You have to determine first factors that you consider/value such as:
- resale value? - honda has an edge
- performance? - Jazz 1.3 vs. Mazda3 1.6, Mazda 3 handles like a dream
- fuel economy? - Jazz no doubt
- space? - Jazz seems to have better space utilization but the Mazda is still a full-size sedan.
- city or highway driving? - both are quiote easy to drive (the JAzz has the advantage of size in the city), on long trips the Mazda may be better due to it's heft.
The Mazda3 HB rides better and has better seats than the Jazz. You'll know this very well if you drive longer distances. Mazda3 also handles better with nice feedback from the car. The Jazz's power steering feels disconnected from the road, kinda feels driving one of those racing video games.
The Jazz (as mentioned above) gets better fuel economy because of its engine and its lighter weight as well.
Honda gets better resale value BUT if you are buying your Mazda3 HB from the used car market, you might actually get a better deal (as compared to the Jazz).
Cargo capacity... its basically a hit and miss here. The Jazz can fit more stuff for a car of its size BUT the Mazda3 HB can still get more things inside simply because the Mazda3 is a bigger vehicle.
Resale value... the Mazda3 may not have the "Honda" cachet, but resale value isn't actually bad.
The Mazda3 is a much better car, inside and out, except in terms of fuel economy and power... while the Jazz is kind of fun to drive, tama nga si gh, it's like driving a video game. The newer Jazzes have heavier steering but it's still kinda disconnected... the Mazda3, however, is pleasing to drive in all aspects (again, except for the lack of power).
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Cargo capacity... its basically a hit and miss here. The Jazz can fit more stuff for a car of its size BUT the Mazda3 HB can still get more things inside simply because the Mazda3 is a bigger vehicle.
Sorry but I beg to differ here. This is the very reason why I chose Jazz over the Mazda Hatch when I was shopping for a car.
The Jazz holds a way lot more than the Mazda Hatch. Even if the Mazda is a bigger car, the Jazz ULT seats and high roof line clearly is the winner here. Sure you could still put a lot of stuff inside the Mazda but not the big ones. I once had to load a 29" inch TV and a very big and long Caha de Oro with no problems at all.
The Mazda is a very good car, no mistake about it. Some find it a bit underpowered but I find it just ok for city driving. The seats are comfortable.
In spite of the steering feedback of the Jazz, it is still fun to drive, specially the CVT. Very economical and if you get the VTEC engine, very responsive.
IMO, you need to see the strengths of each car and see what you really need. Test drive both to get a real feel.
Honda Jazz w/ seats up 21.3 cubic feet w/ seats folded 41.9
passenger volume 90.0 cubic feet
If you feel that you will carry cargo more than people then the Jazz may be better along with it's fuel economy. But if you value passenger space more than cargo capacity along with driving feel then the Mazda 3 is the better vehicle.
__________________ Rides: 2005 Nissan Xterra SE 4x4 and 2006 Dodge Magnum SE.
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The rear torsion beam axle of the Jazz is still independent, the center beam just twists (kaya siya tinatawag na torsion beam) to place each wheel properly on the ground. In addition it's also a trailing arm type of suspension.
Agreed, it's not performance based, but what it lacks in performance it can carry inside.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mguy
In spite of the steering feedback of the Jazz, it is still fun to drive, specially the CVT. Very economical and if you get the VTEC engine, very responsive.
What's wrong with the steering feedback of the Jazz? IMO (we have one) it's actually well weighted and very handy dahil maliit yung size ng steering wheel. Only complaint ko sa Jazz is when you run over a bump, matagtag masyado. The front MacPherson strut doesn't handle it well.
What's wrong with the steering feedback of the Jazz? IMO (we have one) it's actually well weighted and very handy dahil maliit yung size ng steering wheel. Only complaint ko sa Jazz is when you run over a bump, matagtag masyado. The front MacPherson strut doesn't handle it well.
Well, at first, you get the feel that you're just playing Playstation with the feedback sort of feels 'synthetic'. But as you drive along, it really quite comfortable and responsive. Some people are just used to the heavier feedback of power steering when turning into a corner.
True, the suspension leaves much to be desired. Just last weekend, I had a trip to a rough road in Tagaytay and I felt the front suspension rattling. But when you drive in say EDSA or the highways, tahimik nya at very smooth.
The steering issue is just for those of us who are used to the good stuff.
The beauty of Mazda steering isn't in the weight, although it is ungodly heavy sometimes, it's in the way it transmits road conditions and tire activity to the fingertips. When I'm driving a new Honda Jazz or Civic, the only clue to the lack of front end grip when I've got the wheel turned over is the fact that the car is headed straight into the weeds instead of turning like I want it to. That's why a lot of newbie drivers (from what I've seen) put new Honda Cities into the weeds... lack of feedback and overconfidence... as the car seems to be very sharp and doing what you want it to do, when in fact, it can bite you without warning.
In a Mazda, the steering will feed those subtle cue that'll tell you when you're okay, when you're pushing it, and when you're close to going over the line. It's confidence building, and it does have some real benefits on the road. Just two blocks in a Mazda3 or a Mazda6 (sublime, that one) will show you the benefits... or even in an Accord, which has better steering than the current Jazz and Civic. In a Focus, for example, which suffers from tire-induced understeer (heavy car, bad tires), it's easy to correct mistakes because you can feel the front end giving way right away, instead of waiting for your butt and eyes to tell you you're not going in the direction you want to go.
True, once you get used to the light steering, the Jazz can be lots of fun, but that lack of communication is what makes the Jazz to me a very good car and not a great one. A very good car will make a drive exciting, a great one will make it sensual...
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The steering issue is just for those of us who are used to the good stuff.
The beauty of Mazda steering isn't in the weight, although it is ungodly heavy sometimes, it's in the way it transmits road conditions and tire activity to the fingertips. When I'm driving a new Honda Jazz or Civic, the only clue to the lack of front end grip when I've got the wheel turned over is the fact that the car is headed straight into the weeds instead of turning like I want it to. That's why a lot of newbie drivers (from what I've seen) put new Honda Cities into the weeds... lack of feedback and overconfidence... as the car seems to be very sharp and doing what you want it to do, when in fact, it can bite you without warning.
In a Mazda, the steering will feed those subtle cue that'll tell you when you're okay, when you're pushing it, and when you're close to going over the line. It's confidence building, and it does have some real benefits on the road. Just two blocks in a Mazda3 or a Mazda6 (sublime, that one) will show you the benefits... or even in an Accord, which has better steering than the current Jazz and Civic. In a Focus, for example, which suffers from tire-induced understeer (heavy car, bad tires), it's easy to correct mistakes because you can feel the front end giving way right away, instead of waiting for your butt and eyes to tell you you're not going in the direction you want to go.
True, once you get used to the light steering, the Jazz can be lots of fun, but that lack of communication is what makes the Jazz to me a very good car and not a great one. A very good car will make a drive exciting, a great one will make it sensual...
Come to think of it, I don't recall feeling the road that much with the steering wheel as I'm used to with our cars here (both MB). Maybe when I fly back I'll give it a try again, but that's still in June
Then again, maybe I did feel it, maybe because of the 17's my dad put on the Jazz...?
Mazda 3 hatchback or Honda Jazz???
Rides: 2005 Nissan Xterra SE 4x4 and 2006 Dodge Magnum SE. 
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