When looking at the 3 before I purchased, I looked at a lot of websites and comparisons, etc. and wondered why some cars are considered "competitors" to the 3 that are either a) out of the price range or b) performance does not compare.

What cars would YOU compare to the Mazda 3?

Here's what I seriously looked at before I bought my lovely Mazda:

Scion Tc
MINI Cooper-S

(I don't miss either of them)

 

The Cooper-S is pretty hardcore

Definitely not as attractive as the 3, however.

As far as performance, I would compare it to maybe the Sentra Spec-V.

 

The cars in the same class as the 3 are as follows....Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Suzuki Aerio, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Dodge Neon, Saturn Ion, Pontiac Sunfire...may have left out 1 or 2....Which car out performs the 3s on the list ?? Dodge SRT-4, Cobalt SS, and Ion Redline...all forced induction and all quite a decent amount higher priced. PLus this is just pure acceleration, not handling

 

when we were doing the research on ours, the toyota matrix and pontiac vibe were in the price range but my buddy rented a matrix and it was a dog compared to the 3. very happy with my final decision.

 

are we doing HONEST comparisons?? The Mazda 3 is in a class MUCH higher than other "entry" econo-cars. I would honestly put the 3S in the Audi, BMW, volvo, Saab, lexus class....It is VERY upscale, very nice, very affordable.

 

i totally agree, but for some reason they lump them in the same catagory.

 

cost wise it compares to budget econo-cars. but in terms of performance, style, build quality it's heads and shoulders above the rest.

 

yeah thats for sure
and theres even a body kit that when you put it it looks allmost the same as a bmw mazda 3 are good and ppl dont know it yet my car stock could beat a 96 acura integra ls or ds but ppl think ohh no is an acura intagra, i'll smoke that cat

 

Well, theres alot of cars that are considered in the same class...corolla, civics, etc...however, for the price, i dont think theres a car that compares for under 20,000 dollars. The build quality of the 3 is that of much more expensive cars and the performance is on a whole nother level vs the other "eco" cars. Performance is definetly best in its class for the price and is probably only riveled by the SRT-4 in terms of sheer power...but they drive like crap, rattles everywhere and dont have anywhere near the refined luxury car feel that the 3 posses. This is a true sport compact...not an economy car! I can guarantee that you will not find a nicer, more fun to drive new car than the 3 for under 20,000 dollars.