Mazda 3 vs VW Golf

Jano - thanks for your feedback. Good to hear that noise isn't really an issue with either car. Enjoy your 1 series :)

Lemonade - quite surprised to hear the golf seats are that uncomfortable. Will pay particular attention to them when I next go to the dealer.
 
Reviving this old thread as I still haven't made a decision. However I now definitely want an automatic. The 1.4 122 PS DSG Golf is £2k dearer than the Mazda 3 120 PS auto and the Mazda comes with the additional kit mentioned in my first post. Have any of you driven both cars? Should I be concerned about DSG reliability?
 
I'm going to vouch for the Mazda. I have worked as a VW salesman and had that Golf (1.4 122PS) as a company car and I've test driven that particular Mazda (Sportnav by the sounds of the alloys) for some 50 miles.

The Golf very much does as you'd expect. Everything is straightforward and as a result I found it to be quite a dull car. The only aspect of the Golf I preferred over the Mazda was the fact that it is more well insulated from road noise.

Why would I have the Mazda? It's considerably better looking (subjective). People complain about the lack of power but there really is none, it's just the power delivery is linear so you do have to rev more but that's not a negative. People are too used to turbo lumps. Over 8 years I's much rather run a NA engine over a VW turbo (they're not as reliable as people, more importantly VWs marketing team, will have you bealieve) - getting 120PS from a 2.0 means very low stress on the parts. It is much more fun the drive and has a nice, sporty driving position. I presume you're looking at the Sportnav vs the VW's SE? In which case there is no comparison in kit levels. I also preferred the Mazda's interior, it is fairly simple and has a more Audi feel than older Mazdas. The Golf's is, in my eyes, very dull. Fuel economy should be the same unless you go for autos which I saw mentioned - don't do that, the Mazda has a sweet gearbox, a nice short shift. Stacked up against the Mazda I feel the Golf is poor value for money.

If you have any questions re: the both just shout.
 
I'd look up DSG in hot countries (namely Australia) where there seems to be an issue. I'm not sure if that's an Australian configuration causing it - have a good read. Incidentally Mazda is the top car manufacturer in Australia so you might find a lot of info looking at Australian websites for both.The Mazda has a more traditional auto box and economy does suffer for it (I still really recommend the manual). Not driven the Mazda auto but DSGs are smooth in fairness.
 
@ote1 - The trim levels we have here are somewhat different to those available in the UK. The Mazda I am considering is basically a Sport Nav with leather seats instead of Sat Nav. The Golf is probably most similar to your 'Match' + climate control. The biggest difference in equipment between the Mazda and the Golf is the leather seats, bi xenon lights and keyless entry (all standard on the Mazda). The Mazda isn't available as a manual and I decided I definitely want an auto anyway. I know the Mazda is likely to be more reliable but I believe that parts are more expensive and there's a smaller choice of imitation parts compared to VW. Is this correct?
 
lambada said:
@ote1 - The trim levels we have here are somewhat different to those available in the UK. The Mazda I am considering is basically a Sport Nav with leather seats instead of Sat Nav. The Golf is probably most similar to your 'Match' + climate control. The biggest difference in equipment between the Mazda and the Golf is the leather seats, bi xenon lights and keyless entry (all standard on the Mazda). The Mazda isn't available as a manual and I decided I definitely want an auto anyway. I know the Mazda is likely to be more reliable but I believe that parts are more expensive and there's a smaller choice of imitation parts compared to VW. Is this correct?
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I don't know a huge amount about parts, after market or not, to make a comment, let alone on Malta. You'd have 3 years of warranty on either one before you'd have to worry about that anyhow. Where do you usually supply parts? I tend to look to eBay/small retailers (are you accustomed to buying in from abroad?) and have a local garage I trust fit things where required.

Are you leaning either way with the decision? I'm no longer a VW salesman, or a car salesman of any kind as I didn't enjoy it, I've taken quite a turn and work in healthcare now. I'm really wanting to change my car as it's nearing 100k miles at 9 years old. I'll hold on to it for another year and most likely pick up a 2 year old 120PS Sportnav. I absolutely adored the car after a test drive and some extensive review reading. I've followed it from its press release quite closely and happened to be in California in Dec 2013 when the car was launched in the US. Obviously put half a day of my holiday aside for a test drive then as it didn't launch in the UK 'til March 2014. Back home then I test drove the 2.0 120PS Sportnav Hatchback and 2.2D SE-L Fastback. I was equally impressed with the diesel for what it's worth. It's incredibly refined compared with any other 2.0L-ish diesel I've driven including Mercs, BMW, VW group.
 
I buy parts online from abroad for my Civic and also from small local businesses that sell imitation parts. However I would have to buy parts from the dealer until my new car's warranty expires.

VW vehicles come with 5 yr manufacturer s warranty here while Mazdas come with 3 yr manufacturer + 2 year dealers warranty.

Diesel isn't suitable for my annual mileage of 6k max and Mazda diesels don't have the best reliability record.

