Used Honda Civic v Mazda 3 v Nissan Pulsar v Subaru Impreza v Toyota Corolla
As the new car market booms to an all-time record, the constant flow of trade-ins gives buyers unprecedented bargaining power. You might be surprised to know that as little as $15,000 can get you a three-year-old Japanese hatch with plenty of that unmistakable new car feel in evidence. With just 60,000km on the odo, it is barely run in and might even have some new car warranty left.
The surprise newcomer in the first quarter of 2004 was Mazda's funky 3, which replaced the effective but dull 323. It is now one of the best selling vehicles in the market and regularly posts higher numbers than the Holden Astra and Ford Focus -- suggesting that in this sector buyers prefer Japanese vehicles to European.
More conservative choices in 2004 were the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Nissan Pulsar.
Sitting somewhere between these and the Mazda was the Subaru Impreza, a rather dated and fussy body thrown over a unique mechanical configuration. This was the only all-wheel drive hatch in the price sector.
How does this quintet shape up on performance, features and value for money?
HONDA CIVIC Vi (more here)
The Honda range of cars in the early part of this century could be said to resemble the fabled curate's egg -- good in parts. It is difficult to believe that a team with F1 racing in its DNA and the outstanding Accord Euro in showrooms could also offer such blandmobiles as the Accord V6 and the Civic.
Launched in 2000, the recently-superseded Civic range proved far less popular than most of the earlier series. Put this down to dull styling and a generally mediocre driving experience. It might also be that the Honda marque has lost a little of its edge over the years, there having been a time when buyer perceptions put Honda half a step ahead of the Japanese competition.
The 1.7-litre VTEC engine is a beauty, though. Peak power is 96kW at 6300rpm, while torque maxes out at 155Nm -- albeit rather high in the rev range at 4800rpm.
There is a sporty feel and pleasant sound to this engine, which teams well with the sweet-shifting manual gearbox and its quirky dash-mounted shift. Arguably, this gearshift contributes to the stylish appearance of the interior. But the seats are only average, and there are few storage areas.
Handling is average and the ride is not the smoothest in the class. Typical overall economy is 10.0L/100km.
MAZDA 3 MAXX SPORT (more here)
From the moment you slide behind the wheel of this Mazda it presents as the most stylish package in the sector.
The strangely named Maxx Sport is not the dearest of the 3 range but feels as if it could be. There is no evidence of the skimping that blights some rivals. The interior is strikingly fresh with deep-set and stylish gauges and a logical layout to all the controls.
First impressions are borne out on the road, with the 3 easily the best performer in its class. The 2.0-litre engine makes 104kW at 6500 rpm and 181Nm of torque at 4500rpm, hurtling the compact Mazda from 0-100 km/h in less than nine seconds -- once the stuff of serious sports sedans.
Low gearing helps the performance but makes for a slightly busy feel at cruising speeds and marginally more thirst than rivals at an average of 10.5L/100km.
Handling is great and there is excellent feel through the three-spoke sports steering wheel, which would be at home in an RX-8. It was the only car in this sector in 2004 to offer front, side and curtain airbags.
In summary, you can't help but feel that Mazda was trying harder than its rivals.
NISSAN PULSAR Q (more here)
Perhaps it really was time to get rid of the Pulsar nameplate, although slow sales of the Tiida replacement suggest otherwise.
Pulsar's 1.8-litre engine offers slightly below average performance for this class with peak power of just 90kW and torque of 163Nm. This is not an especially smooth or quiet unit but it is quite economical, averaging about 10L/100km.
The steering is too light and lacking in feel to please the enthusiast, but at least it is quick. There is a surprising amount of body roll and handling is slightly below class average.
The dash layout is neat and the front seats are good. Overall, the Pulsar feels more like a competitor of the Corolla than of the Mazda 3.
SUBARU IMPREZA GX (more here)
Subaru unleashed its second-generation Impreza range to a bewildered public in 2000. History has a habit of repeating itself because reaction to the third generation model shown in March 2007 has been similar.
It is fair to say that Subaru lost a consistent approach to styling sometime late last century. But looks can deceive. Beneath the unusual body -- and even the hatch-wagon style is unusual -- lies some highly sophisticated technology. Impreza has all-wheel drive, for a start. And Subarus are just about the only cars in the world apart from Porsches to use engines in which the cylinders are horizontally-opposed with pistons punching out horizontally. This leads to a 'flat' engine and a lowering of the centre of gravity.
But while the WRX and STi versions of the Impreza capitalise on Subaru's unique mechanicals to deliver great handling, the entry-level GX never rises far beyond average, although it has clear advantage in the wet or on loose surfaces thanks to having drive to the rear as well as the front.
Performance is ordinary with 0-100km/h requiring almost 11sec and economy is about 10.5L/100km, but the engine has a distinctive and appealing 'boxer' sound. Curiously, the manual version scores a dual-range gearbox which will doubtless puzzle many buyers.
TOYOTA COROLLA (more here)
There is a certain type of buyer who doesn't consider any car other than the latest Corolla. But how much longer Toyota can trade on its outstanding reputation for reliability remains to be seen.
Significantly, the Corolla nameplate is destined to disappear. In a world where all-new cars promise reliability, Toyota will need to develop more distinctive products and a different sales pitch.
In truth, driving a Corolla is not much of a feeling because there isn't much to feel. The engine is one of the best aspects, being quiet, smooth and torquey, with surprisingly strong performance. Economy is also impressive at around 10L/100km. Ride and handling are no better than average, however, there is good steering feel through the plasticky four-spoke wheel.
The interior design is better than the Impreza or Pulsar, although the seats are flat and unsupportive. But the truth remains that the Corolla represents solid and enduring value for money, with ubiquity of service outlets another point in its favour.
THE CARSALES NETWORK'S PICK OF THE BUNCH
The Driver's Choice
There is no question that the Mazda 3 is the best of these hatches to drive. In many respects it feels like a sports sedan. Its blend of high performance and adroit handling place it at least half a class above all its direct rivals. The Subaru finishes second by virtue of its all-wheel drive. The Pulsar is the least rewarding.
The Sensible Choice
The ranking is exactly the same as above. Mazda delivers the highest complement of airbags in the sector, while only the Subaru will shine when it comes to a snow skiing holiday or a seriously muddy track. But any of the five is a reasonably sensible choice in an extremely competitive market sector.
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