Mazda Atenza vs Mazda Axela

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Sarmed

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#242229 17-Oct-2018 08:43

I have decided to change my car. I really want a mazda and have drilled it down to 2 options on Trade me.

Option1:

Third Generation Mazda Atenza 2012 (New Shape)

bells and whistles (engine start button, keyless, etc)

around 50k on the odometer

Imported

Option2

Mazda Axela 2014

same bells and whistles as Atenza

around 50k on the odometer

NZ New

I am super confused between the 2 because the price is the same. Any people who have driven both and have any valuable input will be really appreciated

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#2109259 17-Oct-2018 08:53

The Axela will not be NZ new if it is called an Axela. They are called a Mazda3 if they are NZ new models (first registered in NZ is what I take NZ new to mean).

There are a lot of different engines available in both those cars. The Axela is slightly smaller, and IMO a bit more sporty.

I have an Axela, but it is the 2.3L Turbo model, and was/is worth a lot more than the 1.5L basic model.

Show us the Trademe links, could point out the differences.

Sarmed

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2109273 17-Oct-2018 09:05

Sorry should have mentioned its Mazda3 it is NZ New

Both have 2 litre engines

Atenza https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/cars/mazda/auction-1601745265.htm

Mazda3 https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/cars/mazda/auction-1775975703.htm

Thanks in advnace

trig42

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#2109280 17-Oct-2018 09:11

There is a premium for NZ new cars (NZ radios/navigation).

The engines will be the same in both cars. The Mazda3 will be slightly smaller and lighter, so may feel a bit more peppy and sporty. The Atenza may be quieter inside. My Axela is quite noisy inside (road noise).

Sarmed

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2109287 17-Oct-2018 09:17

How easy or expensive is it to have maps/radio switch to english?

If you had to flip a coin which one would you go for?

Delphinus

611 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2109298 17-Oct-2018 09:30

Just drive them both. They are different cars. I tried both, the Atenza felt large, more comfortable, more wallowy. Axela (Mazda 3) was more nimble and more what I wanted so I got the Axela.

You'll know what you prefer when you drive them.

trig42

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#2109331 17-Oct-2018 09:33

There is someone on these forums (@RUKI) that can do dash conversions from Japanese to English for a few models of cars (and I think the Mazdas are one of them, but not sure of the models). Not sure if they can do Maps/GPS.

I don't know the cost, but it would be something I would work into my budget.

Sarmed

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2109334 17-Oct-2018 09:40

My current car is a old Teana 2006. I do enjoy the drive of it. It has a 2.3 V6 engine though which I did find quite responsive.

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trig42

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#2109344 17-Oct-2018 09:48

You will find the Atenz quite similar - big car.

The Mazda3 will be quite sporty by comparison.

It depends what you like - drive them both.

jonathan18

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#2109400 17-Oct-2018 10:08

Be mindful that, given it's the same 2 litre engine in both, but the Atenza will be a decent sized larger/heavier, you'll not get the same performance from this car. The 2 litre is the entry-level engine in the NZ new 6, and is typically the domain of reps' and rental cars - I recall many reviews recommended the 2.5 litre for better performance.

Also, you'll find the Japanese imports very rarely have more than two airbags, which may be an issue for you.

I like the 6/Atenza - I have a wagon in the same Reflex Blue as that sedan, but with the diesel engine - and think they handle well compared to the standard competition such as Hyundai and Toyota models ; the Ford Mondeo is also often thought to handle well, but you won't get Japanese imports of that.

Axela vs Atenza - well, they are quite different in size, so wouldn't that also be part of your decision-making process? I suggest working out which size suits you better, and then comparing different cars within that specific model of car, rather than between two different models.

alasta

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#2109501 17-Oct-2018 10:41

Get the NZ new one. A dodgy import will be difficult and expensive to maintain, and the suspension tune may not suit our roads.

I have a Mazda3 that I bought in 2015 and mechanically it is brilliant, but there are other aspects of it that I'm not happy with:

Poor finish on alloy wheels.
Elusive intermittent fault with Bose speaker that I am struggling to reproduce with the dealer.
Slow and flaky entertainment system, and excessive dealer charge to upgrade to Carplay.
Lack of cargo hooks.
USB ports in stupid place.

Would I buy another Mazda? Maybe, but I would probably look at Hyundai first as I really like the new Hyundais that we have just got at work.

jonathan18

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#2109517 17-Oct-2018 10:52

alasta:

Elusive intermittent fault with Bose speaker that I am struggling to reproduce with the dealer.