I'm leaning towards the Golf because of resale value and because the dealer has a slightly better reputation than the Mazda dealer.
 
xs2man said:
I'd personally buy the Golf I think.


The Mazda is a 2.0 (don't know how they manage to only get 120 PS out of it), whereas the Golf being a 1.4 will be far more economical.
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Golf 1.4 TSI / Mazda 3 2.0

Urban 41.5 / 43.5

Extra Urban 64.2 / 65.7

Combined 53.3 / 55.4

They only get 120ps out of it for economy.
 
lambada said:
I buy parts online from abroad for my Civic and also from small local businesses that sell imitation parts. However I would have to buy parts from the dealer until my new car's warranty expires.

VW vehicles come with 5 yr manufacturer s warranty here while Mazdas come with 3 yr manufacturer + 2 year dealers warranty.

Diesel isn't suitable for my annual mileage of 6k max and Mazda diesels don't have the best reliability record.

I'm leaning towards the Golf because of resale value and because the dealer has a slightly better reputation than the Mazda dealer.
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I was only mentioning the diesel out of interest. I definitely wouldn't recommend you had one.

Surely most parts (other than consumables) will be provided by the warranty if they're required? Consumables you can buy anywhere and it won't affect your warranty. If it was me I'd opt for the car I liked best and not the resale value/dealer (unless the dealer is atrocious). The resale value difference is negligible and, as you've said, the Mazda is cheaper to begin with.

If I was buying for a car knowing that it'd cost me some £500 less in depreciation over X amount of time wouldn't really brighten up my day if it wasn't as nice as something else I could've had. I'm not saying that is the case here as which car is best is subjective, but go for something you'll enjoy/be happiest with. Also, I think depreciation is something of a moot point given the fact that you intend to keep it for a long period of time - 8 years was it?
 
If living in Malta top of my list would be how each models A/C eco mode performs as they are both great cars.
No idea about the golf but my CX-5's A/C is phenominal when in eco mode (similar sky active engine to the Maxda 3). Pretty much no hit on fuel economy and I honestly cant tell the difference temp wise when its in eco or "full fat"mode.
This "leather seats no thanks in hot countries" thing is rubbish - once over the initial burn on your ass from the hot leather your butt WILL be cooler in the long run if travelling for more than 5 mins with leather seats versus foam / fabric with AC on.
 
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I haven't heard a/c complaints about either car actually.

I'm not concerned about the leather seats. I know people who had them for years and never complain about them.

The 18inch wheels on the Mazda do concern me a little. We don't exactly have good roads here. Would cost a fortune to replace one of those. The Golfs 16s are much more appropriate.
 
Guy at work has just bought a new Mazda 3 with the 2.0 120PS engine.

It's a very nice looking car I must say. Hint of Astra about the rear end but none the worse for it and the new Mazda family nose treatment seems to work well.

Not sure about the engine itself as I've never driven one but isn't a normally aspirated 2 litre engine a bit "behind the times" these days? From what I understand it's quite high compression ratio but whether that helps with economy or emissions I don't know. Just seems that the trend these days is for smaller turbo engines to keep economy and emissions in check and sticking with a larger NA engine seems a bit weird. Then again, what do I know? :p
 
Yeah the hatchback looks a bit like the Astra but I'm after the saloon.

Apparently Mazda chose not to follow the turbo trend because of fuel economy. They say that turbo engines are nowhere near as frugal as manufacturers claim.
 
If you're keeping for 8 years, I'd worry less about the price differences and expected resale and work out which car is the better fit for your needs tbh. They will both be worth peanuts by 2023 :)

Although roughly the same size they are quite different cars:

Hatchback vs Saloon
Turbo vs NA
DSG vs Mazda auto box

Also consider:
Ride quality (never been to Malta, but Golfs tend to have quite stiff suspension in my experience, not sure about the Mazda3)
Long term reliability (based on past trends I suppose)
Features (leather, Xenons)
Looks :p

Also Golf should be a bit quieter than the Leon you tested due to better soundproofing etc.
 
Golf for me, I think. Engine in the Mazda is quite gutless. Easier to get better economy out of the Golf as well, plus it feels considerably more upmarket. Media system in the Mazda's pretty dire as well.
 
Can you not test drive both?

What I'm saying is test both, then don't worry about purchase price or resale value but pick the one you like as you have to live with it for 8 years :)
 
No. I can't test drive either of them because the respective dealers only import them on order. This obviously makes it even harder for me to decide!
 
lambada said:
@chanjy - the Mazda comes on 18 inch wheels so I doubt the ride is any softer than the Golf's

@Lashout - have u driven the 120 PS Mazda?
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Yes, driven both recently. We've got a 120PS model as a long-term test car at the moment. It's good fun if you grab it by the scruff of the neck but the VW's got the superior engine and better cabin as well - quieter on the move, for one thing. :)

Probably preaching to the converted but have a read of our reviews here:

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/mazda/3-hatchback/full-review/26198-5

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/golf-hatchback/full-review/26158-5

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mazda/3

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf

Any questions, just shout! :)
 
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