I am wondering if I should take the Rustproofing from the dealer, life garantee....? The dealer will check every 7 years ...if there is enough product..sound like strange abite
I would not recommend it. Normally dealers send out the cars to be done by another firm.
There are many ways of rustproofing but there is no "Mazda" rustproofing method. Whatever process you choose make sure to: - check how much of the car is sprayed: just the bottom; bottom + some lower parts of the body; bottom + inside doors + inside trunk; more coverage is better but also costlier; - get annual checkups and find out how much each checkup costs; - read the warranty carefully.
I recommend Krown, one of the best known methods in Canada, which I have used for the last 10 years. It costs approximately $110 per year.
depending on who does it, can trap condensation between the sprayed on stuff and the underbody eventaully causing rust. If there are small holes in it moisture can still get in. Usually it needs a heavy coatiing in the wheel wells where gravel kicked up by the wheels can chip the undercoating creating openings for slush to get in during winter. It does offer better road noise isolation and sound deadening.
Other than whats on paper are there any visual differences. I was thinking of changing my mind and getting the GS with SP&PP. Although the GT is a 2.3, the GS is a 2.0 (with of course less hp) however, the fuel efficency is crazy different in the 2.0 model as opposed to the 2.3 model.
Just 3 weeks into new car, 700kms and noticed the problem.... Car is pulling to right...Noticed because my right hand is paining after driving over 20 to 30 kms at a stretch...Called up the dealer... have booked appointment.. Not happy at all...Will report the follow up in Mazda 3 problems section...
Looks to be the problem of alignment or is it due to the tires? Anybody has any idea or previous similar experience with Mazda 3 Sport GS?
I'm going to sign tonight for my mazda 3 gt GFX w/o leather. I'm trading in my 2001 focus :lemon: for something a whole lot better I'm getting a raised spoiler and was going to get the chrome fuel cap but fowler3 made my decsion on that thank you. living in quebec wouldn't be a good idea for the cap.....c u all later
New Mazda 3 GT, drove 50 km today....driving was better than the test drive. Still excited, have to slow down 150 km/h without noticing. Waiting for the next ride..........
After 400 km, I notice a click noise at the front and rear wheel at the start. Did anybody know about it? it is kind of solenoide activation noise.."click" sound...but does not look like a defect it sound very clean click!!! It can happen at the reverse or first gear on an automatic gear boxes in my case.
I want to get the Mazda 3 GT sport tomorrow, but I am wondering if anyone knows whether the leasing/financing rate for this car will drop in August. I am paying 3.9% for a 48 month lease.
I just picked up a 2005 Mazda3 GT sedan with the GFX package, Carbon Mica, 5spManual two days ago. The car looks amazing and I have to say I am happy with the car. However, I did run into a problem which was fixed immidiately. Despite the great service, I did already have a manufacturer's problem on my car as soon as I drove it off the lot.
My passenger's sideview mirror was not moving straight vertically or horizantally. It was moving on a left to right diagonal motion. Obviously, having just picked up the car I was frustrated and mad that I already had a problem. I took it in and it turned out to be a cross wiring. There are two independent motors in the sideview mirrors (up and down, left to right). The wires in the panel were crossed and the technician had to open up my panel and straighten it out. Thankfully, it was fixed within 1 hour.
Has anyone ever heard or experienced this problem?
Anyways, other than that I'm thus far please with the ride. Haven't pushed it too much. Not until I hit 1000 K.
I'm already looking for two things for my car; winter tires and a stubby fubu (antenna). Anyone have any recommendations?
I'm already looking for ... winter tires ... any recommendations?
A few tips: - try a search of these posts for the terms "winter tires"'; there's a lot of information and experience here from previous years specific to the Mazda3. - read your manual for what's recommended by Mazda. - check out tiretrends.com and tirerack.com and independent tire shops for price lists. - remember a winter tire is not equivalent to a 4 season tire; only winter tires use the snowflake and mountain emblem on the sidewall. - save money and promote safety by buying rims as well as tires. - many recommend that if you drive 16" to downsize to a 15" winter tire with a good sidewall.
