I just got back from a week in California, and I was suprised to have Hertz give me a 2006 Mazda3 to drive for the week-In the past, when I requested an economy car, I got a ford focus, so the Mazda3 was a nice suprise....

I was impressed by the handling, and the 3 felt light on its feet...I drove to Yosemite valley and back, and had fun driving the switchbacks..I don't know if the 16 inch alloys improved the handing, but I have to admit I wish the stock tc handled this well..
It was of course an auto, and a 2.0, but I am curious to drive a manual 2.3 to see if it is noticeably more powerful-The 2.0 has 148 hp, and the 2.3 has 156hp...

There were some things, like the interior styling, and the fairly flat front seats, that were a little dissapointing, and for some reason the trip computer/radio/temp display was already broken after 17,000 miles..The TC is still probably faster in a straight line, but I was suprised by the way the 3 handled, and it really felt much lighter...The mazdaspeed 3 sounds like it might be a fun car, but it is kind of expensive at about 24K...

 

In addition to a 2005 tC I own a 2006 Mazda 3s 5 door with a 5 speed automatic and the 2.3 engine. Both are stock. I enjoy driving both. The Mazda 3 is a very good handling, well balanced car. I've never driven the base 2.0 version but I think my Mazda 3 feels comparable to the tC in the power department. I would agree that it seems to handle a bit better in the twisties than the tC. I like the interior styling. It has a european look to it. I don't know which is faster in a straight line. The Mazdaspeed 3 is reportedly a lot of car for the money. Several articles comapre it much more expensive cars such as the Subaru WRX.

 

That's cool that you have one of each...I did like the interior for the most part, especially how solid the stearing wheel was-I guess I wasn't sure if I liked the red instrument lighting, but then that is a small detail...

If you had to choose between the 3 and the tc, which one would you keep?

 

Im definately looking at the 3 for the g/f's next car.

 

the mazda3 is an awesome car handling wise....i love the suspension.

 

Sorry for the delay in posting, I was away.
I guess if all I could keep was one car for me, with no consideration of other issues, I would choose the tC. If I could keep only one, in my real world life, I'd keep the Mazda.
I'm from a generation that believes all sporty cars should have no more than 2 doors. I like the concept car styling of the tC. It looks like a sporty Lexus. I've owned everything from a '67 Olds 442 to a 2 cylinder Fiat 500 to an MR2.
I like two door coupes, but the Mazda has the extra doors that allow me take people who can't climb into the back of the tC in the car. Though the tC has a lot of practicality because of it's hatchback, the 3 carries more cargo.
So, if you need two cars, like sporty handling and good looks and practicallity, having one of each is the best of both worlds...and it only cost $40,000 for both.