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2012 Mazda3 - READ ONLY

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

Messages Page 20 of 45

#184 of 437 Happy 2012 i Touring Owner by rangermutt

Dec 15, 2011 (8:17 am)

We recently purchased a 2012 i Touring w/SkyActiv engine and auto tranny in Sky Blue Mica and could not be happier. Most of the miles have been in-town and we are getting north of 32 mpg. The only option I would like to have gotten would have been an automatic climate control but it was not available.
 
For those of you carping about the availability of manual trannys and numerous options, the dealer explained that with the new SkyActiv technology and lost production due to the earthquake and tsunami, Mazda could only produce so many Mazda3's and had to decide which configuration to get to the dealers.
 
The six-speed auto with manual shifting is really lots of fun so I would not bash it until you have driven one. My daily driver is a Miata with a 5 speed manual so that's saying a lot.
 
BTW - The dealer had a black i Touring w/SkyActiv that had a sun roof, leather seats and Bose system on the lot so they do exist.

#185 of 437 Re: Happy 2012 i Touring Owner [rangermutt] by shipo

Dec 15, 2011 (8:25 am)

Replying to: rangermutt (Dec 15, 2011 8:17 am)
"The six-speed auto with manual shifting is really lots of fun so I would not bash it until you have driven one. My daily driver is a Miata with a 5 speed manual so that's saying a lot."
 
Be serious; an automatic transmission of any type (including the SkyActiv from Mazda and the DSG from VW) is anything but "fun".

#186 of 437 Re: Happy 2012 i Touring Owner [shipo] by aviboy97

Dec 15, 2011 (9:02 am)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 15, 2011 8:25 am)
Be serious; an automatic transmission of any type (including the SkyActiv from Mazda and the DSG from VW) is anything but "fun".
 
Personal opinions should not be passed along as facts.
 
Passing judgement on something without experiencing it is rather foolish. I agree with rangermutt.

#187 of 437 Re: Happy 2012 i Touring Owner [aviboy97] by m6user

Dec 15, 2011 (10:01 am)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Dec 15, 2011 9:02 am)
His "fem-o-matic" comment is truly telling. He seems to think the ability to punch a clutch pedal and slide the shifter into a slot is very macho and akin to brain surgery.
 
shipo
 
We get it. You don't like auto trannies and like to put down others that choose them. If that feeds your ego I feel sorry for you. You're also upset because you couldn't get auto climate control in the skyactiv. I like it too and they probably did screw up by not offering it but will probably correct it in future models. You should get over it or write a letter to Mazda....it would do more good than constantly badmouthing them here.

#188 of 437 Re: Happy 2012 i Touring Owner [m6user] by shipo

Dec 15, 2011 (11:12 am)

Replying to: m6user (Dec 15, 2011 10:01 am)
The first comment was directed specifically toward the person I was responding to.
 
As for bad mouthing automatic transmissions in general, it's true I hate driving cars so equipped, but as a general rule I don't bad mouth them until someone says something like "if you try it you'll like it". Sorry, I won't, I've driven cars with the best automatics the industry has to offer and don't like them.
 
The overriding issue here is that Mazda went out of their way to build what is by all accounts, one of the best manual transmissions on the market, and then opted to only buy a car so equipped if it has certain options. That, more than anything else regarding the new Mazda3, is what I'm objecting to. I can only hope that when Mazda releases the new SkyActiv-D engine to the market they won't be so short-sighted as to offer it only with an automatic transmission.

#189 of 437 Re: Happy 2012 i Touring Owner [shipo] by m6user

Dec 15, 2011 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 15, 2011 11:12 am)
The problem is the poster did NOT say "if you try it, you'll like it". He just said don't bash it until you try it. I realize you don't like any kind of auto so you probably wouldn't try it and wouldn't like it if you did. I can appreciate that. But you use just about any opportunity to bash auto trannies and often people that like them with snide comments or cutesy euphenisms like "fem-o-matic". It gets old and boring.
 
It's really not hard to just say you like nothing but a stick and leave it at that. I happen to like them both for different reasons.
 
As far as the marketing decisions of Mazda goes, there are plenty of manufacturers that only have manual trannies in the base or entry type models. Mazda is certainly not alone in this and this trend did not happen overnight. In the old days sticks were plentiful and began to sit on lots. The manufacturers responded to this lack of demand and made less and less sticks. Some people would have you believe it's a conspiracy or that the demand for sticks was and is somehow greater than all the statistical sales history has shown.
 
I sincerely doubt that manufacturers would ignore pleas from their dealers "we need more sticks in all equip levels because they sell like hotcakes!". It was just the opposite. What sells is what gets made. Are there going to be some people that aren't satisfied? Sure, but they can't manage their production on those few.

#190 of 437 Re: Happy 2012 i Touring Owner [m6user] by shipo

Dec 15, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Dec 15, 2011 12:09 pm)
"As far as the marketing decisions of Mazda goes, there are plenty of manufacturers that only have manual trannies in the base or entry type models. Mazda is certainly not alone in this and this trend did not happen overnight."
 
Agreed, but if Mazda wants to become another Toyonda, then my current Mazda3 will be my last Mazda.
 
The thing is, it is Mazda which went out of its way to build up expectations of manual transmission availability by issuing press-releases touting how wonderful their new SkyActiv-MT transmission was going to be (and dedicating an entire web page to the new design and its various attributes). If they'd said up front the SkyActiv models will be Automatic only (or even the well equipped SkyActiv models will be Automatic only), I never would have gotten my hopes up and crossed them off our short list immediately. Of course if they had done that then I wouldn't be here bitching about it either.

#191 of 437 Start Up Noise by ajfinoak

Dec 15, 2011 (12:31 pm)

I test drove a Mazda 3 Skyactive and when I started it with a cold motor (outside temp was 50 here in CA) and there was a lot of noise coming from the engine for the first 30 seconds or so and then it stopped and ran normally. Dealer said this is normal with the Skyactiv. Anyone else notice this? What is that noise? It does raise my concerns about buying this model with the first year of this engine. Thanks

#192 of 437 Re: Start Up Noise [ajfinoak] by m6user

Dec 15, 2011 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: ajfinoak (Dec 15, 2011 12:31 pm)
I think it may be the direct injection. I've read in several forums that cars with DI are noisy, almost like a diesel, on start up and then quiet down very quickly like you said. That said, it would make me wonder too.

#193 of 437 - by dudleyr

Dec 15, 2011 (1:22 pm)

I am with Shippo on the manual tranny issue. Mazda looks just like everybody else if they limit the manual availability. What happened to zoom-zoom. The manual is EPA certified, just put the options on - who does it hurt? Building the 3 stick in the higher trims will only mean more sales.
 
I have not driven the new 3 with the automatic, but I have never driven an automatic I liked and don't expect the 3 will change that. 3 pedals or no sale for me.

Messages Page 20 of 45

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