Hi there, I just got the mazda 3 Sport GS and the only thing I would love added is the heated mirrors. Anybody knows if there is a option and the cost.I live in Vancouver area!!! Any help would be appreciated...
You're right, the 06 is rumoured to come with a 5 speed automatic. I'll search for the changes (it's somewhere in the Mazda forum) but if you find it first please post it here. Meade noted that several options will become standard and therefore this will bump up the price; I wonder if these options may apply only to the top-end models or whether it will be across the lineup. You may want to check for invformation about the Frankfurt auto show coming in September as there may be some pictures of upcoming Mazdas.
Has anyone seen a blue Mazda 3 sedan (in Canada)? (Winning Blue Mica to be precise)
I have seen many in the Mazda 3 Sport (wagon) but I have yet to see one in a sedan. I checked the Mazda e-brochure and they do offer the Wining Blue Mica for the Mazda 3 GT sedan. I may have seen one but it was at night so I didn't get a clear look at the car and the license plate.
If Mazda does in fact offer the color blue in the M3 GT sedan, why haven't I seen them on the road? Does Mazda charge more for this color? Or you have to wait?
I would like to buy a compact sedan, hopefully before winters sets in.
I have taken a look at the others, mainly the Civic Si. Despite being a 99 Honda Civic coupe owner, I must say the current Honda sedan and coupe gen (01-05) sucks! 06 will be a new gen, and I saw a few pics of the new Civic, and it doesn't look nice, maybe i have to see it in person. The performane on the new Civic sedan will be 140HP- 20 less than the 3 GT.
At this point, the frontrunner is the Mazda 3 GT, 2nd is Civic Si.
But like I mentioned in my previous message, there are some cons such as the trunk and no trhnk handle and the integrated sound system unit, just to name a few.
I guess the best thing to do is wait for the 06 Mazda to come out and see whether or not it has changes. But I do hope the rumoured 5 speed auto will be available!
It would be cool if you Mazda 3 GT owners out there can get back and offer your input on your ride. Thanks!
I have the Gt Auto. and gas mileage when new was not very good. Less than 30 M/G but after 5000K/M the gas consumption is much better, a little over 30M/G with air on, on the highway keeping it at 100 to110K/H was getting 35M/G air on. As for acceleration there seems to be a lag between 1st and 2nd. at times, hard to explain but test drive and punch it hard or slow down and when it shifts down to first or second punch it and see how it shifts. I like the Manual shifting, down shifting will help with the brakes last longer. I also think the acceleration pedal is sensitive and takes awhile to get used to which could contribute to erratic shifting. I would have perfered the manual but some members in my family can't drive stick. Handling is great with the 17 inch rims I have the GFX which gives you bigger rims. The ride with 17 inch rims is harsh but so are other makes with the same tire size. Tires are not great, a quieter tire would be helpful to eliminate road noise. Noise insulation is not great, run over some small stones and when they hit the under side you think you are driving over boulders, very nosey and I think driving in the rain would be rather nosey also. Also a side bar, the interior scuffs easily, door panels. Run your fingers across the part just below the windows see what happens. Sometimes I rest my arm on it and by the time I get home there is a white mark from my arm. Make sure you test drive on a hot day and check the A/C, seems to be some complaints about weak A/C. Tell the sales person to leave the car in the sun for about 5 to 10 minutes windows up, get in start the A/C and see how it performs. But I think the car is great value for the money. Check out the pros and cons
i went on google and i came across another forum name triplezoom
one member wrote ".........Pieced together some info from various places on the '06 MZ3. Looks like Copper Red Mica replaces Lava Orange and Whitewater Pearl Mica replaces Rally White. A 5 speed auto will be available with the 2.3 engine."
if it indeed true that it will come out with a 5 speed auto, the price will have to go up.
My question is will there be a big difference in terms of performance between a 4 speed auto and a 5 speed auto?
