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Mazda3 Hatchback
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Comments
I was casually cruising at about 70 in the right-hand lane, when this car appeared in the left-hand lane behind me. Like me, it had its headlights and driving lights on (lots of deer out there). But it persisted where it was, right in my left-hand blind spot, just behind me, matching my speed. This went on for about 15 miles and I started to get a little flustered, so I hit "cancel" on the cruise control and slowed down a little. Well, they slowed down too. Dammit! Another five miles went by. I finally slowed down more, and they sloowwwwly crept by me. As they passed, I glanced over and finally realized why my Velocity Red Mica 2005 Mazda3 hatch had had a shadow for 20 miles.
I was being passed by the exact same car! :shades:
She (cool!) pulled in front of me and we played hazard-signal games for a few minutes; then we took turns shadowing each other and running side-by-side for another five miles or so. (Is this called "Threeplay?") But alas, I had to exit, and I left her zooming down the highway to destinations unknown. Had this been 20 years ago, and minus that little band of gold around my left finger, I may have followed. As I exited, I swear I heard Bob Seger singing "Night Moves". Oh, to be young again.
I wonder what became of my shadow in the night ...
Meade
This girl next door drives a matrix. (decent looking, she's got nice wheels on it, leather interior)
But I rather drive a M3HB. SO MUCH more pimp!
:P
Meade
I see it in the same way as buying a flat-screen TV right now. I haven't; I still have my 36-inch Toshiba with the old-fashioned (but very reliable) tube. I want to see how long these plasmas, LCDs and DLPs last before I plunk down a coupla kilobucks on one. Same thing with hybrid cars. Let me see one after it's got 100,000 miles on it, and then I'll decide.
Meade
Thanks!
Yep, a four-day weekend in the mountains, just by myself. How does that old beer commercial go?
"Man, it don't get no better than this."
Keep it in the road while I'm gone, gentlemen! I'll return with some highway mpg numbers fer ye!
Meade
I went there - they got some nice tips on waxing/washing your car.
How to take care of the exterior and interior.
some nice tips on wheel care as well.
Oh mine is Titanium Metallic, auto, sunroof/ 6disc and the ABS/Airbag package.
The tech from Mazda says there have been no changes to the HVAC system - I told him I would be will to pay - out of my own pocket to change over to updated AC - I figured even if it was a few hundred $ it would be worth it.
Having the windows tinted tomorrow (black/black 2004 Mazsda3 S) - when the service manager ask me if I would be willing to get the windows tinted I said - no - but then I went in to the dealership and saw a tinted Mazda sitting right next to one with stock - almost clear glass. I changed my mind on the spot. I guess I never really noticed how clear the glass is on the Mazda3.
WILL YOU PLEASE GET OFF THE AC ALREADY???
I already stopped reading the prices paid and problems forums because I have heard enough about the AC being a problem. Can you please take it back to the problems forum.
Thanks
Sorry Just Venting :P
The hitch, she believes her rotten mechanic's lies that Mazdas are unreliable. hmm, this guy is making a mint repairing her old american car and my friend's mom's american car...but mazdas are unreliable?!
My family's owned mazdas for over 15 years. Biggest repair bill ever was a slave cylinder on my sister's old miata.
She drives old rotten cars.
She takes them to the mechanic, who makes a ton of money fixing it
Ergo, so long as she drives old, rotten cars, said mechanic makes a ton of money.
Further, if she buys a new car with a warranty, he loses a bunch of buisness.
Thusly, asking her mechanic for advice is a pretty bad idea.
Might be better to find a mechanic who doesn't stand to lose money if he gives truthful advice.
Does anyone's Mazda show climate Info ?
fowler3
neways. I finally got in touch with BOSE and found this about the BOSe Audio System in SP23 models.
(1) A 1.5 Inch tweeter in each front door
(2) A 6.5 inch low/mid range speaker in each door
(3) A 5.25 Inch Rich Bass woofer in customized, 4.5 liter ported, tuned enclosure under the front passenger seat.
