Just some ES vs Mazda 3 calculations

[cody_au]

I did some napkin calculations comparing the current entry level models of ES sedan and Mazda 3 Neo (sedan, I think):

110kw @ 6000rpm vs 108kw @ 6500rpm
197nm @ 4250rpm vs 182nm @ 4500rpm
10m turning circle vs 10.9m turning circle
1325kg kerb weight vs 1265kg kerb weight
6.9l/100lm vs 7.9l/100km

So... 0.083 kw/kg vs 0.085 kw/kg (-97.6% lancer), and 0.148 nm/kg vs 0.143 nm/kg (-96.6% mazda).

I would take that as pretty evenly matched, but with lower revs and 10% better fuel efficiency from the Lancer. Am I missing anything? I'm not a car guy.

With all of that said, have any of you done extended 110kph road trips in your 5sp manual Lancer? How is it, being only 5 gears and so? Liveable? When I was shopping, I wished it had a 6 like Mazda... I'm not sure how that translates in real life though.

Edit: Just for fun I thought I'd compare my soon new Lancer to my current car, a Festiva WF 1.3L Trio 2000.

110kw @ 6000rpm vs 47kw @ 5000rpm
197nm @ 4250rpm vs 100nm @ 3000rpm
10m turning circle vs 9m turning circle
1325kg kerb weight vs 912kg kerb weight
6.9l/100lm vs 6.2l/100km

So... 0.083 kw/kg vs 0.051kw/kg (-62.7% Festiva), and 0.148 nm/kg vs 0.109 nm/kg (-35.7% Festiva). Should be fun to find the real world difference. 29 hours and counting ...

[ofey]

You come across as a pretty good researcher type that would work things out yourself so I won't just "spill the beans".

But in your consideration of our 5Spd Vs their 6Spd MT gearboxes, have you also taken into consideration the gear ratios?

In there I suspect you'll find more answers.... .

End of the day, do realise you're dealing with theoretical numbers. Practically, people's driving patterns also play a part in how the 5 or 6 gears are shifted through... . Oh and don't forget how lead footed some of us here are... .

[cody_au]

> End of the day, do realise you're dealing with theoretical numbers

Yep. But not being a tech-head, I don't know much about it

[Gleno]

Rank Vehicle 2011 2010 %diff    
1. Mazda3 41,429    39,003    6.2
2. Holden Commodore     40,617 45,956 -11.6
3. Toyota Hilux 36,124 39,896 -9.5
4. Toyota Corolla 36,087 41,632 -13.3
5. Holden Cruze 33,784 28,334 19.2
6. Hyundai i30 28,869 29,772 -3
7. Nissan Navara 21,675 21,171 2.4
8. Toyota Camry 19,169 25,014 -23.4
9. Ford Falcon 18,741 29,516 -36.5
10. Mitsubishi Lancer 18,717 23,076 -18.9


Say no more ......

[ofey]

@Gleno: From your numbers, You reckon we bought the wrong car?

[cody_au]

I did also look into the top-gear ratio to compare cruising noise/mileage and saw that it's 0.775 vs 0.717 (9.25% better for Mazda). So, Lancer maybe isn't as good at cruising speed; however considering running the Lancer has an 8.33% rpm advantage (and the overall mileage being better) maybe it doesn't matter?

[Gleno]

I'm not sure about the wrong car, lancer has a great warranty that only Kia could match. Also lancer is bang for buck. I'm not sure if there's any other car out there, where you can get climate, auto lights and wipers for $25k (VR). Having said that, I was taken for a drive in a Mazda 3 on the weekend,and I can understand why it's the top selling car. Very quiet and refined, something the lancer has to work on.

[cody_au]

When I test drove a Mazda 3 a few weeks ago, I didn't like the position (too far) and the feel (too hard to push) of the gear shifter.

[markalishous]

how does the lancer go against a mazda 3 from a standing start surely mivec would give the lancer an advantage or does mazda have something similar?

[milobob]

Na, the MAzda is quieter but its not a quiet car. The Astras and i30s and Focuss are much quieter cars.

In terms of driving dynamics I would pick a Mazda. In terms of interior finish I would pick the Mazda. But everything else.. the Lancer wins

[SXLancerMum]

My eldest reckons there's no real difference between the two. He's got a new 3 Maxx Sport. The only difference between the two is that his has a big screen with a sat nav. And that's not the base model either. It's a fair way up the chain. He makes sure he drives my car when we go anywhere in it in Brissy so he's more than test drove it

He was whinging that he couldn't find the spot on the clutch of the 3 where he could get it to sit without having to use the accelerator. It changes all the time.

With the 6 speed the reverse is on the other side to normal. That would annoy me. When you put it into 1st normally you push it as far over as possible and up but with a 6 speed it would go into reverse if you did that.

how does the lancer go against a mazda 3 from a standing start surely mivec would give the lancer an advantage or does mazda have something similar?

Oh mine jumps at the lights quicker than his. Much more responsive.

In the differences mine comes out on top pretty much.

Mine has comfier seats too.

I'm happy I bought mine.

[bd-850]

Cody - go the Lancer, dont worry about the specs, the Lancer can beat SS Commodores at the lights

[cody_au]

Cody - go the Lancer, dont worry about the specs, the Lancer can beat SS Commodores at the lights

Well the choice was made a few weeks ago, though I often look for ways to backwards rationalise it, especially against the part of me that always wishes I'd spend double and gotten a WRX or something Picking it up Friday afternoon. I can't wait.

But having engine facts and comparisons is good. I'm really most interested in how Lancers hold up hold up on 8 hour long cruises at 110kph.

[bd-850]

lol yeah i always look back after buying a car, but thats the just the facts of life. and Welcome BTW

[SXLancerMum]

The best reason is that the Lancer CAN beat SS Commodores at the lights. Well mine can with me driving it