118 tsi best driveaway price?

[DGR]

Overall, I think the Golf, more fun to drive, but many little quirks and little issues start to appears. Mazda 3, great value, maybe better in built quality and cheaper on parts and service, but the insurance is little higher than the Golf. I would go for a Manual Mazda 3 instead of the Auto, livelier.

Yeah, I'm having the same debate with myself (and over on the Mazda forum) regarding these two. Both great cars, although I'm yet to drive the 118TSI so have made do with the 90TSI to date. I always go for manuals.

I like the way VW do their options packs though. Easy to get climate control on a Golf, whereas I'd need to go right up to an SP25 for that on the Mazda.

Either choice is a good one for sure

[nicandlance]

You tell me what car company doesn't have any issues with its product? That's why they have warranty. There is nothing wrong with the build quality!

No offense intended, but I think you should have a look at some of the reliability comments scattered throughout this forum. I love VW's - they are great to drive and seem solid and quality built - but niggly issues abound. Rattles, leaks, weird noises.... VW mark their cars up because they are supposed to be quality vehicles - but unfortunately the reality is they have some bad oversights. I was hoping that a return to Germany would make the finish and build quality improve. No-one wants to spend that much and have their car in the workshop month after month (like I did with my beetle initially... 14 visits back to the dealer in the first 6 months!)
It's a shame I really shouldn't have to consider another make of car at all - I wish I could just make a confident choice and choose a golf straight up.
Hmmm..... a little more procrastinating coming up for me I think

[nicandlance]

Yes I'm a manual girl...like to 'drive' a car! (and like you, I am also on the Mazda forum)
I have driven the 118tsi - excellent. The performance is so much better than the Mazda, but Mazda reliability seems to be better (we also have a 10 year old Astina - excellent car, and never a problem). Mazda also offer many more things as standard - particularly on the maxx sport.
It's so confusing!!! Growwwllll!

[pologti18t]

Could the reliability issues we are reading about on this forum be more likely on the earlier Golf VI build cars? I would have thought that the later build car would be better.

[oileoi]

I test drive both cars the Mazda Maxx Sport and the VW 118 TSI and to be honest i'll stick with VW the interior and the cabin were so much better than the Mazda. The VW just felt somehow much more luxurious

[MaccaTSI]

I drove the Maxx Sport prior to buying my 118TSI as well.

Maxx Sport is a great little car, but the Golf just feels classy and expensive while still being sporty and fun to drive.

The interior is just so far above anything else in its class. Honestly, even my Dad's SLK 350 interior doesn't feel as nice since we got the Golf and it's the limited edition Designo version with all the extras and nice bits (I haven't told him that yet hehe)

Also, another point when comparing the cars is servicing. I'm not sure what the Mazda costs or how regular the service interval is, but the first Golf service is 1yr/15,000km and I'm pretty sure it keeps going at that interval..

[Frankenstrat]

Nicandlance, what you're going through is a classic head vs heart debate. Head says Mazda, heart says Golf.

If you compare the previous model Mazda3 with the Golf MkVI it's a really tough call. However the current Mazda3 is as ugly as sin, that grinning mouth makes it look like a cartoon car.

And the winner is... Heart by the narrowest of margins.

[DGR]

Yes I'm a manual girl...like to 'drive' a car! (and like you, I am also on the Mazda forum)
I have driven the 118tsi - excellent. The performance is so much better than the Mazda, but Mazda reliability seems to be better (we also have a 10 year old Astina - excellent car, and never a problem). Mazda also offer many more things as standard - particularly on the maxx sport.
It's so confusing!!! Growwwllll!

Have you driven the SP25? So far I've tried a 2.0litre Mazda 3 and the 90TSI, but of course if you're thinking 118TSI then only the SP25 is a fair comparison and about the same price too.
Test driving is loads of fun, so make sure you try them all!

And while it's confusing, it's nice confusing... like choosing which Tim Tams to buy in the supermarket...

Nicandlance, what you're going through is a classic head vs heart debate. Head says Mazda, heart says Golf.

If you compare the previous model Mazda3 with the Golf MkVI it's a really tough call. However the current Mazda3 is as ugly as sin, that grinning mouth makes it look like a cartoon car.

And the winner is... Heart by the narrowest of margins.

Yeah, I kind of agree, although I'd always thought of head saying Golf (more fuel efficient, more traditional design) and heart saying Mazda (sexier and more fun)....... proving again how close the decision is!

I wish more people would choose Golfs in colours other than white and silver though. Round my way it's like they don't make them. And red is faster!!!

[pologti18t]

The MAzda has 6 monthly servicing...

[Frankenstrat]

DGR, while I agree that red cars certainly do go a lot faster, white is the more sensible choice in our climate *if* the vehicle has to sit in the open for long periods.

You may not have noticed, but red fades faster than any other colour (the term is 'fugitive'). Just look at any older signs around town and you'll see the red paint fading quicker than any other colour. The sign on the front of the building where I work in Rockingham is a good example.

Maybe that's why you guys in red cars have to drive them so fast, because in a year or two's time it will have faded to grey!