Ask the Car People.SM


Mazda3 Hatchback - READ ONLY

2744 messages,  Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:48 AM

You are in the Hatchbacks - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hatchbacks Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 255 of 276

#2533 of 2744 thinking of buying a Mazda 3 hatchback mazdazoom by z71bill

Jul 20, 2006 (8:38 am)

You can buy a NEW Mazda3s Touring 4dr Wagon with auto for under $18K. Is $4,000 less enough of a discount? Hard to say - but I would adjust the $4,000 to try and get your real savings.
 
Some things to consider -
 
Wear items - tires and brakes - for sure need to be looked at - if the used car needs these soon you should add them into the cost.
 
If you finance you will be able to get a lower interest rate on a new car loan VS a used car loan - you may also get a lower rate even if you finance over 60 months VS 48 months - the new car payment may still be higher but it is something you should look at.
 
Warranty? The 2004 only has 16K miles left - a new 2006 will have 50K - not saying if you buy used you must buy an extended warranty (I never do and never will) but you could find out how much an extended warranty would cost - if its $1,500 (I have no idea what is should be) then in a way you are only "saving" $2,500 buying used. I am using the cost of the extended warranty as a way to estimate the EXTRA costs of repairs you will have if you buy used - of course you may get lucky and pay no repairs - you may be unlucky and replace the engine and tranny.
 
Insurance may cost more on a new car. But that depends on many factors - so you just need to check it out.
 
Will you keep the car for 10 years? Then resale is not that big of a deal - but if you trade every 3-4 years the 2006 will be worth a few thousand more when you trade it in.
 
I have look at these factors a few times and always end up buying a new car -

#2534 of 2744 Re: thinking of buying a Mazda 3 hatchback [mfgreendeer] by richml

Jul 20, 2006 (9:06 am)

Replying to: mfgreendeer (Jul 19, 2006 12:25 pm)
The 3 handles a lot better in snow with winter tires, as opposed to the OEM "all season" tires.
 
Prepare yourself for sticker shock if you buy low-profile winter tires.

#2535 of 2744 Re: thinking of buying a Mazda 3 hatchback [mfgreendeer] by dride

Jul 21, 2006 (7:47 am)

Replying to: mfgreendeer (Jul 19, 2006 12:25 pm)
By 34k miles most of the bugs have been worked out. I think 2004 was the first model year for the 3. I live in MN, and the car was really difficult to drive in the winter w/o a set of snow tires, which was a sizeable investment for 4 new rims and four snow tires. I used to drive a VW, and compared to that nickel and dime piece of junk the 3 has been much better. 14k seems a bit steep, but these cars hold resale value quite well. They are also high in demand.

#2536 of 2744 This mght help in deciding... by luvmbooty

Aug 09, 2006 (8:28 pm)

Just recieved a Sept. 2006 Consumer Reports mag. In it was an article comparing Mazda 3, Audi A3, Saab 9-2x, and Dodge Caliber. The order above is how they ranked. CR basically said the HIGHS: Nimble handling, engine and trany, braking. LOWS: Road noise, intrument contrast.
 
Also mentioned Electric stability control will be optional on 2007 models!

#2537 of 2744 Re: This mght help in deciding... [luvmbooty] by backy

Aug 10, 2006 (6:27 am)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 09, 2006 8:28 pm)
That's a great showing for the Mazda3, considering the price of the competition. Also consider that was the 2006 model, not the improved 2007.
 
I'll bet the Caliber didn't fare very well in that comparo.

#2538 of 2744 Re: This mght help in deciding... [backy] by luvmbooty

Aug 10, 2006 (9:22 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 10, 2006 6:27 am)
No, it didn't. CR said Highs: CVT trany, handy interior features. Lows: Acceleration, noise, visibility, fit and finish.

#2539 of 2744 Re: This mght help in deciding... [luvmbooty] by autonomous

Aug 10, 2006 (10:46 am)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 09, 2006 8:28 pm)
I found the Sept. 2006 Consumer Reports article on hatchbacks interesting also. Below is what I posted in the
Protege5 forum. The Protege5 is the predecessor to the Mazda3 hatchback. In most cases the Mazda3 hatchback is a big improvement over the Protege5 but it looks like Mazda dropped the ball when it came to fuel economy since both automatics only get 25 mpg. Also, the Protege5 had an Excellent reliability rating back in 2002 whereas the current Mazda3 gets a Better than Average rating.
  
"In the current crop of hatchbacks the Mazda3 tops CR's list over the Caliber, Audi3, Saab 92X, Matrix, Vibe, Focus, Malibu Maxx, PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR, Prius, and Scion XB. Quite an accomplishment considering some of these vehicles cost thousands more.
  
The one surprising deficit of all of the hatchbacks tested in the Sept. 2006 issue (i.e. Mazda3, Caliber, Audi3, Saab 92X) is the cargo area! Surprising because that's the one area of a hatchback that one would think that a hatchback would score well.
  
In August 2002, Consumer Reports recommended the Protege5 even though it came ninth in the list of hatchbacks. The top choice that year was the VW Jetta Wagon.
 
Since I had a copy of CR's earlier hatchback review back in 2002 when the Protege5 came out, I found it interesting to compare the specs for the Mazda3 hatchback against those of the Protege5. As you can imagine in most cases the Mazda3 bested the P5 (horsepower, torque, acceleration, transmission ...). But here are a few places where the P5 scored better: the Protege5's brakes stop you in the dry from a 60mph in 126 ft compared to the Mazda3's 129 ft. The P5 weighs nearly 10% less than the Mazda3 hatchback and likely because of a heavier front end the weight distribution is better on the P5. Finally, it is interesting to note that both the P5 and the Mazda3 hatchback average the same 25 mpg."

#2540 of 2744 Is CR on something? by blueguydotcom

Aug 10, 2006 (11:11 am)

"Finally, it is interesting to note that both the P5 and the Mazda3 hatchback average the same 25 mpg."
 
What did they drive, an auto? The Mazda3 2.3 with manual gets an average of 28 mpg.

#2541 of 2744 Re: Is CR on something? [blueguydotcom] by autonomous

Aug 10, 2006 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Aug 10, 2006 11:11 am)
"... both the P5 and the Mazda3 hatchback average the same 25 mpg."
What did they drive, an auto?
 
YES.

#2542 of 2744 Re: Is CR on something? [autonomous] by blueguydotcom

Aug 10, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Aug 10, 2006 12:39 pm)
An auto in a 4 cylinder car that heavy? Might as well be pedaling the darn thing.

Messages Page 255 of 276

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement