Thats why i opted to give up the power and just get something nicer to own.

i was a co owner, it was an issue but it only happened to me once, claim went smoothly, and even during the issue, it wasn't that big of an issue to me since i am pretty decent at adapting.

the seat was probably hard, but in comparison to my own car with semi buckets, it was pretty soft.
my wife generally will sit at rear seats and the rear of Civic was much better than the Mazda 3. but alas, the low sloping roof was a deal breaker when carrying our newborn to baby seat. the opportunity to buy over my bro in law HRV was that nail in the coffin.


now, i had the same thoughts as you about the Mazda 3. i went and test driven it, and in my opinion, it was overhype. i understood the hype, but the Civic drive train was way better and the CKD vs CBU too big of a gap to ignore.
no, i am not just referring the the engine power NA vs turbo, i am particularly referring to the CVT vs slosh box, steering input and output, suspensions etc, the Civic FE to me, was all better than the Mazda 3.


so long your expectations are aligned, test driven Mazda 3 liftback extensively, satisfied, then it'll be good
admittedly, NVH was much better than the CKD Civic. it is still my opinion the price difference is still not justifiable as aftermarket full car
sound proofing also don't need 30-40k+

paying more to stay away from the steering rack issue ok la worth it to me

hopefully there will be an aftermarket company/brand that able to come out with new rack replacement and reliable.

This post?
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=105716563

Could the rims had really affect your driving experience? Base spec 16" to high spec 18" is quite a big jump Quazacolt. I mean Civic is no slouch but the Mazda 3 is still a competent performer as well. All the reviews and testimonials doesn't lie. Though I must say Civic, Altis and Mazda 3 - all three of them have very distintive handling characteristic. One man's poison could be another's potion. The Altis have the sharpest handling (based on my experience) but its let down by the worst powertrain of the lot

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Aug 14 2024, 07:50 PM

That's why I laid my disclaimers/pre face.

I don't need a half bucket that Mazda 3 is trying to do.
To me Civic FE is a better family car.

huge different on 3 perspective

1) larger wheel, thinner side wall the turn-in would be sharper, less delay. This can be reduced by getting a higher performance, stiffer side wall tyres.
I think most people should be able to feel Michelin XM vs PS4S, it is super obvious.
But if you can't tell the different of eg:. Continental SC7 vs Michelin PS4S or not so high end MC6 vs Primacy4... same category different brand then this turn-in sharpness feel maybe irrelevant to you.


2) Depends on the TOTAL weight different, and the weight distribution (middle of the wheel vs outer edge close to the edge). The acceleration + bump characteristic change.
I must emphasize TOTAL -> complete wheel -> rim + tyre. My experience is 5kg lighter per wheel, so it is super obvious.
Most claim they call fell 2kg per wheel difference, I would trust that. Those that claim 1lbs (0.5) like day and night, I think it totally BS.

The initial acceleration + braking response is sharper, more immediate.
But when the car is in constant acceleration, not much difference. The key is sudden pace change.
Like you accelerate mild, then sudden accelerate more, or light tap on the brake then back to throttle etc. The whole car response faster.

In racing, little edge on the time attack, but very useful on dog fight. On the road don't expect magic on 0-100km/h, it is more on the feel.

After 2 weeks, when I totally got used it, the magic sensation gone. Until maybe I drive a friend's car of same model...

3) Comfort/Bump. Lighter wheel, the big bump in less intrusive to the cabin. However the small rattle that wasn't present on heavier wheel can be felt on lighter wheel.
Then generally smaller wheel, thicker side wall tyres can absorb the small rattler better than low profile tyres.

The final effect have to see complete wheel package => Complete weight, rim weight distribution of the spoke design, tyre side wall thickness, tyre side wall stiffness, tyre width.
Probably best way is test drive see what you like.

Actually, it would be fair for my experience because our Civic e spec was 16"
Mazda 16"

Ok la.

For me personally, the concrete higher car limit wins. Not fans of feels good myself, but by someone else simply chilling and go faster around the corner.

Using the cars I'm familiar with Mazda3 vs Elantra Sport.

For the same excitement feel fun drive in Mazda3, I would need to drive 20-30km/h faster in Elantra Sport to even start feeling it.

If the Elantra Sport is driven at the same speed as Madza3, same speed, same road, same corner.... it is like walk in the park.

Can I say the limit of the Elantra Sport is just much higher? I didn't even compare the power.

Anyway each person have their own preferences.

Edit/Add: For me the jaw dropping feature of Mazda is all the White LED interior/headlamp is the perfectly calibrated true natural white. There is zero... absolute zero colour temperature drift, zero hue, and consistent across all LED light source. Not even cars cost 2-3 times the price ever achieve this to best of my own/drive/ride in different cars.


This post has been edited by constant_weight: Aug 15 2024, 11:59 PM

Just saw your post on the Mazda thread. Good to know you have decided on the Mazda 3 ignite.

I've previously read about the steering rack issue which is prevalent with the latest Honda Civic model but didn't know it's not an isolated case as it affects most if not all Civic models. To me, it's not only about the steering rack but the overall quality and fit and finish of Honda vehicles from City to Accord as they mostly show poor NVH and rattling sound inside the cabin due to loose fittings even for fairly new models.

My car arrived yesterday at showroom.. less than a week after booking.
the moment i sit into the car, the comfortable seats already justify my decision

kinda agree on the fit and finish of my civic, 2 years only and it feels like the whole car is like a 5-6 years old car.

Congratulations. Good to know. The Mazda 3 was on my radar but due to the high price it was scratched off the list. I used to own the Ford Focus mk3 which has exceptional handling in its price range, the time I bought it the price is around RM110k+/-. The Mazda 3 may be the closest performing vehicle but at a higher price.

Haha, i've written quite a lot on the rattling sound inside the cabin of Accord so I won't repeat it too much here. The quality is quite poor for the price you are paying especially Civic and Accord new models. I don't want to add too much salt but I actually find Proton vehicles to show less rattling sound inside the cabin than Honda models. Toyota and Mazda usually fair much better as they are CBU from Thailand and Japan respectively (Corolla and Mazda 3). CBU models will usually show better quality than CKD, especially the Honda CKD plant.

My wife's previous car was the first gen Mazda 2 hatch.. CBU Thailand. interior still feels so solid even though already around 14 years.

Actually i'm ok with a little rattle here and there, just don't give me unsolved problems on mechanical parts..

Mine Accord 2015, which I paid around 170k+ iirc back then but the NVH are just poor. My wife X70 ckd NVH are miles better than Alor Gajah made one and at much cheaper price. Ride my vendors colleague cars, City and Civic FE and FC, it just similarities for NVH, all are kinda poor.

Congratulations on your new car bro!

What colour u go for?

First time driving a c segment hatch.. looking forward to it next week

Polymetal Gray

Thanks for owning up and not hiding the weaknesses being an owner of the Accord 2015. Similarly I don't hide anything and will tell it as is although I may be the owner of the vehicle. Your experience coincides with mine. Good to know Proton X70 NVH is much better than the Honda models. Actually don't need to go to Proton latest X models. Even my much older (now sold) Proton Preve Turbo, the NVH is better. It's only the loud turbo engine that is noisy.

This post has been edited by SportyHandling: Aug 17 2024, 12:12 PM