Megane II vs Astra vs Mazda 3

[Cadino]

Hi,

 

Deciding between the three. Any to advise?

Current owners care to comment as well.

 

Thanks!

[Mojoe]

one advice... Use the SEARCH POSTS link on top and do a search for all 3 cars... discussed many many many times already

[Lawrenceloy]

Aiyah, another guy with the same dilema. I also have this issue. Sigh.

 

Really have to consider all aspects of the car now. What will you be enjoying the most when you get this car? Think about it in terms of all 3 makes and then list them as favourable or not.

 

I'm waiting for the Ford Focus to come add to my "problems"

[Josephtan1234]

I had tested these 3 cars, here's 2 cents worth:

 

The Astra is loaded with features, solid chasis and great internal layout and design. Auto lights, auto dimming mirror, immobilizer, rain sensor, twinport engine, conrering brake control etc. Only drawback is the Easytronic which is a manual gear box with auto capability added. It will take some time to get used to and you will be jerking the car until then. If you are used to driving an auto, then this is not the same. I cornered it round the sharp corners and it held its line very well. The price is equivalent to a 2.0 Mazda 6. Resale value might be on the lower side.

 

Megane had many features too, solid chasis, a bit heavy for my taste. During my test drive, I was overtaking a slow L plate driver and floored the accelerator. However, it did not kick into the lower gear and I almost could not overtake the L plate driver in time. This was enough to put me off the car.

 

The Mazda 3 is a great car, with tiptronic gear box, nice internal layout, sporty suspension which means great handling. Chasis platform is the same as that of the volvo S40. Sporty exterior design and colors. Noise penetration due to road noise. Not as solid as Megane and Astra, both conti cars. Acceleration is only acceptable. Other than that its a great car.

 

For the price of the Astra and Megane you can get a 2 litre Mazda 6 which was what I decided eventually, instead of their 1.6l. If you want to pay less, then Mazda 6 is a good compromise. With the Astra and Megane, be prepared to take lesuirely paced drives, because they will not win any sprints compared to the lighter Japanese or korean cars. However, both Megane and Astra scored very high in terms of safety, with side curtain airbags as well.

 

If you are more of a family person, they should do well. If you are more of a single swinger, the Mazda 3 should be more appropriate. Good luck.

[Cadino]

Hi Lawrence,

 

I guess you have not made your choice yet.

 

I would love to have a Megane considering the price & the OMV. Lots of space as well but heard some 'stories' in the renault forum. That's why a bit hesitant.

 

Astra - Very impressive interior and lots of features. FC seems the best among the 3. Seems to have less problems than Megane but that maybe due to few owners out there. Very small boot space.

 

The least impressive in terms of value among the 3 but look really nice esp with the bodykit. Seen alot of comments on the high markup but honestly I feel that shouldn't be a concern as long as one is comfortable with their pricing (compared with your other choices) & like the car. But I would say that the price gap now between Maz3 and the other 2 is getting closer. That makes it unattractive now. FC seems to be a problem as well.

 

Yes, heard new focus is coming soon. Hope it can add to our 'problems' as well. Cheers!

[Cadino]

Hi Joseph,

 

Thanks for sharing your views. I have tested the 3 cars as well. In fact, I share most of your views. Megane is really heavy and solid. IMHO I think Mazda3 has a better pick up but Astra scores highest in this aspect. I quite like the easytronic thing. Fun to play with but not sure whether I'll still have this feel after a few years.

 

Don't think price of Mazda 6 is the same for Astra and Megane. MM has revised their prices upwards (think it is now $83K?). I guess you bought when the Mazda 6 was selling at $80K. That was really a good price for a 2L.

 

I have not had a chance to test drive the Mazda6. Can you share how's the drive compared to the other 3 1.6L (may not be a fair comparison though). Cheers!

[Cadino]

Alright, my fault. Should have done a search first. Cheers!

[Josephtan1234]

I was seriously considering Astra at first. I just found a group where you can check out the experiences, good and bad with the Astra. check it out:[email protected]

http://groups.msn.com/SingaporeOpelOwner/g...ID_Message=7141

 

Yes, I bought the Mz6 after the COE dropped to 14K+ and the price was reduced to $79K.

Well, its a nice car, internal layout design wise, the pickup is so so from standstill for a 2.0L car. The torque comes in after 3500 rpm, good for overtaking. The road noise is louder than I expected. The engine noise is also there, but not unpleasant. So, noise level wise, its not as quiet as a Cefiro or Camry, but better than the 1.6L cars, naturally. The handling is the feature I really liked, take corners confidently at high speed. The leg room is great, though the car is smaller internally as compared to the 2 moentioned above. Again, inside its larger than a 1.6L. As the price was at 79K and the Astra was selling at 78K at that time, it was a no brainer, Though the 2.0L lacks many features compared to the Mz6 2.3L, the price difference was $15K, which I was not prepared to pay.

 

Hope this helped.

Edited March 7, 2005 by Josephtan1234

[Mojoe]

don't get me wrong, we are happy to help

 

just that we should all practise searching for the necessary info first so that we can be more specific in terms of what we need help of

 

cheers

[Magfocus]

I guess this topic has appeared quite often the last few months..

[Mojoe]

yup, that's why i wrote this... just don't want a Ford Focus Mk 2 vs. Astra vs. Megane 2 vs. Mazda 3 vs. Latio Sports later

 

Or maybe we can have a car review folder?? Then go there and check out the reviews. Sean can be the main contributor

[Mojoe]

wow... the price of a 2.0 Mazda 6 dropped to $79k before?? I would go with that if I were you as well

[Magfocus]

Yeah i think it has been suggested before, now it all depends on the main contributor..

[Mojoe]

yup... rather than seeing these questions being asked again anf again and all over the place...

 

like... should this one be in Conti folder since there are 2 contis in question? if include new ford focus, do i post in US folder? What about Chevy Aveo 5? Korean? US? Italiane even? ...

 

if we have 1 folder for all car reviews, people can just go to that folder and see all the comments WITHOUT threads DRIFTING

Edited March 8, 2005 by Mojoe

[Magfocus]

New Ford Focus, definitely CONTI section..

 

But again, car buying is a personal thing, as one man's meat is another's poison. Not everyone would agree with the review(s) of the car, after which it would start drifting again.. Like I dont agree that one should get the Mz6 2.0 over the Astra, as i have faced the same choices..

Edited March 8, 2005 by Magfocus

[Mojoe]

 

oops..

 

i thought you might, especially since you have been driving sedan for awhile right?

 

now i'm thinking that i need cars with backside next time, after 2 cars without..

[Magfocus]

To each his own lah

 

Cars without backside more versatile mah..although space might be less. So sedan next eh?

[Silver_blade]

Cars without backside more versatile mah

Yup. That's what I feel too. All of my previous cars were hatch back.