Topic: CTC Review: 2010 Testfest

[gord_boyd]

I count six wins & two 2nds for VW Group.  Almost beat Mazda 3 with the Golf.

That is pretty impressive and scoring for ZDX & MDX quite low (Acura have their work cut out for them).

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Mazda3 > Golf no doubt because of the 2.5 I5, and perhaps pricing/features. Again, want to see the scoring.


The scoring is right here.  The 3 won by 1 point!

http://www.ajac.ca/web/ccoty/2010/comparison_category.asp?cat=64

Fascinating seeing the individual scores for each item (and the number of those that get rated) for each car. Now I understand what Wing meant by this being a hectic tiring experience!

So it could be said that the Mazda3 beat the Golf because of....the emissions score  

A person could go mad analyzing and comparing cars using the details within the overall ratings.    It surprised me that the reviewers found the Golf's engine performance ratings with the 2.5L 5 cylinder to be way better than the Mazda Sport?   

How does that even compute? Golf outscored it in nearly every category... the few it didn't appeared to be weighted (too?) high.

[Jaeger]

That's a couple impressive category wins for the Mazda 3.  Only the perennial favourite of the automotive scribes - the Golf GTI - broke up the triple play.  Kudos to Mazda.  Fix that ugly mug and they will really be on to something.

Jaeger

[rrocket]

That's a couple impressive category wins for the Mazda 3.  Only the perennial favourite of the automotive scribes - the Golf GTI - broke up the triple play.  Kudos to Mazda.  Fix that ugly mug and they will really be on to something.

Jaeger

Indeed....

[dougjp]

That's a couple impressive category wins for the Mazda 3.  Only the perennial favourite of the automotive scribes - the Golf GTI - broke up the triple play.  Kudos to Mazda.  Fix that ugly mug and they will really be on to something.

Jaeger

Indeed....

Just a thought, could a body shop simply paint it to match the body colour, and then put 3m or some protector over that? Would it fix the problem sufficiently? Wonder how much that would cost.... I remember some Acura dealers did that with the new TL shield. Anyone good with photoshop here?

What's with these designers these days anyway? 

[Triple Bob]

That's a couple impressive category wins for the Mazda 3.  Only the perennial favourite of the automotive scribes - the Golf GTI - broke up the triple play.  Kudos to Mazda.  Fix that ugly mug and they will really be on to something.

Jaeger

Indeed....

Just a thought, could a body shop simply paint it to match the body colour, and then put 3m or some protector over that? Would it fix the problem sufficiently? Wonder how much that would cost.... I remember some Acura dealers did that with the new TL shield. Anyone good with photoshop here?

What's with these designers these days anyway? 

In black it's a pretty good looking car. It hides the face quite well, the equivalent of a Mazda burka.

[Ontariodriver]

I surprised that you would pick the Mazda 3 considering it is the same car as previous model. Just a different body and few enhancements. It's hardly new car really.   

[wing]

Have you driven it?  Interior is vastly improved and compared to the competition back-to-back it was a no brainer.

[Shnak]

He's not disputing that it's a good car, he's saying it's not a new car...

I have to say I'm surprised to see that the Golf scored better than the Mazda3 for engine smoothness and refinement. I thought the main problem of the Golf's 2.5L is that it sounds coarse? Most reviews usually point this out and call the engine unrefined. How come it beat all others in the over $21k category for engine smoothness/refinement? Or was this problem fixed for 2010?

[Ontariodriver]

Have you driven it?  Interior is vastly improved and compared to the competition back-to-back it was a no brainer.

Yes. It drives just like the Euro Focus. But it is old car made new again. I don't think it should count IMO. Also the design is dated. Sure I will admit it looks new here. But really it looks like a 90's Peugeot. 

[Railton]

Lots of allocades for VW. I guess congratulations are in order. I guess it's also safe to assume they've got those premature burned out tail bulbs finally fixed and the next time I see a car on fire on the side of the road it won't be a VW?
Railton

[Frontier1]

I surprised that you would pick the Mazda 3 considering it is the same car as previous model. Just a different body and few enhancements. It's hardly new car really.   

I've driven old and new several times, the similarity in looks is the only thing they share.  The new is vastly superior.

[dougjp]

Lots of allocades for VW. I guess congratulations are in order. I guess it's also safe to assume they've got those premature burned out tail bulbs finally fixed and the next time I see a car on fire on the side of the road it won't be a VW?
Railton

Actually, I've never seen one on fire, not on the road or at the track in 45+ years. However the tail light bulbs? Well, NOT a big problem. Due to popular demand resulting in volume buying by retailers, we can get a 2 pack at CTC for $ 10- 

There is no joy either when kicking someone's car door. Unlike a certain other manufacturer where you can gain access to a locked car and steal them blind, all you get with a VW is a sore foot. I guess its safe to assume Mazda got that little problem fixed? 

[rrocket]

There is no joy either when kicking someone's car door. Unlike a certain other manufacturer where you can gain access to a locked car and steal them blind, all you get with a VW is a sore foot. I guess its safe to assume Mazda got that little problem fixed? 

People don't target VWs for theft.  They're too worried about getting stranded with electrical issues...   

[dougjp]

There is no joy either when kicking someone's car door. Unlike a certain other manufacturer where you can gain access to a locked car and steal them blind, all you get with a VW is a sore foot. I guess its safe to assume Mazda got that little problem fixed? 

People don't target VWs for theft.  They're too worried about getting stranded with electrical issues...   

Ha ha, touche! 

[Railton]

My posting was not meant to be a jab at VW, just mt perception. If I wanted to be nasty I would have mentioned premature failing of Clutch cables.
Railton

[TopGun]

I'm liking the Audi S4 more and more each time I see one.

At first, I dismissed it because of the lack of the V8...that sounded soooo good.  Now, I see it won its category and I also see that Car and Driver picked it over the RWD 335i...pretty impressive.

Hey...I can also get one in Red with a Red tone interior...cool.  $60,000...ouch...well...maybe not.

[Vil]

My posting was not meant to be a jab at VW, just mt perception. If I wanted to be nasty I would have mentioned premature failing of Clutch cables.
Railton

An RX-8 owner talking smack about reliability?- only on the internet lol.

FYI The Rabbit is one of the most relialbe small cars according to Consumer Reports.  The Mazda3 isn't even in the top ten.

[Spheric]

Points should be deducted for any vehicle that does not connect the driver's dashboard instrument lighting to the rear lights. I'm tired of following Toyota/Hondas in stealth mode during the long winter evenings on the 401.

I'm surprised the Elantra Touring did not out-score the Mazda 3. Having test driven the former, I thought it represented an amazing value proposition.

[Triple Bob]

Points should be deducted for any vehicle that does not connect the driver's dashboard instrument lighting to the rear lights. I'm tired of following Toyota/Hondas in stealth mode during the long winter evenings on the 401.

There are ghost cars all over these highways!