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Mazda3 Handling

10 messages,  Last post on Jul 29, 2009 at 5:43 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Hatchback

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#5 of 10 Re: Mazda3 Handling [charlie21] by autonomous Jan 28, 2007 (2:10 pm)
Replying to: charlie21 (Jan 27, 2007 11:33 pm) maybe I'm being too cautious and not fully trusting it because I had a bad crash with a rental car last year, totalled it after losing control on black ice. I drove a Subaru Forester a week ago on the same crappy roads and I felt skittish with it too. So not sure if it's me or the car   Give yourself time. If the tires/car still feel unsafe have someone take a look at it. I still cringe a bit when I go through the intersection where my previous car was struck.
#6 of 10 Gravel/dirt Roads by crowheart Jul 28, 2009 (3:05 pm)
How does the Mazda 3 handle on gravel and dirt roads? I am leaving for a trip where we will be driving quite a lot on back roads that are gravel and dirt. I am a bit worried about how the car will handle.   If anyone has any experience with the Mazda 3 on roads like these please share your experiences.   Thanks again... Replies to this message: pf_flyer (Jul 28, 2009 3:42 pm) crowheart (Jul 28, 2009 4:52 pm) jeffyscott (Jul 28, 2009 4:03 pm) roadburner (Jul 29, 2009 5:43 pm)
#7 of 10 Re: Gravel/dirt Roads [crowheart] by pf_flyer HOST Jul 28, 2009 (3:42 pm)
Replying to: crowheart (Jul 28, 2009 3:05 pm) Discretion is the better part of valor. I would be very cautious taking any vehicle that's not really designed to go "off road" into a situation and expect to be able to drive it like I'm on a paved surface.   "Back roads that are gravel and dirt" describes quite a wide range of conditions. I've been on some well travelled gravel and dirt roads that lead back to houses off of the beaten path that I'd feel uneasy about in anything but a 4x4.   I'd be more worried about how the car will handle the road conditions than how it will handle. The ground clearance on a Mazda3 s Touring hatch is only 4.8". How rough are the roads you're talking about? Replies to this message: crowheart (Jul 28, 2009 4:52 pm)
#8 of 10 Re: Gravel/dirt Roads [crowheart] by jeffyscott Jul 28, 2009 (4:03 pm)
Replying to: crowheart (Jul 28, 2009 3:05 pm) I drove a rental mazda3 on a pretty well maintained gravel road in CA redwoods area. It was fine, but we were going slow both because we were there for the scenery and just because it was gravel. I did not go on the gravel roads that had very steep grades or that sounded like ground clearance would be an issue.
#9 of 10 Re: Gravel/dirt Roads [pf_flyer] by crowheart Jul 28, 2009 (4:52 pm)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Jul 28, 2009 3:42 pm) I will not be driving the car like it is on pavement that is for sure. I have been bringing my Subaru's on those roads with no problems for years(Impreza and Legacy Wagon). You mention a 4.8 clearance on the hatch I bet my Impreza doesn't have much more than that. My Subies are old now and i don't want to bring them on the long road trip. The Impreza has 5.7 clearance so there is almost an inch difference there. Not sure what to think...
#10 of 10 Re: Gravel/dirt Roads [crowheart] by roadburner Jul 29, 2009 (5:43 pm)
Replying to: crowheart (Jul 28, 2009 3:05 pm) I have a 2500 foot twisting gravel driveway. My MS3 is a blast to drive on it. A little left-foot braking or strategic application of the handbrake gets the car to rotate really well.

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