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

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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#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)
#22 of 31 Re: Chassis [shipo] by jeffyscott May 14, 2009 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: shipo (May 14, 2009 10:49 am) Wow that's amazing, I just checked the online inventory of the 4 dealers in my area 18 of the 35 rabbits they have in stock are manuals. Odd that they would be so hard to find there and seemingly a surplus of supply here. I didn't know they had stopped making them, but anyway the point was that the 2009 4 door was not offered with a manual. Replies to this message: shipo (May 14, 2009 6:39 pm) jeffyscott (May 15, 2009 9:30 am)
#23 of 31 Re: Chassis [jeffyscott] by shipo May 14, 2009 (6:39 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (May 14, 2009 6:09 pm) Hmmm, interesting, as of today here in New Hampshire... Beranger VW -- No Rabbits of any stripe Noyes VW -- 2 Rabbits, One 2-Door and One 4-Door, both Automatic Lakes Region VW -- No Rabbits Miller VW -- No search facility on their web site (still) Seacoast VW -- 3 Rabbits, Two 2-Door and One 4-Door, all Automatic Manchester VW -- No Rabbits Tulley VW -- Search facility broken (again) That you've found over half of the Rabbits in your area have manual transmissions is astounding to me. Best regards, Shipo Replies to this message: jeffyscott (May 15, 2009 9:30 am)
#24 of 31 Re: Chassis [shipo] by jeffyscott May 15, 2009 (9:30 am)
Replying to: shipo (May 14, 2009 6:39 pm) Yeah, I was surprised it was that high myself. IIRC, what I had found yesterday in the Milwaukee area was 4 manuals of 7 total at Hall VW 2 manuals of 7 total at Ernie Von Schledorn VW 1 automatic at Concours VW 11 manuals of 20 total at Boucher VW I did not note how many 4 doors and 2 doors there were, but since the manuals are all 2 doors, must be something like 75% manuals among those.
#25 of 31 Re: Chassis [shipo] by familydadx4 May 17, 2009 (5:21 am)
Replying to: shipo (May 14, 2009 2:14 am) Shipo, you sound like me. Like you, I like to row my own gears. I've shopped the same cars. In addition I've looked at the Insight, Fit, and Elantra Touring. The Hondas (except the fit) have that 2 tiered dashboard that looks like something out of a Buck Rogers movie. I don't like it at all. The Fit can't get out of it's own way. It rides like an old truck (lots of bouncing). I do like the "feel" of the VW the best. The M3 is right behind it. Very nice car. The Touring is in 3rd. Has more of a European ride and lots of space. I definitely prefer the hatchback\wagon configuration. Now, if Hyundai would only bring that 1.6L diesel to the states. I would love to look at the Civic hatchback with the 2.2L diesel (only in Europe...grrr). I'm trying to hold out for the Mk VI Golf\Rabbit with the 2.0 diesel. I'm not sure my clunker will last that long. We'll see. Replies to this message: shipo (May 17, 2009 6:23 am)