- #2671 of 2744
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Re: Air Dam Option [jazzmin]
by roadburner
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Sep 26, 2007 (9:54 am)
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Replying to: jazzmin (Sep 26, 2007 8:34 am)
I'm assuming that the air dam and Sirius are factory installed. If that's the case you should simply find a 3 without those options, either by having the dealer locate one or else by going to a different dealer. That's what I did when I decided to purchase my Mazdaspeed3. I wanted a specific color with no options and my salesman found one and had it trucked in at no additional charge.
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- #2672 of 2744
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Re: Air Dam Option [roadburner]
by jazzmin
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Sep 26, 2007 (11:52 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Sep 26, 2007 9:54 am)
Right, they are already installed on the in-stock cars. It actually make me suspect that that's one reason this particular dealer has so many cars available - they all seem to have a lot of options like the Sirius and air dams that a lot of people probably don't want. Another dealer in our area has fewer cars, but they have few options. They just don't have as many colors, since they have fewer to choose from, but I'll find out about getting one ordered.
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- #2673 of 2744
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Re: Air Dam Option [jazzmin]
by autonomous
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Sep 26, 2007 (1:28 pm)
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Replying to: jazzmin (Sep 26, 2007 11:52 am)
I'll find out about getting one ordered.
While ordering (and especially when signing a contract) remember to list the date by which you want the car to be delievered. A colleague had to wait nearly half a year to get her car because the dealership did not have the particular model she wanted. They kept trying to have her change her mind and take one from the lot. With a date clause in the contract you could walk away from the deal and get your deposit back.
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- #2674 of 2744
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Re: Air Dam Option [autonomous]
by jazzmin
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Sep 26, 2007 (1:38 pm)
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Replying to: autonomous (Sep 26, 2007 1:28 pm)
Good point. Thanks, everyone, for the helpful suggestions.
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- #2675 of 2744
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Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [bottgers]
by scwmcan
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Sep 27, 2007 (4:03 am)
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Replying to: bottgers (Sep 26, 2007 4:17 am)
For the record I routinely get the epa milage with my 3 hatch (2.3 litre 5 speed manual), and this is driving at 70-80 mph. If I could manage to drive at 60-65 mph for a whole tank I am sure that I could beat the epa estimates. BTW I don't think engine technology is thereason the Mazdas do a bit worse for milage, I think it is the gearing, Mazda wants the cars to feel powerful for passing in top gear so they are geared for performance, I.e. they are reving quite high, I think with the 2.3 at least there is good power even down low and they could have geared the car more for economy by dropping the revs on the highway by at least 500 rpm, I think that would have made up most of the difference in milage betweeen a cicic/corrolla and a 3.
Scott
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- #2676 of 2744
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Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [scwmcan]
by kyfdx HOST
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Sep 27, 2007 (6:24 am)
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Replying to: scwmcan (Sep 27, 2007 4:03 am)
Those big 17" tires/wheels don't do much for gas mileage, either.. Big sporty air dams, etc, etc.... Those all increase drag and/or friction.
I think the engine technology is okay.. the efficiency/power trade-off seems good. But, sporty options (and most Mazda3 are pretty sporty, compared to the average Civic or Corolla) will put a hit on mileage..
Worth the trade-off, IMO...
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- #2677 of 2744
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Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [kyfdx]
by roadburner
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Sep 27, 2007 (6:57 am)
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Replying to: kyfdx (Sep 27, 2007 6:24 am)
(and most Mazda3 are pretty sporty, compared to the average Civic or Corolla)
Mazdas tend to be more driver-oriented than the equivalent Hondas and Toyotas. There's certainly a market for inexpensive yet fun to drive cars. Honda used to be the major player in that niche, but now -like Toyota- their cars are becoming plain vanilla transportation appliances(Civic Si and S2000 excepted).
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- #2678 of 2744
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Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [roadburner]
by bottgers
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Sep 28, 2007 (3:59 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Sep 26, 2007 4:44 am)
Like I said, while YOU feel that way, I'm sure most people would rahter have better fuel economy.
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- #2679 of 2744
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Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [bottgers]
by roadburner
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Sep 28, 2007 (5:46 am)
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Replying to: bottgers (Sep 28, 2007 3:59 am)
I'm sure most people would rahter have better fuel economy.
I guess that explains why a lot of Mazda dealers have put ADM stickers on their Mazdaspeed3s- and also why you can't get one on S Plan... 
Look, I've done the math; if I drive 15,000 miles per year and average 22 mpg I'll use 682 gallons of gas. At $3.50 per gallon that works out to $2387. So, let's assume I buy a fuel sipper that will average 35 mpg. In 15,000 miles I will have used 429 gallons, which at $3.50 per gallon would amount to $1500- a savings of $887. That's $74 a month, or less than $2.50 per day. From my perspective, $2.50 a day is an extremely small price to pay to drive a car that makes me grin every time I slide behind the wheel.
But to each his own...
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- #2680 of 2744
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Re: Looking for some input on the 3 [roadburner]
by bottgers
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Sep 28, 2007 (6:08 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Sep 28, 2007 5:46 am)
As the price of gas goes up (and it will continue to do so), that number gets bigger. I'm not saying cars that put a smile on your face should go away. I'm saying auto makers should be more focussed on building more fuel efficient vehicles than they currently appear to be.
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