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Comments
http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/200606/0606.html
Note, their grades indicate engine volume + trim.
Some of the grades won't make it to US market, of course.
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
Thanks,
Rick
You might ask if they will exchange them with the 16" alloys on a sedan and adjust the difference. Then they would have to add the difference to the sedan price. Or you can sell the 17" wheels and buy after-market 16s w/tires. If you do the latter be very careful about the tire size so there is no difference in diameter compared to the 17" wheels and tires. (This could affect the speedo reading.)
Check wheel and tire prices and ratings on tirerack.com
Look for a 16"X 6.5" wheel and a tire size equal to what Mazda uses on 16" wheels.
fowler3
You need a special tool to remove the filter housing so you can get to the paper filter.
IMO - just go to the dealer for oil changes - the cost is not that much more and I have read a few cases where the filter was installed wrong - the result was an oil leak and a new engine NOT covered by warranty.
I also test drove the new 06 Civic (EX/LX) and did not notice any drastic difference between the two makes. You have to remember, these are fairly inexpensive economy cars. I would agree that the A/C in my 06 Honda Odyssey EX-L and Nissan Altima SE do work better, but it is not that much of a difference and both those vehicles cost considerably more...
I say drive it on a hot day and see what you think.. It certainly did not take 20+ minuets for the car to cool off based on some of the comments made in this forum.
Chris
Thule and Yakima make systems for the Mazda 3 in the US, that are widely available. I recently bought the Thule rack from an internet source called Car Racks Direct, in CT, but I haven't mounted it yet.
In Japan, I've read, there is a dedicated Mazda brand rack system that mounts to points on the roof under the black rain gutter strips that run the length of the roof. It is made by Thule for Mazda. It isn't sold in the US. I here it's over $600.00 if you order it from Japan.
There is yet another roof rack that uses the same rain gutter attachment. I saw it listed on an Australian web site. I can't recall the name of the company at the moment.
There are a few pics of the 3 with a rack, on the internet, if you search.
Hope this helps
Rick
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
http://www.napierenterprises.com
It can be used alone without the "sleeve" which attaches over the liftgate. Sleeping bags, an ice cooler w/food, a Coleman stove and pan and you are good to go.
Only $189.95
Don't forget your digital camera --we want to see pics.
fowler3
Now to the good. I have to say that the A/C is acceptable. That's it. I'm pretty tolerant to hot and cold so I, and my wife for that fact, accept it for what it is. West Michigan is in for some heat indexes of 100F coming up this weekend. That'll be the real test, but I'm not expecting greatness. There are too many positives that outweigh a moderately acceptable A/C. Driving this car is amazing. It's so smooth on the highway. I babied the throttle for the first 600 or so miles and I'm just now starting to accelerate a little harder (3-4k shifts) with the odd trip to 5k. First tank was 27mpg, about half the tank was loaded with four people and A/C on. Second tank was about 50% highway, just me and my wife, A/C on, doing about 70-75mph. The other 50% was with four in the car, mix of highway/backroads, A/C on and I got 29mpg. People love the color, obviously I do too. I couldn't be happier.
My sales experience was borderline effortless. Thanks to East Imports here in Grand Rapids and the awesome sales staff. I won't lay down any numbers here because a "good deal" is all relative to the buyer. I paid what I thought was very fair and respectful for the relationship I have with the dealership. Thanks to them again.
Well, back to the grind.
Zoom-Zoom!
Dave
Thanks
I have a 2004 Mazda 3 Hatchback and I actually bought mine used with the exact milage of 34K from carmax. They had it listed at 13.5K, so I would say depending on the overall condition of the car and maintenance history it sounds like you are getting a fair deal (really look the car over). I like my car and you can cram all kinds of stuff in the hatchback with the rear seats folded down. Here are the problems I have had in my car.
First off the rear brakes on these cars wear down fast, there is no type of tattle tale on the pads so you have to keep a close eye on them or else they will trash your rotors. Don't depend on mazda service to do this for you, they said my brakes were fine and I was too busy to double check them, long story short I had to fight them to replace my rear rotors. Second, the window regulator / motor has come loose on two of my windows making a knock sound when rolling it up. I had to take it back to mazda to have them tighten them back up, not a huge deal.
And last my A/C was not performing as well as I had hoped (I live in Texas so it is a must to have a strong a/c) and turns out there was an o-ring on the high side line of my compressor that needed replacing, after that it was great. So really only ONE Major problem so far. The gas milage is great and I get between 26 - 31 MPG depending how agressive I feel like driving. It handles great, quick for a 4 banger, and stops quickly, fun little car to drive. I am a former mustang and Dodge RAM HEMI owner, so this car was a change for me. It took some time to get used to but I really like this car, it gets the job done efficently.
