R34. I don't know about the US but in Canada a WRX is 34,495$ and no incentive. A volvo s-40 is 37,895$. A base Saab 9,3 (with nothing) is 35,495.$. Thats is a minimum of 10k$ and more. A whole lot of money if You ask me. You might be a little to optimistic, at least for what the numbers are here in Canada. No, the MZ3 is a real bargain. Oh, by the way, a Corolla (not the XRS) cost 21,600.$ a civic si is 25,600.$, a Elantra GT is 22,225$. source: Guide de l'auto
$10K difference ?? I think techchick said the special edition is US$22K-23K. If the exchange rate is 1US = 1.3CDN. That is around CDN$28600-$29900.
I knew you can get a fully-loaded (175hp, leather, heated seats, moonroof, etc) Saab 9-3 Linear for <less than 25K (sometimes Saab has $4000-$5000 incentive and.or $1000 GM incentive/rebate). For the S40, you may need to wait because they are new model. You can get a stripped S60 for $25K but I don't think anyone wants to do that.
I really like Protege5 and Mazda 3 Hatch but I think it is too expensive for paying $22K+ for a small Japanese hatch. Some people may like it but I would rather spend the extra money on mechanical stuffs.
My wife already owns a 2004 titanium gray with the moonroof and 6 cd package. I also own a red 2002 Protege5, which I am giving to my daughter. After looking around a various models such as the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and even a BMW 325i, I concluded that the best value for me would be a fully loaded 2004 Mazda 3. There are not enough of the 2005s to find what I wanted.
We found one 2004 that has the ABS, Moonroof, Xenon lights, and leather packages. We are going to ad the auto dimming mirror at the dealer. Dealer cost on this vehicle is $19,871 plus approximately $250 for the mirror. The deal from the dealer is $500 above invoice plus $100 for the transportation cost from another dealer across the state. Since we already own other Mazdas, MazdaUsa sent us a coupon for a $500 loyalty rebate, good on any 2004 Mazda. This means I will finance before taxes and licenses $20,221. The msrp on the sticker is $21,805 plus $300 for the mirror.
I know that some people around the country have purchased their vehicles for less than the $500 above invoice, but a difference of a couple of hundred dollars doesn't amount to much when your financing around 60 months. Since I have nothing down, no trade since I gave my car to my daughter, means I am financing a good bit. Three hundred dollars over 60 months at Mazdas 4.9% financing is only $5 a month. Saving $5 a month is a good thing, but no enough of a difference to kill my deal.
The only thing that I have to worry about is will my wife be jealous that I have a fancier 3 than she does.
Oh yeah, I'll have to change my name on the forum from redpr5 to something with red and Mazda3 in it.
Ok. I ordered my car. Now I keep having people telling me to be carefull, that the xenon headlights are major theft targets. Has anybody here had any problems with this?
Anybody know what color the Carbon Gray Mica is supposed to look like -- the folder doesn't give me any sort of idea... I mean look at the Lazer Orange in the literature and tell me it looks like copper... Is the new color like the dark gray (or charcoal) of the M6?
Now I keep having people telling me to be carefull, that the xenon headlights are major theft targets. Has anybody here had any problems with this?
Don't sweat it. Lots of people like to scare others when new buyers get something nice or with a "new" technology. Enjoy your car and get decent theft insurance. If you're really worried, invest in a really good alarm.
Ok. I ordered my car. Now I keep having people telling me to be carefull, that the xenon headlights are major theft targets. Has anybody here had any problems with this? -------------------------------------------
Sleep well my friend. The Xenon headlight assemblies in the Mazda 3 fit no other car but yours.
Picked up my new (2005) Hatchback last week. Its a 5-speed titanium gray beauty. This baby is noticably quicker than the 2004 demo. cars that I had driven... a pleasant suprise. My hat is off to Mazda for building such a multi-purpose car... its a sports car, an economy car, and pretty practical too. Just hit my 600 mile break-in miles, so I had some fun with it last night; suprisingly fast and well "planted" at 100 MPH. It puts my old BMW Z3 to shame!!! All this for $19,000, aint life great. Zoom Zoom
would it be possible to get a tow hitch for this car? with the 2.3 motor it should have enough power. The reason I'm asking this is because I only have one car... some would say I should just buy a truck... but it's really rare that I need to use the truck bed. So I thought maybe I could get a little trailer for this car instead.
