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Mazda3

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Comments

  • shroudershrouder Member Posts: 2
    "So no serious complaints about the a/c from anyone here I guess. The complaints here seem fairly minimal to me."

    Had to sign up and throw in my 2 cents here. I got my M3 sedan GT in Dec 2003 (one of the first to arrive in town).

    I hate the AC. It's way underpowered - it blows hard, but always seems to be "barely cool" - almost room temperature! My wife's Ford Escort Z2 can chill you to the bone, and quite frankly when it's 28-30 degrees Celcius, that's what I'm looking for.

    The heater totally underwhelmed me in the winter (lousy defrost power) and now I'm having the same problem with the AC. I find the HVAC totally lacking in the M3. That's just my personal opinion. It's bad enough that I don't enjoy the car on the hot days due to my sweaty back sticking to the leather through my shirt - It's always warm in the car even with the AC blasting and driving at 80 kmph+

    My wife's car, again, is dramatically more comfortable to drive on hot days. Both have black interiors.
  • zoommazda3zoommazda3 Member Posts: 8
    Hello,
    i am new to this forum and really considering getting Mazda3. I've been reading your messages and find it very informative. I was wonder how do you talk to the dealers down on price. like I read one person talk a dealer down to like $200 from invoice and another like $500 from invoice. Any tips.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Find dealer with a lot of Mazda3's in stock (possible in my area at least). Do NOT let on that you must have this car--let them know you have (lower priced) alternatives, e.g. Elantra GT (even if you really don't). Bring a check with you made out to the dealer for the full amount of your offer (less taxes and fees) to let them know you will buy a car NOW if they meet your price (you can always use their financing if they offer a good rate). Ask to talk directly with sales manager, or Internet sales person--they are more direct in my experience. Buy a few days before the end of the month, when the sales manager is trying to meet monthly sales goals to get a bonus from the manufacturer (if you wait until the last day, they may have already met their target for the month).
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Welcome, zoommazda3! We've got a lot of helpful information for you. First check out the blue tab at the top labeled "Tips & Advice" - you'll find great information there. And we have an entire message board devoted to helping folks buy vehicles - check it out at this link: Smart Shopper.

    We can help you with shopping tips a little bit here, but you'll want to use those resources as well.

    Meanwhile, anything you want to know about the Mazda3, the folks here will be glad to share!
  • drummdrumm Member Posts: 16
    After the news of the upcoming Mazdaspeed 6 coming out w/ a twin-turbo four banger, the following question came to my head:

    Exactly how durable are turbo engines? I've never own a turbo car but I hear that they (A4 1.8, Saab, ect) are not very durable.

    Are turbo engines high maintenance?

    Seeing that the Mazdaspeed 6 has a turbo and rumors are flying about a turbo engine on the Mazdaspeed 3 It just makes me wonder about a turbo engine.

    Thanks in advance,
    Drumm
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    My father has a Passat 1.8t with 120,000 miles and not one problem with the turbo. They are quite reliable these days. Back in the 80's some of the Saabs had turbo failure before 100k, but that was before they were intercooled.
  • drummdrumm Member Posts: 16
    Thanks for sharing that info dudle. One would think that my now, turbo engines are a lot more reliable than they were years ago.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    " Bring a check with you made out to the dealer for the full amount of your offer (less taxes and fees)"

    WRONG! Read the information provided on Edmunds.com about True Market Value and other TIPS on how to deal. Your OFFER should be the PRICE OUT THE DOOR including taxes, title, and licensing. *Price out the door* means drive it home.

    Check *Prices Paid by Others* for the same model with options you want.

    fowler3
  • zoommazda3zoommazda3 Member Posts: 8
    Thanks Pat for the information on the Smart Shopper and the Tips@Advice. I'll be reading these section i assure you. Thanks for the help.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    You are very welcome - good luck. Hope you'll hang around here to talk about your new MZ3! :)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    If you know before you go into the dealership to make your offer on a car exactly what the tax, license, title, and other fees will be, I agree--bring in a check for the full amount and pop in down on the table. But personally I find it difficult to know exactly what those add-ons will cost, so that's why I recommended writing a check for the amount before taxes and fees, and then if the dealer accepts my offer I can always write another check for the taxes and fees (or rip the check up and use the dealer's financing if it is attractive).

