Polymetal Gray

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..

Polymetal Gray

Dear FnF sifus, I've been a silent reader all these while and finally registered and need opinions about cars.
I'm currently driving a civic RS 2022 and i've been having issues with my steering racks up till today.
Total claimed 3 times and now the sticky/tuk sound is back.. 
Recently went to have a look at the mazda 3 and kinda interested on the liftback ignite.
I'm thinking to just pull the trigger because of ulang alik Honda SC, and i dont think the steering rack issue will solve anytime soon seeing the complaints on FB
Space is not much of an issue as my wife is driving a Veloz, and i have another Estima at home.

How's Mazda 3? any well known issue for the current version? Just want a fun car to drive and less to zero headaches at least for 5 years.

Thanks

Bro, ive had a cx30 (same engine with m3) before and trust me, its not worth the price.

Engine feels underpowered, poor efficiency and small rear room.

Bro, ive had a cx30 (same engine with m3) before and trust me, its not worth the price.

Engine feels underpowered, poor efficiency and small rear room.

I have a different feeling for CX30.

Anyway worth it or not its subjective.

I think the only Chinese car that's worth buying it's the S70.

Polymetal Gray

always in my mind that those who buy mazda 3 = rich   

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..

Good to know. 14 years is quite a long time. The Ford Focus mk3 which I owned is CBU from Philippines, similarly rock solid with good NVH and minimal rattling sound inside the cabin even up to 10 years when I sold it earlier this year. Very quite and minimal rattling sound from new to 5 years. Between 5 to 10 years, NVH got slightly worse but still bearable and much better than any newer Honda vehicles.

Good to know. Everyone is different and I'm sensitive to NVH and rattling sound so it's one of the important criteria for me when I am considering a new vehicle. Handling, power and performance used to be the top priorities for me 10 years ago, but that has changed. Now it's more to comfort and quiet.

I think TS mentioned he doesnt mind the power and small rear room..
He basically lost faith to his civic RS lol

When someone would rather spend more to get a smaller/slower car, we already know how bad the civic's rack is bothering him..
To TS, enjoy your new ride! always in my mind that those who buy mazda 3 = rich   

This is no joke bro

Literally minutes ago on this post today

And yeah, quite literally my GT86 also costed less

I think this few months mazda 3 sales might up a bit.. thanks to civic racks issue 

Bro, ive had a cx30 (same engine with m3) before and trust me, its not worth the price.

Engine feels underpowered, poor efficiency and small rear room.

I'm sort of in the same boat, looking for cars around max 170k budget. My candidates included Corolla Cross, CX30, Subaru XV, Peugeot 408, Civic (eHEV) and Model 3. And I've test drove all of them

In the end I booked CX30

Why? It just ticks all my boxes, comfortable seats and driving position (lumbar support makes a huge difference), good design, all you can ask for when it comes to spec and tech (I booked H+ P), its more practical than the Mazda 3 and spec'ed similarly with a lower price. Rear seats not a big issue for me since its gonna be unoccupied most of the time but for a 178cm guy sitting behind my driver position i find the space to be sufficient, the only main issue was the backrest is set a bit too upright, I guess this where all the complaints about uncomfortable comes from. Would've been perfect it comes with adjustable recline. And most people say the engine is underpowered. If you look at the numbers yes it does seem so IF and WHEN you compare it to turbos, but IMO many people nowadays are too spoilt with turbos that they forgot how to drive a NA. Just rev that baby up and it goes....

For the rest of the choices here are my opinions
Corolla Cross
- Actually if I'm a family man this is my choice. The suspension setting is more balanced compared to the slightly firm and sport bias tune of the CX30. Rear space no need further emphasis. Hybrid is definitely more efficient and power is enough for daily use if you are not chasing numbers. Design wise.... it's a Toyota but in a slightly good way, for a reliable A to B family car what more you could ask for? Overall this is not the car you are looking for if you want some excitement (maybe the only excitement is the fuel savings lol)

Subaru XV
- this came close to kicking CX30 off my list after test driving. AWD + double rear wishbones makes all the difference. Also with rebates this is one of the cheapest amongst the candidates, you are getting a lot of drivability and mechanical 'premium' with the money. However what stopped me is mainly the design (it's a Subaru lol, I probably wouldn't mind but my partner is making a fuss out of it), and the direction of the whole brand in this country is uncertain under TC. Also if you feel CX30 is underpowered, wait till you try the XV. The CVT and engine combo is considered OK actually, but I just can't stand it reving at a fixed rpm constantly and the car doesn't seem to go, add on the AWD and you get even more power loss. This behaviour is more obvious during uphill condition. Maybe a turbo like Civic or HRV would've helped.