The trunk of the Mazda3 sedan has a little spring that is designed to pop the lid open by about 1 inch. This spring can stay locked in the closed position and then will not do its job.
I had this happen on my car a few times - just open the trunk and there is a small trapped door that hides the spring - make sure it is not hung up in the closed position.
Grinding brakes (fixed after 2 tries) Thumping front suspension (fixed) Harsh shifting auto tranny (1st- 2nd) (Not fixed - large clunk is normal) Defective AC (not fixed - its normal for a new car to be hot inside-but tinting helps) Check engine light 3 or 4 times (fixed) Hard starting - stalled engine (replaced fuel pump - fixed) Air bag sensor (recall) Poor gas mileage - last few tanks are between 17-19 MPG
The trunk spring I really don't count as a problem - the spring just gets stuck in the closed position - push on it with your finger a few times and it will pop back up.
BTW - Mazda does have a TSB on the trunk lid defect - 09-043/04 2004 MAZDA3 (4-DOOR ONLY) - TRUNK LID DIFFICULT TO OPEN
The heavy brake dust on the rear wheels - although a pain to keep clean is not really a defect - this condition has nothing to do with the grinding brake noise - although at first I thought it did. My grinding noise is gone - but I still have the heavy dust.
I also have the front door rattle (Mazda TSB 09-009/05 2004-2005 MAZDA3 - FRONT DOOR RATTLE) but have not had it fixed yet - it comes and goes - and really is not that big of an issue.
I have also had a few dash rattles - but fixed them myself.
I got a call from the people over at Guniess Book of World Records - they thought I had a new record - but after they added it all up - some guy with a head gasket problem on a Chevy Cav edged me out!
mine is a 05 and Titanium Gray think a Auto 5 speed would probably mean better gas mileage on the highway. lower revs. Can't see it making much difference with a 4 banger, more beneficial with a 6 or V8 also have the squeaky brakes in the second week only on cool damp mornings, will take it in before autum
I got a call from the people over at Guniess Book of World Records - they thought I had a new record - but after they added it all up - some guy with a head gasket problem on a Chevy Cav edged me out!
LOL, that'd be me! Never another GM product for us -- but that's a different story that many of you have heard anyway.
No, in fact it was the color that I had decided on before I took one last stroll through the lot and my eyes caught the glint of the Velocity Red in full sun. No turning back -- I had to have the red!
I had been going back and forth over three 3's -- the red one, the blue one and a Screaming Pumpkin Mica (er, "Lava Orange") one -- all outfitted the same way and all carrying exactly the same sticker price.
I don't put much weight on JD Power - or any of the auto reliability surveys - but I think GM and Ford have really shown some improvements - and now have a few models that are at the top on initial quality - doesn't say anything about long term - but its a start.
Oh, I know. I guess it's just that "once bitten, twice shy" thing -- same reason you're probably not hurrying into your Mazda dealer to replace your 2004 Mazda3 with a 2005 (or 2006) yet.
Actually, truth be told, I enjoy cars and probably will take a Cobalt for a spin sometime in the near future if the opportunity presents itself. I do hope they improved its seats over the Cavalier's -- every time I drove my wife's Cavalier (with the weirdest-shaped, hardest seats I've ever sat in), I came away with a backache.
I recently inquired about purchasing a Mazda3 Sport. I was interested in the options of a moonroof and leather seats. I was quoted at the dealer's a price of $1899 (CDN) for the moonroof and $1700 for the leather seats. The website, however, lists these options as $800 for the moonroof and $900 for the leather seats. Could anyone explain this large discrepancy in price? Am I being duped?
The website ... lists these options as $800 for the moonroof and $900 for the leather seats. I believe those are the correct Canadian prices; the salesman must have been dreaming. You can always phone the salesman to confirm (at the same time you can ask if there' are any other charges, like an "administration fee"). Or just deal with another dealership.
Something must be wrong with the quote from the dealer! On the website, it list 900 bucks for leather seats, not sure about the price on the moonroof itself.
