Thinking of getting the Rabbit instead

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

VW representing here too....I have a 2003 passat turbo, love it. I have Audi RS6 wheels, H&R suspension, deitrich RS6 front end, and tons more being done over the winter....i was debating the exact same 2 vehicles. my reasoning for taking the 5 over the rabbit was the fact that I have 2 small children. so, I needed something more family oriented. if you have no small kids, I would drop for the rabbit for sure. they are awsome rigs.....but, so is the 5. you need another vw...ha ha. for my baby thats arriving in nov. I have a jumper that says my other stroller is a vw...ha ha

Ha, yeah, it is hard to describe the feel of these Vdubs. I'm not a dash stroker, but for a car that is built with such quality material, I wish they are more reliable then they have been. My wife and I have an MPV, so it's not that I need another 6 seater. I do like the Mazda 5 a lot, the other Mazda I'm looking at is the 3 but with such a better price the 5 came on top. Now, VW finally brought the Golf(Rabbit) V here, it's hard to ignore, especially if you're a dubhead. I'm still torn, like I said, the sensible side keeps telling me to get the 5 but the emotional side keeps saying MKV, MKV, MKV. Also, Pulmino, thanks for the heads up on mpg, I wonder if it's going to be diff't with the Rabbit being lighter than the Jetta MKV? I appreciate the input sir. I don't think I've ever been torn between cars, usually the VW wins for me. After owning the MPV, and my wife had a protoge before we got married, I have to say Mazda had done their job as far as fine quality automobiles. Thanks again to everyone that gave their input.

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

VW representing here too....I have a 2003 passat turbo, love it. I have Audi RS6 wheels, H&R suspension, deitrich RS6 front end, and tons more being done over the winter....i was debating the exact same 2 vehicles. my reasoning for taking the 5 over the rabbit was the fact that I have 2 small children. so, I needed something more family oriented. if you have no small kids, I would drop for the rabbit for sure. they are awsome rigs.....but, so is the 5. you need another vw...ha ha. for my baby thats arriving in nov. I have a jumper that says my other stroller is a vw...ha ha

Ha, yeah, it is hard to describe the feel of these Vdubs. I'm not a dash stroker, but for a car that is built with such quality material, I wish they are more reliable then they have been, especially the MKIV J/G. That B5.5 sounds nice, mine was '00 5spd with Upsolute chip, TT stainless c/back, H&R Sports, and TSW 17x8 w/Yokes AVS Sport. My wife and I have an MPV, so it's not that I need another 6 seater. I do like the Mazda 5 a lot, the other Mazda I'm looking at is the 3 but with such a better price the 5 came on top. Now, VW finally brought the Golf(Rabbit) V here, it's hard to ignore, especially if you're a dubhead. I'm still torn, like I said, the sensible side keeps telling me to get the 5 but the emotional side keeps saying MKV, MKV, MKV. Also, Pulmino, thanks for the heads up on mpg, I wonder if it's going to be diff't with the Rabbit being lighter than the Jetta MKV? I appreciate the input sir. I don't think I've ever been torn between cars, usually the VW wins for me. After owning the MPV, and my wife had a protoge before we got married, I have to say Mazda had done their job as far as fine quality automobiles. Thanks again to everyone that gave their input.

 

[Kojack]

yeah.....I was almost sitting in a new MS6. and still miight be next year. that car is hard to ignore....she's a rocket ship for sure. but the interior quality and just dynamics of the passat is so far ahead of the MS6 I think I cannot get rid of it. even the b6 passat dont have the same interior style as mine. but the 5 is the ultimate vehicle for my work/family hauler. handles good, great on gas, hauls the family awsome, looks great...good hp increase with minimal bolt ons, and ample room inside....and most of all...fun to drive. I am driving a F150 for work now and im sooooooo bored....ha ha!

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

PASSAT VS MSP6 well eh wake up and smell the coffee eh

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

PASSAT VS MSP6 well eh wake up and smell the coffee eh

I guess the comparison would be Passat 4motion V6 vs the MSP6 to even things out a bit. AWD VS AWD, with similiar bhp/tq. Honestly, the Mazda 6 would be a better car compared to the MSP6, 2 mag reviews that I've read, neither one were to fond of it. I don't like the looks, but the power is impresive. MSP3 has gotten better reviews in the Australian/Japanese/Euro press.

 

[jmcglynn]

I had a Rabbit convertible for 12 years and 300,000 miles before I gave it up... I think it's still out there somewhere. Before we got the M5 I was considering the Jetta Wagon, but up front cost and maintenance costs considerations were a big factor. It was the third row seat that really pushed us to the M5 (that and it had a stick), but if you already have that covered a new Rabbit might fit the bill. I have to say though... I spent a bundle on my old Rabbit for maintenance - German performance comes with a price. Now if they brought back the convertible Rabbit(Golf) with the roll bar, I might have to give up my M5... (OK... maybe our old Escort wagen instead)

 

[Kojack]

ummm I was not comparing power and speed...thats irrelevant. you can only drive so fast. Im talking about build quality, and fit and finish, as well as driving dynamics. the germans have all of the above figured out..the mazda is still a japanese car, therefore feels tinny in some respects...yes its fast, but the steering is to light, the interior is no where never the passats, and and you just feel more disconnected with the road. im not saying the 6 is a bad car...just not as good as the passat.

