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Post by hjr on Jul 10, 2004 19:59:17 GMT -5
I read on a website that for there's a compact comparo(think in motortrend?) Have not seen it, but, supposedly, out of 5 cars, Kia Spectra is right on mazda3's tail to number 1!
With afew tweaks, if Hyundai is watching this comparo, Elantra(next genP) could be #1.
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Post by Andrew Johnston on Jul 11, 2004 9:12:55 GMT -5
Well I have read in most reviews of the new Spectra that it has almost all the Mazda3's sport and the Toyota Corolla's refinement and comfort for driving. So, the best balance?  |
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thejoyof6
Senior Member
Spending countless hours on forums
Posts: 161
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Post by thejoyof6 on Jul 12, 2004 1:04:31 GMT -5
I would rate spectra higher than the 3 based on looks and interior space and details. Sure the 3 has a HUGE glovebox but the dash sticks out so far that i cannot sit in the car in comfort. My partner who is 6'7'' cannot even get in the passenger side of the car, we tried!  And the corolla has a weird placement of the steering wheel, its too close to the dash so you have to slide the seat far enough forward to reach the steering wheel then your knees are to close to the dash..Its just an awful setup. I havent yet driven the spectra but i have driven the corolla and the 3 many times and the 3 handles just like our 6 and the corolla feels just like the elantra. The next gen elantra needs to hurry up, cause the current elantra just looks old and weak compared to the other cars in the market now, tho its still my favorite. |
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Post by Brian Gluckman on Jul 13, 2004 14:15:09 GMT -5
Well put, thejoyof6. The Elantra rocks!
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Post by bgluckman on Jul 16, 2004 14:07:18 GMT -5
I'd assume that this comparison test is a reference to the recent on in Consumer's Reports--which is quite impressive, actually.
Having driven the 3 and the new Spectra back-to-back, I'd personally take the 3. That said, I liked the Mazda's more performance-oriented flavor and upscale interior accomodations (which are highlighted by an options list that includes leather, a nav system and HIDs). Of course, you pay for that, too--the 3 is a good 10% more than the Spectra, even when comparing a base 3i to a top-spec Spectra EX.
The Spectra is a very nice commuter sedan of the few-frills variety. It's an attractive, roomy sedan that'll get you from point A to point B everytime, and will make each trip pleasant. It's not the driver's car the 3 is, but it doesn't have to be. The Civic and Corolla aren't driver's cars, either, and the Spectra easily trumps both. The challenge for Kia isn't beating the 3; it's convincing all those mindless Honda and Toyota drivers out there that there are better ways to spend $14K on a small sedan.
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