In reply to Slippery :
The 1.5 does feel really good with the CVT. It's a combo I'd like to build a buggy around for rallycross. But, OP wants a manual trans.
Were a CVT on the table, I'd be all for the 1.5, but with a manual, I'd rather have the K20, especially in a car as large as the Civic. Them's my opinions and you can ignore them as necessary 
In reply to Slippery :
Peter Ling autocrossed a Civic Sport hatchback with a 1.5 and the CVT in H/Street at a pro level and was very competitive with it.
In reply to NickD :
I'm impressed with the one in the Fit.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:I'd rather have the K20 (or the Skyactiv engine) than the 1.5 turbo. The butt dyno suggests they make about the same real-world power but the 2 liter feels nicer, more linear in response.
The 1.5 turbo is great until you notice the lag. It isn't 1980s bad but it's also not present with the 2 liter.
Autocross results suggest the 1.5 makes more power, or its fatter powerband is superior.
I haven't driven a Civic 1.5. I love the K20, but my Veloster 1.6 felt like it had a good amount more punch on the street than the K20.
I wouldn't turn any of the above down :). And I'd probably take any of them over the 2.5 Mazda.
That said, if someone knows how the berkeley to find a 6psd 2.5 Mazda 3 hatch, tell me your secret. I can never find any of them (used) for sale. I suspect its partially due to timing in that there was quite a while those were not offered. But even the 2nd gen cars it seems that a Manual + 2.5 + Hatch combo is very rare.
In reply to ProDarwin :
I used to see a not-insignificant number of them when I was shopping but they all rusted really quickly in Wisconsin so I stayed away. They are out there though.
ProDarwin said:That said, if someone knows how the berkeley to find a 6psd 2.5 Mazda 3 hatch, tell me your secret. I can never find any of them (used) for sale. I suspect its partially due to timing in that there was quite a while those were not offered. But even the 2nd gen cars it seems that a Manual + 2.5 + Hatch combo is very rare.
If you look at 2017-18, all the Touring and Grand Touring models have the 2.5. Cargurus lists dozens of hatchbacks with manuals as of a few minutes ago.
I like the idea of the K20 with the manual in the hatchback because I don't think that combo was available in the previous generation in the US. But in 2016 the manual LX Civic coupe or sedan was like $19k. Now hatch with K20 is like $26K. That sounds off
GTwannaB said:I like the idea of the K20 with the manual in the hatchback because I don't think that combo was available in the previous generation in the US. But in 2016 the manual LX Civic coupe or sedan was like $19k. Now hatch with K20 is like $26K. That sounds off
Oh wait, it is a K20. When I said K20 above I was thinking of the Civic SI / RSX K20 (~200hp), not the variant in the lower spec Civics.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:spacecadet (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to Slippery :
Has Mazda3 rust been an issue in the past 10 years? i know it was an issue on the ford built ones..
It has always been a problem with Hiroshima built cars. I'm not sure if they don't know how to protect a car or just don't care.
They are better than they used to be, but I am still seeing 3 year old Mazdas with all the spot welds under the car rusted out. They must be relying on a process that protects the sheetmetal before welding, with no treatment to the shell after welding.
yeah, if this becomes a real issue where it spreads or becomes a rear fender issue.. i'd then really consider it a problem.
frankly.... the only option seems to be you need to take it into your own hands if you're staying with a car in the salt belt for the long haul.. I saw a 5th gen camaro with rust around the rear fenders in detroit and I realized... man... those have finally gotten to that point in age...
In reply to spacecadet (Forum Supporter) :
I saw an EP3 yesterday for the first time in a long time , that had no rockers. Must have been the only one not junked after a 3-2 upshift.
Back to the new Civics, I agree that either engine option is pretty good. I'm a little intrigued that the 1.5 posts better times, wonder if it weighs less (turbo, intercooler, and all) or what other factors are at play.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:In reply to spacecadet (Forum Supporter) :
I saw an EP3 yesterday for the first time in a long time , that had no rockers. Must have been the only one not junked after a 3-2 upshift.
Back to the new Civics, I agree that either engine option is pretty good. I'm a little intrigued that the 1.5 posts better times, wonder if it weighs less (turbo, intercooler, and all) or what other factors are at play.
the 1.5 is bringing 20 more ponies to the table, so that doesn't hurt.
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