(4) Bose digital amp with 5 channels of custom equalization mounted under the drivers seat.
pretty sick - it saves space in the trunk for other things
Jason
Pics and specs don't do this thing justice. It's a very good looking vehicle. Unfortunatley it was very near closing time of the dealership when I got there so I sat in it, but I didn't want to bother the sales guy for a test drive that day, but if it lives up to its reputation, I'm sold.
After seeing some more (better detailed) spy pics of the 2006 Civic, my other consieration for new car, it is pretty much out of the race. Now all I have to do is wait to the end of August and decide if I want a 2005 or wait a few more weeks for a 2006 if there are any improvements over the '05 (I've read rumors of a 5 speed auto, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!)
Waiting can be so hard!
The only other car that comes close (in terms of looks / power ) is the VW GTi.But the 3 has a better Interior. I suggest you wait for 06 models to come out - then the 05's would go out the door a little cheaper. go for Auto if you can, its a little bit more $$$ but more practical. Plus you get triptronic shifter so you still have manual at your disposal.
Good Luck!
1. It costs more.
2. It gets worse mileage.
3. It will cost more to repair.
4. The car is FAR slower with the automatic.
5. Tiptronic is not in any way a replacement for a manual.
Mazda makes some of the best manuals around. If you like to drive and you're not lazy, go for the manual version of the Mazda3. It's a night and day difference. With a manual the car has some pep and is fun. with an automatic...it's neutered.
Let's not start going there, because you might start a war. Some people (who aren't lazy) prefer autos, and others prefer manuals. We should all just be one happy Mazda-havin family. Besides, that shiftable automatic IS a lot of fun too.
"we will be able to speed up that day when all of Detroit's children - manual ones and automatic ones, pearls and metallics, sedans and hatches - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old spiritual: "Zoom Zoom Zoom!"
I know, he didn't say that. But if he was around today, i think he would.
I have driven a manual for a while now. A 1997 Chevy Cavalier Z24 and before that a manual 95 Jeep Wrangler.
I just don't like worrying about what gear I need to be in when the idiot in front of me slows to 25 blow the limit on the highway, or if I am revving to high (2,000) on take off, or if my clutch is going bad or if I am being too hard on my clutch.
I like to just hit the gas and go.
On the other hand, I do like shifting at full throtle and red line when getting on the highway. But most of my driving is in the city, stop and go.
Also, should I follow the 5000 mile oil change or go with 3000 just in case?
Does anyone know about some product from 3M to stop scratches on the front of ths car? I heard about this once before. It was some kind of clear cover or something?
Thanks!
Go to Xpel .com they make a clear mask . It's the material that is used on airplane props. Got it on my Type S and you can't see it. Goes on using baby shampoo . Live in Maine and we have tough winters .
No, your engine was designed to run on regular.
Also, should I follow the 5000 mile oil change or go with 3000 just in case?
There are plenty of opinions on this, and a little mythology as well. My own thinking is that changing oil at 3000 is overkill and environmentally wasteful. I haven't seen any solid evidence that changing at 3000 significantly improves engine life. Of course the oil change places and oil companies would like you to believe it does. Incidently, I drove a 1986 Mazda 626 for 244000 miles just changing the oil at 5000, sometimes more than that.
I drove M/Ts for 18 years and loved them, but age made me realize it was time to go A/T. Not that the change was a bad thing. Al-city driving kills the advantages of M/T. No twisty roads just straight ones. Long traffic lights wear out clutches fast and new slushboxes aren't cheap.
Enjoy your M/Ts while you can -- your time is coming.
fowler3
Thanks
If you're asking if the insurance industry has a blanket criteria that any vehicle with 160 hp (or more) is a 'sports car', the answer is "no".
Consider: the 'weakest' 4-cylinder Accord, Camry, Altima, and Mazda6 all have at least 160hp. I doubt anyone considers them to be 'sports cars'.
Typically, insurer's will just look at things like # of doors, # of seats, and if the vehicle is FWD or RWD to determine if it qualifies as a 'sports car' for insurance purposes. Even the upcoming Mazdaspeed3, which should have something in the range of 220hp, would not qualify as a 'sports car' for insurance purposes.
