Ever since the Mazda3 debuted in 2004, the car has been an instant hit in its respectable class. It offers many features such as Xenons, Leather seats, Navi, Sunroof, etc all for a very competitive price point. This car is building a great fan base in the same fashion as the new SCION lineup is doing and more importantly one of its main competitors the VW Jetta. The two previous generation Jettas had a cult like following because of its good looks, easy modibility, relatively strong engines(VR6, and 1.8T)heavy, strong, quality feel(despite electrical problems and such), and offered many features that a majority of its competitors didnt even offer as an option at a competitive price(but the price can add up rather quickly when every box was checked). Now that VW hasnt significantly updated the Jetta in years, many customers have turned away and looked elsewhere, plus the redesign as some will think is not up to the standards of the previous models. Some diehard fans feel that VW has lost sight.

Now back to the Mazda3. I have noticed that owners of this car have similar tastes as do current and previous Jetta owners have. This car has become a standout machine to them and offers many cutting edge technogies at a great price. The Mazda3 even has bodykits and a few performance upgrades already available. Not to mention the high performance Mazdaspeed3 which is coming out in the coming year. So I ask this question. Do yall think the Mazda3 is becoming the new generation of Jettas?? The new smart buy of 2005 for the younger generation?? Or is the 2006 Jetta still going to be the standout car in its class?

 

I think its better than the Jetta, new and old. This is a fantastic car as you stated. I think Mazda has a loyal following and the old Mazda Protege buyers moved up to this car. The Protege was a winner almost every compact comparo. It was an impresive car. The 3 builds on the Protege's values.

As for replacing the JEtta, I see tons of modded Jettas, I have yet to see a modded 3. Which doesn't mean much I guess, it is surprising now that I think about it.

 

I drove small Mazdas for years before converting to Toyota and then Lexus....had a GLC, a 323, and a Protege. Good cars mechanically...not quite as good as Toyota. Mazda generally does chassis dynamics, though, better then Toyota.....the steering has more of a BMW-feel.

I test-drove a Mazda 3 hatchback with the 160 HP engine and the Sport package last year. It is well-built, in the Mazda tradition, and does indeed handle like on rails (another Mazda tradition) but at the cost of a harsh ride.....too harsh for my tastes.....much harsher than any previous small Mazda sedan I've driven with the exception of the Turbo AWD 323 GT in 1988 with the 3-way adjustible shocks in the stiffest setting...that was a real brute also.

To answer your question about a Jetta- Mazda3 comparison, it is hard to compare the present models of the 2 cars directly. The Jetta is fairly softly-sprung, with a plush interior and is obviously more luxury-oriented, where the Mazda 3 is clearly a sports sedan.