[blacksx87]

Unless you're getting the mazdaspeed 3 get the koup sx

 

[ShaksForteSX]

Topspin...idk why "steering feel" would be a disadvantage with the koup! I love the way it feels. The tightness and the fact that u touch the steering wheel and it turns a little bit. I love the responsiveness. I'm not sure what youre looking for in steering feel but my koup SX feels fantastic

 

[Goose]

Topspin, I think you're going about this in the right way - it's your decision and it'll be your car. Don't let strangers on the 'net push you into something you're not interested in.

I think the Mazda 3 is a very good car. I assume the "GX" you refer to is the Grand Touring level of trim, which has a nice level of features. If you like the look of the Mazda and the price is similar to the Kia, I think the Mazda is the smart choice between the two. Believe me, I really like Kia - I bought one! Not having lived with a Kia long-term, though, I'm not sure of the brand's reliability yet. After owning a Mazda, I can vouch for their reliability and the "zoom-zoom" nature of their cars - they really do drive well. For me, I just couldn't get over the Mazda's looks even after a year of ownership.

I'm also curious about the new Focus. If I had to guess, I'd say that the new Focus will be similar to the Mazda since Ford and Mazda share quite a bit of development. Hopefully the Ford has enough power...

 

[KoupDelux]

Unless you're getting the mazdaspeed 3 get the koup sx

I agree with this.
Ultimately, choose the car that puts the biggest smile on your face. For me, that was the Koup.

As for reliability- not an issue or concern with Kia. Educated consumers know Kia ranks higher than Mazda (and other mainstream automakers) on all major long-term reliability studies. Do your research.

 

[topspin]

The Mazda 3 GX is actually the base model. I'm looking at the sedan since I find it looks a lot better than the hatch.

I just got home from test driving the Kia Forte Koup. Unfortunately they only had the SX model. So yes, it had more power and a stiffer ride. But the shifting and overall feel was very similar to what I remember from my test drives in 2010. I like the overall feel of the car and found it softens bad roads better than the Elantra. However, guess what? I stalled it!!! I never stall cars. I drove standard for many years without a single stall. And yet, I've stalled this car a couple of times in test drives. It is even jumpy when shifting into 2 or 3rd if you're not careful with how you lift the clutch. That was very disappointing. Otherwise, it's a great car.

I then test drove the Mazda 3. I have to say it really does driver better. It handles the bad roads significantly better. The dash is nice but I like the lighting of the dash in the Kia.

Regarding steering feel, yes, the Kia feel is very good as well.

I'm still not sure what I will get. I am even re-considering the Elantra again.

I test drove the Focus last night. It does feel a lot like the Mazda 3. But the interior just feels tight to me. It also does not have the jump that you get with the M3 or the Kia. Overall I was disappointed with the Focus in terms of looks, interior room, dash and acceleration. The driving feel and cabin quietness is very good though.

I still have a couple of weeks to decide so will likely go bug some dealers for more test drives.

There is more to say but I am just so tired after work and car shopping so will just stop here.

 

[ShaksForteSX]

If u wanta stand out and have a nice car and have people look at the car and love it instantly, get a koup. If u want a standard car that's everywhere u look, get the Mazda. Obv it's your decision, but I doubt the Mazda 3 is THAT much better performance and feel wise. And with the clutch, like any, you get used to it. Good luck with the choice and let's hope u make the right one haha jk

 

[IamMr.Forte]

For those of you who have tried both the Kia Forte Koup and Mazda 3 sedan (both 2011), please post your opinions.

I have demoed them both a few times but just want to see if your opinions concur with mine.

Thanks in advance.

Hey I know your having a hard time but I have experience with both and have done a lot of reseach. First and for most if your planning to change the cars appearance then it won't matter on the look. Second the Kia does come with a way better warranty deal on the Forte. Thrird are you going to for what submodle of the mazda 3? That will determine the horse power difference issue. Fourth Mazda currently has more mods available but Forte is unique and will stand out more. Last its comes down to money, who is gonna give you a better deal. I say Kia between two worked hard for me than when I bought my Mazda. So if you wondering how I know all this well check he pics. lol

 

[ShaksForteSX]

^^ all I can say about the 3rd pic...is DAMN lol

 

[topspin]

I just went to another Kia dealer where I test drove the Koup EX and then went to a nearby Mazda dealer to test drive the Mazda 3 GX again. For some strange reason, tonight the Kia felt better in terms of road noise and general ride stability. But, the shifting is absolutely horrible, to the point of being almost un-drivable. I almost stalled it again and taking off from 1st gear was jerky on numerous occasions; even shifting from 1st to 2nd was jerky. I asked the dealer to request if his mechanic can look at the gas pedal mod on this forum and adjust the gas pedal on that demo car. I'd then go test drive it again to see if it really does improve it. Another thing that would need improving is the cluth. It is just too light. But if the throttle is more responsive, it will allow me to release the clutch instead of keeping it engaged while waiting for the throttle to active.

So now I'm really torn because I think I would really go for the Forte if the shifting was anything close to that of the Mazda. The Mazda I drove tonight must have had some problem. It didn't seem to have the same pickup as the other Mazda 3 GX's I've tried and it seemed to even make a high pitch sound. The road noise was also worse. I was also missing that extra gear that I had just tried in the Forte.

 

[ShaksForteSX]

A little ridiculous to say "undrivable" no? It takes getting used to!! You're test driving cars. If u bought the koup, in a week you'll be used to the difference and it'll become second nature. Throttle mod, short shifter, remote starter...3 things that help everything involving shifting!