As for the GT, there is a GFX package, for $1095, it includes the moonroof!
seeing the fact that the 06 model will come out sometime in the fall, will it be wise to wait for the new 2006 Mazda 3 sedan, then maybe the dealer would be in a hurry to get rid of the 2005 model? and perhaps get a good deal on it?!
The Mazda3 has a timing chain not a belt - which should last as long as the engine - if the engine ever gets overhauled then the chain & sprockets would get replaced.
Many engines use a belt that gets replaced - normally between 60,000 and 90,000 miles - that can cost anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars. If the belt breaks in some engines the pistons will hit the valves causing MAJOR damage.
say u by[sic] a brand new Mazda 3, when do u expect to run into problems or repairs?
My understanding is that timing chains far outlive most timing belts; for many owners of new vehicles this means they will never have to change a timing chain as they will have moved onto their next vehicle.
It can be a selling point for used vehicles but most consumers don't know or care much about this feature.
Much of the reason timing belts are so expensive is their location in the engine compartment which makes them difficult to access; technicians end up spending time removing and installing other components to get to the belt. One of the reasons why most technicians recommend changing other parts (water pump ...) at the same time: the components in the vicinity of the timing belt can be replaced by new components with little additional labour; not replacing them at the same time means risking to have to do the entire job again in a few weeks, months or years when one of the components breaks.
Chain drives are more expensive to build, but often last the life of the engine. ... I have never seen a recommendation for changing a timing chain at specified intervals. A chain will start to make noise long before it will do any damage to the engine.
Comments
The dealer will check every 7 years ...if there is enough product..sound like strange abite
Anybody had a experience?
Thankx in advance
thanks!
There are many ways of rustproofing but there is no "Mazda" rustproofing method. Whatever process you choose make sure to:
- check how much of the car is sprayed: just the bottom; bottom + some lower parts of the body; bottom + inside doors + inside trunk; more coverage is better but also costlier;
- get annual checkups and find out how much each checkup costs;
- read the warranty carefully.
I recommend Krown, one of the best known methods in Canada, which I have used for the last 10 years. It costs approximately $110 per year.
fowler3
Thanks guys
Looks to be the problem of alignment or is it due to the tires? Anybody has any idea or previous similar experience with Mazda 3 Sport GS?
Waiting for the next ride..........
It can happen at the reverse or first gear on an automatic gear boxes in my case.
Thanks
I just picked up a 2005 Mazda3 GT sedan with the GFX package, Carbon Mica, 5spManual two days ago. The car looks amazing and I have to say I am happy with the car. However, I did run into a problem which was fixed immidiately. Despite the great service, I did already have a manufacturer's problem on my car as soon as I drove it off the lot.
My passenger's sideview mirror was not moving straight vertically or horizantally. It was moving on a left to right diagonal motion. Obviously, having just picked up the car I was frustrated and mad that I already had a problem. I took it in and it turned out to be a cross wiring. There are two independent motors in the sideview mirrors (up and down, left to right). The wires in the panel were crossed and the technician had to open up my panel and straighten it out. Thankfully, it was fixed within 1 hour.
Has anyone ever heard or experienced this problem?
Anyways, other than that I'm thus far please with the ride. Haven't pushed it too much. Not until I hit 1000 K.
I'm already looking for two things for my car; winter tires and a stubby fubu (antenna). Anyone have any recommendations?
A few tips:
- try a search of these posts for the terms "winter tires"'; there's a lot of information and experience here from previous years specific to the Mazda3.
- read your manual for what's recommended by Mazda.
- check out tiretrends.com and tirerack.com and independent tire shops for price lists.
- remember a winter tire is not equivalent to a 4 season tire; only winter tires use the snowflake and mountain emblem on the sidewall.
- save money and promote safety by buying rims as well as tires.
- many recommend that if you drive 16" to downsize to a 15" winter tire with a good sidewall.
I just got the mazda 3 Sport GS and the only thing I would love added is the heated mirrors. Anybody knows if there is a option and the cost.I live in Vancouver area!!!
Any help would be appreciated...
