Honda Civic or Mazda 3 - Consumer Advice Needed

[Martin4356111]

Evening all,

Having recently changed jobs, it's time to get rid of my petrol powered Focus and switch to diesel. A 350 mile weekend round trip between work and home is costing more than it should.

With a budget of £11K, I've spent the last week scouring the web for a suitable replacement. I've narrowed it down to a Civic Sport 1.6 I-DTEC and the Mazda 3 Sportback 2.2 in Sport Nav trim.

This sort of budget gets me cars from around late 2015 to early 2016 with 30,000 to 35,000 miles.

I like both, the Mazda seeming the safe bet in terms of styling. The Civic is a bit quirky! The Civic has its plus points, cracking storage and Honda reliability.

Just wondered of anyone who owns, has owned or worked on either could give their their opinions.

Happy to hear any other shouts for cars in that budget. I'm only 35 so looking for something that's not going to make me look like a grandad, although I do have two young kids so needs to be practical.

I've also posted in the Honda forum for exposure.

Cheers

Martin

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's the thing if I was doing 350 miles a week I'd also want some comfort, here are my suggestions:

Infiniti Q50 Sport these are great cars amazing value & will be as reliable as the Mazda & Honda they also come loaded with (especially in Sport spec) kit

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If it has to be a hatch then the Alfa Giulietta 2.0d is a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the 308 in GT spec (it's hard to beat the 2.0d Peugeot lump)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or you could go for the 508 Peugeot Hybrid which in itself is a very good proposition I've supplied a few of these & their owners are very happy they seem to be getting very good numbers fuel wise & are proving reliable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Out of everything from both lists the Infiniti & 508 Hybrid with the Alfa 3rd.

[Mercury00]

Infiniti? I wouldn't fancy Nissan's reliability.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercury00 said:

Infiniti? I wouldn't fancy Nissan's reliability.

It's a Mercedes drivetrain the same one found in the C/E220 reliability & serving aren't an issue

[Mercury00]

What about the electrics? Do Infiniti use Renault stuff like Nissan do?

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercury00 said:

What about the electrics? Do Infiniti use Renault stuff like Nissan do?

Electrics have been fine on the ones I've supplied (two to family members) it's actually the other way round Renault use Nissan electronics which probably explains why electrics hasn't been an issue on Renaults for years.

[pavarotti1980]

Do you foresee any problems with Nissan pulling the Infiniti brand from Europe now though with servicing, parts etc?

[Torquey]

I have reasonable experience of both and I can only say they so similar its going to come down to personal preference when you get in them.

In my opinion the civic has the extra storage and reliability. The 1.6 is going to be quite dull compared to the Mazda 2.2 but comfy enough and piratical.

The Mazda looks a bit better and may have more toys inside depending on trim levels but has less storage and possibly more potential problems (not many by any means, but more than the civic). The 2.2 engine is pretty good.

Both cars are good and very similar in my opinion. Just test drive them and see what is right for you.

[ZX10R NIN]

pavarotti1980 said:

Do you foresee any problems with Nissan pulling the Infiniti brand from Europe now though with servicing, parts etc?

No issue with parts as most are the same as other cars in their range, the warranties are still being extended (I did 2 year extension last week) the Infiniti dealers are turning into Nissan Premium centres & all service packs & warranties will be taken over by Nissan, I supplied two Q50 35h's to family members & am now looking for a 2.0T Q30 Sport for another so I'm quite confident in the brand.

It's a shame they didn't stay a bit longer because (future European regulation saw them off) now they're filtering onto the used market people are appreciating the fit & finish as well as the price.

The Diesel engines are Mercedes units the smaller units are shared across the Renault/Nissan & Mercedes (which means most good Indy's can service them with ease) ranges so there really is no losing on these you get a good car with a nice interior & it's a something different, I have to be honest with the choice of a Q50 Sport or a Civic/Mazda3 for 11k I'd be buying the Q50 every time.

[pavarotti1980]

ZX10R NIN said:

No issue with parts as most are the same as other cars in their range, the warranties are still being extended (I did 2 year extension last week) the Infiniti dealers are turning into Nissan Premium centres & all service packs & warranties will be taken over by Nissan, I supplied two Q50 35h's to family members & am now looking for a 2.0T Q30 Sport for another so I'm quite confident in the brand.

It's a shame they didn't stay a bit longer because (future European regulation saw them off) now they're filtering onto the used market people are appreciating the fit & finish as well as the price.

The Diesel engines are Mercedes units the smaller units are shared across the Renault/Nissan & Mercedes (which means most good Indy's can service them with ease) ranges so there really is no losing on these you get a good car with a nice interior & it's a something different, I have to be honest with the choice of a Q50 Sport or a Civic/Mazda3 for 11k I'd be buying the Q50 every time.

I like them but something seems to hold me back from considering one

[ninjag]

I got my current non-Infiniti car from an Infiniti main dealership and I had a good browse around - I couldn't believe how much you get for your money and the interiors look very nice as well. The dealership (Glasgow) were the most professional, helpful and friendly dealership I've experienced. Gutted that they are moving out.