Instead of trying to put a trailer hitch on the MZ3... save the couple hundred dollars and rent a truck from Home Depot or something on the rare days you need it.
i don't want to rent a truck from home depot. i've had an impreza for 11 years and I've never rented a truck.
to make this easier to understand, let's assume I have a boat that I like to tow to the lake every weekend. But during the week, I want to drive around like the cover boy for import tuner. Could I do that with the Mazda 3?? Should I buy the extra lower body cladding?
Why the difference? Liability. Too sue-happy in N. America (and no, I'm not joking, this is the real reason).
Bottom-line: So you can get a tow for the Mazda3. Your options are either the aftermarket (there are some companies with Mazda3 applications), or get the genuine Mazda one from overseas (Australia or UK would be most convenient since they speak english).
Well, no matter how "wrong" the U.S. is, you basically have a choice:
Tow or don't tow.
I have my own opinions on towing anything with a light, unibody-construction, front-wheel-drive vehicle with no weight in the back end (can you guess my opinion, LOL), but consider the fact that your warranty will be void if you do choose to ignore the owner's manual.
I agree with the truck suggestion. I've done lots of towing with a medium-sized pickup, pulling a load of only 1500 lbs., and lemme tell ya, you don't want to be pulling any more than maybe a JetSki on a small trailer with a car like the Mazda3. Not unless you live in a pancake-flat area with no wind and the speed limit's never higher than 25.
Just hope you never ever have any kind of electrical or structural problem....the trailer hitch and wiring will be enough for Mazda to reject the warrany claim..
That's part of what I meant about the flat-terrain comment -- not only do you put a BIG strain on the engine going UP hills, but boy, do you ever have trouble with downhill grades when your vehicle wasn't designed to have at least a half-ton of weight pushing it along from behind!
great link! for the tow hitch that is. it says it can tow 900 kilo, which is like 1600 pounds.... cool, i might have to get me one of those. and I used the manual for tp, sorry
I just wanted to know if anyone here has driven or done research on the new Focus? If so, is it faster and sportier than the Mazda 3s/2.3? I heard it was lighter and quicker? ** I would also like to know if anyone could tell me if paying $16000 for a HB Mazda 3s '04' with 7500 miles is a good deal??? Ohh, and is it true what one person posted on here that the '05' seems quicker than the '04' Mazda 3? Thanks.
I have a 3S hatch 5 speed with 3500 miles and wondered about the noisey suspension or if something else was loose. If I have a chance I will try driving another one to see if it typical of the car. I would appreciate you updating me with your own findings. Also, I am only getting 27 -28 mpg although I am driving the car pretty gently.
i have a hatch, and the traction is very, very good. you have large disc brakes, abs, ebd, and really responsive steering.
but, for me this happens only because i changed to 4 snowtires. the stock rsa's are not very good in snow for my taste (although you will find others on this board who claim otherwise). i did buy Dunlop M3 snow tires, but apparently any tires (up here anyway) that have the snowflake symbol on the sidewall (not M+S, but actual snow or ice tires) will give you the traction that you are looking for.
"Has anybody found that the suspension thumps over some bumps the way a 6's does?"
Thumps, eh?
Want to see why? Check out the Focus II: creakid1 "Ford Focus 2005 release date" Oct 20, 2004 4:23am "There's better suspension isolation and rebound - it doesn't thump over my test route like the Mazda 3 does and that's on the same chassis - and the really stratospheric sixth means that you can cruise quite comfortably at 80mph."
What do you expect? This is the "zoom zoom" tuning from the original design. Unlike the Focus II & the new S40, the Mazda3 uses firmer bushings. Even my newly purchased old-platform(read no subframes!) 2005 Focus I ST 2.3 w/ SVT/S170 shocks & sway bars has no harshness over minor irregularities & no thumps over bumps! Best of all, there's no abrupt ride motion/rebound as found in the Mazda3 & even the TSX, which has forceful jolts from time to time. Despite a firm ride, the '05 Focus I ST's ride comfort was rated even higher than the regular Focus I (per Consumer Guide)!
I, personally, would not pay $16,000 for a nearly year old car with 7,500 miles on it. (is that including Tax and other fees?)
I test drove an '04 today (w/ ABS/SAC/...moonroof/6-CD) but didn't know it was an '04 until AFTER the test drive.
Although I opted not to sit down to negotiate a price, I was given an offer of $18,500. I laughed when they offered it because thats the price I was planning to push for an '05!
They are really trying to push the '04's out though...and if they can get me an '04 with those options for $16,500 - $17,000 (including the $500 recent college grad rebate) I'll take it! Not sure if this is considered reasonable, but I'm sure going to give it a try!
