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Mazda3 Hatchback

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  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    "First rule of car buying: most car salespeople will say anything to get you to buy a car NOW--and the car that THEY want you to buy..."

    Back in '90, I told the salesman that the pwr steering in the Corolla sedan lacks road feel. He said you can by pass the pwr assist hose to the steering & make it a manual steering. I know better, 'cause w/ engine off while coasting, the pwr steering becomes much heavier than the manual steering. So I inquired about the warranty. He said as long as the repair isn't steering related... So I pretended to be stupid enough to play smart & asked if I can have a switch on the dashboard so I can switch on the pwr steering whenever I want. He was speechless.
  • frogpond_1frogpond_1 Member Posts: 3
    Hello, I currently have an 03 Golf TDi. Love the performance, handling and mileage and IMO the manual tranny is one the smoothest I've shifted. Of course with all the woes VW is going through I'm thinking about trading for a 3hatch. Any thoughts, opinions, 2 cents etc. would be helpful. As of now I have test driven one yet so I do not know hot it handles, performs and shifts anybody with any thought on this would be helpful.
    Thanks
  • howachowac Member Posts: 52
    We've had our hatch for a month and a half now and we love it. Although I do not have any experience with the TDI, we did have a 2001 Golf 2.0 GLS that turned out to be a lemon.

    If you compare the performance between the Golf and the Mazda3, I think you would find that the Mazda3 is "sharper" than the Golf. The 2.3 engine has decent torque and is quite smooth. The shifter/clutch combo is satisfying. The handling is excellent for a nose-heavy FWD and relatively neutral. The cargo management system is also very neat.

    If you have not test driven one, I'd encourage you do take one out for a spin. We enjoy our hatch very much, but your mileage may vary. Post back and let us know how you like it.
  • chicksdigmycarchicksdigmycar Member Posts: 6
    Not sure if this review was ever posted.
    http://www.autosite.com/Reviews/2004-mazda-3.asp
  • mpg7mpg7 Member Posts: 17
    Apparently mazda is releasing a '6' to compete with WRX and EVO with a 2.3L twin turbo intercooled producing 276HP and 265 lbft mated to a 6 speed with AWD. Autoweek claims this will be in mid 2005 worldwide. Can we expect the '3' to get this treatment.....That would be one scary fast '3'!!! And definately worth waiting for. I would think the '3' would be the better platform to introduce a WRX/EVO fighter as it seems the market for a street racer is a younger more hip crowd who would be more inclined to buy the '3'. The '6' seems to be more of a family sedan. Hopefully the '3' hatch gets this makeover next.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    It's likely that when the Mazdaspeed3 trim comes out, it's going to end up competing with the vanilla WRX at the very least, and with the STI and EVO at best. The platform can handle a Haldex-type AWD system, and they'll probably slap a turbo on for 200+ horsepower.
  • qddaveqddave Member Posts: 164
    I'm thinking approx. 220 hp, 170-180 lb-ft, AWD, 6 speed MTX, 18" wheels, hovering around $25,500. But probably not until fall 2006 as a 2007 model. Wouldn't the MS RX-8 be out after the MS 6?
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    We're not getting the MS RX8 I don't think, just the parts. And they're available already, from what I've heard.

    Personally, I'd prefer to see the power balance closer to 210/200 and get a bit more torque. Oh, and make the 5 speed Activematic a possibility for us guys who can't risk only owning clutch-pedal cars. ;)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    The 3 is selling well. Really well. That's good and bad. Good as Mazda is getting respect. IMHO, bad as there's little reason for Mazda to offer a MS version right now. When sales start to slide, then we'll get a MS version of the 3.

    Bummer but I think is how it will go. I'd be happy as a clam if a MazdaSpeed 3 is out in 2006 when I dump my bimmer. 270 hp, AWD in that sweet little hatch...yummy.
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Or the guys on Harleys that think it's their right to be loud. Funny, if my car were that loud, I'd have a stack of tickets in my hand. But, law enforcement chooses to go after loud music not loud bikes. Things that make me go hmmmm.

