LIKE_OR_AS_GOD

I came from haveing a 2002 Mazada Protege 5 to haveing the tC. I realy loved my P5, but was wanting a change. I didn't need all the space realy and wanted a new car I could start new with and have a little fun. Both are great cars and the P5 was a first year car too, but I didn't like the new design of the Ms, love the M6 sedans though. I was actualy looking at sedans to get and finaly test drove the tC just to check it out. Fell in love with it that day and just waited for them to bring in a MT to test drive. Did so and ordered mine on the spot. So my advice is drive both, think abut what you want with the car. Than decide after that.

psyontific

TrafficinLA

The underlying platform is shared by Mazda and Ford, jointly developed. There may be some parts-bin raiding but the 3 was made by Mazda engineers, not Ford.

Agreed, the Mazda may have better handling stock for stock too.

Don't go by JD Power. If you research more into the initial ratings, you'll come to find that Scion owners complain alot about minor things. Wind noise at 80+mph, need more power (read the sticker on the car b4 you buy damn it), etc.

There are some sharing of parts to save money but for the most part, Mazda cars are their own creation, not Fords. The tC is put together with parts from many Toyota cars with very little original content.

That said, as well as noted by the OP, the tC is the better value once you add up everything and come up with your out-the-door price. More features, friendlier price, better(can be argued) dealership/service network makes the tC a better buy. In socal, the Mazda dealer at the end of my block is still selling their Mazda3 S Hatch for $20,100, and that's without Navi. Jee, I wonder why I picked the tC...

jmiller20874

Why do people speak before doing any research?

Correction. All new Saturn 3.5L VUE's have Honda engines. Read the article.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

oldman

the S40, V50, M3, Focus II all share the same platform, The Focus II is already on sale in Europe, and has been selling for a while, Ford just wants to dump Focus 1 on America, a common practice BTW. But the M3, Focus are not just skinned Volvo's, a Volvo uses far more and far higher quality steel as well as the Volvo power train, Volvo WIPS seats, Volvo sound system, Volvo, interior. I am a Volvo owner and just because the same machines and the same line can make both cars, does not mean it is only the "skin".

I for one never like Mazdas, I feel that the parts are just cheap, the struts for instance seem to die quickly while Toyota struts can go an easy 100,000 miles and still have some damping left, I did not say the strut will fly out of the car, I just saying it is not upto snuff. Same goes for the engine, I've know 200,000 mile toyota engines that can still perform, not just go down the street. while I find Mazda engines have exhaust problems like cracked manifold, rusting parts. In fact I just fixed a girl's Mazda (6 years old) that the rubber intake bellows cracked in 1/2 and the car died. I've never seen this every even on ancient GM cars. Same car had head light lenses that were all fogged, the same way cheap Neon ones get fogged out, I've never seen it happen on a Toyota.

engifineer

Correction:
VVT is not the "same difference as VVT-I" VVT-I is a constantly variable form of variable valve timing. The -i does mean something.

RacerZack

OK, I stand corrected. However, it's worthy of note that the VUE is a new product and not entirely the same as the rest of Saturn's line. It's only the 3.5L VUE with a Honda engine, at that -- not all VUEs.

So you didn't have to be snippy.

RacerZack

Nonetheless, the platform is Mazda designed. It appeared first on the Mazda3.

This is just anecdotal experience. I posted on myspace.com about my new Scion and one of my friends replies "Toyota!? Why would you get a p.o.s. from Toyota? I had a Toyota and the engine blew up!"

Of course, he didn't bother to provide any details... and he is a known BMW snob. Nonetheless, he did have a Toyota which blew an engine. One of my ex-girlfriends had a 1st gen MR2 which was constantly in the shop. My Miata has 215k miles on it and I know of some which are going strong at close to 300k miles. But I also know of RX-7s which barely make it to 50,000 miles before going to the Great Road in the Sky.

Every manufacturer has high and low points in both production and model design. Rather than paint each company with the broad-brush of it's worst (or best) product, we should look at each machine as an individual item and judge its merits accordingly. Should General Motors forever be judged by the Cimarron? Or would it be fair to say all Mazdas are as solid as the Miata? Of course not.

So, we all have a Scion here and love it. All Scions are new, so there's no way to know how their particular blend of Toyota parts will hold up over time. My initial impression is that the tC is a solid car and will last for years. (Well, maybe not the flimsy plastic door which hides the radio.)

Is the tC a better car than the Mazda3? No. And the Mazda3 is not a better car than the tC. They are cars who have similar -- but not identical -- purposes in life. Both have merits and both have detractors. We pick the one we think will best suit our taste and needs.

Can't we all just get along? LOL!

sublime

Don't mean to be a party pooper here but since when is the tC available in Canada? I thought it was US only?

FireDragon

Personally I would be driving a Mazda 3 had I not gone with the tC.. and I probably will end up getting a M3 in a couple years. I think they're beautiful cars and virtually the tC's equal in most all ways.

But I think the market and future trade value will be better for the tC in the long run.. Toyota traditionally hold their value alot better than Mazda do.

For now, I'm content with my tC.

This will be an ongoing debate for years to come..

Swylen

I was certain to buy a Mazda6 but when I drove the 6i, I got one feeling PLAIN, PLAIN, PLAIN. All I could afford was the base model. I really like the styling of the car. Then I drove a 6s. Much better. Engine was more of what I was looking for but cost way too much. Across the street I saw a Toyota dealer. Walked over and noticed a TC. Test drove it and the rest is history. It really wasn't as zippy as the 6s but more than a 6i. Plus all the standards sold me. Never ever thought of a 3. Thought that was the focus, corolla competition.

uncompiled

The tC isn't really competition for a Mazda6 either... but you made the right decision. Muahaha.

GODLESS

i own a tC and i hate the low profile tires, you can feel every little bump in the road. None the less, i still love my tC. Mazda3 were my second option too!