# Mazda3 vs. VW Rabbit vs. Scion tC **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** rabbit, mazda3, scion\ **Created:** [September 10, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393 "2008-09-10T14:27:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tls246](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@tls246](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tls246)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/1 "2008-09-10T14:27:51Z")
I’m looking at one of these models for my next new car. Opinions? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/2 "2008-09-10T14:38:27Z")
Even though I’ve owned VWs, their recent reliability problems would have me looking at the 3 or tC - which one fits you and your needs better? They’re both good, reliable cars - the 3 might save you money on insurance, be sure to check before you buy. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/3 "2008-09-10T15:12:51Z")
I’d skip the VW. Too many reliability concerns. The choice between the tC and the Mazda3 sort of comes down to how many doors you want/need. Are you looking at the Mazda3 sedan or 5-door? I like the tC and the Mazda3 (especially the 5-door). Tough choice. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/4 "2008-09-10T15:47:52Z")
Rabbit is the best one to drive and sit in by a far margin, it is in a different class of car even though price is the same. However the reliability remains a question. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/5 "2008-09-10T16:09:47Z")
I am going to agree with the 3 who posted responses already. If you based your choice solely on driving dynamics, the VW would be the one to buy. However, if reliability is a priority, I would suggest that you concentrate on the Mazda and the Scion, which are totally in a different league when it comes to reliability. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/6 "2008-09-10T16:10:01Z")
The Rabbit prior to 2004 has less than average reliability. Since 2007, it is better than average. The source is Truedelta. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/7 "2008-09-10T16:26:18Z")
Agree; I would also look at the Hyundai Elantra; a very reliable car and you get a lot for your money. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/8 "2008-09-10T16:58:27Z")
VW could certainly have improved, but they don’t yet have the track record to back it up. I would also check mileage, the Mazda, with its smaller engine, might be better than either of the 2.5l cars. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/9 "2008-09-10T19:03:04Z")
I agree with McP that the Mazda and the tC are both good choices. I’ve put over 90,000 miles on my '05 tC and I absolutely love it. My son drove mine two years ago and liked it so much he bought one. He loves his too. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/10 "2008-09-10T21:47:34Z")
Test drive all 3 and go with the one you like the best. I’ve only test drove the 3 5door and it was pretty fun to drive. Not as fun as the CX-7, but that’s another story altogether. If you can afford the MazdaSpeed 3, then all the power to ya, but be able to drive stick as it comes no other way. ---
**Author:** ![tls246](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@tls246](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tls246)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/11 "2008-09-11T02:16:23Z")
Thanks for your responses, everyone. Test drove the tC tonight and loved it – tomorrow I’ll give the Mazda3 a shot. I may rule out the Rabbit based on the reliability issues mentioned here. Unless the 3 knocks my socks off, I’m leaning toward the tC, even though it’s a little more sporty than I was originally considering. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda3-vs-vw-rabbit-vs-scion-tc/19393/12 "2008-09-12T01:44:42Z")
Almost all cars are reasonably reliable these days. It’s not like the 60’s and 70’s when you could get an amazingly unreliably car, like a Renault, Fiat, or anything British.