Edmunds 2005 Economy Sedan Comparison Test

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NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
2005 Economy Sedan Comparison Test
These may be the cars no one really wants to drive, but they're not all without personality. In fact, the Mazda 3 is overflowing with it. By far the most refined and best handling car of the group, the Mazda doesn't look, feel or drive like an economy car. Instead, it comes across as a less expensive alternative to the Volkswagen Jetta or Audi A4. Everyone wanted to drive it home at night. Deals were made, offers were rescinded, money was pocketed.
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:thumbsup:
 
43st

43st

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
3,197
0
0
It's been about 1.5 years for me and my Mazda3 wagon so far. Best car ever.

Pic
 
M

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
funny that the cobalt has less horsepower, and more weight than the 3s but out accelerates it.

also, they coulda atleast gone to the LS model and gotten power windows and locks.

but that comparison is about how i would put it having driven the Civic, 3i and Cobalt/ion. the cobalt/ion dont feel as good, lil bumpier, and noisier inside the cabin, fit/finish i didnt think was that bad, nor that rough in terms of hardness, but not quite as good as the 3.
 
V

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
funny that the cobalt has less horsepower, and more weight than the 3s but out accelerates it.

also, they coulda atleast gone to the LS model and gotten power windows and locks.
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Thats because the Cobalt has a REAL engine, ie it makes torque , something most small cars lack. Not one that looks good on paper, but on the road does not move until you rev it up to 6000rpm.

But I am sure all the fanboys will come in now to defend their torqueless cars.

"the Cobalt's 145-hp, 2.2-liter four has a tad more peak torque. More importantly, its torque curve opens up lower in the rpm range, allowing the Chevy to move out faster. In the real world, that flat torque curve assures the Cobalt never gets caught flat-footed when hard acceleration is required. And it holds strong on steep uphill grades."
 
A

akubi

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
4,392
1
0
wow... i thought corolla and sentra are also in that class... why aren't they in the rankings
 
GTaudiophile

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
I am personally satisfied with my MZ3. (PIC)

I do have a few minor (but common) gripes:

1) No real dead pedal
2) Slight rattle in passenger-side door (common issue)
3) Passenger-side C-pillar is a blind spot in the sedan
4) TPMS can be finicky.

SPECS:

2005 Mazda 3S Sedan
5-speed MT
Velocity Red / Red Cloth Interior
Sport Package
Moonroof & 6CD
Safety Package (ABS, Airbags)
Xenon & TPMS
Rear Lip Spoiler
Wheel Locks
~$20K OTD



 
Gibson486

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
1
0
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
WTF? Where's the Nissan Sentra or Toyota Carolla?
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I was wondering that as well.
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me too.....


Anyways...I want to get a mazda 3 for my next car....As I have told everyone, as soon as my 2001 Altima hits 100K (only 10k to go), it's off to the dealership:)
 
Mr.IncrediblyBored

Mr.IncrediblyBored

Lifer
Jun 18, 2000
11,187
763
126
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
WTF? Where's the Nissan Sentra or Toyota Carolla?
Click to expand...

I was wondering that as well.
Click to expand...
Edmunds' comparison tests only include (A) cars that have been significantely updated since their last test and (B) the winner of the last test. The Corolla and Sentra fall under neither of those categories.

Anybody else find it strange that they compare the $19,700 Mazda3 to the $16,500 Cobalt.:confused: In this segment, that is a massive difference - add another couple grand in options to the Cobalt and you get the higher trim level with larger alloy wheels, power windows/locks, and tweaked interior. It may not have made that much of a difference, but at least make it a fair comparison.

Anyway, thumbs-up to Mazda. The Mazda3 is definitely my favorite economy car.
 
V

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
WTF? Where's the Nissan Sentra or Toyota Carolla?
Click to expand...

I was wondering that as well.
Click to expand...
Edmunds' comparison tests only include (A) cars that have been significantely updated since their last test and (B) the winner of the last test. The Corolla and Sentra fall under neither of those categories.

Anybody else find it strange that they compare the $19,700 Mazda3 to the $16,500 Cobalt.:confused: In this segment, that is a massive difference - add another couple grand in options to the Cobalt and you get the higher trim level with larger alloy wheels, power windows/locks, and tweaked interior. It may not have made that much of a difference, but at least make it a fair comparison.

Anyway, thumbs-up to Mazda. The Mazda3 is definitely my favorite economy car.
Click to expand...

That and the cobalt will be about 2-3K less then the sticker price. So even with power options and such it still would be a coupel K less then a 3

 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
WTF? Where's the Nissan Sentra or Toyota Carolla?
Click to expand...

I was wondering that as well.
Click to expand...
Edmunds' comparison tests only include (A) cars that have been significantely updated since their last test and (B) the winner of the last test. The Corolla and Sentra fall under neither of those categories.

Anybody else find it strange that they compare the $19,700 Mazda3 to the $16,500 Cobalt.:confused: In this segment, that is a massive difference - add another couple grand in options to the Cobalt and you get the higher trim level with larger alloy wheels, power windows/locks, and tweaked interior. It may not have made that much of a difference, but at least make it a fair comparison.

Anyway, thumbs-up to Mazda. The Mazda3 is definitely my favorite economy car.
Click to expand...

That and the cobalt will be about 2-3K less then the sticker price. So even with power options and such it still would be a coupel K less then a 3
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You get what you pay for though. After driving both, the 3s feels like a more expensive vehicle playing in the economy car price range. The Cobalt just feels like an economy car. That's the beauty of the 3s.
 
Mr.IncrediblyBored

Mr.IncrediblyBored

Lifer
Jun 18, 2000
11,187
763
126
Originally posted by: NFS4
You get what you pay for though. After driving both, the 3s feels like a more expensive vehicle playing in the economy car price range. The Cobalt just feels like an economy car. That's the beauty of the 3s.
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I don't think anybody is doubting that the Mazda3 is a better vehicle. I just think the Cobalt got an unfair comparison to a more expensive car, especially since they were griping about the interior, steel wheels, and lack of power windows/locks - some of which could have been addressed by adding a grand to the final MSRP.

That doesn't strike you as unfair?
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: NFS4
You get what you pay for though. After driving both, the 3s feels like a more expensive vehicle playing in the economy car price range. The Cobalt just feels like an economy car. That's the beauty of the 3s.
Click to expand...
I don't think anybody is doubting that the Mazda3 is a better vehicle. I just think the Cobalt got an unfair comparison to a more expensive car, especially since they were griping about the interior, steel wheels, and lack of power windows/locks - some of which could have been addressed by adding a grand to the final MSRP.

That doesn't strike you as unfair?
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, it's unfair as hell. I'm just saying that even if you matched them up equally, the Cobalt is still an inferior car.
 
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