@alasta: OT, perhaps, but what sort of problems are you having? I had significant problems with both front speakers (in a 6, but also a Limited so with a similar Bose setup) - they would easily distort with any decent level of bass. I asked to have them replaced, despite it being a few years down the track, and ended up getting the costs of the speakers covered by Mazda and I paid at least some of the cost of installation (perhaps I could have fought it but in the end decided it wasn't worth it).

I did wonder if the rumble noise from the line crossing warning system was to blame - as it certainly wasn't me playing the stereo at excessive volumes (especially given the supposed 'premium' stereo fit-out), and it affected the front speakers only; since then I have switched this warning system to the beep rather than the rumble, just in case.

Anyway, your issue could be something completely different...

alasta

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#2109623 17-Oct-2018 12:20

jonathan18:

alasta:

Elusive intermittent fault with Bose speaker that I am struggling to reproduce with the dealer.

@alasta: OT, perhaps, but what sort of problems are you having? I had significant problems with both front speakers (in a 6, but also a Limited so with a similar Bose setup) - they would easily distort with any decent level of bass. I asked to have them replaced, despite it being a few years down the track, and ended up getting the costs of the speakers covered by Mazda and I paid at least some of the cost of installation (perhaps I could have fought it but in the end decided it wasn't worth it).

I did wonder if the rumble noise from the line crossing warning system was to blame - as it certainly wasn't me playing the stereo at excessive volumes (especially given the supposed 'premium' stereo fit-out), and it affected the front speakers only; since then I have switched this warning system to the beep rather than the rumble, just in case.

Anyway, your issue could be something completely different...

Interesting. How old was your car at the time? My car is just over three years old, and I gather that the latter two years of the supposed five year warranty only cover powertrain and safety related faults.

In my case it's an intermittent fault whereby the front right speaker sounds like it is either rattling inside its frame, or (less likely) the vibration is causing some other loose object to rattle inside the door frame. It only occurs when producing frequencies under about 100Hz. The noise is definitely different from the lane departure warning rumble.

It is very noticeable when it happens - it's basically impossible to listen to music any more but okay for podcasts/talk radio. Since I don't listen to music in the car anyway I'm inclined to just put up with it, but maybe I should battle the dealer again so that it doesn't affect my trade in value.

In any case it puts me off buying Mazda or Bose product in the future.

hio77

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#2109634 17-Oct-2018 12:29

I've got a 2005 attenza, It's a brilliant car.

The only issue i have had with it is, the tires... they are a odd sizing so sourcing those can be a bit of a pain.

Oh, and it likes the good stuff.. I'm not sure what it is but things get all sorts of out of wack on some brands of 91, tend to feed it 96 instead and it purs.

Otherwise it's a brilliant car, Quite low maintenance.

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jonathan18

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#2109681 17-Oct-2018 13:19

alasta:

Interesting. How old was your car at the time? My car is just over three years old, and I gather that the latter two years of the supposed five year warranty only cover powertrain and safety related faults.

In my case it's an intermittent fault whereby the front right speaker sounds like it is either rattling inside its frame, or (less likely) the vibration is causing some other loose object to rattle inside the door frame. It only occurs when producing frequencies under about 100Hz. The noise is definitely different from the lane departure warning rumble.

It is very noticeable when it happens - it's basically impossible to listen to music any more but okay for podcasts/talk radio. Since I don't listen to music in the car anyway I'm inclined to just put up with it, but maybe I should battle the dealer again so that it doesn't affect my trade in value.

In any case it puts me off buying Mazda or Bose product in the future.

I think the car was about three years old at the time; the problem you're reporting sounds remarkably similar to mine. It started with one speaker, but ended up 'spreading' to the other front speaker. I found the same, in that it was ok with spoken voice.

I wasn't meaning the noise was similar to the lane departure warning rumble, but more that that noise could the cause of the problems with the speakers. No evidence for this, and I don't know what frequencies the rumble is broadcast across (potentially there's a decent amount of bass the speakers can't produce); the rumble is only broadcast through the front speakers, however, and it's only my fronts (and your front) that are affected.

I could dig out my email to Mazda NZ to highlight the problem and PM it to you, as I think it's worth pushing it a bit with them given the problem seems the same. Let me know if you want me to do this.

It's not put me off Mazda - man, I'd go for the new 2.5 litre turbo version of the 6! - but it has made me even more cynical of Bose products. I've never thought much of the stereo in the car, especially the lack of decent bass (where's the subwoofer?!).

MileHighKiwi

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#2111001 19-Oct-2018 14:42

We just traded in our Mazda Attenza 2013 23s model. It was an import but had Bose stereo, 6 airbags, 2.3L engine. It was a great car for the last 9 years, still mechanically sound. We had quite a few issues with brakes over the years, replaced them twice I think. I've driven Axela's too and prefer the Attenza. Good cars. We upgraded to another Maxda, a CX-5.

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