    Although the incredibly smart people at Edmunds disagree with me, I always talk the price of the car PLUS tax, license, and fees with a dealer. It makes it easier for me to see just what kind of discount I am getting--and see what kind of fees they are adding. Then once we agree on that, we can talk about the taxes and fees. Sales tax and license fees are non-negotiable anyway. I am careful to see what other fees they add on, e.g. a documentation fee. To me, this is clearer than lumping everything together. To each his own.
  • langodlangod Member Posts: 33
    >>Just need to decide which one LOOKS SPORTIER<<

    Sportier? They both are. In my opinion, as a 40-year-old owner of a 4s Sedan, I think the Hatch looks sportier in a trendy, "fast and furious" way, while the 4 door looks sportier in a BMW 3 Series kind of way.
    All depends on what image you want to project, I guess.

    Jim
  • everfebeverfeb Member Posts: 115
    I'm still getting poor mileage with my HatchS-auto, will be getting my first oil change soon and am hoping this will improve my mpg. Just wondering if anyone's mileage got better after their first oil change?

    I got my 3 in Dec. and it has been through a brutally cold Jan-Feb up here in NW Ontario. It seems to me I now have substantially more wind noise around my front window than when I first got it.
    Is it possible for windshield seals/trim to shrink or something in very cold weather letting more wind in?? Any opinions. Haven't heard anyone else complaining about this one.
    Thanks
    everfeb
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    Well, what exactly IS the MPG that you're getting. To be honest, I could say mine is "poor" compared to the EPA ratings, but we know those aren't exactly real-world numbers.

    I'm in an AT hatch, and my average mileage according to my handy-dandy PDA application is 24 MPG. That's with about 90% city type driving, since my commute to work is about a mile (plus when I DO go out and really drive, I like to rev the sucker up a bit). That was at a little over $1600 miles, on the factory oil; I just had my first oil change and am on my first tank after it, so I don't know if it'll improve or not.
  • harddrivetharddrivet Member Posts: 90
    My Mazda 3i is getting 33 MPG at 600 miles. It's getting better each fill-up. I have hope to hit the 40 MPG mark, if this car will do that as I expect it can, then I will be a happy camper.
  • everfebeverfeb Member Posts: 115
    Thanks for your reply. My question though was quite specific...

    "Just wondering if anyone's mileage got better after their first oil change?"

    I KNOW I am getting poor mileage and did not intend to start another discussion on gas mileage in general.

    I've read and heard that mpg should improve after first oil change and am wondering if any 3 owners have actually experienced this improvement.

    everfeb
  • bunk1968bunk1968 Member Posts: 119
    Still can't decide on hatch or sedan, I was never a big hatch fan, but it does not look bad.
    Front end looks better on hatch, but sedan does look Euro sporty.
    CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF IT WOULD BE WORTH MY WILD TO WAIT A MONTH OR SO TO GET A DISCOUNTED PRICE ON A MAZDA3????
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    Dicounts come and go, if you see a car you like see what you can get it for. Haggle or get all the facts and make an offer. If they won't accept it, wait, there will be others. If you can wait it's obvious you aren't in a hurry. The right car at the right price at the right time -- will happen. :)

    Haste makes waste -- you paid too much.

    About better mileage, I have a Protegé and found that mileage increases as you break it in, but don't expect a big improvement after the first oil change -- give it time and many more miles before you see it's best mileage -- somewhere above 3,000 miles. Don't drive it too hard, break it in easy and it will be good to you down the road.

