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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 Sedan
9235 messages, Last post on Apr 08, 2009 at 6:02 AM
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Today I bought a Mazda3i Touring with 5-speed manual and ABS/SAB/SAC package, galaxy gray mica. I'm so excited about my new ride, and relieved to have this whole car shopping process over with. And so is my wife, who is tired of hearing me talk about cars every night for the past two weeks. I thought I would post a bit about my decision making process. The other cars I considered were: -Honda Civic LX. Nice ride, good leg room. But not enough features for the money. I can't stand plastic wheel covers, but I also didn't have enough head room (6'3") with the EX with sunroof. Plus I didn't want to spend that much, and they weren't willing to come much off of MSRP. Also, the insurance was going to cost more by about $240 per year. And the styling is just kinda weird. -Subaru Impreza 2.5. Good leg room, but interior materials felt cheap. Good engine, ride, and handling, but gas mileage was pretty low, and I don't really need to pay a premium for AWD in Texas. Also, the new 2008 styling was a little boring, and the base model without premium package lacked some key features like alloy wheels. No doubt, it was a fun test drive, but it was just too expensive, even when they offered very close to invoice, I just figured I could find a better value. Plus the salesperson there was way too aggressive and that turned me off. -Mitsubishi Lancer. I liked the looks of the GTS with the 18" wheels and body kit, but I decided it looked a little too juvenile with that big wing, and those tires were going to be expensive to replace. The ES had some nice features like bluetooth, keyless ignition, nice stereo. Good leg room, but the steering wheel didn't telescope and there was no lumbar adjustment, so I was worried about long term comfort. They let me take it home over the weekend, and I was just about sold on it. But again, they weren't willing to deal (only $500 off MSRP), and they didn't have a lot of colors in stock with a manual transmission. When they started to get pushy and steer me toward something I didn't really want, I walked. Plus, after I drove the Mazda3, the Lancer's engine felt and little weak down low, and the interior materials and ride and noise levels seemed "unrefined". -2003 Acura TL Type S. I found a very clean, low mileage one of these on the used lot at a Lexus dealer. But my wife was not comfortable with a used car, and I really wanted something with a manual transmission, and better gas mileage. -Also drove a Corolla - no leg room, crossed that off right away. Which leads me to the Mazda3 I did buy. I was hankering for the 3s Sport with sunroof and 6-CD package, but I decided the 3i Touring had everything I needed, and was a really good value. The 2.0 felt plenty powerful enough to me, and I wanted the best gas mileage possible. The 3's have such a nice and firm, but not too stiff, ride and handling, good acceleration, and seem well put together. The steering is awesome. Just a lot of intangible things that make it feel more substantial than the others. Plus the special finance rate was great. Only a couple disappointments: 1) they don't offer a leather steering wheel cover like Honda does (I think, please correct me if I'm wrong) 2) Icy blue only comes with tan interior, and I wanted black for long term durability 3) I don't get to drive it again until tomorrow... I left it there for them to tint the windows, and didn't have a way to get it home anyway since my other car was not a trade in. I'll have my wife drop me off tomorrow. I am really looking forward to driving this car everyday, and participating in this forum!