Otherwise, I'd rather have a car that doesn't further depreciate on January 1, 2005.
I worked hard to save up my money. I have no plans of giving it away so easily.
After a bit of a software snafu last week, we'll try to get a harder count on how many of you are coming to the Philadelphia Auto Show on Feb 5th and 6th (that's the first weekend of the show) so we can figure out how many goodies we might need! So stop in at one of the chats this week and let us know!
Even if the boat is a little 14' fiberglass sailboat on a two wheel trailer,
you will have big troubles trying to pull up a steap ramp. "But there won't be much weight on the hitch.", you say. Really? Where are you going to carry all the other stuff: life jackets, cooler, food containers, and other gear that goes on a trip to the lake? In the trunk or in the boat? And if you take another person, or persons, with you?
I know I have tried it and had to get a truck to pull my car and trailer up the ramp. Ramps are usually wet and slippery. You may launch the boat fine, but retrieving it and pulling up the ramp is entirely different.
just got my mazda this weekend (built 10/04) and it is just great! even with no options (which i was looking for), this car is a step up from the 94 mustang v6 i've driven since it was new.
the only minor thing i don't like the sun visors that don't block out the sun all the time. i wish it had those little flaps that slide out to get better coverage. my parents' buick has that, but i don't if it's a common feature.
anyway, i'll chime in from time to time about any additional likes/dislikes, but i am basically very happy with the 3.
I'm picking up my mazda 3 tomorrow....can't wait!:)
Question...i will be parking it on the street. Did any of you get any type of bumper protectors (not sure if that's the right term) that you could recommend me? I'd really appreciate it.
Mazda shows this message when trying to “build a vehicle” on their USA web site.
You have selected INTERIOR TRIM PACKAGE
This requires removal of
• ABS/SAB/SAC PACKAGE
Are you sure you want to select INTERIOR TRIM PACKAGE?
I had first selected ABS/SAB/SAC Package & then I proceeded to chose the Interior Trim Package, in addition.
Apparently & according to Mazda, the ABS/SAB/SAC Package & the Interior Trim Package (Red or Blue: Door & Instrument Trim Panel; plus premium floor mat upgrade)
I could not find this same restriction while trying to build the same vehicle on Edmund’s web site & a couple of other web sites that offer similar car build programs. In fact, on some of these independent web sites they direct the order to Blue or Red Clothed Seats when ordering Interior Trim Package (blue or red to match). Sometimes, this is done by prohibiting the order of black/charcoal leather seats in conjunction with ordering Interior Trim Package. I wasn’t able to duplicate this on Mazda’s Canadian web site because the packaging is different (without descriptions)
I'm torn between the sedan and the hatch. Hatch owners, any regrets on your choice? Sedan owners, same question?
The sedan's trunk is definitely both wider (about 8") and deeper (about 1.5") than the hatch's cargo area with the seats in normal position, which is how I expect I'd most often use it. But the sedan's trunk opening seems much more awkward than the trunk opening on my '91 Protege.
I usually carry groceries, shopping bags, a small suitcase or two, occasional file boxes and flats of flowers. I'm more concerned about being able to cope with these daily things than about passing the "32-inch TV test."
I'm also posting this question in the Mazda3 sedan forum.
Ok, I have the hatch and not only do I not regret it, but I don't get how long I lived so long with a sedan. Of course, being single and all, i NEED a car that will pass the "32 inch TV test" but I've noticed several other useful things about the hatch, mostly related to the "cargo management system":
1. 100% flat and level load floor (with seats up)
2. The load floor is flippable. Flip it over and instead of carpet, you've got easy-to-clean hard plastic.
3. Flipping=removable. You can yank the floor OUT, take it inside and vacuum ot or clean the plastic or whatever.
4. The cargo wells under the floor, while not terribly deep, can be pretty useful. And they'll also hold your flower flats pretty well, probably. Flip down the brackets and turn the "floor" into a shelf and you've now doubled your carrying capacity for such items. Might want to use the carpeted side so they don't slide around, which means you'll want to remove it and vacuum it off. Which means:
5. Since the shelf is removable, why not just use THAT to carry half of your load out of the car to wherever you need it?
That's just a quick brainstorm, but the hatch's cargo area is EXTREMELY versatile, moreso than the trunk on the sedan. As for groceries, I've never had a problem fitting everything. I'm single, but I buy a month's worth of groceries at a time. And even there, you can always set up the shelf if you need to.