    Xenons are always a problem for me going over hills. As I come up, the if the opposing traffic reaches the crest they blind me. Not a fan.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Problem with xenons blinding you? Don't look at the lights of oncoming traffic then.
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    If it were that easy, there wouldn't be a highbeam switch on our cars, they'd always be on highbeam.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    It's that easy. ;) I don't get the fuss.

    But then again when people high beam me over my xenons, I chuckle and hit them with my high beams. Oh, thought my xenons were bright, how about bi-xenon brights?!
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    You have to upgrade to the Volvo version for the $700 optional bi-xenon.
  • bunk1968bunk1968 Member Posts: 119
    I need a vehicle RIGHT NOW, and am most interested in the 3.
    I am a 36 year old male and am somewhat concerned with getting a vehicle that looks like a chick car or like a teeny boppers car.
    Can anyone give me there opinion as to wich style, hatchback, or sedan is more masculine and in which color for that particular style?
    I am not a machismo freak, but just want opinions. I was leaning toward a silver sedan with a spoiler, but sometimes think it looks like a chick car, but I sometimes look at the hatchback and think it looks too much like a cross between a focus and a vibe, neither of which I like.
    When I say chick car I hope to offend no one.

    Oh, and can anyone tell me if the hatch is slower than the sedan because it weigh's more?

    With all the complaints I have seen about the AC and the brakes on the 3, would anyone change there mind about owning one?
    Some say that this is a first year vehicle and that bugs always need to be worked out, but a Mazda salesman told me this car was out in Japan for sometime before coming here and there are no bugs to work out??
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Go with the burnt orange hatch. That's not a girly car in any fashion. fully loaded you're talking like 22k.

    If this car seems too girly, just go buy a WRX and then nobody will mistake that for a "chick car."
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    "I am not a machismo freak, but just want opinions. I was leaning toward a silver sedan with a spoiler, but sometimes think it looks like a chick car, but I sometimes look at the hatchback and think it looks too much like a cross between a focus and a vibe, neither of which I like."

    Well, materialistic chicks dig silver, 'cause it matches what they wear.

    I personally dig the light green on the 2.0 sedan. Besides, I hate the 2.3's macho-dark interior, which is probably the main culprit why the AC ain't pumping enough for us high-metabolic calorie-burning "macho" body heat.

    The sedan's dog-leg rear-door styling similar to the Maxima already proves your macho-ness.

    The N.A.-spec 2.0's maximized-size black grill is pretty macho, but I'd get rid of these lip-stick-shape red sissy taillights. ;-)
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Some people think the sedan looks like a BMW, but in any case I don't think it looks like any particular demographic group. Personally I like the styling of the hatch, and I'm a male, WAY older than you.

    The perfomance difference between the Mazda3 s sedan and Mazda3 s hatch will be insignificant.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    "The perfomance difference between the Mazda3 s sedan and Mazda3 s hatch will be insignificant."

    That depends on whether your performance includes hauling armoirs. ;)
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    "The perfomance difference between the Mazda3 s sedan and Mazda3 s hatch will be insignificant."

    During the RevItUp drive event. I drove the 3 countless no. of time, & I was sensitive enough to feel the extra weight of the the hatch -- not necessarily the acceleration, but the rear weight balance. It seems that the sedan is just a bit more agile. & there's sufficient oversteer dialed in the tuning already, so the extra rear weight on the top only makes the fishtail less reversible when you try to adjust it. Or maybe not, just feel more top heavy as it rolls.

    My '84 Jetta Wolfsburg coupe w/ GTI sway bars is so tossable even w/ the trailing-arm rear suspension 'cause the spare tire can be located so far forward, so there's practically no rear overhang weight. Every time I provoked the tail to swing, despite the lack of sophisticated toe-in/camber control, the rear-end can come back right away rather than going to the point of no return.

    The new handling-oriented BMW 1-series didn't even bother to allow a spare tire to sit back there. & even then, the first thing the Aug '04 CAR's "1-series vs Golf V" article
    mentioned was --

    "The Golf we should have brought along for this comparison is the MkI GTI. The first high-performance front-wheel-drive Volkswagen was light and chuckable, all verve and poise, with intuitive controls that needed no electronic assistance.

    But we can't turn the clock back to this gorified, rose-tinted past."

    Well, I can. Or at least I tried, by starting to restored the MkI Jetta a couple years ago, but it's in the shop so often, grrr...
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Yeah, right.