    fowler3
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    And drive it slowly. Over 80 mph and the mileage tanks.
  • modestmousemodestmouse Member Posts: 53
    What kind of crazy people drive over 80mph? I don't know about you but I can't afford the ticket..in any state. MM
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    No big deal. When I consider some people drive Hummers to work every day getting a best of low teen MPG, I could drive my car top speed and be better to the environment.
  • birdman579birdman579 Member Posts: 151
    After nearly 2 months of waiting, my Lava Orange sedan finally arrived! Everything went very smoothly at the dealership. My salesman had all the paperwork ready and even called my insurance company for me to add my new car. I purchased from North Penn Imports in Philadephia and couldn't be happier with the whole experience. When I drove off the lot, the odometer only had 1 mile! It must have gotten a great parking spot on the ship and at port :)

    The 3 is an amazing car. The handling, engine, transmission, interior, ... I could go on forever. The only downer was that it rained the whole way back to Maryland so I'll have to wash it tomorrow.
  • kmh2468kmh2468 Member Posts: 62
    The only downer was that it rained the whole way back to Maryland so I'll have to wash it tomorrow.

    That's no downer, friend. Washing your 3 will give you a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the cars fine lines. Enjoy.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    "What kind of crazy people drive over 80mph? I don't know about you but I can't afford the ticket..in any state. MM "

    Speed limit is 75 where I live (SD) so going 80 is like people with a 65 limit going 70. You won't get a ticket at 80 here, and probably not at 85. Now 90 is another story.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    ... but cars.com is saying "audio systems on 2005 (Mazda3) models are ready for Sirius Satellite Radio, but little else has changed."

    Meade
  • dancehausdancehaus Member Posts: 10
    You won't see many discounts next month if you expected them. These cars are hot right now; under-produced and hard-to-find when you're looking for specific features.
  • modestmousemodestmouse Member Posts: 53
    You're right. I forgot that other states actually had their speed limits raised when the bill passed. Its still 65 where ever you go here in NM. Once you hit AZ though its 75, but the huge semis go like 95 so it keeps you going 80.

    Sry about that. My under Achieva can't do 80 anyway.(haha!)
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Consumer Reports has named the Mazda3 the number 1 small car.

    This will be in the Aug. 2004 issue.

    They say "small doesn't have to mean pokey or cheap. The Mazda3 is an overall high quality car with acceleration and interior quality on par with many mid sized sedans."
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I bought the issue at a grocery store three days ago. Thanks for the positive reinforcement though!

    Meade
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Hey modestmouse, I don't know know what you're on, but maybe you should cut back a little. The interstates are 75 in NM except for metro areas where it's 65. Trucks here may cruise at about 80 or so like everyone else, but never 95.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    I didn't think they could go that fast. At least you don't have to worry about a ticket. They are on the "network". Don't have to worry about hitting anything either. The truck'll knock anything out of the way. Especially those "left lane squatters". Can you imagine having a truck in your rear view coming up at 95mph?
  • bigdaddycoatsbigdaddycoats Member Posts: 1,058
    What are the main differences between the i and s?
    Is the suspension the same? Shifter in the manual? Seats? Any help would be appreciated.
  • kmh2468kmh2468 Member Posts: 62
    What are the main differences between the i and s?
    Is the suspension the same? Shifter in the manual? Seats? Any help would be appreciated.


    Main difference is the "i" model has a 2-liter engine while the "s" model gets a 2.3-liter engine... Suspension is the same but the "i" gets a 15" steel wheel standard and the "s" models get a 16" alloy wheel standard. The shifter is the same in either model. As for seats the "i" models get black or beige cloth and the "s" models get black with either red or blue accents. Leather is optional in the "s" models.

    All this according to the Mazda3 brochure.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The s and i have different grilles also, with the i having a blackout grille and the s a body-color grille. Besides leather, there are other options available only on the s model, e.g. navigation and Xenon headlamps.
  • gambit293gambit293 Member Posts: 406
    I rent a car every single week from Hertz for work. I walked up to see what I had been assigned, expecting something hideous and foul and sure enough, it was a Cavalier, which is the one car that will cause me to immediately request something else.

    I asked what else was available, and LO a Mazda Pro AND a Mazda3 were available! I pounced on the 3 at once. It's a white 3i that looks to be a little abused in its brief rental life (there were scratches on the outside etc). I hardly ever get Mazda let alone Japanese cars anymore from the rental companies.

