AltecLansing

does anyone know if mazda 3 or Lexus IS 300 has better handling, acceleration and safety features?

my friend is thinking to buy either a Mazda 3 or a second hand IS300. and is there a Mazda 3 owners site? is Mazda 3 a FR or FF car? how much is a fully loaded Mazda 3? minicopper S or Mazda 3 has better handling?

sorry for so many questions:p

btw, is there a V6 mazda3 with AWD coming soon?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

IS300

www.mazda3forums.com

FF

22k

Cooper S

not in the near future (v6 OR awd)

AltecLansing

thanks, zoomzoom, how about mini S or Rx8 has better handling?

bubble

Cooper S. The Cooper has a stiff suspension.
The Mazda 3 will be able to support awd but won't have it. It is using the same platform as a Volvo that will be equipped with AWD. It is also the platform for the next Focus.

RXE16T

Great choice of cars you have there!
Depends on what your friend is after.

Somewhat sporty looks and practicality defines the 3.
Go kart handling, all around fun and lack of practicality defines the Mini.
Bland styling, luxury equipment, quick straight line performace defines the IS.

Tell him to get a RX8 if he wants all the above!

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

actually the IS is no slouch either when the road gets twisty...

but I think RX-8 will trump all the cars mentioned here in the handling department.

AltecLansing

lol, thanks for all ur posts.

but one thing i am pretty sure is that RX8 has the worst MPG
:D

just came across from IS300.net, and found that their MPG isn't that good either...they are having 14~19mpg for city driving...have to check it again.

however, i have scanned through mini2 forum, and they are having 3X MPG and still complaing...
blah

jonnyb

i dont know about that. i think a mini S would give it a run for its money.

scorp76

The 3 is a very well equipped, quick, and good handling little car. You can get NAV, HID, leather, SAB/ABS, and tire pressure monitor for less than 22 (assuming they aren't still going for sticker). The 3 hatch (which is heavier than the sedan) tested in C&D hits 60 in 7.4 secs and pulls .87g, (both of which is right on the IS's @ss). It's safe to assume the sedan would be even quicker and maybe get even higher skidpad and shorter 70-0 numbers.

I have no love for the IS and nothing good to say about it. If I were you I'd talk him into getting the 3. Tell him all that, and throw in that it'd be NEW and he'd get a great warranty and loaner cars if he needed service.

pelucidor

I got 20mpg on my IS300 (average over 42k miles) and about 17mpg in my RX-8 (over 3500 miles). The RX-8 is quicker and much better handling than the IS300, and the fuel economy difference is trivial (although small tank in RX-8 was a pain).

One thing to watch out for - the IS300 will be replaced in 12-18 months so the current model might take a hit on residuals at that time.

Given the options you mention I would go with a new vehicle, especially one with the peace of mind of a 4 year/50k warranty (i.e. Mazda 3) vs any used car. The Mazda3 is the best looking small car in the USA (Europe has some better options from Alfa or Peugeot), the leather interior looks great, the dials/controls are superb and it probably has more space/practicality than the IS300 - the only drawbacks are FWD, possibly worse reliability and lastly less status (only important to some). I can't give driving opinions as I have never tried the Mazda3 or the Mini.

At this point in my life the only 'used' vehicles I would consider would be ones I desperately wanted like an E369 M5 or a 911 C4S or any Ferrari etc (or a 'throwaway' 3rd vehicle like a $4k Miata). Almost any new car is pretty damn good - why take a risk spending a lot of money on someone else's object of abuse.

AltecLansing

thanks for all ur suggestions! actually mini S is really "the one", in terms of performance... yet its base price is too high... a normally equipped mini s costs like 25k...at that price, u can get a Rx8 already, though they are 2 different kinds of cars.
actually his parents are the one who want to buy an IS, *** they think Lexus is reliable and have good warrnties .

