doesn't have an engine upgrade so it's unfair to compare the "s" models anyway.

 

[Alexator]

I am in Canada, the mid-range model (called GS here) runs for ~380$/month on a 36 month lease term. The civic EX, with almost equivalent features package runs for ~350$ on a 48 month lease term. That's roughly 1000$ extra over 3 years! no big deal I thought....I am leaning towards the Mazda3 for the look I must admit. Both sedan and hatchback have a stunning sexy look in red!

 

[Arkaign]

I am in Canada, the mid-range model (called GS here) runs for ~380$/month on a 36 month lease term. The civic EX, with almost equivalent features package runs for ~350$ on a 48 month lease term. That's roughly 1000$ extra over 3 years! no big deal I thought....I am leaning towards the Mazda3 for the look I must admit. Both sedan and hatchback have a stunning sexy look in red!

Sounds good! Three years vs. four is a bonus as well, when you're leasing there's not much upside to stretching it out beyond 2-3 years really. After three years you might be ready for something else.

The 3 is hands-down the better driving car.

It looks like the Sedan GS in Canada comes with the 2.0, and the 5-door Hatch comes with the 2.5L. I've driven both, and the 2.5 has a LOT more grunt. Those extra 30-odd ft-lbs of torque really set it apart. The 2.0 is not terrible, but I would only want the 2.0 with the manual transmission for sure. Anyway, the 2.0 will have about the same power/feel as the Civic, with slightly better handling (better steering feedback as well). The 2.5 will just be in another league altogether. Plus, the hatch is handier

Man, the Canadian model naming is confusing. Here's the rundown :

Sedan GX and GS = 2.0
Sedan GT = 2.5
Hatch GX = 2.0
Hatch GS and GT = 2.5
Speed3 = Turbo 2.3

Wish they'd re-do the Speed3 with the 2.5, but I guess not enough volume to bother. It would improve things a bit in every respect. The 2.3 was good, but the 2.5 is awesome.

 

[Sid59]

For something you own for a long time and spend that much money on, the extra happiness you get from buying what you want is worth the $2,000.

Agreed! Get the Mazda.