Mazda3 vs. 128i?

[MINIz guy]

I am comparing two very different cars but for some reason I like both. I test drove a 2012 Mazda3i Touring with the Skyactiv engine and manual transmission. It was my first time driving a manual (I had a 10 minute lesson from a friend a few weeks before) and the salesman even taught me on the spot. I loved the short throws and the notchy shifts! However, the light steering really left me disappointed. Is there anything I can do about the steering?

I'm expecting to do autocross and maybe some track days with whatever car I end up with. What worries me is that the Mazda3 won't perform as well as the RWD BMW; I'm not looking for speed but handling.

What do you guys think about the Mazda3 vs. a 128i in terms of autocross fun?

The reason I'm choosing the Mazda3 is because it is reviewed as the best handling hatch compared to its competitors.

 

[SkyActiv]

If you're thinking of getting a 128i you might as well go looking for a 370Z. They cost the same and you'd have more fun in the Z as opposed to the 128i.
If you wanted the Mazda3 it would be a MazdaSpeed3, not the SkyActiv. The Speed3 is about $7000 cheaper than the 128i and puts out more power/torque at the same curb weight. Like you said above, it is a very fun hatch to drive.

 

[MINIz guy]

Yea, I'm weird like this. I like the 2 rear seats in the 128i and the 370Z is much to "boy racer" for me. I also feel that the Mazdaspeed3 will be too much car for me and too much engine for a FWD car. I'm going to check out a few VW's today and see if they restore the BMW steering feel I love.

 

[nasa779]

i wouldnt worry too too much about the car, most of autox is the driver.

we have a POS pontiac vibe up here thats on coilovers and beats all but 1 other bmw that we see at our autocross track. we have a older mazda3 2L too thats on coilovers and semi slicks and he does extremely well too

coming from a 2011 mazdaspeed, there really isnt a ton of torque steer even at 280whp and 300ftlbs, or i just got used to it. oh, and the steering feels much better in the speed imo

 

[flatlander937]

I love my Mazda3... like you I also am a big fan of the BMW 1 series.

I get to drive a little bit of everything at the dealer I work at(big used car dealer... all makes and models)... and work on everything too.

BMWs are very reliable, their one big issue seems to be cooling system problems. Thermostats, water pumps, hoses, etc.

Mazdas are pretty awesome all around... one thing I've noticed is they seem to need the passenger seat weight sensor recalibrated from time to time... but I think this is mostly due to people putting tons of crap in the seat for super long periods of time, throwing off the base reading.

I have an 09 MZ3... I like the first gen better than the second gen... and honestly haven't driven any non-Mazdaspeed 2nd gen MZ3s that I can recall.... so can't comment on the steering issue.


Any modern VW/Audi is probably the most unreliable heap of crap you can buy though... anything and everything goes wrong on them, and you have to bend over further and further for each repair. If you're buying new, ditch it as soon as the basic warranty runs out, and you'll be fine(whistle) The only thing less reliable are Chrysler products... though they are generally not major issues, just little things that piss you off or throw a check engine light, etc. VWs have wire harnesses break in the door panels($$$), turbo failures($$$), major problems with everything in the dash($$$), and all kinds of other goofy s***.

You know why the Audi symbol is 4 rings?
-Because if you buy one, you're married to that b****.



edit: Don't take my post 100% to heart, as I love the way VWs drive overall, but I have had to fix way too many major failures of stuff on them to ever even consider buying one.

 

[_Chris]

On the steering on the 3, No there is not really anything you can do about it. It uses a electric steering so you wont get that "feed back" you would get with the BMW. On a auto cross I bet the two cars would be very close to the same time with the BMW being slightly faster. But you may be able to get that back with seat time but the added cost of the BMW would sway me to the Mazda as a daily driver.