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

I had a Rabbit convertible for 12 years and 300,000 miles before I gave it up... I think it's still out there somewhere. Before we got the M5 I was considering the Jetta Wagon, but up front cost and maintenance costs considerations were a big factor. It was the third row seat that really pushed us to the M5 (that and it had a stick), but if you already have that covered a new Rabbit might fit the bill. I have to say though... I spent a bundle on my old Rabbit for maintenance - German performance comes with a price. Now if they brought back the convertible Rabbit(Golf) with the roll bar, I might have to give up my M5... (OK... maybe our old Escort wagen instead)

Yeah, I know about the maintanance. I do most of the maint on the cars my self. I'm waiting to see how the MKV will rate. I'm not going to buy the next car tomorrow. As far as giving a car up, yep, the Escort should be the one, not the Mazda 5. Another thing, I didn't post this on Vortex, due to the brand loyalty is too crazy (lots of fanbois there, esp the MKIV forum) so I did it here because the people on this board converse with you as oppose to berate you. Thanks for the input.

 

[mazdaFIVEmike]

ok, seeing that everyone is getting in on this... here's my 2 cents...

GET THE RABBIT

You've already got an MPV...

GET THE RABBIT

(rockon)

PS my 2 cars before the 5 were '93 Golf and a '99 Jetta so I've been a VW owner for 12 years and wouldn't hesitate to go back.... in fact I wish I had my old Golf back right now for a 2nd vehicle.

did I mention...

GET THE RABBIT

 

[Kojack]

I agree mike,

I don't know what everyone is talking about the maintence of vw's? I had no major problems with my car since I owned it....bought it new in 03, only had to replace the brake pads. other than that its just oil changes and stuff....my car has 90k on it too. And yes to the tex, it gets pretty freakin crazy there. I tell you tho, if vw had a vehicle like the 5, I would get that. but, they dont and the mazda is far from a bad product. Of all the japanese auto makers mazda is the most, european. thank god.

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

ok, seeing that everyone is getting in on this... here's my 2 cents...

GET THE RABBIT

You've already got an MPV...

GET THE RABBIT

(rockon)

PS my 2 cars before the 5 were '93 Golf and a '99 Jetta so I've been a VW owner for 12 years and wouldn't hesitate to go back.... in fact I wish I had my old Golf back right now for a 2nd vehicle.

did I mention...

GET THE RABBIT

Thank you sir. I agree, this is not to be a go Mazda and bash VW or vice versa. This is the 1st time since '90 that I don't have a VW in my garage. So maybe it's a sentimental thing right...Thanks for your input Mike.

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

I agree mike,

I don't know what everyone is talking about the maintence of vw's? I had no major problems with my car since I owned it....bought it new in 03, only had to replace the brake pads. other than that its just oil changes and stuff....my car has 90k on it too. And yes to the tex, it gets pretty freakin crazy there. I tell you tho, if vw had a vehicle like the 5, I would get that. but, they dont and the mazda is far from a bad product. Of all the japanese auto makers mazda is the most, european. thank god.

I do, VW is a very durable car, a lot of the issues tho has to do I'm sure with the issues on the MKIV Jetta/Golf. On top of that, most of the issues were with the Puebla plant...and suppliers not conforming to VW standards (coil packs on 1.8t, window regulator) oil sludge on 1.8t leases(which is caused by people not knowing how to do cool off before shutting a turbo engine off, etc. If you were lucky enough to get the GTI (after '02) the problems would be the window regulator, maybe the oil sludge in the 1.8t(if it was lease return) -- it was built in Brazil. If you get the Jetta wagon or the GLI (after '03 IIRC) it's made in Germany and the quality suposedly was a lot better.

 

[Kojack]

yep....I always cool my car down...and do the oil changes very regularly

 

[jandree22]

So after 32 replies, have you gotten ANY closer to a decision yet?!

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

So after 32 replies, have you gotten ANY closer to a decision yet?!

Not really. I might still end up w/the 5 which is a fine auto to begin with. I am thankful for all the replies and input on this though.

 

[Foolish]

On a side note, don't get the factory 18"s on the rabbit. Get the steelies and spend the $1800 VW would charge you for the 18"s on some wheels and tires you really like. Just a thought.

 

[Ninty1GTiVR6]

On a side note, don't get the factory 18"s on the rabbit. Get the steelies and spend the $1800 VW would charge you for the 18"s on some wheels and tires you really like. Just a thought.

Did you see the optional 18" though, they're not bad looking, plus the anthracite finish is really nice with the black, or if I go for the green on the 5dr hatch. I do wan't 18" if I get the 5. Not sure what yet, most likely some OZ's due to the light weight, or even Enkeis. Tires, I like Yokos myself, but Toyos are decently priced too now.

 

[pulmino]

The Golf would be lighter than the Jetta, as you said, and perhaps that would help little bit with the city mileage, but the Jetta has better aerodynamics, so the highway mileage on the Golf could be worse. Also, try the 2.5L and see how you like even the sound of it, as it sounds quite different and some hate it. The Auto also is 6 speed and the last gear is very tall (70 mph at 2.000 rpm), so you might get a lot better hwy numbers with the Auto.

 

[Kojack]

its a hard decision for sure....im happy I dont have to decide. I have my vw for one car and will have the 5 for a second...best of both worlds.! I think he will be happy with either ride.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

its a hard decision for sure....im happy I dont have to decide. I have my vw for one car and will have the 5 for a second...best of both worlds.! I think he will be happy with either ride.

No, the "best of both worlds" would be a 3S (or Speed) and a 5.