Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive, Full and Follow-Up Test

31 messages, Last post on Aug 15, 2009 at 7:25 PM

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2010 Mazda 3 First Drive - First Impressions: A promising follow-up to a class-leading performance. (more)

2010 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring Full Test and Video - Bottom Line: Mazda introduces its new 3 without compromising the spirit of its outgoing model.(more)

2010 Mazda 3 s Five-Door Grand Touring Follow-Up Test and Video - Bottom Line: Quality meets fun-to-drive in a convenient hatchback package. (more)

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#12 of 31 Re: Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive [aviboy97] by dc_dave Jan 07, 2009 (12:08 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 07, 2009 10:23 am) Thank you for that reply, very insightful as I am new to Mazda but have owned several Hondas/Acuras. And I agree about the tall 5th gear on the TSX 5-spd auto. Although in general I do like the gear spacing on the Acura 5-spd (much, much better than on my 08 Volvo V70 with the 6-spd). I hope Mazda's spacing is also good so I can actually use the gears/engine to slow the car at highway speeds (to aviod riding the brakes). Overall Edmunds review looks positive with except for the brakes. Dave in VA Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jan 07, 2009 7:25 pm)
#13 of 31 Re: Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive [aviboy97] by jeffyscott Jan 07, 2009 (12:47 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 07, 2009 10:23 am) Since HP is proportional to rpm, most of that peak HP difference is just the high rpms. Assuming the same torque at 6K and 7K, the Honda engine at 6000 rpm would be ~176 HP. 205 X 6000/7000 = 175.7 Replies to this message: ahightower (Jan 07, 2009 2:22 pm) jeffyscott (Jan 07, 2009 4:52 pm) aviboy97 (Jan 08, 2009 9:23 am)
#14 of 31 Re: Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive [jeffyscott] by ahightower Jan 07, 2009 (2:22 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 07, 2009 12:47 pm) "Since HP is proportional to rpm" I suspect that is not quite right. Power and torque curves are never a perfect 45 degree incline. Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Jan 07, 2009 4:52 pm) aviboy97 (Jan 08, 2009 9:23 am)
#15 of 31 Re: Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive [ahightower] by jeffyscott Jan 07, 2009 (4:52 pm)
Replying to: ahightower (Jan 07, 2009 2:22 pm) You did not understand my post, HP is proportional to rpm...the fomula is: HP = (torque X RPM)/5252 As for the torqu being different at different rpm, that is why I said "assuming the same torque at 6K and 7K". A better way to show the same thing would be to calculate the torque at the HP peak for each engine. For the Mazda engine the torque at 6000 rpm is 146, for the Honda the torque at 7000 rpm is 154. This is only a 5% difference, while the difference in HP is 23%...thus most of the difference is due to the high rpm for honda. The mazda engine actually has higher peak torque and it occurs at 500 rpm less than Honda. So at lower rpm, where you are far more likely to spend more time, Mazda would appear to have higher HP. The mazda engine definitely has at least very slightly more HP at 4000 rpm (128) than the honda does (less than 125). Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jan 08, 2009 9:23 am)
#16 of 31 Re: Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive [dc_dave] by aviboy97 Jan 07, 2009 (7:25 pm)
Replying to: dc_dave (Jan 07, 2009 12:08 pm) Honda/Acura is a company that builds great cars. No doubt about that. If you pay attention to how they market their cars, it is in two ways and two ways only. Reliability and fuel economy. A look at recent Accord commercials would tell you that. Mazda is a company that also builds good cars. They market and build their cars to perform. Hence the "zoom-zoom" philosophy. This translate into cars that excel in every driving dynamic. To get that little edge out of their engines, the gears in the transmissions are close together. As a result, you get a very responsive vehicle. The downside it fuel economy will suffer a bit. In Mazda's eyes, they offer a vehicle that has "competitive" fuel economy, but hands down a better performer. That is they way they build cars, and I do not see that changing anytime soon. If you are not too keen on the 2.5L, check out the 2.0L is has 148hp and gets 33mpg. Thats 1 mpg off of a Honda Civic and 8 more HP.
#17 of 31 Re: Article Comments - 2010 Mazda 3 First Drive [jeffyscott] by aviboy97 Jan 08, 2009 (9:23 am)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 07, 2009 4:52 pm) Great post. I've always wondered the HP / ft-lb tq formula. I suppose that analysis explains why the 200 hp K series engines feel slugging ( noted by several TSX owners) unless you are hovering around 7,000 rpm's.
#18 of 31 Chassis by hondanut May 13, 2009 (6:39 pm)
Can anyone comment about the ride/handling/road feel in comparison to the VW Jetta / Golf cousins or Honda Civic? Much has been written about the Jetta/Golf's Germanic feel; like it was formed out of a solid steel billet. How does the Mazda 3 feel? Memories of Mazda's past is that they handle good but feel a bit "cheap" overall on the road. Replies to this message: shipo (May 14, 2009 2:14 am) jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 9:19 am) shipo (May 14, 2009 10:49 am) and 3 more... familydadx4 (May 17, 2009 5:21 am) shipo (May 17, 2009 6:23 am)
#19 of 31 Re: Chassis [hondanut] by shipo May 14, 2009 (2:14 am)
Replying to: hondanut (May 13, 2009 6:39 pm) I shopped the Civic, Rabbit and Mazda3 last year, and of the three I liked the "feel" of the Rabbit the best. Unfortunately no dealership was able to get their hands on a 5-Speed version, and after the umpteenth time of hearing, "Can we interest you in an Automatic version", I opted for my second choice, the Mazda3. Why did I choose the Mazda over the Honda? Several reasons actually, A) the Mazda had a much better steering feel, B) better brakes, C) better seats, D) better value for the dollar, and E) it looks better to my eyes. Let us know what you choose. Best regards, Shipo Replies to this message: jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 9:19 am) shipo (May 14, 2009 10:49 am) jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 6:09 pm) and 2 more... familydadx4 (May 17, 2009 5:21 am) shipo (May 17, 2009 6:23 am)
#20 of 31 Re: Chassis [shipo] by jeffyscott May 14, 2009 (9:19 am)
Replying to: shipo (May 14, 2009 2:14 am) Were you looking at 2 door or 4 door rabbit? The 2-door seems to be readily availble in stick in my area, but the 4 door is now made in auto only, I believe, Replies to this message: shipo (May 14, 2009 10:49 am) jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 6:09 pm) shipo (May 14, 2009 6:39 pm) and 1 more...
#21 of 31 Re: Chassis [jeffyscott] by shipo May 14, 2009 (10:49 am)
Replying to: jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 9:19 am) It didn't matter to me as I would have purchased either the 2-door or the 4-door. As for what's currently being made, the MKV Rabbit and GTI have been out of production for months now as the factory was converted to the MKVI platform sometime last fall. What U.S. dealers are getting for inventory these days are the remaining cars that VW has in inventory in Europe. Apparently VW decided to kill off the MKV nearly a year before the MKVIs would reach our shores, and as such, they built nearly a year's worth of MKVs (for the North American market) before shutting down the production line. As for the availability of Rabbits with three pedals under the dash, I've consistently checked the inventory of every dealership in New Hampshire since last September and have yet to see even a single car where you could stir your own (not saying that I didn't miss a car or two as the stick versions are typically spoken for before they roll off the truck). Best regards, Shipo Replies to this message: jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 6:09 pm) shipo (May 14, 2009 6:39 pm) jeffyscott (May 15, 2009 9:30 am)