[Liquid_o2]

Does anyone know the difference between the tests that the IIHS and NHTSA conduct?

Looking at the 2013 Mazda 3 Hatch:

NHTSA has it at 4/5 stars overall, but only 3/5 for side crash, and only 2/5 for passenger rear seat side impact.
2013 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD | Safercar -- NHTSA (http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/5-Star+Safety+Ratings/2011-Newer+Vehicles/Vehicle-Detail?vehicleId=7185)

The IIHS has the car as a Top Safety Pick and is scored "Good" or "Acceptable" for side impact and rear side impact.
Vehicle details (http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mazda/3-4-door-hatchback/2013)

The scores between the two tests seem completely different, and not sure which one to trust more. Is the IIHS less stringent on their crash tests? Opinions?

[StanleyR]

Don't buy a Mazda3 dude. Noisy as fuck and cheaply made (for the premium your paying).

If you can drive a stick, get a manual Focus. You'll save thousands in purchasing and it'll have at least as many options (probably more) than a Mazda3.

As for safety, don't worry, it's pretty about the same for both

[entrax]

ask this guy:

[Liquid_o2]

Don't buy a Mazda3 dude. Noisy as fuck and cheaply made (for the premium your paying).

If you can drive a stick, get a manual Focus. You'll save thousands in purchasing and it'll have at least as many options (probably more) than a Mazda3.

As for safety, don't worry, it's pretty about the same for both

I'm not buying a Mazda 3 so don't worry. Didn't answer my question, but thanks anyways I guess?

[entrax]

this should help:

NHTSA
-side-impact first component: 3000lb vehicle@38.5mph + second component: pole @ 20mph


IIHS
-side-impact SUV-like barrier @ 31mph
-"The sled employed to "T-bone" the stationary test vehicle has the height and mass of a car, not an SUV or a pickup truck. This tends to minimize its intrusion into the cabin — making it a best-case scenario." -http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=safe&subject=crash&story=crashKnow

[Liquid_o2]

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. NHTSA impacts at a higher speed, thus their safety ratings will be lower than that of IIHS depending on the car.

[ilvtofu]

Don't buy a Mazda3 dude. Noisy as fuck and cheaply made (for the premium your paying).

If you can drive a stick, get a manual Focus. You'll save thousands in purchasing and it'll have at least as many options (probably more) than a Mazda3.

As for safety, don't worry, it's pretty about the same for both

I disagree, the current gen Mazda 3 is a lot more refined than the current gen Focus. Current gen Mazda 3 is fairly priced provided you don't go GT. Don't go GT.
They gave me a brand new 2015 Focus for 2.5 months as a courtesy car and I always checked if my windows/doors were properly closed, I think the door seals were just crap. The Focus would creak going over speed bumps and parking lot entrance ramps too.

[mos_skeeto]

I agree with ilvtofu. I mean you can see Mazda cutting a few corners last gen but it's still fairly solid and I had no mechanical problems whatsoever.

[toehook]

What's wrong with the current Mazda 3 GT?

[a00755836]

What's wrong with the current Mazda 3 GT?
i find it expensive and just doesn't excite me very much. if you were looking for a compact car with good crash ratings, i think the 2016 civic is the better choice.

[Berzerker]

How bad of a driver are you that "crash ratings" factor in on your purchasing a vehicle??? :suspicious:

Berz out.

[jinxcrusader]

Maybe OP goes to Richmond a lot and he's more worried he might end up BEING the dollar store/The One Cafe

[Timpo]

yeah Mazda 3 is awesome, get it

http://cdn.snsimg.carview.co.jp/minkara/userstorage/000/016/235/281/fae03059d6.jpg
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/sakobe/imgs/b/5/b5ff7b55.jpg
http://www.knightsports.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_0024.png?140832

[jinxcrusader]

The Knight Sports body kit looks really nice. I remember you posted that before Timpo. I'm a big fan of their Mazda 6 one.

[xXSupa]

How bad of a driver are you that "crash ratings" factor in on your purchasing a vehicle??? :suspicious:

Berz out.

It's not always about how good or bad YOU are... And plus, there's nothing wrong with having a safer car in case something does happen. Cars can be replaced, lives cannot.

[Mr.Stubbz]

^ granted, modern cars are so safe nowadays that unless that you're getting into a crash going 100+km/hr or anything of the sort, its pretty impossible to die or be permanently be injured because of it.