    The weight difference with AT is only 50lbs, and with MT only 64lbs. You ain't gonna feel that.
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    50lbs on top of the rear edge of the car affects significantly more than just 50lbs of grocery stuffed on the floor behind the front seat back.

    Even during normal driving, I can feel some difference when carrying just one 100lb-passenger.

    Someone tried to argue that the front/rear weight distribution b/t the 6 & 4 cyl Mazda6 isn't that great, so shouldn't affect the handling much due to nose heaviness. But it's the front-overhang weight that makes it so different when you try to change directions.

    Boy, these RevItUp events are so educational they actually discouraged me from choosing the V6 on the Mazda6. & makes you wonder why the RX-8 rides so supple over bumps despite high handling limit.

    Even CR noticed the harsher-riding 17" V6 Mazda6 failed to handle as agile as the 16" 4-cyl Mazda6 w/ the lighter nose.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Even during normal driving, I can feel some difference when carrying just one 100lb-passenger

    Exactly.

    I recall before buying a Jetta that my drives in a VR6 left me feeling like I had someone sitting on the front of the car. The weight savings alone on the 1.8T made it a more worthwhile car for handling. And boy did sways change the character of the car.

    Not sure a Mazda3 would need sways as my Pro ES can get oversteer quite nicely. sometimes it's more fun to me than my BMW - less mass, less grip, lighter feel all over.

    Now if only Mazda can show me a Mazdspeed3 Hatch by 2006...I can replace both cars with something stylish, roomy, great handling, ludicrously fast and able to fit items from home depot. It'd be the ultimate swiss army knife of cars.
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    "sometimes it's more fun to me than my BMW - less mass, less grip, lighter feel all over."

    D'you hear that? Less grip is more fun! That's why I learned to like playing w/ the Miata w/ LSD in the '03 RevItUp event.

    Also, the X5 tips over more easily than some other SUVs due to grippy tires!
  • bsum70bsum70 Member Posts: 37
    1. inside cabin filter
    2. variable int viper
    3. ac issue solve
    4. better gas mileage (Honda Accord with 500 more pounds and similar power/torque get better mileage than 3)
    5. avaliable traction control/ESP
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    . variable int viper

    You want a snake in the car?

    4. better gas mileage (Honda Accord with 500 more pounds and similar power/torque get better mileage than 3)

    The accord is also slow, corpulent, clumsy handling, cramped and carries an image that the driver is one of the sequacious undead masses.

    5. avaliable traction control/ESP

    Totally useless. It's a FWD car...it needs an instrusive TCS as much as a Miata needs four seats.
  • bsum70bsum70 Member Posts: 37
    1. variable intermit. WIPER
    2. I can understand the city mpg is lower in 3 but I
    do hope they can do better on hwy mpg (add 6th gear?)
    3. don't agree...
  • imontoyaimontoya Member Posts: 29
    1. variable intermit. WIPER
    This would be nice, hell my beater Chevy S-10 has better wiper control.
    2. I can understand the city mpg is lower in 3 but I
    do hope they can do better on hwy mpg (add 6th gear?)
    Automatic Mazda3 needs a fifth gear for better MPG. Manual tranny already gets great Hwy. mileage unless you want to sacrifice performance and change the gearing.
    3. don't agree...
    Traction control systems are really not necessary for this car. Really.
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    the rather un-intrusive Focus ESP system can be a good safe guard for this oversteer-prone Mazda3, so you can relax & continue driving the car at the limit. I only tried the one on the new S40 at the Volvo drive event in the rain, & it kept the cornering speed unbelievably high while staying neutral. So it's kind of fun, too! But any driver should train his real driving skill by switching off the ESP in a controlled environment.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    No TCS for me. Gimme an AWD system instead.

    As for not having variable intermittent wipers...hey, it means I'm not dinking around varying the variable setting all the time anymore. Variable intermittent is overrated anyway. ;)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Come on man. The Accord slow, corpulent, and sloppy... That's kinda rough on the car.

    Especially since the 5 speed pulls a 7.5 0-60 and has been lauded for it's se... Ahh whatever. Everyone has the right to an opinion. Carry on.

