Guess I'll jump in since I own an '06 Scion xA (not a TC) and an '07 Mazda 3 GT 5 door. I cannot speak to the debate about which is faster. I expect they have similar 0-60 times. Frankly, in this segment I don't see the point!

However, I do feel that I'm qualified to address quality and the relationship between Ford and Mazda.

First, I'm well aware of the relationship between Ford and Mazda. Ford may have the upper hand, but as with the GM/Toyota relationship, Ford typically builds on Mazda platforms (not the other way around). I looked at the relationship before I bought my Mazda, and if I had detected any Ford DNA in this car, I would not have bought it.

Having said that, Toyota has some issues also. What car maker doesn't??? We also have a $38k Toyota Sienna (leather, Navigation, Rear DVD, Sunroof), and the paint quality has to be the worst I've ever experienced!!!

As far as quality goes, IMO my Mazda3 has to be a one of the best values in the under $25K car ranges. I paid $21.7k for my car with Leather, manually adjustable level Xenon headlights, TPMS (tire presure monitoring), heated front seats, 17" alloys, DSC (dynamic stability control), iPod/MP3 input, 6 disk indash CD, automatic climate control, 4 wheel disk, ABS, front & side airbags, automatic rainsensing wipers, cruise, sunroof, tail light LED etc. The fit and finish is great. I will say that I'm not happy with the guage of the metal used. During the fall, I made the mistake of parking my car under an Oak tree. Yup, the unusually large acorns actually made shallow dimples in the roof of my Mazda. Most are not that noticeable, but several are.

Thus far I have not had any problems 4000 miles (owned since August 26, 2006).

The handling "right out the box" on the Mazda 3 is among the best in this class.

I traded my Audi A4 for the Mazda, and with the exception of a few options that my Audi had, I'm not at all disapointed! I do miss the V6 grunt and 4WD my Audi had.

I don't have anything negative to say about the TC. If it were a 4 door hatch, I may have considered it. We love our xA, especially my wife.

Last, I'm actually a member of Mazda3forums and have read about the defective motor mounts on the Mazdaspeed3. I don't think that's reason to condem the whole Mazda car line, though.


2004 Toyota Sienna XLE
2006 Scion xA
2007 Mazda 3 Hatch

 

What a coincidence... I see that you live in Gaithersburg, MD. I live 3 miles up the road in
Germantown, MD. If you'd like to check out the "quality" of my Mazda 3, let me know and we can hook up.

Even if we can't agree on the Mazda, we share common ground as owners of Scions.

 

And just imagine if I pulled up ALL FIFTY KAGILLION threads about creaks rattles and roars in the tC. . . shattering roofs. . . oh, and and the NUMEROUS cases of TRD S/C's with broken mounts, leaks, and other major CRIPPLING problems.

Let's tally it up. . . Mazda. . . 1 thread. Toyota/Scion. . . Fifty Kagillion.

Don't get me wrong, I OWN a tC and bought it recently. . . and love it. But I'm not going to be some moronic idiot bashing on every other car on the road. I'm not egotistical enough to think that the tC is the baddest thing on four wheels. It's a 4 banger economy car, built fairly well, and priced well. So is the Mazda3. It's a great car. Now if we were talking about Pontiac Sunfires or Neons. . .

 

PS, GM has a HUGE stake in Fiat, which basically owns Ferrari. Yeah, an Enzo may look like Pontiac Aztek, but trust me. . . other than the big beak, they share NOTHING in common.

Let's see. . . what else? Suzuki and GM. . . GM owns Suzuki. Check out ANY reliability surveys. Suzuki does leaps and bounds better than the average Chevy fleet. Aston Martin and Ford. . . hmmm, I guess the DB9 MUST be a suped up Mustang! :sarcasm:

 

Oh, and Ford of Europe builds FANTASTIC cars. A euro Focus would totally DESTROY a tC in terms of reliability. But hey. . . Ford has a controlling stake in. . . errrr, Ford? So it must all be the same, right?

 

luckly its all straights, thanks all

 

can i try that trick where you kick the door and it unlocks? i'd love a chance to see if that works!

 

And what platform is the Euro Focus built on...the Mazda 3!!!

 

Sure you can, buddy. However, you'll be subject to the same "a$$ whoppin" any other vandall would receive!