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2744 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 9:48 AM
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Replying to: claudius753 (Dec 15, 2006 8:58 pm) I'll second (third?) a few other posters: DRIVE a manual equipped Mazda3 before you make up your mind. The noise level (quality) in a Cavalier at 3000rpm may be COMPLETELY different from a Mazda3 at 3000rpm. In other words, not all cars sound the same at 3000rpm. For the record, I looked up the specs on the Mazda3 transmissions (the 5 MT and the 5 AT). Top gear for the MT is 0.755 with a final drive ratio of 4.105 for an overall gear ratio (in 5th) of 3.10:1. Top gear for the AT is 0.692 with a final drive ratio of 3.863 for an overall gear ratio (in 5th) of 2.67:1. Meaning the Mazda3 MT will be turning about 16% higher rpms at any given speed in 5th gear than the AT. I dunno if this helps or not. Buy the car for YOUR needs/desires. Whatever you do, test drive both. If others want to drive it, let THEM figure it out (learning a MT is not exactly rocket science; do you REALLY want someone driving your car who simply CAN'T learn how to drive a MT? I wouldn't.....)
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Replying to: rorr (Dec 19, 2006 1:59 pm) The ease of use, relaxed cruising, and still being able to select my own gear when I need to is what made me go for the 5AT. No, it's not the same as a true 5MT, but it still will let me select a gear and hold it if I want to have some fun in the twisties. Now, in a few years, if this 3 gives me great service and exceptional reliability (I have already found out that it is great fun) then I will consider perhaps a Mazdaspeed 3 which is only available in 6MT, such as a performance car SHOULD only be available in MT or some sequential system such as DSG. The only downside to this vehicle is that basically no one can sit behind me in my preferred driving position. Of course, I rarely carry passengers and if I do, it's one other. On the occasion some one needs to sit behind me, I can adjust up so they could squeeze it there. Loving my 3 so far anyway, I'm at 425 miles so far, only a few left until it's broken in enough to be able to let the revs soar a little bit more 
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I'd like to paint my brake calipers this spring. Does anyone have any insight on how to do this efficiently?
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Replying to: dride (Jan 15, 2007 8:49 pm) |
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This is a little bit off topic, but I thought I'd share... My 3 is at the dealer for service to see if they can figure out a reason for my sub 20 mpg hwy mileage. I got a free loaner car because of the protection package I have... The car they gave me is a recent model Toyota Corolla, ~1700 miles. Either something is severely wrong with the loaner, or the car buying public must be the most naive group of people around to make it one of the best selling cars. The Corolla is, without a doubt, the WORST car I have ever driven. Though the power is surprisingly adequate, the engine feels like it came from a piece of agricultural machinery (I read that in a review, and it is an accurate description). Loud and hollow sounding under pressure, and very unrefined. Steering is numb and way too slow to react to input for me. The 1995 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 I used to drive was more refined and better steering. The gas mileage seems to be pretty high, but a Honda Civic has a much more refined feel. Point of the story, I would rather drive my Mazda at 19 mpg than get 100 mpg in a Corolla.
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I agree with your view of the Corolla. My wife and I took a test drive in a Corolla - the sales guy pulled the car up we got in - only drove 10 feet and knew - THIS WAS NOT A CAR we wanted. The sound of the exhaust note is a horrible low pitched drone. I also had some of the same feelings when we drove the Scion TC. I read some of the posts about the Corolla (on Edmunds) before we took the test drive. Several people said - it was like a mini Lexus! I just don't get it! |
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Replying to: claudius753 (Jan 18, 2007 7:58 pm) Interesting. I had a similar experience when my Mazda Protege5 was being repaired and the dealership offered a luxury Kia which I found to be an ungainly vehicle. Perhaps this is a strategy by dealerships to make one appreciate one's vehicle: offer them the competition. |
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I think most dealers just use some of the cars that were traded in. You need to ask - why a Mazda dealer would even have a Corolla with only 1,700 on the odometer? That is a sure sign that someone either had major problems with the car (not that likely) - or after a few weeks figured out they just did not like the vehicle (pretty likely). I bet they took a major hit when they traded it in.
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Replying to: z71bill (Jan 19, 2007 11:22 am) We see this happen once or twice a month...last week a lady traded her 2006 Volvo XC-90 with only 4000 miles...nothing wrong with the car, she just didn't like it. She also took a big hit...She purchased a new town car. Go figure. |
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The dealer found nothing wrong with my "economy" car. No explanation of the 19 mpg. They did work up a deal where I could get the exact same car but with a manual transmission. For the same payments, it would cost me about an extra $1,000 (basically taxes and fees) or alternatively I would have to pay an extra $16 a month. They are also going to contact Mazda and see if they would have a solution to the problem or if they would subsidize some of the cost associated with getting a manual. What would you do? I do kind of miss driving a manual and it would clear up the mileage issue. I would be taking a $2000 hit though (extra down plus manual costs less than the auto I paid for). If Mazda has no solution but are willing to kick back some cash to equalize the prices, I think I should get the manual. Ideas?
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