Luggage I might worry about if it got beyond a certain size, but I'm the type to just slide one into the back seat if they won't both fit into the hatch. If you need the back seat, the sedan might actually work better for that unless you remove the cover on the hatch. It really ISN'T terribly deep front to back; the great stuff comes from more efficient useage of the vertical space.
Again with the "single guy" eval: the hatch is perfect for bringing home take-out pizza with serious extra cheese. It's dead freaking flat; the mozarella won't slide all over the place on you.
In my experience, trunk floors aren't 100% flat...there's always a bit of imperfection. Plus trunks end up as not such nice places to put things sometimes, since people keep oil and coolant and stuff back there and they leak. With a hatch, the cargo area feels a bit more like part of the passenger compartment, and gets treated that way, at least in my mind. I guess a trunk comes under "out of sight, out of mind" or something.
& this applies to both the 3 & the new S40, but not the old-design Focus, though.
Since I'm single, I can careless. But the driver's headroom of the 3 is disastrous for me under the moonroof, 'cause I need raise the seat all the way in order to stretch my legs comfortably!
I realize now that I haven't had the hatch's cargo area really "shown off" to me, because I haven't seen the cargo wells & I haven't seen the floor turned into a shelf. (I've been fixated on the sedan until I started having second thoughts about the trunk opening.) Too bad the Mazda website and brochure don't show the bit about flipping down brackets to form a shelf.
Test drove a hatch (4spd auto) last night. Very nice. I can't decide between a manual or automatic. I'll try the manual next time I test drive. I will be doing mostly city driving (Philly) but want something more fun than a plain old automatic. How is the manual for those who have one- preferably in stop-n-go city style driving.
Anyone with a dark colored hatchback having problems with the paint being chipped and sandblasted off just in front of the rear wheels on the rocker panel??? I have had my car since last February and am fed up with the dealer telling me that I am the only one with this problem.
I have a HB in 24E or as they call it down here Shimmering Sand [ not dark] I have had it since last Feb. and wax it almost every month and do not have the sandblasting problem you mentioned !! My car came equipped with mud flaps [trailing] but I don't think that makes any bearing on your opportunity !! Good luck -- please keep pressuring those dealers !!
Comments
source: Guide de l'auto
I knew you can get a fully-loaded (175hp, leather, heated seats, moonroof, etc) Saab 9-3 Linear for <less than 25K (sometimes Saab has $4000-$5000 incentive and.or $1000 GM incentive/rebate). For the S40, you may need to wait because they are new model. You can get a stripped S60 for $25K but I don't think anyone wants to do that.
I really like Protege5 and Mazda 3 Hatch but I think it is too expensive for paying $22K+ for a small Japanese hatch. Some people may like it but I would rather spend the extra money on mechanical stuffs.
http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-neil2- 0oct20,0,590140.story?coll=la-class-autos-highway1
I had no trouble accessing it, but I have registered with the paper. Some of you might need to register, but there no charge.
We found one 2004 that has the ABS, Moonroof, Xenon lights, and leather packages. We are going to ad the auto dimming mirror at the dealer. Dealer cost on this vehicle is $19,871 plus approximately $250 for the mirror. The deal from the dealer is $500 above invoice plus $100 for the transportation cost from another dealer across the state. Since we already own other Mazdas, MazdaUsa sent us a coupon for a $500 loyalty rebate, good on any 2004 Mazda. This means I will finance before taxes and licenses $20,221. The msrp on the sticker is $21,805 plus $300 for the mirror.
I know that some people around the country have purchased their vehicles for less than the $500 above invoice, but a difference of a couple of hundred dollars doesn't amount to much when your financing around 60 months. Since I have nothing down, no trade since I gave my car to my daughter, means I am financing a good bit. Three hundred dollars over 60 months at Mazdas 4.9% financing is only $5 a month. Saving $5 a month is a good thing, but no enough of a difference to kill my deal.
The only thing that I have to worry about is will my wife be jealous that I have a fancier 3 than she does.
Oh yeah, I'll have to change my name on the forum from redpr5 to something with red and Mazda3 in it.
Is the new color like the dark gray (or charcoal) of the M6?
Don't sweat it. Lots of people like to scare others when new buyers get something nice or with a "new" technology. Enjoy your car and get decent theft insurance. If you're really worried, invest in a really good alarm.
http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=25551
-------------------------------------------
Sleep well my friend. The Xenon headlight assemblies in the Mazda 3 fit no other car but yours.
to make this easier to understand, let's assume I have a boat that I like to tow to the lake every weekend. But during the week, I want to drive around like the cover boy for import tuner. Could I do that with the Mazda 3?? Should I buy the extra lower body cladding?
thanks,
Jesus.
