still thinking of leaning towards a mazda 3 and even more now that I found that the 2.3L has a timing chain instead of a belt.

does the 2.0L have a chain also?

 

beware that the chain can jump sometimes, causing severe problems. If you ever suddenly can't start the car, or if you ever have WAAAY less power or similar problems, the first place to look is the chain.

Also, it looks like the same thing on the 2.0.

 

Get the Mazda, by the time something might go wrong with the chain you would have gone through 4-6 timing belts. And if your timing belt brakes on a Honda - say good bye to the engine.