2010 Suzuki SX4 Sedan or 2010 Mazda3. Which to get?

[hchang]

Which would seem like the better choice?

Both have 0% financing.
The Suzuki SX4 Sedan has the top of the line package (sport package)
The Mazda3 is just the basics, with power window and air conditioning.

Moneywise would work out to be roughly the same.
Both are 4 Cylinders, and 2.0L

I test drove the Suzuki and Mazda, and both have CVT shifting, which I really liked.
Suzuki - Felt like the engine always couldn't find the right gear to take advantage of the engines horsepower, so I tried the manual paddleshifting, which was fun, but seems like a cheap car trying to be an expensive car.

Loved the feeling that it was a sedan, but all the seats inside are higher, with a lot of head room as well.

Mazda3 - The engine felt a lot more powerful, but the CVT shifting didn't seem to catch on quick enough or something. I slowed down for a right turn at a green light while in manual shifting mode, so when I started to brake for the turn, I was shifting it back to first, while turning it felt like it had no power, and its a different feeling than it just being a FWD.

Loved the interior of the Mazda3, not a big fan of the outside styling. (Preferred the old one better) but didn't really like the fact that the front windshield is really small, and being a pretty tall guy, I had limited visibility.

Which one seems like the better choice, and which one would you choose?
Keeping in mind of reliability, fuel efficiency, looks, easy to mod?

Thanks so much!

[?NR]

Sounds like CVT is a big deciding factor for your choices. Mazda3 would be more mainstream and thus more support. SX4 is a comparable unit, however not much support even from the dealer level.

Richmond Suzuki - forget them.
Jim Pattison - by far the the largest
Orca Bay - never dealt with them
North Van Suzuki - never dealt with them

Mazda - everywhere.

out of those 2 choices, I have to choose Mazda 3. (althought I dislike the big happy look on new mazdas)

but it is ultimately going to be your car, you pretty much know what you like and don't like about each car already. Hard decision eh?

[hchang]

^ Yes sir its a fun factor to have.
Basically gives me the advantage of both standard and automatic right?
Easy to drive in city when lazy, better control over car for when needed.

The SX4 had a better outside, but not so appealing inside in my opinion, whereas the Mazda had better interior, but not so good exterior.

Mazda offers Bumper to Bumper warranty up to 60,000 kms and 100,000 powertrain warranty whereas Suzuki offers 66,000 (or something like that) rust free warranty, and maintenance if I remember correctly.

I went to Richmond Suzuki... are they a bad repped dealership or something?
The only reason why I'm considering the SX4 is cause its a decent bang for the buck, fuel efficient and exterior looks great I guess.

[!Aznboi128]

Have you considered the sentra? It too I believe has a cvt option and it's a pretty good car, the sx4 has the awd option which is nice too have but does take from the fuel consumption. However if your comparing the sedans the sx4 sedan looks a bit awkward the wagon/hatch looks better imo.

Oh if not the versa's kinda same size as the sx4 but slightly less power but better pricing.
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[hchang]

I have considered the sentra, but it doesn't look as good imo unless its type s. Which would hurt the wallet quite a bit.

The normal sx4 sedan looks like shit but the one I'm considering is top of the line sport package, which a small spoiler which kind of makes the rear look like a 2008 impreza sedan.

The AWD would be useless to me, as I just do city driving to and from school, plus the once a week or so highway run.

[!Aznboi128]

Ah ic ic, yah the sentra does get pricy. What about hyundai? The elentra isn't bad lol
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[hchang]

I was actually also considering the elantra... corolla look on the outside, civic look on the inside... great minds think alike haha :P

But the big Hyundai sign was a big turn off for me.
I think it's just a biased thing that I don't really trust Korean brands.

[!Aznboi128]

Yah but it's pretty good lol, and I test drove the kia forte. It was really good, tho only 2 doors and it's dirty cheap and it looks great!
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[hchang]

Oh and on a side note, does anybody know if ICBC appraisals are still valid to be argued a week after?

ICBC wrote off my car and offered me a price that I found unreasonable, so I found a bunch of ads and faxed it over. I don't know what I was thinking but I forgot it util just now. This should've been settled about last week.

[?NR]

the Sx4's 2.0 inline 4 comes alive with a manual, but that's not what you are looking for.

My opinion is somewhat biased in regards to CVTs, as I find them weird to drive.

*floor it..oooo 7k rpm,and... it...stays there* It's a scooter on 4 wheels

jokes aside Richmond Suzuki lacks alot of, shall we say, commitment?

I've worked under Mr. Tom Glen before from Auto Gallery Regina, who owns Richmond Subaru, Richmond Suzuki, Vancouver and Richmond Kia. From my personal experience, and his business practices, it eventually funnels down to the consumer: you.

If it's a Suzuki you want, and as an honest opinion, you are better off with other dealers.

not bad stock wise, but check out www.roadracemotorsports.com for some aftermarket modding choices/ideas. Have yoy considered the upcoming Kizashi? http://www.suzuki.ca/suzuki/assets/c...ease110509.pdf


oh,side note: CVT (continuously variable transmission) is not steptronic. CVT is belt driven, much like a scooter and pulleys. Steptronic/tiptronic is more of a conventional automatic with the ability to override the transmission controller, enabling the driver to select their own gears.

