Mazda3 1.6l Dynamic 2017 vs Volvo v40 T3 Kinetic 2016 for a first car?

[FiestaST]

I'm based in Joburg, what difference could it make?

As @SubtleBeast said it would make a difference vs if you were at the coast. With the thinner air by you your N/A motor takes about a 18% power knock. A boosted motor it is about 5% knock.

 

[FiestaST]

Yep, the price is difference is huge and not many available on the market

Exactly, that is the reason I called it out. Not exactly a “pay a few bucks more” solution/option.

 

[TheNabster]

As @SubtleBeast said it would make a difference vs if you were at the coast. With the thinner air by you your N/A motor takes about a 18% power knock. A boosted motor it is about 5% knock.

Interesting, I had no idea this plays a part.

 

[TheNabster]

Any other recommendations for my budget (R200k). I want something both comfortable and reliable.

 

[FiestaST]

Any other recommendations for my budget (R200k). I want something both comfortable and reliable.

Plenty man but smaller in size.

- i20
- Jazz
- 2
- Rio
- Yaris
- Micra
- Swift or Ignis (if you like the looks)

Note all are Jap or Korean (you said reliable)

 

[TheNabster]

Plenty man but smaller in size.

- i20
- Jazz
- 2
- Rio
- Yaris
- Micra
- Swift or Ignis (if you like the looks)

Note all are Jap or Korean (you said reliable)

I think what drew me to Mazda initially was the gorgeous interior tbh. I guess it would be hard to be considering my budget

 

[Gtx Gaming]

26 posts and nobody mention the 320D F30??

320D F30 is all you need.

 

[TheChamp]

Plenty man but smaller in size.

- i20
- Jazz
- 2
- Rio
- Yaris
- Micra
- Swift or Ignis (if you like the looks)

Note all are Jap or Korean (you said reliable)

And cheap and nasty compared to the Mazda, if that is the choice he is better off sticking with the Mazda.

 

[TheChamp]

I think what drew me to Mazda initially was the gorgeous interior tbh. I guess it would be hard to be considering my budget

Sometimes there is nothing wrong with sticking with what your heart was initially set on, being all over the place is not really something that has to be done just for the sake of it.

 

[neoprema]

Id take Japanese reliability over anything, +1 for the Mazda.

A friend has had a Volvo V40 from 0 to now 180 000 km and the only time it’s ever been to Volvo is for services. not even the slightest problem and he pushes that diesel hard.

Not that the Mazda is not also reliable. But people jump on the “it’s not a common car on our roads so must be unreliable” too easily lol.

 

[Mzezman]

A friend has had a Volvo V40 from 0 to now 180 000 km and the only time it’s ever been to Volvo is for services. not even the slightest problem and he pushes that diesel hard.

Not that the Mazda is not also reliable. But people jump on the “it’s not a common car on our roads so must be unreliable” too easily lol.

The one thing that might sway this is that Volvo services are on par more expensive than the equivalent Mazda services...

My V40 is above 160 and no issues at all.

 

[FiestaST]

And cheap and nasty compared to the Mazda, if that is the choice he is better off sticking with the Mazda.

Cheap & nasty is pushing it, none of these are a 2005 Tata, nothing is wrong with any of them. OP made it clear comfort and reliability is the most important factor. His budget is R200k & we need to take into account what the market is like these days. I still feel the 1.6L M3 is a good option if he is a cruiser bloke.

 

[SubtleBeast]

Cheap & nasty is pushing it, none of these are a 2005 Tata, nothing is wrong with any of them. OP made it clear comfort and reliability is the most important factor. His budget is R200k & we need to take into account what the market is like these days. I still feel the 1.6L M3 is a good option if he is a cruiser bloke.

The Micra's 3-pot is as k*k as a first-gen Kwid.
I'd stay away.

 

[TheChamp]

The Micra's 3-pot is as k*k as a first-gen Kwid.
I'd stay away.

Surely it can't be, it's turbocharged unlike the Kwid?

 

[SubtleBeast]

Surely it can't be, it's turbocharged unlike the Kwid?

Nope. NA 1.2. Really rough sounding too.

 

[TheChamp]

Nope. NA 1.2. Really rough sounding too.

Is it the old Micra you are talking about? Because I don't recall the current one being available with the NA engine.

 

[SubtleBeast]

Is it the old Micra you are talking about? Because I don't recall the current one being available with the NA engine.

Ah yes. You right.

 

[neoprema]

The one thing that might sway this is that Volvo services are on par more expensive than the equivalent Mazda services...

My V40 is above 160 and no issues at all.

The services are more yes, and probably best done by Volvo. Although I imagine there's some 3rd-party garages who specialize in that brand like the many others.