mazda 3 vs Jetta

[dbp1901]

Hi i would like to know if anyone have experienced any issues with either of the cars listed above.
Thanks!!

 

[Demo24]

Years you're looking at?

 

[Vdubchaos]

If you are buying cars every 2-3 years while under warranty, go with either one.

If you are buying long term (5-10-15 years of ownership) stay as far away from VW as possible.

Mazda 3 is a great pick even over other small reliable cars in the segment.

:thumbsup:

 

[WiseUp216]

I put 80k on my 2009 Mazda3 before trading it in last month. It was the most trouble-free car I've ever owned.

 

[dbp1901]

Both models 2015. They have very similar feature. the mazda 2015 has Unlimited KM warranty and better gas mileage as well as 155 hp compare to 115 for the jetta.
only reason im confused is because the jetta is a bit cheaper and some people say VW makes very reliable car. So am curious if thats true.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I put 80k on my 2009 Mazda3 before trading it in last month. It was the most trouble-free car I've ever owned.

A friend of mine went through 2 transmission on a Jetta in the same mileage and was looking at a 3rd when he traded it in for a Honda. I will never buy a VW or Audi. EVER.

My wife owned one and everyone I know who has owned a Jetta has had problems with it. Same with Audi.

 

[pauldun170]

Both models 2015. They have very similar feature. the mazda 2015 has Unlimited KM warranty and better gas mileage as well as 155 hp compare to 115 for the jetta.
only reason im confused is because the jetta is a bit cheaper and some people say VW makes very reliable car. So am curious if thats true.

U.S VW products tend to be at the bottom of the heap when to comes to reliability.
Having said that, a large percentage seem to report minimal issues with the car during the length of ownership where ownership is about as 5-8 years (length of loan + a few years of being paid off). Most cars on the road today outside of few specific models will probably be reliable for 5-7 years.

If you are buying new and don't plan on keeping this car for more than 10 years, I'd go with whatever one makes you happy to sit in and drive.

 

[thedarkwolf]

jetta TDI > Mazda 3 > any non-TDI jetta

 

[Crono]

I have a 2014 Mazda 3 (sedan, 3i sport). Just over 15,000 miles. No issues. Love my car.

 

[LikeLinus]

I'd never own a VW from the problems I've seen from people who have owned them. Mazda on the other hand, great little cars.

 

[slugg]

VW self destructs after 3 years. Every friend and family member that has ever owned a VW has had this experience.

 

[skyking]

Maybe the older ones are better? I have two diesel beetles. The diesel part is different but the rest is common with the gassers.
One is an 02 and the other an 03. One car has a door lock that works only with the key. The other, the hatch may not latch if you use the remote repeatedly. Cure is to cycle the key once.
That's it. Everything else works. 140 and 160K miles.

 

[MongGrel]

I've a 2006 2.3 liter 5 speed auto Mazda3 hatch that is pretty decked out I've had only very few minor problems with.

Still looks good, and running well, just for my two cents.

I should clean it up, I've been a bit negligent with it over the years on exterior maintenance.

I've personally had major problems myself with VW/Audi in the past.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

2008 GTI APR stage 1, no problems. Sold with 60k miles
2010 Jetta TDI No problems. Lease ended and turned in
2014 Passat TSI 11k miles, no problems. Gets 37 mpg on highway drives.

I guess I'm just lucky?

 

[MongGrel]

2008 GTI APR stage 1, no problems. Sold with 60k miles
2010 Jetta TDI No problems. Lease ended and turned in
2014 Passat TSI 11k miles, no problems. Gets 37 mpg on highway drives.

I guess I'm just lucky?

Apparently.

Doesn't look you kept one too long maybe either.

 

[nerp]

Former VW Golf owner. Never again *shudder*. Great car if you love buying window motors and watching parts just magically break in ways you never expected.

 

[Sephire]

Yup, stay away from VW.

 

[Leyawiin]

US made Passat's are fine if a bit boring - any of the Mexican made VWs are not very reliable nor do they have the quality interior materials of the German made models we used to get (think the Tiguan is the last one to be restyled and Mexican-ized).

 

[dbp1901]

Thanks to all for your inputs!

 

[Demo24]

The jetta is probably larger inside, but its also been on the market longer. I would compare the new golf to the Mazda 3, and that makes it a bit harder. Both are very good cars so it comes down to driver preference. Also the 3 looks silly as a sedan on this generation.

