Opinions on Jetta Tredline+/ Mazda CX3/Elantra GL Sedan or Elantra GT GL Hatch

You've literally picked entirely different classes of vehicles.

Narrow down what class vehicle you want (compact, compact hatch, sub-compact CUV..).

For comfort, generally a longer wheelbase is going to be more comfortable.

OKSpring wrote: ↑ You've literally picked entirely different classes of vehicles.

Narrow down what class vehicle you want (compact, compact hatch, sub-compact CUV..).

For comfort, generally a longer wheelbase is going to be more comfortable.

I can understand your point...it is ideally what the end result was after spending a few days test driving many possibilities.

CX-3 is a joke of a car. It offers next to nothing in terms of performance, comfort, and practicality. You'd be much better off with a Mazda3 Sport, or compact crossovers from competitor brands.
Elantra is a compact sedan focused on comfort and tech. Current gen Jetta is old, but you do get a deal on those.

New Jetta will be revealed some time this year, definitely push for a deal for a 2017. It's dated, but engine is fairly new and great fuel economy/performance.

BBZero wrote: ↑ CX-3 is a joke of a car. It offers next to nothing in terms of performance, comfort, and practicality. You'd be much better off with a Mazda3 Sport, or compact crossovers from competitor brands.
Elantra is a compact sedan focused on comfort and tech. Current gen Jetta is old, but you do get a deal on those.

Agreed. Comparing Mazdas to Mazdas - I'd forget the CX3 and go for a 3 hatch. I'm also surprised that the civic didn't make your list; it's definitely one of the better compacts available.

aeba7 wrote: ↑ Agreed. Comparing Mazdas to Mazdas - I'd forget the CX3 and go for a 3 hatch. I'm also surprised that the civic didn't make your list; it's definitely one of the better compacts available.

Test drove the civic and the wife did not like it. The car being one she'll be commuting in about 80km(one way a day)...choice was left up to her.

001Stunna wrote: ↑ Test drove the civic and the wife did not like it. The car being one she'll be commuting in about 80km(one way a day)...choice was left up to her.

Gotcha - happy wife, happy life lol

Of that list, I'd probably lean towards the elantra hatch. It wasn't available when I was buying my car, but on paper, it looks good

We recently got a 2017 Jetta also, coming from a 2011 Jetta TDI and my mom is pretty happy with it. She says it drives much better and has the nice review camera and other features she did not have before. It also has lots of trunk space which is great.

if you are in the GTA or willing to come down to the GTA let me know and I can get you into contact with a sales manager and give you a good deal on a Jetta as I have provided with other RFD users.

Which vw are you recommending in the gta?

OP how are you planning to get a brand new jetta for 220/month?!

sickcars wrote: ↑We recently got a 2017 Jetta also, coming from a 2011 Jetta TDI and my mom is pretty happy with it. She says it drives much better and has the nice review camera and other features she did not have before. It also has lots of trunk space which is great.

if you are in the GTA or willing to come down to the GTA let me know and I can get you into contact with a sales manager and give you a good deal on a Jetta as I have provided with other RFD users.

We are in the GTA and would have no issue traveling for a worth it deal as well. I was planning on purchasing from a dealer that is part of my workplace perk program; I would appreciate a pm with the contact you mention if your time allows. and if i may ask...how are you(your mom) finding the mileage on it.

malecoke wrote: ↑ OP how are you planning to get a brand new jetta for 220/month?!

Based on my calculations, my chosen downpayment, and using tools such as CCC, unhaggle etc. Point of the post wasnt the dollar amounts per month but more of the car and pros/cons.

1. Corolla
2. Civic

For your listed choices, I would choose either Hyundai or Mazda

001Stunna wrote: ↑ Test drove the civic and the wife did not like it. The car being one she'll be commuting in about 80km(one way a day)...choice was left up to her.

If it's for your wife and a long commute everyday, then I wouldn't consider any of the cars listed there.

There's a reason she doesn't want to drive a Civic.

I'm sure she's not over 50 and that's the reason I recommend these brand new cars below to LEASE ONLY:

1. Audi S3
2. BMW M240i
3. BMW 340i

Make your wife happy.

Crixus45 wrote: ↑ If it's for your wife and a long commute everyday, then I wouldn't consider any of the cars listed there.

There's a reason she doesn't want to drive a Civic.

I'm sure she's not over 50 and that's the reason I recommend these brand new cars below to LEASE ONLY:

1. Audi S3
2. BMW M240i
3. BMW 340i

Make your wife happy.

Approx 40,000 km a year lease?

Crixus45 wrote: ↑ If it's for your wife and a long commute everyday, then I wouldn't consider any of the cars listed there.

There's a reason she doesn't want to drive a Civic.

I'm sure she's not over 50 and that's the reason I recommend these brand new cars below to LEASE ONLY:

1. Audi S3
2. BMW M240i
3. BMW 340i

Make your wife happy.

Lmao, I doubt she will truly appreciate those cars. He should just get her a used 320i, to most women (and non-car guys, no sexist) a BMW is a BMW and 320i=340i.

Anyways OP, did she try Civic sedan or Civic hatch? I'm sure most people would definitely say Civic>Elantra, but IDK about your wife.

Hugh Jass wrote: ↑ Approx 40,000 km a year lease?

In that case, she's better off with a Corolla or Camry.

VW Golf. Best of both worlds and probably the last proper VW every graced on Canadian soil. The new Americanized models are terrible.

Since the Mazda CX-3 is off the list, I have driven the remaining 3 although both Elantras are essentially the same. This is just my very short form review, I could get a bit long winded if I don't do this.

VW Jetta
Pros: Turbo engine is actually good, all mistakes from the earliest 2011 Jetta were fixed, good suspension, decent to drive
Cons: This platform is quite old so its actually a lesser vehicle than the Golf on the new platform, reliability is very hit or miss particularly with electronics

Hyundai Elantra
Pros: GL trim is a very good value for the money, reliable, warranty is better by a single year or an extra 20,000 km over the VW
Cons: Rather slow, the ride is very choppy because of cheap suspension design, dull to drive

I could add other choices if you provide key items you're looking for, Golf is the obvious one in place of the Jetta. Simply for the comfort of a long drive, I wouldn't pick the Elantra, I couldn't tolerate that choppy suspension nor frankly any of the torsion beam suspension cars including the Corolla.

Thanks for the input to all those that have chimed in. To add some more info...she's coming off from a 04 Ford Escape V6. While she enjoys the somewhat higher seating position of the escape the mpg on it is pretty much garbage compared to anything new and putting on 160km minimum a day does add up quickly. Recent constant needed repairs on the escape also made it an easy choice to just replace it. Rust on these damn things goes 0 - 100 real quick even after repeated rust proofing lol.

The cars listed above are ideally the choices narrowed down after test driving a few cars. I understand a few believe civic/corolla should be still considered...however being her choice, I'm not looking into forcing her to get into a car she did not like/enjoy driving. Civic sedan is what she drove, along with HRV.

In an easy way to put it...best bang for the buck for the time being without dumping $$ on a commuter car that'll be replaced in 3-4 years. Ideally she's looking at reliable, comfortable, enticing mpg, and something that will hold decent value on resale in 3-4 years when the long commute won't be necessary any longer.