After owning nothing but manual transmissions, I bought my first new vehicle with automatic transmission in 92. Traded it in a month ago for a Mazda3 with manual transmission. I've really enjoyed the feel of driving with a manual ever since I bought the 3.
The biggest problem I had with AT was when the transmission died in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the middle of the Holland Tunnel, headed to NYC in sweltering heat. Not a fun experience!
My biggest drawback in years of MT was when I spent four months in the hospital due to a severely broken left femur. When I got out of the hospital, I couldn't drive the car for a couple of months because I couldn't work the clutch - an AT would have been handy then!
There was no difference in cost between the Civic, Corolla and Mazda3. My agent (State Farm BTW) said that they classify all 4 banger economy cars the same. She also said that if there is a difference it is normally due to the repair cost - if one model ends up costing a lot more to fix after a fender bender for example - or if one car ends up with a significantly higher injury rate then they will adjust the rate.
Although the Mazda3 is sporty - it is not even close to being considered a sports car.
fowler3
Some difficulties: the mirrors are smaller than in Civic, and the drivers seat inclines in fewer increments. I tried the height adjustment, but I didn't help visibility issue. The side windows has tint, but it was accomplished with glued on film, rather than beeing in the glass itself. During night driving the passenger side is BLACKED OUT, because the film somehow absorbs ligh arriving from oblique angle. In Texas carzy drivers passes on your left/right as the please, so I'm really worried I get into accident. Please help.
My daughter just took drivers Ed and they now teach you to use the mirrors - and NOT turn your head around to look behind - I guess the act of cranking your head around and looking behind you means you are taking your eyes off the road in front of you for a longer time than if you just use the mirrors -which means you have a greater risk of running into the cars ahead of you.
I assume the mirrors on the HB and Mazda3 sedan are the same.
BTW - I did not like the placement of the rear view mirror - it is too low and blocks my view to the front. The stock RV mirror only has one swivel point so it can not be adjusted up. I went to the local Ford dealership and bought a mirror for a Mustang ( part # F5SZ 17700 AA ) cost me about $20. It has an extra swivel so I can move the whole mirror up and out of the way. The mounting bracket on the Mazda3 is the same as the Mustang so it was a perfect fit.
Removing the head restraints (they're NOT headrests) has made it unsafe for your rear seat passengers, as these are there to help prevent neck injuries in the event of a collision, not for taking a nap.
Some driving lessons for your wife might help. There is nothing in the design of the Mazda3 that good driving skills can't address.
If I ever had anyone in the back seat I would put the headrest back in. I wouldn't even be able to see the headrest what with the person's head in the way. :P
HOW DARK CAN WINDOW TINT BE IN TEXAS?
Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In Texas, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.
Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 25% of light in.
Back Side Windows Must allow more than 25% of light in.
Rear Window Any darkness can be used.
If you want to look up other states go to -
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/
My last oil change the invoice price of the oil filter was $6.25 - but to hit the price they charge it was marked down to $5.00.
Go to this web site http://www.finishlineperformance.com/mazda3/index.html - and click on Mazda3 maintenance parts. They sell oil filters for the Mazda3 online for $5.69 each.
BTW - it includes one filter cartridge and 2 o-rings - it even shows you a picture!
A tip: you really don't have to settle for the blindspot mirror, as it is. I discovered that the mirror is plastic, so it allows trimming with sandpaper. Instead of the round shape I made it oval - trimming off the non-functional top and the bottom part, which don't show anything else but the sky, and the ground. I used semitransparent scotch tape, diagonally across the mirror. The tape prevents glare from the high noon sun, and also covers the right upper corner, so I don't need to look at myself while peeking at the blindspot mirror. Instead of an round "O" , the mirror its now (_\_) shaped, whith "half eylid closed". The scotch tape really made the difference, by removing glare from the sky.
http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/driving-myths-and-mistakes/settin- g-the-mirrors.htm