What is better Matrix or Mazda 3

[brusk]

Obviously I will be talking for my needs not which one is more reliable and all that. Curious to the gas mileage on the Matrix I'm looking for something that will get hopefully 32+ on the highway as that's where most of my driving is. Do most of the XR models come with ABS? I can't find anywhere that says it. If I choose a Matrix the XR would need a supercharger anybody heard of any problems with that being done, if not definately the XRS. Also I noticed on earlier ones alot of them had the nicer body kit and I don't see any of the newer ones with this. And lastly the handling I remember the rental mazda 3 I had last year handling pretty good I'd be looking at the 5 door S sport model which should be even better how does the matrix handle comparitively. Oh and are some years better than others? Thanks.

[LifeTech]

Mazda 3 is garbage. Everyone tries to compare it to the Matrix. The 09 Matrix is even nicer. The Mazda 3 has much higher insurance too.

It has the fluff that will tempt yu to buy it. Don't. The quality is very poor. Apples and oranges different to the Matrix.

Yu will be disappointed after several years of ownership. Many have stated this.

There is NO supercharger on any Matrix. Duh....Who told yu this????????????????? Yu appear very unfamiliar with the Matrix.

Have yu heard of GOOGLE? Also go to Toyota.com and build one to price it out and see the features and pictures.
LT

[brusk]

What do you mean no supercharger for the matrix. The TRD website lists it for the 03-04 XR and 04 XRS, oh did you think I was looking for a factory built supercharged matrix? I thought I was fairly familiar with the matrix as having a corolla many times as rentals so I assumed certain things such as pretty much any car now days with normal standard options like power windows will also have ABS. Not sure how true it is as I havn't had time to actually look at them and havn't found much on the web but I heard ABS was a difficult option on the XR. I've also had the 3 sedan many times for a rental and seemed to be quite a bit nicer than any corolla I've driven. I would be buying a 5speed so I'm imagining that both the 3 and matrix seem to have quite a bit more power when not in auto form.

[leonard6864]

Mazda 3 is not garbage and people love it. Very comfortable and fun to drive. The only problem with the GT Sport version is the gas mileage. It isn't a miser. The GT Sport is a fast car though. The speed version must be crazy.

With mostly highway driving the GT Sport averages 25-27mpg (70-75mph cruise speed).
Because of this I'm pushing my wife towards the Matrix for her next car. She has 60,000miles on her 3 and it hasn't ever hiccuped.

[Orange Peel]

Originally Posted by leonard6864

Mazda 3 is not garbage and people love it. Very comfortable and fun to drive. .

I agree. I've not talked to anyone that doesn't really like their 3.......sometimes you have to wade through all the childish fan boy rhetoric.