READ
THE
MANUAL
Meade
As the manual says, no towing.
Unofficially:
See this link: http://www.mazda.com.au/accessories_pl.cgi?id=45&categoryID=1- 7
Why the difference?
Liability. Too sue-happy in N. America (and no, I'm not joking, this is the real reason).
Bottom-line:
So you can get a tow for the Mazda3. Your options are either the aftermarket (there are some companies with Mazda3 applications), or get the genuine Mazda one from overseas (Australia or UK would be most convenient since they speak english).
Tow or don't tow.
I have my own opinions on towing anything with a light, unibody-construction, front-wheel-drive vehicle with no weight in the back end (can you guess my opinion, LOL), but consider the fact that your warranty will be void if you do choose to ignore the owner's manual.
I agree with the truck suggestion. I've done lots of towing with a medium-sized pickup, pulling a load of only 1500 lbs., and lemme tell ya, you don't want to be pulling any more than maybe a JetSki on a small trailer with a car like the Mazda3. Not unless you live in a pancake-flat area with no wind and the speed limit's never higher than 25.
Meade
wil
As the manual says, no towing
Just hope you never ever have any kind of electrical or structural problem....the trailer hitch and wiring will be enough for Mazda to reject the warrany claim..
Meade
it says it can tow 900 kilo, which is like
1600 pounds.... cool, i might have to get me
one of those. and I used the manual for tp, sorry
I heard it was lighter and quicker?
** I would also like to know if anyone could tell me if paying $16000 for a HB Mazda 3s '04' with 7500 miles is a good deal???
Ohh, and is it true what one person posted on here that the '05' seems quicker than the '04' Mazda 3?
Thanks.
Well, I should say that that is what edmunds new car pricing said?
but, for me this happens only because i changed to 4 snowtires. the stock rsa's are not very good in snow for my taste (although you will find others on this board who claim otherwise). i did buy Dunlop M3 snow tires, but apparently any tires (up here anyway) that have the snowflake symbol on the sidewall (not M+S, but actual snow or ice tires) will give you the traction that you are looking for.
Thumps, eh?
Want to see why? Check out the Focus II:
creakid1 "Ford Focus 2005 release date" Oct 20, 2004 4:23am
"There's better suspension isolation and rebound - it doesn't thump over my test route like the Mazda 3 does and that's on the same chassis - and the really stratospheric sixth means that you can cruise quite comfortably at 80mph."
What do you expect? This is the "zoom zoom" tuning from the original design. Unlike the Focus II & the new S40, the Mazda3 uses firmer bushings. Even my newly purchased old-platform(read no subframes!) 2005 Focus I ST 2.3 w/ SVT/S170 shocks & sway bars has no harshness over minor irregularities & no thumps over bumps! Best of all, there's no abrupt ride motion/rebound as found in the Mazda3 & even the TSX, which has forceful jolts from time to time. Despite a firm ride, the '05 Focus I ST's ride comfort was rated even higher than the regular Focus I (per Consumer Guide)!
I test drove an '04 today (w/ ABS/SAC/...moonroof/6-CD) but didn't know it was an '04 until AFTER the test drive.
Although I opted not to sit down to negotiate a price, I was given an offer of $18,500. I laughed when they offered it because thats the price I was planning to push for an '05!
They are really trying to push the '04's out though...and if they can get me an '04
with those options for $16,500 - $17,000 (including the $500 recent college grad rebate) I'll take it! Not sure if this is considered reasonable, but I'm sure going to give it a try!
Otherwise, I'd rather have a car that doesn't further depreciate on January 1, 2005.
I worked hard to save up my money. I have no plans of giving it away so easily.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
You can get an 04 V6 for 25K in my area (RTP, NC).
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
The MAZDA chat is on TONIGHT. Stop in for a holiday visit! Check out the schedule
Even if the boat is a little 14' fiberglass sailboat on a two wheel trailer,
you will have big troubles trying to pull up a steap ramp. "But there won't be much weight on the hitch.", you say. Really? Where are you going to carry all the other stuff: life jackets, cooler, food containers, and other gear that goes on a trip to the lake? In the trunk or in the boat? And if you take another person, or persons, with you?