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Replying to: ahightower (Nov 12, 2007 7:34 pm) I also found the 2.0 to have more than sufficient power with the manual transmission. In the automatic versions, the power difference (and torque curve) between the 2.0 and 2.3 are a little more noticeable. You'll be thankful for the few extra MPG you'll see compared to 's' models. I wanted the 5-door bodystyle and 17" wheels, so the 2.3 was my only choice. My fuel economy is a little disappointing, but the power makes it a fair trade-off. I also considered the Honda Civic and VW Jetta when I was shopping in 12/05. The Civic had just been released a few months prior and dealers weren't discounting. I didn't find the looks appealing either. As a final strike against it, I couldn't find any interior/exterior color combo that I actually liked. I didn't like the ivory interior at all and gray only came in exterior colors I didn't like. I do have to give kudos to Honda here- for 2008, the Civic Sedan in Taffeta White can have either Ivory or Gray interior. One of the few times they've ever offered a choice in a Civic. I double checked on the leather steering wheel cover and you are correct, the Mazda Accessories catalog doesn't show one available. It may be because the 's' models already have it as a standard feature. Google "Mazda3+steering+wheel+cover" and see what you can find. There are some aftermarket ones available. As I mentioned in the beginning, I'm seriously considering the purchase of a new Mazda3 to replace my 2006. I recently changed jobs and have a 42-mile one-way commute in Atlanta traffic. The manual transmission just isn't practical given the driving conditions. An automatic is really the only way to go with that kind of drive. I'll also trade-up to a Grand Touring model, but I will stick with the 5-door bodystyle. Enjoy!
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| I bought a 07 Mazda 3S 2 months ago and wanted to report it so far is a incredilble car for the money (18K). I also own (or should I say, my ex-wife now has and won't give back!) a 2004 6S that has 45K miles with 0 problems. Drove the new Civic as I have owned 3 Accords in the past; didn't drive a Jetta as I owned a 2000 Passat that I really liked until it became a reliability nightmare and soured me on VW permanantly. Corolla wasn't even a consideration- they are for chicks and old ladys. The 3 blew the Civic away in driving dynamics; also the seat on the Civic has odd placement of the headrests (tipped forward at an extreme angle) that was bothersome and I drive 25-30K miles/year, so seat comfort is key. I have about 5K on my 3, and average 32 mpg hwy/28 mixed on regular- not bad for the 2.3 In all the car is tight & quick handling as all the reviews state; road noise is a little high as it is on my 6 but the handling is a worthwhile trade-off. Build quality of the interior & exterior has been perfect; interior not quite as plush as a VW but Mazda reliabilty again is a worthy trade. The only minor thing I wish Mazda would address would be be to add trunk release to the keyless system- a minor inconvenience but important to a salesman who is in/out of the trunk a lot. As small sedans go, I think the 3 is probably the best overall- offering decent economy, a fun drive, and nice build quality for under 20K. For those looking for an economy car that has more to offer, go drive the Mazda 3, you most likely will be impressed. | |
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Replying to: igozoomzoom (Nov 17, 2007 5:03 pm) Regarding steering wheel cover, has anyone tried Wheelskins? http://www.autocarparts.com/part/1168/96/ That turned up on the google search. Only $40, worth a shot. I've ordered a couple of free sample swatches. Will probably just go with black, but would like to see the charcoal and oak colors in person.
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I need help. Perhaps I'm just missing something obvious, but how does the cargo net go in the trunk of the Mazda3 sedan? I can't see any hooks or anything to hang it from. I don't have the offical Mazda net, I just kept the net from my old car, and it looks about the right size, but I can't see any way to install it. If you order the net from Mazda does it come with some hooks to hang it from?
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Replying to: ahightower (Nov 19, 2007 8:23 am) |
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Replying to: ahightower (Nov 20, 2007 12:46 pm) |
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Replying to: osource (Jan 31, 2004 8:48 pm) |
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| I am considering having these put on my car...has anyone had any experience doing this or having it done? Any recommendations as to where I would go to have ths type of work performed. Thank you for your time... | |
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Funny to post this is in Jan, but I am having trouble w/ my present car and I'm not sure if I can wait until the summer. How is the A/C in the '07 or "08s? In '06 I test drove 3 Mazda 3s w/ temps in the '90s and the A/C did not cool the car and did not blow out that cold. I test drove an '07 w/ temps in the '90s and the a/c felt like it was blowing cold air but the car was still too hot. I rented an '06 w/ temps in the mid to upper '80s and the A/C was fine. I have a neighbor who has an '06 w/ dak tint and his A/C does not cool the acr with temps in the '90s. How has the A/C been for people that have '07s?
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