Mazda 3

[albertGQ]

Another car I was looking at is the Mazda 3. I would love opinions on that car as well



Thanks again guys

[Mango]

I just purchased one. Sadly, being female, I don't break the stereotype and so don't know a heck of a lot about cars (I know some of the specs and that's about it)

That said, I can recommend some dealerships and who to deal with. I searched high and low before I decided.

You can get a top of the line Mazda 3 for around $26,000. Remember though, it's only a 4 cylinder car. If you're looking for a 6 cylinder, I'd look into getting a Mazda 6.

What I like most about the Mazda 3: great steering control, good acceleration, and decent gas milage.

[@theCBE]

Good friend of mine and my cousin both bought one... they both love it


Only problem is if you want to make any aftermarket modifcations its a bit of a pain

ie. Not much selection if you want to get winter tires.. I think he could only find one place in the city to fit them unless it wanted to buy new rims .. they ended up costing about $250 a piece

He wanted to replace the factory speakers (which sounded just fine to me btw) and it took him a while to find the right size.. they are 6x8 where as most speakers are 6x9

but those problems will sort themselves out considering how popular the car is becoming and this in only its 1st year in production

[albertGQ]

Originally posted by @theCBE@Mar 9 2005, 11:16 AM
Good friend of mine and my cousin both bought one... they both love it


Only problem is if you want to make any aftermarket modifcations its a bit of a pain

ie. Not much selection if you want to get winter tires.. I think he could only find one place in the city to fit them unless it wanted to buy new rims .. they ended up costing about $250 a piece

He wanted to replace the factory speakers (which sounded just fine to me btw) and it took him a while to find the right size.. they are 6x8 where as most speakers are 6x9

but those problems will sort themselves out considering how popular the car is becoming and this in only its 1st year in production

Thanks man. After reading the Celica thread, I am leaning towards getting a Mazda 3. Everyone that I've talked to have only good things to say about it

[kermitology]

My cousin works as a test engineer for Ford in Michigan and he raved about the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6. One of the things he loved about it was how it performed on the track, I don't exactly remember the details of it, but the car manages a near full footprint even on extremely tight turns. Everything else I've heard is that they are just a dream to drive. When I get a job the first thing I'm doing is buying a Mazda 6.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

From what I know of them (mostly 2nd hand through my car nut friends) it would be a better choice than the Celica. As far as style goes, I like the looks. Well with the sport options or package anyways.

I still think it's insane to buy new though, cars depreciate so much when you drive them off the lot.

[Bill Bumface]

I've heard you can head over to the mazda dealerships and see their shops full of Protege 5's and Mazda 3's because they've been having problems.

And if you hate domestics, maybe you should know that a Mazda 3 is a Ford Focus.

I think they are great cars, but just figured I'd put that out there.

[Pagal4321]

Why thank you albert, I've been looking for a used Civic for along time now. But started looking at this car because it's relativley low cost new.

But now that hulk has said it's just a focus, need to look into that, because I am one of those people that hate domestics.

[albertGQ]

Originally posted by Pagal4321@Mar 9 2005, 12:12 PM
Why thank you albert, I've been looking for a used Civic for along time now. But started looking at this car because it's relativley low cost new.

But now that hulk has said it's just a focus, need to look into that, because I am one of those people that hate domestics.

I hate domestic too.

What does rogan mean when he says its just a Ford Focus? Like its built the EXACT same way or what?

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by albertGQ+Mar 9 2005, 12:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (albertGQ @ Mar 9 2005, 12:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Pagal4321@Mar 9 2005, 12:12 PM
Why thank you albert, I've been looking for a used Civic for along time now. But started looking at this car because it's relativley low cost new.

But now that hulk has said it's just a focus, need to look into that, because I am one of those people that hate domestics.

I hate domestic too.

What does rogan mean when he says its just a Ford Focus? Like its built the EXACT same way or what? [/b][/quote]
I tested a five-door Mazda 3 not long ago, and it's an improvement over this Focus platform. Ford owns Mazda and could use any platform under the corporate banner

http://cars.about.com/od/2001/fr/RB_05_FocusZX4.htm

[Bill Bumface]

Originally posted by albertGQ+Mar 9 2005, 01:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (albertGQ @ Mar 9 2005, 01:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Pagal4321@Mar 9 2005, 12:12 PM
Why thank you albert, I've been looking for a used Civic for along time now. But started looking at this car because it's relativley low cost new.

But now that hulk has said it's just a focus, need to look into that, because I am one of those people that hate domestics.

I hate domestic too.

What does rogan mean when he says its just a Ford Focus? Like its built the EXACT same way or what? [/b][/quote]
Same car, different interior/body panels.

Just like protege's were escorts, and probes were MX-6's, and I'm sure there is more than that.

It actually drives me nuts how people will say "I hate domestics" and then say "I love those new Mazda 3's"

Do you have a reason for hating domestics besides its acceptable to hate domestics?

For those that say they will buy an Honda or Toyota product, but not much else, I can respect that as these 2 automakers have been near the top of quality lists for some time.

But then you get the guys that say "I hate American cars because they are made crappy" then they go buy an Audi or a VW that are of horrendous build quality when compared to the American brands. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with buying a Jetta if thats what you like, just know what you are talking about before you start to think European > American.