I know I have tried it and had to get a truck to pull my car and trailer up the ramp. Ramps are usually wet and slippery. You may launch the boat fine, but retrieving it and pulling up the ramp is entirely different.
fowler3
the only minor thing i don't like the sun visors that don't block out the sun all the time. i wish it had those little flaps that slide out to get better coverage. my parents' buick has that, but i don't if it's a common feature.
anyway, i'll chime in from time to time about any additional likes/dislikes, but i am basically very happy with the 3.
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
The MAZDA MANIA chat is on TONIGHT. Stop in for a holiday visit! Check out the schedule
I'm picking up my mazda 3 tomorrow....can't wait!:)
Question...i will be parking it on the street. Did any of you get any type of bumper protectors (not sure if that's the right term) that you could recommend me? I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!
You have selected INTERIOR TRIM PACKAGE
This requires removal of
• ABS/SAB/SAC PACKAGE
Are you sure you want to select INTERIOR TRIM PACKAGE?
I had first selected ABS/SAB/SAC Package & then I proceeded to chose the Interior Trim Package, in addition.
Apparently & according to Mazda, the ABS/SAB/SAC Package & the Interior Trim Package (Red or Blue: Door & Instrument Trim Panel; plus premium floor mat upgrade)
I could not find this same restriction while trying to build the same vehicle on Edmund’s web site & a couple of other web sites that offer similar car build programs. In fact, on some of these independent web sites they direct the order to Blue or Red Clothed Seats when ordering Interior Trim Package (blue or red to match). Sometimes, this is done by prohibiting the order of black/charcoal leather seats in conjunction with ordering Interior Trim Package. I wasn’t able to duplicate this on Mazda’s Canadian web site because the packaging is different (without descriptions)
What gives? Who’s correct?
The sedan's trunk is definitely both wider (about 8") and deeper (about 1.5") than the hatch's cargo area with the seats in normal position, which is how I expect I'd most often use it. But the sedan's trunk opening seems much more awkward than the trunk opening on my '91 Protege.
I usually carry groceries, shopping bags, a small suitcase or two, occasional file boxes and flats of flowers. I'm more concerned about being able to cope with these daily things than about passing the "32-inch TV test."
I'm also posting this question in the Mazda3 sedan forum.
1. 100% flat and level load floor (with seats up)
2. The load floor is flippable. Flip it over and instead of carpet, you've got easy-to-clean hard plastic.
3. Flipping=removable. You can yank the floor OUT, take it inside and vacuum ot or clean the plastic or whatever.
4. The cargo wells under the floor, while not terribly deep, can be pretty useful. And they'll also hold your flower flats pretty well, probably. Flip down the brackets and turn the "floor" into a shelf and you've now doubled your carrying capacity for such items. Might want to use the carpeted side so they don't slide around, which means you'll want to remove it and vacuum it off. Which means:
5. Since the shelf is removable, why not just use THAT to carry half of your load out of the car to wherever you need it?
That's just a quick brainstorm, but the hatch's cargo area is EXTREMELY versatile, moreso than the trunk on the sedan. As for groceries, I've never had a problem fitting everything. I'm single, but I buy a month's worth of groceries at a time. And even there, you can always set up the shelf if you need to.
Luggage I might worry about if it got beyond a certain size, but I'm the type to just slide one into the back seat if they won't both fit into the hatch. If you need the back seat, the sedan might actually work better for that unless you remove the cover on the hatch. It really ISN'T terribly deep front to back; the great stuff comes from more efficient useage of the vertical space.
Again with the "single guy" eval: the hatch is perfect for bringing home take-out pizza with serious extra cheese. It's dead freaking flat; the mozarella won't slide all over the place on you.
In my experience, trunk floors aren't 100% flat...there's always a bit of imperfection. Plus trunks end up as not such nice places to put things sometimes, since people keep oil and coolant and stuff back there and they leak. With a hatch, the cargo area feels a bit more like part of the passenger compartment, and gets treated that way, at least in my mind. I guess a trunk comes under "out of sight, out of mind" or something.
Since I'm single, I can careless. But the driver's headroom of the 3 is disastrous for me under the moonroof, 'cause I need raise the seat all the way in order to stretch my legs comfortably!
I realize now that I haven't had the hatch's cargo area really "shown off" to me, because I haven't seen the cargo wells & I haven't seen the floor turned into a shelf. (I've been fixated on the sedan until I started having second thoughts about the trunk opening.) Too bad the Mazda website and brochure don't show the bit about flipping down brackets to form a shelf.
barry42