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Mazda3 Hatchback - READ ONLY

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

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

Messages Page 267 of 276

#2653 of 2744 Next generation Mazda3 hatchback? by autonomous

Aug 29, 2007 (10:12 am)

Has anyone heard anything about the next generation of Mazda3? From what I have read, the 2008 Mazda3 is a refresh; it has the same engine and most of the same features as earlier models.
 
Considering that the car is now in its fifth year is it likely that the next generation will be next year (2008) or the year after (2009)?
 
Also, considering that Mazda shares its engines across different products, is there any news about a new engine for Mazda that the Mazda3 would likely inherit in the future?
 
Is there any news about a future Ford product using a spruced up engine from Mazda?
 
Here's hoping that the future Mazda3 hatchback will shed several hundred pounds and come with a more fuel efficient but still performance-oriented engine.

#2654 of 2744 Re: Next generation Mazda3 hatchback? [autonomous] by qddave

Sep 20, 2007 (4:47 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Aug 29, 2007 10:12 am)
Here's hoping that it has elements of the new 6. I thought I read that the new 4 cyl for the '09 6 is supposed to be bumped up to 2.5L and produce approx 180hp. But I can't find the site at this minute.
 
Dave

#2655 of 2744 Re: Next generation Mazda3 hatchback? [qddave] by eldaino

Sep 20, 2007 (8:15 am)

Replying to: qddave (Sep 20, 2007 4:47 am)
180 hp from a 2.5 sounds decent. better than the 5 cyl in vw, but still not as efficient as the current engines in the accord and altima. (4 cyl 2.4 with at least 177 hp and 4 cyl 2.5 with 175.)

#2656 of 2744 Looking for some input on the 3 by bottgers

Sep 22, 2007 (6:07 am)

We currently have an '03 MPV which we're pretty happy with, but our family is shrinking (not really, but the number of kids living at home will be decreasing) and we may want to downsize a bit. While we're thinking about downsizing, we don't want to lose the utility of a hatchback wagon as we have several dogs, and we'll still need a grocery getter.
 
I will say we've had our share of reliability issues with the MPV. Thankfully, they all occured and were fixed while the vehicle was still under warranty. None of the issues were major and I do think the overall build quality and reliability of Mazdas in general is top notch, which is why we're considering another one. The only real gripe I have about Mazda is they always seem to be lagging behind Honda and Toyota in terms of fuel economy. I don't know if their engine technologies aren't as advanced as those of Honda and Toyota, but when comparing similar vehicles, the Mazdas always seem to be less fuel efficient.
 
The main reason we're looking at a change in vehicles is fuel economy. My wife is the primary driver of the MPV, and would also be of the 3 as well. Almost all of her driving is in the city. We average about 19 MPG with MPV, which I guess isn't too bad considering it's a minivan, but we'd rather have something that gets more like mid to high 20's in the city. With the MPV, there was only one engine choice. With the 3 there are two, and on paper there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of difference between the them. However, I know sometimes this can misleading. Are there many differences between the 2.0 and the 2.3 engines and if so, what are they? Which one gets the best mileage (the smaller engine doesn't always get better mileage)? Is the 2.0 doggy? Which one is the most reliable. I know the 3.0 Duratec engine in the MPV is bullet proof and I would hope its replacement would be as well.
 
Also, I've noticed the automatic trannies in the 2.3 liter models are 5 speeds. Are these trannies made by JATCO like the ones in the MPV? If so, I really like their trannies. Who makes the 4 speed auto in the 2.0 liter models?
 
If there's anything else any of you think I need know about the 3 before I consider buying one, I'd definitely like to hear about it.

#2657 of 2744 Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [bottgers] by marscat

Sep 22, 2007 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: bottgers (Sep 22, 2007 6:07 am)
I have a 2006 Mazda 3. My tires lasted only 12000 and that was pushing it. My front passenger tire had a big egg on the side of it. The tires are built for speed not logevity. The tires really grab the road, but also feel every bump in the road. I don't like the car on road trips. I paid $1100 to get new tires. So just add that to the price. It's a shame because for the most part I like the car.
Also the front dash is a black material that really seems to radiate heat even if you have put up a windsheild shade. Good news is that the AC works great.
The best mileage that I've recorded is 29. (In manual on the highway.)
I love the zoom zoom zoom, though. And the hatchback allows me to transport all kind of things. I recommend getting the back bumper protectors and the rubber tray that you can get off the internet is a must.
I, too would like to see better gas mileage from cars. I plan on waiting a year to see how the hybrids pan out then I'm selling my Mazda.

#2658 of 2744 Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [marscat] by bottgers

Sep 22, 2007 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: marscat (Sep 22, 2007 1:43 pm)
Is your's the 2.0 or 2.3 liter? The best mileage you've gotten is only 29 on the highway? That's what I'm talking about with the fuel economy of the Mazdas. If this was a Honda or a Toyota, it would probably get high 20's in town, and 35 highway. Mazda needs to play catch up with their fuel economy technology. I believe we're going to be seeing $4 a gallon gas next summer and these 20 MPG vehicles just ain't gonna cut it.

#2659 of 2744 I thought I'd get.... by bottgers

Sep 23, 2007 (4:45 am)

...more input than this. I guess this is kind of a dead topic right now.

#2660 of 2744 Re: I thought I'd get.... [bottgers] by roadburner

Sep 23, 2007 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: bottgers (Sep 23, 2007 4:45 am)
I guess this is kind of a dead topic right now.
 
I didn't think that you would be interested in my 3. FWIW, my 4200 mile Mazdaspeed3 is averaging 22 mpg in mostly suburban driving. If I could resist the urge to keep my foot to the floor I could possibly see 24 mpg- which is the number the pocket protector crowd at Consumer Reports averaged.

#2661 of 2744 Re: AC issues....? [chris87114] by gib11

Sep 24, 2007 (5:03 am)

Replying to: chris87114 (Jun 09, 2004 9:36 am)
Has for mileage, I own a 2004 MZ3 hatch and average 32MPG for 80% highway. Its a little more than The ciovic and Corolla but I have lots more power and torque. Plus the car is heavier and rides on larger tire. Has for reliability, I still have the same breaks and went to the garage only for TSB. So for me this car is great

#2662 of 2744 Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [bottgers] by autonomous

Sep 24, 2007 (9:43 am)

Replying to: bottgers (Sep 22, 2007 6:07 am)
I don't know if their engine technologies aren't as advanced as those of Honda and Toyota, but when comparing similar vehicles, the Mazdas always seem to be less fuel efficient.
Agreed. I think Mazda has some homework to do. According to Consumer Reports the manual 2.0L of the Mazda3 has the best overall mileage of the Mazda3s.

Messages Page 267 of 276

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