What is a better car for the money a new Mazda3 Speed or a VW GTI?

Question

I cant decide between these two cars which one will be a better buy?

Answer 1

go for the mazda 3...

test drive em both.

Answer 2

I would opt for the Mazdaspeed 3, probably a faster ride.

I've driven the GTI, it's nice, but the R32 is quicker.

Answer 3

Get the VW.

Reasons being...it is more economical on gas.  The GTI gets 23/32 (manual) and 25/32 (DSG).  The MS3 only gets 18/26.  

The interior is put together much better.  The quality materials are just great.  Plus it has that great door sound when you close the door.  Tons of great options that are standard on the GTI.  I love the 6 airbags standard, the 6 disc in dash changer standard.  

You get two great transmissions to choose from. Either the manual transmission which is so smooth or the ultra cool DSG which is the fastest shifting automatic transmission and being duplicated and copied by everyone now.  Mitsubishi has a version of DSG.  Nissan has a version of DSG.  Porsche has a version of DSG.  On and on.

You have a choice of two door or four door.  If you like the two door, you can get that.  Or the four door.  You dont get a choice w/the MS3.

More wheels options than you can shake a stick at.  There are so many choices for wheels with the GTI.  You have like 6 choices of 17's and 6 choices of 18's.  It's great to have options.

It has been selected the Automobile Car of the Year in 2007.  It was also awarded best 2.0 Liter motor in 2007.  It's also currently in Car and Driver's Top Ten so you know it's no slouch.

Also I believe it shares a 5 star crash rating like the Jetta does so it's safe.

Personally, my opinion on the Mazda is that they are not put together very well, they are cheaply made.  Granted it's faster out of the box, but a performance chip would make it a close race.

Get the GTI.  You'll be glad you did.  It's an all around package...not just fast.

Answer 4

get the vw. I promise, it will be the best decision. more performance, more reliability, and better overall shape. one of the best hatchbacks. the vw is turbocharged with a sports gear, and i think its triptronic with a Japanese fsi engine. the mazda only has like 140 hp, so thats a huge diference to vw 200. better interior for vw. bad for mazda. it will tear quick if u get leather. you will have problems with the mazda later on, in terms of reliability. so i think u should get the vw

Answer 5

I aumme since these are the only 2 choices and you love hatches then the Speed3. The interior quality is very good regardless of what the other poster said. It's for sure quicker and a better buy. The Speed3 won car of the year in 2007 i believe and it's hailed to be an amazing car for the money. I personally don't like wagons and an arrogant *** kid had one that he crashed but still i respect them...just as i respect WRX's but don't like them.

If you like power the Speed3 is the way to go.  

Answer 6

I haven't driven the GTI, but I took out a Mazdaspeed Mazda 3 a few weeks ago.  Oh my goodness, was that a fantastic ride.   The price wasn't bad, either.

The VW better have a ton of that supposed superior German handling, or the comparison won't even be close.

Car and Driver compared a bunch of pocket rockets.  The 3 blew them all away.

Answer 7

By the way the Mazda has 263hp and 280 ft/lbs torque and the GTI has 200hp and 207 ft/lbs torque. They also get 24 and 25 mpg overall.

I would pick the Mazda. Every review of the two and comparisons I've read say the mazda is better. It is a bit quicker with both going high 5 sec.'s to 60mph and the mazda brakes better. Also the VW has a long clutch travel which you don't want on a car like this. Both handle well. Also they are the same price for both the base trim lines and top ones so don't let price influence your decision. Hope this helped :)