Mazda 3 worth it over a Focus or Golf?

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Frikkie5000

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Anyone here drive a Mazda 3?

The 1.6 Dynamic auto I test-drove was a nice car and I was quite impressed by it. I'd like to stretch to the 2.0 Individual but the price is a bit out of my reach. If someone owns a 2014/2015 Mazda 3 what has your experience been thus far?

P.s
Does anyone know if the SA derivatives have real leather seats. The one I drove looked like it had, but a lot of sources on the interwebz says it's not real leather??
 
My dad has one. It's an AMAZING CAR!

If I had to choose between Ford, VW and Mazda in the same price bracket. I would take the Mazda. Just personal preference.
 
A friend of mine owns the 1600. Lovely car that is well built and nothing to criticise. The only thing that would swing me towards the VW would be the resale value.
 
They look really good. Great styling; ride; build & all.

Only issue I have is that Mazda SA persist with the 1.6 77kw from Noah's time in the local lineup. The SkyActive 2L is much much better & of course a fair chunk dearer.

@Pitbull what model does your old man have?
 
FiestaST said:
They look really good. Great styling; ride; build & all.

Only issue I have is that Mazda SA persist with the 1.6 77kw from Noah's time in the local lineup. The SkyActive 2L is much much better & of course a fair chunk dearer.

@Pitbull what model does your old man have?
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The 1.6 auto was a bit more sluggish than I expected to be honest. The 77kw version is definitely underpowered. That being said, I drive like a grandma anyway, so it's not really a problem for me. I also like the fact that you get a 3 year unlimited km service plan.
 
Only buy the Mazda if you are not interested in resale value.
For some reason Mazda seems to have lost its flavour.
Mazda have some amazing specials but they are struggling to sell cars.
Buy the Golf .
 
I have an older model. Bought my Mazda 3 2.0 individual new in 2006. This week a hydraulic engine mounting failed. This is the first time in 9 years I'll be spending money on it - apart from annual servicing. I think they are underrated vehicles.
 
FiestaST said:
They look really good. Great styling; ride; build & all.

Only issue I have is that Mazda SA persist with the 1.6 77kw from Noah's time in the local lineup. The SkyActive 2L is much much better & of course a fair chunk dearer.

@Pitbull what model does your old man have?
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He has the older one. The one with the round lights at the back. Think the first Mazda 3 Shape (not 100% sure) And that car is a beast. No reliability issues. Nothing.
 
Go test drive the Golf and the Mazda and thereafter make an informed and objective decision..After having a G7 1.4 TSI Highline and 2x G7 GTI's in the household I'm very, very impressed with them Golfs to say the least.
 
Charlie600 said:
Go test drive the Golf and the Mazda and thereafter make an informed and objective decision..After having a G7 1.4 TSI Highline and 2x G7 GTI's in the household I'm very, very impressed with them Golfs to say the least.
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There's no doubt that the Golf is a really nice car. The only reason I'm considering the Mazda is because a similarly kitted Golf is almost a R80k more expensive. Even the cheapest Golf (1.2 TSI Trendline Manual) is working out to be R16k more expensive than the Mazda 3 Dynamic Auto 1.6.
 
Have a look at the cx3, they only come in the 2L and start just below 260k.
 
FiestaST said:
They look really good. Great styling; ride; build & all.

Only issue I have is that Mazda SA persist with the 1.6 77kw from Noah's time in the local lineup. The SkyActive 2L is much much better & of course a fair chunk dearer.

@Pitbull what model does your old man have?
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This is the reason I wouldn't get one either.

Also the last time I test drove one the hand seemed weirdly placed.

If you can live with the above, decent car.
 
Why doesn't anyone recommend the Ford Focus?

For the price and what you get, I think its better than both the Mazda and Golf.
 
Leo_ said:
Why doesn't anyone recommend the Ford Focus?

For the price and what you get, I think its better than both the Mazda and Golf.
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Feels very plasticky to me. Like they cut corners everywhere.

But.

It is fun to drive.
 
Chevron said:
Feels very plasticky to me. Like they cut corners everywhere.

But.

It is fun to drive.
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I'll give you that. The Golf has a quality interior, and the Mazda has a very Auid-esque interior. But I think that's the only place the Focus falls short. Yes it may not be as desirable as a Golf but its still the best value car here.
132kw at a sub-R300k price tag? And the features it's packing...

Lets not forget, that the Ford Focus is the best selling family hatch in the UK. I wonder why it hasn't caught on in South Africa.
 
I'd rather take the 2.0L SkyActiv, but as stated earlier it is a bit more expensive. It's a pity we don't get the SP2.5 here.

That being said, I still don't know how I'll cope with a sub-150 kW car as I'm looking at the Mazda 3, 6, MX-5 and Toyota 86 as my future next cars. A 2nd hand 370Z is also a viable option as is a Honda S2000.
 
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