So... i will tell my friend to go for a Mazda 3 instead of any other cars, most likely because of the price factor and outlook:D btw, whats the MPG of Mazda 3? and one more thing, Focus seems to be the only "competitor" in the USA, right? however, we really hate Focus's dashboard, outlook and stuffs...

rx-7~rx-8

3 and s40 are not the same... like 15% same.. other 85% there different, but volvo has twicked the s40 chassis to improve handling. The engine, powertrain, tranny, and the whole alot of things have been changed from the 4 and focus. In my family we own a volvo...

Pick the Mazda 3... its BRAND SPANKIN' NEW... and the IS300 would be used... and you would get more amentities...

OBryanRX8

I LIKE THE COOPER BUT I CANT FIT IN IT. I LOVE THE IS300 STYLING BUT THE EXCITEMENT IS NOT THERE THAT I GET FROM MAZDA. IS300 WAS SECOND CHOICE OVER THE 8 FOR ME BUT WITH YOUR CHOICES I WOULD PICK THE IS300.

JUST RESEARCH AND MAKE SURE YOU GET A GOOD COMPROMISE BETWEEN YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS.

Ike

How big are you, I fit in the Cooper better than I did the RX-8... I thought it was quite roomy for such a small car. It was a blast to drive as well.

Altec, I'm not sure but I think there might still be a waiting list on the Cooper S and I think MSRP is still standard. Something your friend might want to consider... But from a pure fun standpoint the Cooper S, or just plain old Mini will win hands down.

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

I'd take the Lexus IS anyday.....Inline 6, RWD and Toyota quality....mmmm...

Mazda 3? no thanks...FWD, questionable Ford stuff...I'm all set.

AltecLansing

cool, my friend and i has been reading though the mazda forum and IS forum for a few days, and fonud out that there are plenty of RECALLS for IS, which worries him a lot. and, for a second hand car, he afraids the reapir fee will be high... so he is still thinking.
i have also helped him to check the Mini forum, if ur gonna order one now, u have to wait like at least 3 months....amazing...and, its kind of expensive too...

Ike

Yep, still pretty high demand for the little buggers, and I've heard rumblings of reliability issues with them.

I wouldn't worry about reliability of the IS300, recalls doesn't mean it isn't reliable and if your friend buys a used one that hasn't had all the recalls it won't cost him anything to get them performed. My only gripe with them is they're just so mediocre in everything they do. Don't get me wrong, they are nice cars, but nice in the same sense that a BMW 325 is nice. That's just not for me, but maybe your friend isn't after the fastest of the best handling and just wants a good solid vehicle, which they certainly are.

Everything I've heard about the 3 is that's it's a very fun car to drive, but that's comparing it to other cars in it's category which doesn't mean a whole lot when comparing it to an IS300 or Cooper S. It's not going to be fast (zippy maybe), it's not going to be a great handler without some mods, but I'm sure it's a good car.

1SICKLEX

The 3 and IS, to me, the 3 and the protege remind me of the IS. So to me, the IS is the real deal. It is also more money but you can get one out the door 30k easy as dealers are dealing em. You get the legendary 2JZ, reliability, mods galore, Lexus panache and a very distictive interior. It is not as fast as some of the newer offerings and that distinctive interior is not for everyone. And the gas mileage is not the best. IS 300 is a great handling car stock, a magazine favorite with the auto or stick.

The 3 is new and offers a lot for the money. In reviews, I noticed some editors like the protege better. Not sure why though.

www.seloc.net, we got some great stock, modded and turbo and S/C IS 300s there and owners who will give you honest feedback.

I also think a used IS 300 is a great deal, as they are built rock solid.

noahprtlnd

You think the RX8 has bland styling?

Kushballah

yea um... i think he may not have realized he also said bland styling. least i hope not.

winbluerx8sport

that's like asking Focus or IS300...and it IS(focus and mazda 3 are smae car)

babylou

The Mini is quite nimble but still FWD so no easy throttle steer fun. The nimbleness comes from the extra harsh ride. Too harsh for me and I drive Miatas with the sport package. The Mini also has some reliability issues. Then there is the paucity of room. They do look cool though. Still I think I'd rather get an SVT Focus while they are still available.

shigginsrx8

I dont want to sound like a dick, but....

GET THE NET!!

Big_ton

No choice go for the IS. They are different level car