[Mr. Ski]

The Mazda 3, new 2005 Ford Focus (not the prior ones), and Volvo S40 share the same chasis design. Don't let that deter you in any way... it's a great platform, having won many industry accolades.

Edit: spelling!

P.S. Starting tonight the Annual Calgary Int Auto & Truck Show starts at the Round Up Centre. Best place to be able to see and sit in 400 new cars. I go every year just for the heck-of-it, but i'm a pretty big car nut...

[Bill Bumface]

Originally posted by KevanGuy@Mar 9 2005, 01:25 PM

I tested a five-door Mazda 3 not long ago, and it's an improvement over this Focus platform. Ford owns Mazda and could use any platform under the corporate banner

http://cars.about.com/od/2001/fr/RB_05_FocusZX4.htm

That is correct, its the same as the European focus, which should make its way here next calander year... and then people will have to hate it because its domestic.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally posted by Mr. Ski@Mar 9 2005, 01:31 PM
The Mazda 3, new 2005 Ford Focus (not the prior ones), and Volvo S40 share the same chasis design. Don't let that deter you in any way... it's a great platform, having won many industry accolades.

Edit: spelling!

P.S. Starting tonight the Annual Calgary Int Auto & Truck Show starts at the Round Up Centre. Best place to be able to see and sit in 400 new cars. I go every year just for the heck-of-it, but i'm a pretty big car nut...

Completely agree, the platform is awesome. I don't hate cars based on company headquarters location, I hate bad cars. I can name a crappy car made by most of the major automanufactures, and most of them have very good models available as well.

[JohnnyO]

Nothing wrong with the Ford Focus, it has been on the Car and Drivers 10 best list 4 times now.

I like the M3 sport but I heard the original version was funner to drive. Still a pretty solid car in that price range, and I may be looking at one in the near future.

[Hack&Lube]

The New Mazdaspeed 6 looks pretty good IMHO.
http://www.supercars.net/VC?id=3073

[BigOilFan]

Originally posted by hulkrogan+Mar 9 2005, 07:27 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (hulkrogan @ Mar 9 2005, 07:27 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

I hate domestic too.

What does rogan mean when he says its just a Ford Focus? Like its built the EXACT same way or what?

Same car, different interior/body panels.

Just like protege's were escorts, and probes were MX-6's, and I'm sure there is more than that.

It actually drives me nuts how people will say "I hate domestics" and then say "I love those new Mazda 3's"

Do you have a reason for hating domestics besides its acceptable to hate domestics?

For those that say they will buy an Honda or Toyota product, but not much else, I can respect that as these 2 automakers have been near the top of quality lists for some time.

But then you get the guys that say "I hate American cars because they are made crappy" then they go buy an Audi or a VW that are of horrendous build quality when compared to the American brands. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with buying a Jetta if thats what you like, just know what you are talking about before you start to think European > American. [/b][/quote]
Actually its not the shotty build quaility on Audis and VW's. Its North American mechanics aren't trained properly to fix them. In fact, if we are talking about build quailty I suggest to you to line up Toyotas, Mazdas and Honda's with the VW and I would be willing to bet that VW's fit and finish is head and shoulders better than those cars. Do VW's have some problems, absolutley....are they a more soild, safe and more fun to drive..... hands down.
Also when you are compare these cars look at things like standard equipment. The VW comes standard with heated seats, full size spare, four whell disc brakes, unlimited km's on roadside assistance and a 12 year warrenty on any rust. These are things that either you have to pay extra for on other cars or they are not available at all.

[Bertuzzied]

If you buy the predecessor the Protege 5, they are probably better quality since they were all built in Japan. One of my exroommate's dad owns a mazda dealership in Kimberly and my parents got the protege. They love it until they had to change the tires. They are flipping expensive! because they are a high performance tire. Still i have no idea why mazda would put such good tires on a $20k car.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally posted by BigOilFan@Mar 9 2005, 01:51 PM
Actually its not the shotty build quaility on Audis and VW's. Its North American mechanics aren't trained properly to fix them. In fact, if we are talking about build quailty I suggest to you to line up Toyotas, Mazdas and Honda's with the VW and I would be willing to bet that VW's fit and finish is head and shoulders better than those cars. Do VW's have some problems, absolutley....are they a more soild, safe and more fun to drive..... hands down.
Also when you are compare these cars look at things like standard equipment. The VW comes standard with heated seats, full size spare, four whell disc brakes, unlimited km's on roadside assistance and a 12 year warrenty on any rust. These are things that either you have to pay extra for on other cars or they are not available at all.

Fit and finish and build quality are two entirely different things. No way will I sit here and deny that VW has EXCELLENT fit and finish. Build quality suffers big time though, and if you really don't believe me, ask and I'll dig up the numbers to support it. Mechanical problems have plagued VW/Audi for several years now and the # of warranty returns per 100 vehicles is among the very bottom of all car manufacturers.

This is also backed up by my friend that had his jetta in 12 times in 10 months for different issues, not because the problem wasn't fixed the first time.

[CrzyCanuck]

Its a very good value, the interior has the feel of a 30K+ car, but its a bit under powered. Still a good car for the price.