Curious Competition
Indeed I've always somehow thought of the Jetta as looking larger than it really is. It's quite true that there's something about that car's appearance that looks bigger, thus perhaps creating the impression that it's more in the class of the Mazda 6, etc.. That said, Jetta is categorized as a compact, and that's the class it belongs in, so it <b>is</b> in the same league as the Mazda 3. The notion that Jetta is somehow superior because its a German car, that it belongs in a higher class than a Mazda, and thereby justifiably more expensive, is bogus because it doesnt cost Volkswagen any more to build their car than many other manufacturers. Its about successful marketing and image... and nothing more. In fact, given how little they pay their workers over in Mexico, it wouldnt surprise me if it cost LESS to build a Jetta than, say, the Mazda 3. Auto workers in Japan earn much more (not to mention US auto workers), regulations are more stringent in terms of manufacturing/safety/environmental policies there, etc.. So it likely costs considerably more to build a car in Japan than in Mexico.
Carrying my point further along the lines of being in the same class as the Mazda 3, the Jetta's interior space is less roomy than even the current generation Protege-- I had the misfortune of taking an extended road trip in the back seat of one of those accursed VW's, and I can tell you without hesitation that our Protege's back seat area is much more comfortable and roomy (at least if you're 6 feet +). God help anyone who must sit back there for any length of time! For the price one is gouged when buying a Jetta, you really get screwed in interior space (not to mention reliability, which the Jetta has never once demonstrated itself worthy in, especially compared to Japanese makes like Toyota, Mazda, Honda).
Anyway, all I was saying is it likely costs about the same to build a Jetta as it does a Mazda3 (or Protege, for that matter). And based thereon there is no reason except priorities that Mazda lags behind in noise control (if indeed the Mazda 3 is still on the loud side). If Mazda wanted to build a car as quiet and civil riding as the Jetta they could do it, but dont because thats not what they currently care about, I theorize. They're focusing on sporty characteristics, which doesn't favor refinement.
In any event, I hope others' comments are correct that the Mazda 3 has improved dramatically over the 3rd Gen Protege and that the new 3's noise problems are exaggerated. As said, Ive been very, very unhappy with how noisy the Protege is, and would seriously consider a Mazda 3 if it indeed muffles some of the previous din.
Excellent thread! It's good to hear other people's experiences and get their input!