    I just bought my 3rd current-generation Accord yesterday. I love them.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    Oh come on..they're so blah! I mean, everyone and his kid brother's roomate has one. Go for something unique, like a Mazda. :) Or an Edsel, at least...haha!
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    I get em with all the accessories. Chin spoiler, fogs, tint, rear wing, all the way down to the fenderwell trim. They look quite nice that way. I've owned a black coupe, a silver sedan, and just picked up a "redondo red" sedan yesterday. Very nice. Nice set of eibachs, a set of 17's, and a fatter rear bar and I'm set.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    Yeah, yeah, chin spoiler, wing spoiler, all that stuff that "makes you go faster" uh huh. Then again, stick with the Honda. ;)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Than the "sport package" on the Mazdas. It's that same difference. Just a little customization to set your car apart from the crowd.

    Like my SI, No engine mods, just a set of 17's, eibach springs, and a progress rear bar. No lean in the corners and a much more aggressive look. That's about it.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    I was being a bit sarcastic. The guys who put all the wings and junk on their cars oftentimes do it to Hondas. ;)

    Actually, the Mazda3 5 door comes with the sport package standard, though there are some DIOs such as front spoilers, rear spoilers (for the sedan, anyway) fender trim, etc. Haven't seen a lot of that put into use though, although I DO know of some fool on some other message board (guess which one? heh) who cut his springs instead of waiting for the now-available kit. We had to get on him about that. ;)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    What made the difference this time was factory XM radio. I'm an addict to XM.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    The 3 is getting satellite capable radio for 2005. I forgot if it's Sirius or XM...audia would know though.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Especially since the 5 speed pulls a 7.5 0-60 and has been lauded for it's se... Ahh whatever. Everyone has the right to an opinion. Carry on.


    Lauded for being a creamy, buick-like car with no agility or panache. ;)
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Sorry, I missed that review. Perhaps you would care to back that up with something more than your usual sarcasm?
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    "No TCS for me. Gimme an AWD system instead."

    The '90 Protege got AWD option, but it's not the fun type. & neither will the upcoming S40/V50? I guess the next RL's got a "Prelude SH differential" that can power drift a little? Perhaps only something like the experimental system tested on an WRX in Europe w/ understeer/oversteer dial incorporate into the ESP system can convince me it's worth the trouble adding all that mechanical drag.
  • rs4184rs4184 Member Posts: 7
    "Hey", everyone. I've got a brand new (two weeks - 630 miles) M3 5-Door, in Velocity Red. I'm thinking about a roof rack. Anybody got one and can forward a pic of how she looks? If so, would you specify brand (Yakima, Thule, etc). there are no factory ones, right?

    THANKS!

    Rick
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Sorry, I missed that review. Perhaps you would care to back that up with something more than your usual sarcasm?

    I'd have to search around for my reviews of the Accord with the manual and the auto. Nice engine. Decent interior. With the 17s it was a fine car for a Honda. I'm sure it will be bullet-proot reliable.

    Of course, it still vanilla bland and has the soul of an M & M.

    Now do you want a "professional" review from some magazine hack paid to lie about cars? I wouldn't know what they say about it, it's irrelevant how others feel when it's my money. Everybody praises the IS300 and that thing is about as awe inspiring as a pinto to me.
  • imontoyaimontoya Member Posts: 29
    The Accord was said to have a sportier ride than the Camry.

    The Mazda3 and 99.9% of all front wheel drive cars exhibit understeer.

    http://www.dur.ac.uk/r.g.bower/PoM/pom/node31.html
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    "The Mazda3 and 99.9% of all front wheel drive cars exhibit understeer."

    Wanna bet? About the Mazda3, I mean. I know the rest of them do, but drive a 3 and you'd SWEAR it's going to oversteer on you.
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  • bunk1968bunk1968 Member Posts: 119
    I am certain that I saw the weight differance listed as 100lbs. in the Mazda 3 brochure. Take a look.
    I still don't know if that is enough weight to make any differance in a cars speed or sportiness?
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Sportier than the Camry?! That's like being thinner than Dom Deluise. Not much of a feat.
  • 03accordman03accordman Member Posts: 671
    Oh come on, blueguy, be realistic.
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