One last complaint though, the seats are kind of hard. This car is built around sport, so the suspension is a little stiff along with the seats; but it is tight feeling and fun. If you want a more luxury ride in the same range I would look at a Sonata or Toyota.
Some things to consider -
Wear items - tires and brakes - for sure need to be looked at - if the used car needs these soon you should add them into the cost.
If you finance you will be able to get a lower interest rate on a new car loan VS a used car loan - you may also get a lower rate even if you finance over 60 months VS 48 months - the new car payment may still be higher but it is something you should look at.
Warranty? The 2004 only has 16K miles left - a new 2006 will have 50K - not saying if you buy used you must buy an extended warranty (I never do and never will) but you could find out how much an extended warranty would cost - if its $1,500 (I have no idea what is should be) then in a way you are only "saving" $2,500 buying used. I am using the cost of the extended warranty as a way to estimate the EXTRA costs of repairs you will have if you buy used - of course you may get lucky and pay no repairs - you may be unlucky and replace the engine and tranny.
Insurance may cost more on a new car. But that depends on many factors - so you just need to check it out.
Will you keep the car for 10 years? Then resale is not that big of a deal - but if you trade every 3-4 years the 2006 will be worth a few thousand more when you trade it in.
I have look at these factors a few times and always end up buying a new car -
Prepare yourself for sticker shock if you buy low-profile winter tires.
Also mentioned Electric stability control will be optional on 2007 models!
I'll bet the Caliber didn't fare very well in that comparo.
Protege5 forum. The Protege5 is the predecessor to the Mazda3 hatchback. In most cases the Mazda3 hatchback is a big improvement over the Protege5 but it looks like Mazda dropped the ball when it came to fuel economy since both automatics only get 25 mpg. Also, the Protege5 had an Excellent reliability rating back in 2002 whereas the current Mazda3 gets a Better than Average rating.
"In the current crop of hatchbacks the Mazda3 tops CR's list over the Caliber, Audi3, Saab 92X, Matrix, Vibe, Focus, Malibu Maxx, PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR, Prius, and Scion XB. Quite an accomplishment considering some of these vehicles cost thousands more.
The one surprising deficit of all of the hatchbacks tested in the Sept. 2006 issue (i.e. Mazda3, Caliber, Audi3, Saab 92X) is the cargo area! Surprising because that's the one area of a hatchback that one would think that a hatchback would score well.
In August 2002, Consumer Reports recommended the Protege5 even though it came ninth in the list of hatchbacks. The top choice that year was the VW Jetta Wagon.
Since I had a copy of CR's earlier hatchback review back in 2002 when the Protege5 came out, I found it interesting to compare the specs for the Mazda3 hatchback against those of the Protege5. As you can imagine in most cases the Mazda3 bested the P5 (horsepower, torque, acceleration, transmission ...). But here are a few places where the P5 scored better: the Protege5's brakes stop you in the dry from a 60mph in 126 ft compared to the Mazda3's 129 ft. The P5 weighs nearly 10% less than the Mazda3 hatchback and likely because of a heavier front end the weight distribution is better on the P5. Finally, it is interesting to note that both the P5 and the Mazda3 hatchback average the same 25 mpg."
What did they drive, an auto? The Mazda3 2.3 with manual gets an average of 28 mpg.
What did they drive, an auto?
YES.
True!
Sure, the V50's a "wagon", and the 3's a "hatch", but when you look closer at their specifications, something doesn't add up.
Measure Mazda3 V50
Wheelbase 103.9" 103.9" <- same platform, same wheelbase
Length 176.6" 177.7" <- V50 only 1.1" longer!
Width 69.1" 69.7"
Lugage Cap 17.1cf 27.4cf <- V50 with 60% more luggage space
Cargo Cap 31cf 63cf <- V50 with 103% more cargo space!
Like I said, something doesn't add up, the 3's only an inch shorter, less than an inch narower, but has half the cargo space?
Visually, the 3 has the sloping rear, where the V50 is straight back to the rear door. But it couldn't make THAT much difference, could it?
Consumer Reports in their current (Sept. 2006) review of hatchbacks (including the Mazda3, the Saab, and the Calibre) noted one common fault: poor cargo area.
Personally, my Protege5 (the precursor to the Mazda3) is fine for my needs, a flip of the back seats reveals gobs of room.