[jing]

Originally Posted by hchang

I test drove the Suzuki and Mazda, and both have CVT shifting, which I really liked.
Suzuki - Felt like the engine always couldn't find the right gear to take advantage of the engines horsepower, so I tried the manual paddleshifting, which was fun, but seems like a cheap car trying to be an expensive car.

Of course not, it's a CVT!

[?NR]

Originally Posted by hchang

Oh and on a side note, does anybody know if ICBC appraisals are still valid to be argued a week after?

ICBC wrote off my car and offered me a price that I found unreasonable, so I found a bunch of ads and faxed it over. I don't know what I was thinking but I forgot it util just now. This should've been settled about last week.

did you accept the offer and sign off on it already? guessing no since you are faxing stuff over.

You can negotiate with them, to a point that if they won't bunch anymore you may choose 3rd party arbitration but that is a double-edged sword.

[hchang]

What can the other Suzuki dealers offer that differ?
I thought all warranty and stuff was done up to the manufacturer, no?

What would be the main disadvantages of CVT? I wiki'd it and the only two disadvantages it showed was :
In vehicles, without intervening electronics, a CVT will go to high revs on wide throttle opening. The increase in noise can be disquieting.[1]
CVTs are not as capable of handling torque as other transmission systems.[citation needed]

which both I don't find too big of a deal.

Originally Posted by !NiteRaven

did you accept the offer and sign off on it already? guessing no since you are faxing stuff over.

You can negotiate with them, to a point that if they won't budge anymore you may choose 3rd party arbritration but that is a double-edged sword.

I faxed stuff over, but I have already released the car to them... fuck.
So I guess I'm fucked eh?
After I faxed them the ads I found, I called back but the dude that handles my case left for 5 days, and then just completely forgot about it.
Whats a 3rd party arbritration?

[?NR]

http://www.icbc.com/claims/repair_replace/writeoff

see section 2 & 4

actually, here's what you can do :

http://www.icbc.com/claims/claim_com...riables._frag_

[?NR]

bigger dealerships such as Jim Pattison has bigger store, bigger staff, thus more resources to help you.

[smk]

New Mazda 3 drives very nice over bumps, feels very european... Interior quality is also very nice. Downside is the exterior styling

I would go for Mazda3 over SX4!

[TypeRNammer]

I don't recall the mazda 3 having CVT transmission.

[?NR]

poll enabled.

[hchang]

Originally Posted by !NiteRaven

poll enabled.

Thanks

Originally Posted by smk

New Mazda 3 drives very nice over bumps, feels very european... Interior quality is also very nice. Downside is the exterior styling

I would go for Mazda3 over SX4!

Thanks for your input! Is the Mazda3 moddable?

Originally Posted by TypeRNammer

I don't recall the mazda 3 having CVT transmission.

5-speed shiftable automatic

[StylinRed]

I was @ the gym and i saw this like Lime Green Hyundai drive by and it looked awesome (like futuristic).. i was like wtf??

and it turned out to be the Hyundai Tuscon i was so impressed you should consider it, they do have the best warranty



starts @ $23k 0% also

awd @ 26.7k

i know its more of an suv and might not be what your looking for but i would still consider it ^^

[RE-Jo]

i think you are mistaken CVT for tiptronic/sport-shift
CVT is the technology that allows the engine to always operate in the most effecient rpm range
white tiptronic is the feature that allows you to select the gears you want in an automatic car

[hchang]

Originally Posted by RE-Jo

i think you are mistaken CVT for tiptronic/sport-shift
CVT is the technology that allows the engine to always operate in the most effecient rpm range
white tiptronic is the feature that allows you to select the gears you want in an automatic car

Oh... well I know for sure the Suzuki is CVT, as stated in the brochure.

The Mazda Dealership didn't have brochures so I guess I just assumed that it was CVT.

[Lomac]

Originally Posted by hchang

Oh... well I know for sure the Suzuki is CVT, as stated in the brochure.

The Mazda Dealership didn't have brochures so I guess I just assumed that it was CVT.

*facepalm*

CVT and basic automatic transmissions are quite different. You should be able to hear/feel difference as you drive.

[orange7]

2010 Kia Forte Koup (starting at $19,950 -$750+(special offer) for the EX model)
-> very fuel efficient and enough power to beat vtec.











GET THE SX MODEL (fully loaded at $23,025 -$750+(special offer): sports seats, suspensions, etc.)

Different models: http://www.kia.ca/pages/showroom/Mod...odel=ForteKoup

full specification and features: http://www.kia.ca/pages/showroom/Fea...del=ForteKoup#

[asian_XL]

I can't believe people on RS suggest someone to buy a Kia or Hyundai.

Sooner or later, they are going to say "Chinese cars -> Korean cars -> Domestic -> Euro -> Japanes"