    10 second review

    First test: Just by chance, I happened to pack extra stuff this week since I'm staying an extra day. Normally I bring one backback and one medium size zipper/wheelie bag (maybe about 2.5 feet long, would fit on an airplane overhead compartment). This time I brought my large zipper/wheelie(about 3.5 feet, definitely would not be acceptable as a carry-on) and two backpacks.

    I immediately thought to myself, "well nuts, the one week I bring my huge bag I end up with the compact I always wanted... guess I can stick the big bag in the backseat." I popped the trunk and GULP all three bags went in easily with room to spare. This trunk is easily larger than the hatchback trunk of my celica.

    Driving impressions: Handles like BUTTA. Or rather like a hot knife through butta. Very tight, yet definitely more refined than the Pro.

    I was actually surprised that the engine was so loud and buzzy. And I'd definitely like to see just a wee bit more pep. If I ever got one, without a doubt the S would be the way to go.

    The only other complaint I have is that the radio, as cool as it looks, takes getting used to since the knobs are a bit oddly placed.

    That's it for now! I've only had the car for about 9 hours (and I only drove it for about 30 minutes).

    Happy zoom zooming!
  • sschaffersschaffer Member Posts: 80
    I've had my Velocity 5 speed S sedan almost 48 hours now, it's one of the quietest cars I've owned, much quieter than anything in it's class that I've owned or driven and I've driven most of them as I'm a service tech in a Toyota dealership and often work on the used cars.

    I've got the 6 disc changer and haven't even attempted to load a cd yet, just been playing with the radio and find that once I had set my station presets the only thing I do with the dash radio controls is mash the big knob in the middle to turn it on and off, otherwise I just use the steering wheel controls.

    I made my obligatory ride up into the foothills near my home in Fresno to try out some really nice twistys and am in love with this car's handling, braking, and shifting. In tight stuff with steep grades it's best to keep the engine perking at about 4k rpm or a bit over, will accelerate nicely up a grade or out of a turn at that rpm.
    The engine is almost totally vibration free, just a bit of nice exhaust note to keep one conscious of what it's doing. I didn't try any really hard acceleration as it's only got 100 miles on it, nor did I rev it past 5k at any time, but still was able to maintain remarkably high speeds on the tightly curving up and down two-lane. At least 3 times cars ahead of me pulled over to let me by, even though I was by no means crowding them or riding their bumpers in any way. The final 8 miles or so into town on the way back is nice almost empty freeway and the car was rock solid as far as stability at high speeds, no wander from wind, did not follow the notorious California Freeway rain grooves.

    I've owned and/or driven Sentras, Corollas, Proteges, Elantras, Camrys, Altimas, you name it, and the little Mazda 3 is just in a class by itself as far as excellent driving dynamics--great stability, tossable, quiet, refined drivetrain, just overall very high class car that feels like it ought to cost 10k more than it does.
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    The difference is night & day, almost. At least the Honda 2.4 comes w/ 5-sp auto. & maybe Mazda auto tend to slip a little too much to begin with.

    The main difference b/t the Mazda3 2.0 & 2.3 is the lower-rpm output, which is more critical for slush boxes.

    Although the 2.0 auto's tall top gear should keep the car just a tad quieter than the 2.3 at cruising, anytime you need power the 2.0 will need to rev much higher & thus louder.
  • gambit293gambit293 Member Posts: 406
    Hi all,

    I've had my Mazda 3i rental for 2 1/2 days now. I have to admit that one major flaw is the AC system.

    Yesterday I went out to eat with three coworkers. It was quite hot, easily 80+ degrees outside. Some of my workers were very curious to see the Mazda3 so we took it out.

    Unfortunately the 3's schizo AC didn't make a very good impression. I had it on full blast the entire time, but it kept on cutting out. The air would always blow strongly, but would only remain cool for a few minutes at best, and then it would take a few more minutes for the next "round" of cold air to come. We were dying in the car, and all in all the 3 didn't receive many flattering comments during the ride.