Pug 408
- Was looking at the premium spec. If you are adventurous enough, just wanted to look different on the roads, by all means go for it. This have the best drivability amongst the crossovers I've tested, 1.6T + 8AT does its job. You got design both interior and exterior as well although some people are mixed about the exterior. If only the brand have a better reputation when it comes to reliability especially electrical components. I'm not mentioning the drivetrain because I believe that is fine under proper maintenance. But I've seen a few owners reported electrical faults and issues in the owner group, for a newly launched model that's not exactly confidence inspiring...

My priority choice is a crossover actually but i went ahead and test drove 2 sedans because both of them offer something special that I might consider going after

Civic eHEV
- I was tempted by the rebates (currently offering 10 - 12k) and the drivetrain. Test drove the car, yes the drivetrain is amazing, power and efficiency in one package and that's where the story ends. The seats are horrible, no offence to all the Civic owners but no way this is a better seat than Mazda or even Toyota at the same range. I was actually willing to even take a gamble with the steering rack lottery because the drivetrain is that good (CRV eHEV is out of my budget) but the seats are such a dealbreaker. The front passenger seat is even worse that my partner was complaining about it, I tried it and I agree. Honda this is a supposed to be a family car why the f is the front passenger seat set so unnecessarily low? At least give a manual height adjustment? I know its a rare thing but still...

Model 3
- Most expensive of the bunch and I really need to stretch my budget a bit for it but its still below 200k so I can stomach it probably, however in terms of value this is also very high up there, for 181k you are getting A LOT of car and more than that. Most power and tech of the bunch as well and drives unlike any other, its an EV afterall with fully independent suspension all around (double wishbones front and multilink rears iinm). However it's also the heaviest i think with the least ground clearance, and I've seen a fair share of owners complaining about not clearing certain speed bumps due to the height. Lastly since I'm staying condo and its gonna be my only car.... maybe EV can wait a few more years

And here I am spending 160k+ on CX30 High+ Premium, Polymetal Grey as well same as TS. Congrats for your new ride btw SasuKopa

Test drove it and the power is enough for me, maybe because I am coming from 1.2L NA lol. Also when you rev it up at least it sounds better than some 1.6 turbos screaming for their dear life out there, and no annoying CVT droning + rubberband effect (yes I know you're not supposed to rev turbos but wait till a myvi is at your rear view mirror kek. Jk)

My verdict is few post above (quoted below)

So yeah gonna repeat again.... one man's poison is another man's potion

Also if anyone wondering why not I just get CX5 2.0 since they cost almost the same
- to me CX5 is only worth having with at least the 2.5 NA (177k+)
- the design is fine but is dated and Mazda is confirmed to be working on a new gen. Bermaz launched the facelift very late in our market, we should've got it 1 - 2 years ago
- its not spec'ed as well as the CX30 High+ Premium
- it doesn't handle as well though it is more comfortable (afterall its more family focused)
- i prefer the overall design of CX30. Again I am not a family man so practicality is not my priority

Anyway just something fun... you know there's a classic "guideline" to see whether the car you bought is underpowered for the money you pay? Just use RM1k = 1hp as guideline . So when you spend like 200k, you should expect at least 200hp. Anyway just something fun, it may or may not work for everyone

Congratz bro on ur new cx30

What u say is right tho, if u dont mind the acceleration compared to the civic hev, and the fuel consumption also comparing to a civic hev, the cx30 is indeed a fun car to drive. After all, coming from a 1.2NA, the cx30 should feel more powerful

One thing i can tell u is over the span of 3 years owning a CX30, the reliability of it is unrivalled. No any issues whatsoever with it 👍👍
Personal opinion; if i was given the chance to choose between the current gen civic hev and the cx30 in the year 2024, i would have not chosen either (thats why im driving a tiggo 7 now 😝)

I agree with u, for a sedan, s70 is quite good dy at its price range.

Even for SUV, im leaning towards the x70 facelift or tiggo 7

Heck i would even recommend to top up abit from the mazda 3 price and get the cx5 if TS still wants to go for mazda

Or yolo and get a second hand bmw as TS mentioned he wanted a fun car

Second hand bmw is definitely out for me.

end of the day i picked mazda 3 liftback because i consider it as a 4 door MX5 

It's no where near being a 4 door MX5

MX5 is really a full fledged sports car, even to my disappointment (but that's my own issue that I had too high expectations, and bias favouring my own car)

Guys, want to ask, recent Honda famous of Steering Rack problem, but isn't that Mazda also famous of never ending Lower Arm kluk kluk kluk problem or it's been resolved on newer Mazda?

Long time ago interested on last generation Mazda 3 but keep seeing this lower arm noise never ending on Mazda 3 and CX5.