Would anyone out there know when the 2006 Mazda3 models hit the showroom/Dealers in Ontario?
I'm anxiously waiting for those 2006 to go on sale.
Thx
I read on the forum somewhere that the 06 might come out with a 5 speed auto?
I have seen many in the Mazda 3 Sport (wagon) but I have yet to see one in a sedan. I checked the Mazda e-brochure and they do offer the Wining Blue Mica for the Mazda 3 GT sedan. I may have seen one but it was at night so I didn't get a clear look at the car and the license plate.
If Mazda does in fact offer the color blue in the M3 GT sedan, why haven't I seen them on the road? Does Mazda charge more for this color? Or you have to wait?
1) I find the trunk a bit small. Does anyone find it small too?
2) and also there's no handle to open the trunk, i find it a tad harder to open the trunk. Does anyone find it hard to open the trunk?
3) the sound system head unite is like one block. so I guess you can't replace it with an aftermarket head unit right?
4) the design of the glove box could be better
decent performance-perhaps one of the most powerful in its class with 160HP
i think it's the only car in the compact class to offer the '+ -' tiptronic feature.
GFX package is a good deal.
built in Japan
I
I have taken a look at the others, mainly the Civic Si. Despite being a 99 Honda Civic coupe owner, I must say the current Honda sedan and coupe gen (01-05) sucks! 06 will be a new gen, and I saw a few pics of the new Civic, and it doesn't look nice, maybe i have to see it in person. The performane on the new Civic sedan will be 140HP- 20 less than the 3 GT.
At this point, the frontrunner is the Mazda 3 GT, 2nd is Civic Si.
But like I mentioned in my previous message, there are some cons such as the trunk and no trhnk handle and the integrated sound system unit, just to name a few.
I guess the best thing to do is wait for the 06 Mazda to come out and see whether or not it has changes. But I do hope the rumoured 5 speed auto will be available!
It would be cool if you Mazda 3 GT owners out there can get back and offer your input on your ride. Thanks!
Have you taken the Acura RSX out for a spin yet? Is there a price range that you are locked into or are you open?
I would like to how much kms you can get out of a full tank of gas on a Mazda 3 GT auto?
Is acceleration smooth? How is the handling? ride noise?
with air on, on the highway keeping it at 100 to110K/H was getting 35M/G air on.
As for acceleration there seems to be a lag between 1st and 2nd. at times, hard to explain but test drive and punch it hard or slow down and when it shifts down to first or second punch it and see how it shifts. I like the Manual shifting, down shifting will help with the brakes last longer. I also think the acceleration pedal is sensitive and takes awhile to get used to which could contribute to erratic shifting. I would have perfered the manual but some members in my family can't drive stick.
Handling is great with the 17 inch rims I have the GFX which gives you bigger rims. The ride with 17 inch rims is harsh but so are other makes with the same tire size. Tires are not great, a quieter tire would be helpful to eliminate road noise. Noise insulation is not great, run over some small stones and when they hit the under side you think you are driving over boulders, very nosey and I think driving in the rain would be rather nosey also.
Also a side bar, the interior scuffs easily, door panels. Run your fingers across the part just below the windows see what happens. Sometimes I rest my arm on it and by the time I get home there is a white mark from my arm. Make sure you test drive on a hot day and check the A/C, seems to be some complaints about weak A/C. Tell the sales person to leave the car in the sun for about 5 to 10 minutes windows up, get in start the A/C and see how it performs. But I think the car is great value for the money. Check out the pros and cons
just curious, what color is ur ride? any chance it's the Winning Mica Blue?
one member wrote ".........Pieced together some info from various places on the '06 MZ3. Looks like Copper Red Mica replaces Lava Orange and Whitewater Pearl Mica replaces Rally White. A 5 speed auto will be available with the 2.3 engine."
if it indeed true that it will come out with a 5 speed auto, the price will have to go up.
My question is will there be a big difference in terms of performance between a 4 speed auto and a 5 speed auto?
I had this happen on my car a few times - just open the trunk and there is a small trapped door that hides the spring - make sure it is not hung up in the closed position.