    Does anyone have any idea what influences the AC to act this way?
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Take a look at the Mazda3 problems and solutions board - the AC defect is a well known problem - at least by the owners - as far as Mazda is concerned the AC is working up to standard.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    I wonder if the folks at Mazda are reading these AC discussions?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Probably not, but do Mazda reps participate in the regular Mazda chats that Edmunds.com has?
  • sschaffersschaffer Member Posts: 80
    If you still have that rental could ya maybe check the build date?

    I'm quite familiar with AC systems that have temp variation as compressor cycles on and off, or that get pretty warm during extended idling having owned several cars in the very hot climate of Fresno CA (average summer temp 95-105).

    The exact problem you describe is widespread in the Problems forum.

    My June 04 production M3 has less of this temp fluctuation than almost any car I've ever owned,
    so I think I've maybe dodged a bullet here.
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    Yes, Mazda corporate (and all automakers) do monitor internet forums and boards. There are also several dealers who actively participate. However, those in corporate are typically not allowed to post because what they say could potentially be construed as an official statement from that automaker. Having said that, I know of one Edmunds id that is from Mazda corporate, though I haven't seen a post from that id in over a year now (but that person's probably still lurking).
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Correct - there are a number of manufacturers who read the Forums. Even more - some of them ask us about recent trends. So, when we see something that looks to be a new mechanical problem - we tell them. This benefits the consumer (gets the ball rolling on investigating it and a solution) and the manufacturer (faster time to resolution saves them in reputation).

    We know that if a problem is reported here and at the dealer, we typically beat getting that information to corporate by about 75 days. Not bad! That's why it is important to post here (and not somewhere else or links to someplace else ;-) )
  • rinebirdrinebird Member Posts: 83
    I had a laoner with the 6/04 Ac date and AC was fine. My car 3/04 has the Ac problem.I am on the board you suggested with the Ac problems. I just read a comsumer complaint on the NTSA web site about someones AC problem & poor acceleration.I too have this problem. Trying to accelerate with the AC on on major HW is very unsafe.The service manager of my dealer says the engine is too small 2.0 l for the AC. To me that is admitting to me it doesn't work; yet the service department says it is up to the maufacturer's standards.
  • lisa26lisa26 Member Posts: 5
    I went to my local dealership last night (southern Cali) to test drive the 3 i model. They didn't have one available with manual transmission so I ended up with the 3s off the showroom floor.

    Velocity Red
    spoiler
    ABS
    moon roof
    6-disc changer
    xenon lights

    I was rather timid at that point since my research was on the I, but I went in to talk.

    11 pm and 3 hours later, I told them I'd take the car if it was $20K out the door. They agreed. However, at signing, the document said $21,000 because they were under the impression I'd put $1,000 down. I told them the whole night I had my own financing and I had no interest in talking terms with them. I was annoyed and walked out.

    Was I crazy? 21,000 for the s model and all those options? As I was leaving the salesman was telling me that they couldn't go down more because as it stood, they were only making $200 anyway.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Invoice on that car is $18,786, which means if the dealer is telling the truth they are offering it to you for about $19,000 + tax, license, and fees. If that is true, that is a very good price. What is Edmunds.com's TMV price for your zip code?
  • sschaffersschaffer Member Posts: 80
    rinebird,

    I have the 2.3 but find that the performance difference with it on is less than on any other car I've owned with the exception of a 5.0 Mustang I had in the late 80s. That Mustang had the port injected 5.0 V-8, 5 speed manual, and weighed less than my Mazda 3 does. My Mazda is also a stick so that might be helping me.

    The car I had just before the Mazda 3 was a Nissan Sentra SE, 2.0 liter auto and it had very much more noticeable ac drag but not anything dangerous.
  • lisa26lisa26 Member Posts: 5
    edmunds tmv is 20,514 for my area. carsdirect price is 20,265.

    where do you go to find a invoice price? edmunds?

    also, anyone out there ever tried the costco member pricing plans? Are they any better then haggling or buying online? Thanks!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, I got the invoice price from Edmunds.com, based on the equipment list as stated. Note that the TMV price is NOT the out-the-door price, but is the price before taxes, license, and fees.
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