ah ok.

just curious.

and i was wondering if it was gillman honda houston because i've had nothing but horrible experiences there.

 

Yeah.... "buy the car I've never even sat in or driven before because I read reviews" opinions are so much better.

Why wouldn't you recommend a car that you own, you have experience with it, and if its positive....

 

Most people on this board have a hardon for the Mazda 3.

 

haha I've noticed that. It may be well deserved, as I have no doubt the 3 is a great car (my Protege has been pretty solid), but who knows how many people have actually driven one.

I could throw the Fit/Yaris/Versa/xD in the mix, does anyone have any experience with them? Their power is a bit lacking, and most don't achieve any better MPG than a Civic/Corolla. They are a bit cheaper, though. I've heard the Fit is a great car, but 109hp....ouch.

 

Driven the Mazda 3 --- really liked it but it lacks some safety features here in

Driven the Acura EL --- which is essentially the Civic....couldn't stand the dash - found the digi-speedo and its placement very distracting. I like the Civic's steering wheel though.

Been in the Fit during a test drive --- it really lacks power, to a point that would probably make me nervous about fast merges onto high speed roads.

 

Just noting the trend of the 2nd page, thats all.

FTR, I have driven or at least rode in most of the compacts listed. The Mazda 3 is a no brainer. Cant help but jump that brandwagon.

Also, I think threads like these are good starting points, but thats it.

Ive found going to each car's forum and searching for threads like "I wish my ___ had this" or "things I dont like about my ___." You get a lot more information that way.

 

What were those again? I'm trying to steer my brother in law into a Mazda 3.

 

Driven a friends mazda 5spd 3. And personally it was slower than the CIVIC in the way it felt. Dunno why. But otherwise they are good cars.

 

Its because one was free to drive and the other wasnt.





j/p

 

Really, may it was the smaller engine. The 3 I drove had the 2.3 motor and it seemed to pull hard with the manual transmission. But I've never driven the new civics yet so I can't tell ya.

 

He had the 2.3. It said 2.3 on the side.

 

Saturn Astra?

 

^with me being one of the resident GM fanboys now how could I forget.

Those look pretty cool, wonder if they'll have a Redline version aka the VXR. I should go test drive one when they come out. Its supposed to come out January of next year.

 

No traction control or stability control here in but it is available in the States. It also fairs pretty poor in crash test ratings.

Also, there's no trunk release on the key fob, which I thought was a little odd and potentially annoying.

I wrote all about my test drive in a thread somewhere here when I was considering a 3 (and others) a while ago.

 

dude get a honda!!! go get a civic or Honda fit =).

 

Well, maybe it seemed that way because your used to the VQ in your 3fittyZ.

 

Thanks

But considering the alternative is a Dodge Avenger, I'll take the chance with no stability control.

 

Maybe so.

 

I've driven the mazda 3 when my old boss bought one and it does have some pull to it, but it always felt kinda delayed in the low end when merging. It did feel very tossable and has a pretty appealing interior IMO. I haven't driven the civic although I was considering one before I got the 2nd gen TL.