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I've narrowed down my choices to these two similar but different smaller cars. I'm leaning more towards the Golf since I like how it looks more and I love Germany so driving a German car would mean something to me. However, I've read alot of good reviews and the MPG on the new Mazda 3 is very impressive at 40 mpg on the freeway.
I'm a single late 20's male and I really don't care about speed...I got that out of my system with a GT Mustang when I was younger. I care about maintenance and reliability. I'll be getting the basic model as well.
It's been a while since I test drove these two so I'm going to do that before making any decisions but what do you all think?
I've owned a couple of Mazdas and think you can't go wrong with buying a 3. I recently drove a Golf as a rental car and was very pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it (I own a Beemer and prefer German cars if you can accept the cost to buy and maintain them). Mazda 3 reviews have been excellent.
I'd get the Golf. I'm biased because I drive my Jetta. Don't get me wrong, Mazda is a wonderful brand, too. I think whatever you choose, you'll be fine.
I loved my Jetta VR6 and my parents' '09 Jetta is a great car, so I certainly think you couldn't go wrong with the Golf The 2.5 isn't a bad engine at all if you're not really looking for a super-fast car; still torquey enough, and surprisingly quick passing on the freeway if it's in "sport" shifting mode or you're using Tiptronic.
The Mazda 3 is probably more reliable, especially in the long run, and with the new redesign they're finally not comically bad-looking! The last generation was one of the goofiest looking cars on the road, even though the Mazdaspeed 3 was one of the best hot hatches around. The Golf feels a bit more solid at high speeds, mainly because it's 300lbs heavier, but the Mazda3 feels a lot more nimble and sporty. It's plenty peppy; it has less HP and torque than the Golf and the engine is buzzier, but they actually move about the same.
I don't think you can go wrong with either, really.
I've owned 3 new Mazda's (2 Mazda 6's and a Miata).
They've generally been good cars but I have a couple of complaints:
1. I'll never buy any car that has a plastic oil filter housing. I was going down the highway and it cracked and spewed oil everywhere, almost blowing the engine. Mazda dealer just blew it off stating they'd convert it to a conventional filter for $150.
2. Mazda's warranty is substandard in my opinion. My other mazda 6 would just die while going down the road. After about 20 minutes, it would start again and run fine. It was towed to the dealer at least 5 times. They couldn't really find the problem and stated that basically: "if it doesn't do it here, it's your problem".
I actually had one dealer tell me that mazda won't respond to any of these problems, but if I had a Hyundai, they would work with the dealer to sort it out.
That said, I would think the Mazda 3 is a lot cheaper, so that might be a factor too.
This is concerning me as well, but otherwise drive both and pick whichever you like more. The Mazda may on average be more reliable than the VW. In any given single example though, it's impossible to say that for sure. I've enjoyed driving both Mazdas and VWs. The last Jetta I drove last year (same as Golf, just with a trunk) was a fantastic highway cruiser, very comfortable, in addition to having good driving dynamics. I drove it about 2000 miles.
...1. I'll never buy any car that has a plastic oil filter housing. I was going down the highway and it cracked and spewed oil everywhere, almost blowing the engine. Mazda dealer just blew it off stating they'd convert it to a conventional filter for $150. ...
The Mazda 3 and the 2.5L Golf both have the plastic oil filter housing. I'd avoid taking any such car to a typical oil fast lube type place. They have a tendency to be too rough with the housing. When I'm changing my own oil, I personally prefer the plastic filter housing. It requires a special tool or two depending on the canister type but it's a lot cleaner and faster IMHO.
I'd take a Golf R over a Speed 3, but base models? I'd take the Mazda. Neither is particularly fun to drive without their go-fast engines. The Golf might be slightly more comfortable on the inside but not enough to justify the increase in price.
I've owned both, and drove all three for at least seven years.
As much as I've loved both Golfs I've had (87 and 98), my Mazda (06) has proven to be so much easier on the pocketbook as far as repairs go. VWs seem more solid on the road.
You can't go wrong with either car. I'd flip a coin! LOL
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The 2.5 isn't a bad engine at all if you're not really looking for a super-fast car; still torquey enough, and surprisingly quick passing on the freeway if it's in "sport" shifting mode or you're using Tiptronic.