Right now I have a 2014 Mazda 3 touring hatchback with tech package. Its been a great car for the past 8k miles! I love how it drives, albeit not quite fast enough for me with the base engine (adequate though). Gas mileage I routinely average 30ish on my 90% city driving, so happy there. Road trips its not hard at all to get 40ish highway. I also find the inside to be a pretty nice place to be for the price Disadvantages: I find the seat cushions uncomfortable for me, 6ft male, on long journey's, it can be a bit loud on the highway (road noise from the stock tires), and its quite hard to see out of in parking lots so the tech package with the camera is a must(very good camera BTW)! I would definitely buy it again, although I'd spring for the 2.5 engine this time.

That said, I'm also waiting on a 2015 vw GTI that I've ordered. We shall see if I live to regret that one!

 

[basslover1]

Apparently.

Doesn't look you kept one too long maybe either.

I had my 98 Passat for 11 years and 100k miles (had 146k total), and it only left me stranded once and then it was only the oil cooler seal blew out dumping its lifeblood everywhere.

Granted, a lot of stupid things were wrong with it but that had more to do with age than anything.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Both models 2015. They have very similar feature. the mazda 2015 has Unlimited KM warranty and better gas mileage as well as 155 hp compare to 115 for the jetta.
only reason im confused is because the jetta is a bit cheaper and some people say VW makes very reliable car. So am curious if thats true.

Only VW fanbois say that...

Do NOT own a German car out of warranty (any German car) is what I recommend to friends/family.

And this is coming from someone that had and has a reliable German car (VW). Problem is, as I've worked on these cars over the years and also on other friends/family cars and seen how they are engineered and quality of parts they use.....I do NOT recommend them LONG TERM.

German cars are great for people that lease every 3 years or buy new car every 3 years.

Long term, stay away.

Go with the Mazda (we also have 2 of those in our family, both over 15 years old)

I had my 98 Passat for 11 years and 100k miles (had 146k total), and it only left me stranded once and then it was only the oil cooler seal blew out dumping its lifeblood everywhere.

Granted, a lot of stupid things were wrong with it but that had more to do with age than anything.

I had 2 of those, 140k on each.....and it never left me stranded either (ok maybe once). Had the same issue with the oil cooler (common). What's in bold is what most Euro car owners resort to, you basically give up and accept that car is PITA. Truth is, many cars age just fine...

I was very active in passat and VW community and I can't say that most other people I knew had the same experience as me and you.

In general, German cars have awful electronics (especially as they age). And little things break constantly. they might not leave you stranded, but they will annoy the CRAP out of you.

And if you don't do your own work, forget it, stay away, your wallet will hate you.

Be prepared to dish out 1-2k for VW here and there. If you have BMW/MB always have 3-5k ready to go.......

And when you do your own work on these cars, you will quickly find out how poor German Engineering is.....quite opposite of what the "marketing" tells you hehe

I've said it before and I will say it again.

German engineering = overly complex and expensive for no apparent reason.

 

[nerp]

I had my 98 Passat for 11 years and 100k miles (had 146k total), and it only left me stranded once and then it was only the oil cooler seal blew out dumping its lifeblood everywhere.

Granted, a lot of stupid things were wrong with it but that had more to do with age than anything.

See, that's the thing. Only with a VW do you end up shrugging off "a lot of stupid things" and consider it decent in the end. If you get used to a reliable car you suddenly are amazed to find that you don't have to tolerate stupid little things unless it's your own damn fault, such as knocking off a mirror by driving into a mailbox or something. I like the guy above who was like "oh, well, the locks don't work on this one, the latch on the other one is all messed, this is bad, that is bad, but otherwise, problem free!" Sounds like a lot of problems, actually.

 

[Vdubchaos]

See, that's the thing. Only with a VW do you end up shrugging off "a lot of stupid things" and consider it decent in the end. If you get used to a reliable car you suddenly are amazed to find that you don't have to tolerate stupid little things unless it's your own damn fault, such as knocking off a mirror by driving into a mailbox or something. I like the guy above who was like "oh, well, the locks don't work on this one, the latch on the other one is all messed, this is bad, that is bad, but otherwise, problem free!" Sounds like a lot of problems, actually.

Quote for truth

 

[skyking]

See, that's the thing. Only with a VW do you end up shrugging off "a lot of stupid things" and consider it decent in the end. If you get used to a reliable car you suddenly are amazed to find that you don't have to tolerate stupid little things unless it's your own damn fault, such as knocking off a mirror by driving into a mailbox or something. I like the guy above who was like "oh, well, the locks don't work on this one, the latch on the other one is all messed, this is bad, that is bad, but otherwise, problem free!" Sounds like a lot of problems, actually.

two. one on each car I have not tried to fix yet.
But don't listen to me, keep on with your regularly scheduled VAG bash.