Meade
Grinding brakes (fixed after 2 tries)
Thumping front suspension (fixed)
Harsh shifting auto tranny (1st- 2nd) (Not fixed - large clunk is normal)
Defective AC (not fixed - its normal for a new car to be hot inside-but tinting helps)
Check engine light 3 or 4 times (fixed)
Hard starting - stalled engine (replaced fuel pump - fixed)
Air bag sensor (recall)
Poor gas mileage - last few tanks are between 17-19 MPG
The trunk spring I really don't count as a problem - the spring just gets stuck in the closed position - push on it with your finger a few times and it will pop back up.
BTW - Mazda does have a TSB on the trunk lid defect - 09-043/04 2004 MAZDA3 (4-DOOR ONLY) - TRUNK LID DIFFICULT TO OPEN
The heavy brake dust on the rear wheels - although a pain to keep clean is not really a defect - this condition has nothing to do with the grinding brake noise - although at first I thought it did. My grinding noise is gone - but I still have the heavy dust.
I also have the front door rattle (Mazda TSB 09-009/05 2004-2005 MAZDA3 - FRONT DOOR RATTLE) but have not had it fixed yet - it comes and goes - and really is not that big of an issue.
I have also had a few dash rattles - but fixed them myself.
I got a call from the people over at Guniess Book of World Records - they thought I had a new record - but after they added it all up - some guy with a head gasket problem on a Chevy Cav edged me out!
think a Auto 5 speed would probably mean better gas mileage on the highway. lower revs. Can't see it making much difference with a 4 banger, more beneficial with a 6 or V8
also have the squeaky brakes in the second week only on cool damp mornings, will take it in before autum
Does Mazda charge extra for this colour?
LOL, that'd be me! Never another GM product for us -- but that's a different story that many of you have heard anyway.
Meade
No, in fact it was the color that I had decided on before I took one last stroll through the lot and my eyes caught the glint of the Velocity Red in full sun. No turning back -- I had to have the red!
I had been going back and forth over three 3's -- the red one, the blue one and a Screaming Pumpkin Mica (er, "Lava Orange") one -- all outfitted the same way and all carrying exactly the same sticker price.
Meade
Actually, truth be told, I enjoy cars and probably will take a Cobalt for a spin sometime in the near future if the opportunity presents itself. I do hope they improved its seats over the Cavalier's -- every time I drove my wife's Cavalier (with the weirdest-shaped, hardest seats I've ever sat in), I came away with a backache.
Meade
The website, however, lists these options as $800 for the moonroof and $900 for the leather seats. Could anyone explain this large discrepancy in price? Am I being duped?
I believe those are the correct Canadian prices; the salesman must have been dreaming. You can always phone the salesman to confirm (at the same time you can ask if there' are any other charges, like an "administration fee"). Or just deal with another dealership.
As for the GT, there is a GFX package, for $1095, it includes the moonroof!
I think you better go to another place.
Many engines use a belt that gets replaced - normally between 60,000 and 90,000 miles - that can cost anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars. If the belt breaks in some engines the pistons will hit the valves causing MAJOR damage.
say u by a brand new Mazda 3, when do u expect to run into problems or repairs?
My understanding is that timing chains far outlive most timing belts; for many owners of new vehicles this means they will never have to change a timing chain as they will have moved onto their next vehicle.
It can be a selling point for used vehicles but most consumers don't know or care much about this feature.
Much of the reason timing belts are so expensive is their location in the engine compartment which makes them difficult to access; technicians end up spending time removing and installing other components to get to the belt. One of the reasons why most technicians recommend changing other parts (water pump ...) at the same time: the components in the vicinity of the timing belt can be replaced by new components with little additional labour; not replacing them at the same time means risking to have to do the entire job again in a few weeks, months or years when one of the components breaks.
Chain drives are more expensive to build, but often last the life of the engine. ... I have never seen a recommendation for changing a timing chain at specified intervals. A chain will start to make noise long before it will do any damage to the engine.