 

[Desiboy30x]

i hate that smile face of new mazda3
looks like its creepying on you..
and its look like a girl car .
i love my koup sx 2011 fully loaded.
almost the same price but more feature in koup ...
only car i like from kia is koup sx

if mazda did"t change thier face i would defintaly buy that .. but koup is much more sportyer

 

[RedVoodoo81]

my koup SXR kills the mazda hands down .

 

[topspin]

A little ridiculous to say "undrivable" no? It takes getting used to!! You're test driving cars. If u bought the koup, in a week you'll be used to the difference and it'll become second nature. Throttle mod, short shifter, remote starter...3 things that help everything involving shifting!

I wrote "almost un-drivable". Something tells me that even with the short shifter and throttle mod, I'll always be fighting the car. Whereas with the M3, it is nothing but smooth shifting and clutch feel every time I drive it.

How dose a remote starter help with shifting? I am guessing that you're saying I should warm up the car well in order to heat up the transmission fluid for smoother shifts.

All in all, I really like both cars. And yes, I am one of those that really like the Mazda 3 styling, including the front grill. I even find myself taking double-takes whenever I see a new M3. I think it is beautifully sculpted and sporty yet elegant and fun all at the same time.

The decision will come down to whether or not I can live with a cute coup with 2 doors versus a 4-door sedan with less warranty but better driving dynamics. I liked the koup engine sound a lot and overall interior feel. The M3 has slightly more comfy seats.

As far as who drives what, I see pretty much nothing but girls driving koups here. A cousin even told me:"Don't buy a Kia, all I see is girls driving those koups". Even saw a white one on my way home from my test driving last night. Same for M3 though. So they are both popular with girls. I think all small cars are though. So can't really let that affect the decision.

Both cars are good buys in my opinion. Just one is more practical and fun to drive while the other has a nicer interior and better warranty. Gas mileage appears to be identical. The big drawbacks to the koup is that I'll dread seeing the creases next winter and the many reports of creaks/squeeks. And resale value. M3 has a very good resale; and that is the most important factor in determining how much a car will cost you.

If the Elantra had a decent suspension, the decision would have been a lot easier.

 

[ShaksForteSX]

^ that is what I meant about the remote starter. Since having an always warm car and the short shifter, shifting is a breeze and not nearrrlyyy as choppy and is very very smooth. Idk how to compare it to the Mazda cuz I've never driven one but Im not sure how it could be much better. And by value: you never really know about resale value because there's rumors of the koup being discontinued for another model which would make the koup rare and probably more valuable then an everyday Mazda 3. And also with the warranty, the amount you would save in repairs if anything were to happen could add up to the money you'll save if the resale value is lower then the 3. On top of that, you would be getting more features for less money with the koup. Yea it may be a biased opinion but it's true too. Not that hard to get around the clutch and shifting situation.

 

[topspin]

Yes those are good points. You never know how things will play out. So just gotta go with whatever makes more sense today.

I asked a Kia dealership to perform the throttle mod. I doubt they will actually do it. I will find out next week. If they do it then I'll go try it out. I'll know right away if it makes a difference. I think it would though.

 

[K-Hound]

Im sure you'll enjoy either car, i too was looking between the 3 and forte,

I test drove the Kia on some backroads and fell in love right away

Once again it comes down to what kind of driving you'll be doing
I ussually do 20% country / 60% highway / 20% city
I got stuck in traffic the other day and rolling at 10-20km/h was very jerky in my koup sx... but it sure felt nice to blast by everyone once it cleared up

 

[asdetail]

i also traded a 2007 mazda 3 for a koup,based that decision on the fact that the new mazda model i wanted was gonna cost me 8k more than the koup and was'nt 8k more car, BTW. i thought personally that the 3 and the koup are pretty equal in the handling department with the edge on the better ride going to the 3 ,koup looks way better though

 

[SubtleStyle]

You should just get both.

But in all seriousness, it seems like you're leaning towards the Mazda a little bit more. Go with your gut, you should get that.

 

[topspin]

Well I've changed my mind multiple times between the two cars in the last few days. Right now I'm thinking more of getting the koup since it has the better warranty and that also includes 2 years more of roadside assistance (5 years with Kia Canada vs 3 years with Mazda).

I agree that the ride/handling is actually quite good on both cars. I actually seemed to like the Kia ride better last night. What I really liked about the Forte though was the sound of the engine. It was just the right amount of roarrrr. I also liked the acceleration. It seemed to have just a bit more zoom than the zoom zoom.

If I decide to go with 4 doors, then I will go with the M3. I like the look of the Forte sedan in the showroom but don't like it so much when I see them on the road. There was even one parked at the mazda dealership last night. And I had just come from the Kia dealership. Car just did not do it for me outside the dealership.

I think the Koup would be a fun car to drive once I mod the throttle and install the short shifter. If other ppl can get used to the transmission without the mod and short shifter, then I am confident I'll adjust easily with the mod and short shifter.

I won't decide for another week though, so who knows what will happen until then.

 

[BC Bud]

I am a SX Koup owner. I drove a 92 MX3 for nearly 18 years. I spent a lot of money on repairs, but since I paid cash for it, I thought it would be cheaper just to keep fixing it. Finally the last straw was when the water pump went, necessitating a new drive belt (that was just 6 month old)because it got wet.
After driving many cars, including the Mazda 3, I decided on the Koup SX for a lot of reasons, value being the foremost. I also took into consideration who designed the car, plus the great warranty. I also have an in on the data on the extended warranty and, other than the Honda, most of the cars I tested had major problems.
I'm still happy a year plus later with my Koup and have not seen the crease problem on my car. Mine was built in November 2009 so maybe the build date has something to do with it.
It took me no time to get used to the 6 speed manual, I only stalled it a couple of times.
Good luck with your decision.