Buying a new car

[ghosthunter]

mazda3 vs swift: no contest that the mazda3 is the better choice between the two. As you mentioned, the Mazda3 is a bit sluggish if you choose the 1.6L version, requiring you to press the accelerator a big deeper to get better results but it's not that bad. Maybe you should ask your officemates for a testdrive of their unit so you can have first-hand experience.

My parents have one and it's not that bad. The only real time I truly feel it lacks more power is when I take that car for a long drive to Baguio or similar and when I want to overtake another car at high speed.

BTW, the SRP prices of your choice of vehicles are:
Mazda3 S 1.6L A/T = PHP 819,000.00
Swift 1.6L A/T = PHP 755,000.00

Your other choices within your budget are:
Toyota Yaris 1.5G A/T = PHP 748,000.00
Toyota Vios 1.5G A/T = PHP 765,000.00
Honda Jazz S 1.3L A/T = PHP 747,000.00
Honda Jazz V 1.5L A/T = PHP 797,000.00

Right now, you can avail of the Honda Jazz 1.3L since there is an oversupply of the 1.3L variant while the 1.5L has a long waiting list (sometimes over 45 days before delivery) since the price difference (P50K) makes it a better purchase based on the added accessories/features.

[Gerbo]

I'd say, get the Mazda 3.

-your wife also wants it: probably it would be difficult if you get the Swift and "nagged"
that the other car is better.
-your office mates has one, too: you will feel "in".

But seriously, the 3 is a bigger and much better car, handles better IMHO. As to the 1.6L displacement, it cannot be that bad in MM traffic. And you have the luxury of the company paying for the gas. Go zoom-zoom na!

[al shaheen]

I'd say, get the Mazda 3.

-your wife also wants it: probably it would be difficult if you get the Swift and "nagged"
that the other car is better.
-your office mates has one, too: you will feel "in".

And you have the luxury of the company paying for the gas. Go zoom-zoom na!

+ 1 on this, yes zoom zoom na!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[meledson]

Typically, the bigger the vehicle, the more stable, safer and spacious it is.