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Mazda3 Hatchback
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Seems the correct place (the one I use) is in between these two extremes.
The point is - if you adjust the mirrors so you don't have large blind spots - then you don't need to crank your head around every time you change lanes.
If you drive on busy rush hour freeways (3 or 4 lanes) then you know that the traffic can go from 65+ MPH to 10 MPH in the blink of an eye. If you look in the mirrors - then also crank your head around to look before you change lanes then you will end up ramming into the cars that have slowed down (or stopped) ahead of you.
The thing that really use to make me mad when I first started driving in heavy Houston traffic - I could not keep what felt like a safe distance between my car and the car ahead of me. If I slowed down a little to create some space then some fool would pull into the space I just created. After driving in this traffic for a few years I guess you just get use to being closer to the guy in front - even at 65+ MPH -
If you drive on roads that have very little traffic I guess the crank your head around method will work - but in heavy traffic it is a big mistake - sure to cause an accident that will be YOUR fault.
Romantic daydreaming? rock music? Uh is this the 1950s? That sentence sounds like something from school safe driving video made when the fairlane was a hip car.
I tried to get a convex mirror for my Honda Civic when I was in Europe on vacation, but unfortunately the mirrors on the Coupe was not in stock since they did not have the Coupe. But if I had a 4-door, I could have gotten a convex mirror and installed it myself very easily.
We had a great experience at John Kennedy Mazda, made the deal in a matter of minutes over the phone after being frustrated dealing with dealers in our local area. The salesperson knew we were motivated to buy, and promptly negotiated sales and trade-in amounts, no BS.
I guess the quality of the buying experience is influenced by both the salesperson and the rest of the staff (managers and finance) at the dealership.
Traffic Safety Facts 2002: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSFAnn/TSF2002Final.pdf
(1.8M , 220 pages)
sports car = tires rated for 150 mph driving / redline at 8000 rpm / at least 200 hp
I would take 23 MPG any day - my last tank was less that 18 - but it was mostly city driving / with the AC on. Just filled up the SUV -and added up the gas we used on a trip to Orlando - averaged 18.5 MPG. I know its not 100% fair to compare all city VS all hiway - but a 2.3L 4 banger should still get better MPG than a full size SUV with a 5.3L V8.
One difference is the tires - with the 205 50 17 being standard on the HB (optional on the S) the 205 55 16 is standard on the S (205 50 17 is an option)
The I model has 195 65 15 standard (205 55 16 is an option)
The 205 50 17 will give a small improvement in handling - and a little harsher ride when compared to the 205 55 16, a similar difference in ride and handling between the 205 55 16 and the 195 65 15.
The S model also is also a little heavier (less than 75 pounds) - most of the extra weight is due to the larger engine.
I have found that most of the time sales reps don't know the products that they sell. I talked with 4 different sales people (plus 2 sales managers) in the last 2 days - I know more about the vehicle that I am trying to buy then all of them combined. Maybe they should pick up a spec book once in a while instead of standing around outside the dealership like a bunch of vulctures.
Considering the minimal knowledge required - maybe 10 models with 3 or 4 trim lines - I find "I don't know" (or even worse lies) to be wholly unacceptable. It's their job to know their products AND the competitions' products too.
No excuse, imho. FWIW, Hine Mazda in San Diego tends to have rather well informed sales staff - but they work on salaries so they may approach it like a job..
Uhmm, they may be that way in CA, but in other parts of the country it's very different. The dealer I bought my Protegé from owns another Mazda store, a Honda store, a Chevy store and a Suzuki store. The salesmen are moved from one store to another all the time. I would hardly expect them to know the specs on all those cars. In fact, there are different sales people in the local Mazda store every time I go there. The last time I went for an oil and filter change even the service manager was new, the third one. In 2004, when I test drove a Mazda3, the guy who went with me said he was from the Chevy store in another town and didn't know anything about Mazdas.
Maybe the reason they are always changing, or quitting, is because they work six days a week from 8:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night and commissions are slow in coming. When I bought the Protegé the big guy said the salesman would not get his commission until the next month and hadn't made a sale in 30 days. The salesman was great and as I started to drive off he said, "God bless you for buying this car!" Earlier, he had asked how I liked his shoes, he was very proud of them, he bought them out of the back of a roadside truck. I'll bet you don't buy your shoes that way!
fowler3
P.S. I never did it before, but that little guy needed it, I tipped him $50. A month later he was gone. He was very patient, didn't rush me to buy, asked if I wanted to test drive other cars, and made sure the car was washed and the tank filled on delivery. In many cases you are right, but there are exceptions. Don't judge until you have done the same job for 60 days.
Even so, I have yet to get less than 27 mpg on a tankful of gas.
You guys ARE using REGULAR, 87-octane gas, RIGHT?
Meade
Before I purchased, I had a 3 (without moonroof) as a rental for work, and had sat in other 3s at a couple of auto shows. Just to be sure, I did one last test drive of a moonroof equipped 3 at a dealer.
I can't tell you whether to buy now or wait until later, but the info on these forums was very helpful to me, and don't forget to contact several dealers.
Thanks for the information. From reading some of the posts it sounds like we are in the same demographic group as far as age. I am somewhat surprised that I came to the decision to purchase this vehicle thinking this is a car for a younger demographic group, but I really do like this car. Also, there really aren't any other vehicles under 30k that I really like, including the 6. I currently own an Acura and I certainly like the TSX, but not willing to pay the price, especially since I am paying for stuff I really don't want or need like heated leather seats.
UMTRI-97-32 (1997)
http://www.umich.edu/~industry/PDF/97-32-Abstract.pdf
Convex rearview mirrors are currently prohibited in the U.S. as original equipment on
passenger cars except for the exterior, passenger-side position. One of the primary reasons for this restriction is a concern that convex mirrors may cause drivers to overestimate the distances to following vehicles and therefore make unsafe maneuvers.
There is a considerable amount of empirical evidence that convex mirrors do cause
overestimation, but the effect is not theoretically well understood....
Later, another study, done in year 2000 suggests, that the US got it all wrong. http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/STHF0203_7
So everywhere else the convex mirror is used on both driver side and passenger side, but here in US the government steps in to "protect" you
The European and the Aussies gets the original mirror. If somebody finds the part number and place to order from - then please post.
I just wanted to drop back in and say thanks for taking the time a few weeks back in responding to my questions and providing your very detailed review of your new 3. My apologies in not writing back sooner, but between work, vacations and planning for a big cross-continent family get together happening at the end of July, I just haven't had a lot of free time. Anyway, I highly respect your opinions as one of the more knowledgeable and "grounded" posters on the forum and I was happy to see you still here. I got fed up a while back with some of the BS that goes on in these forums and just sort of lost interest in posting, although I still lurk from time to time.
Wanted to let you know that as of Friday, 03.15.05, my wife and I are new owners of a Metallic Titanium Grey Mazda3 GT Sport Hatchback. Of course, the car is a 5spd (will never own an automatic as you may remember), with moonroof and A/C. We haven't taken possession as of yet, as they do not have any in stock anywhere in my region of Ontario. However, they have sourced one from the Mazda compound, fresh off the boat from Japan and it should be here via rail in about 3 to 4 days.
Both my wife and I were very impressed with all of the core design, ergonomics and sheer driving nature of this car. I think I was personally most surprised by just how different the 3 is from the Protege and how much they have improved upon what was already arguably the best compact sedan in its segment and certainly the most fun to drive hands down.
So, many thanks again. We're looking forward to the new car and who knows, I may even post the odd anecdote or impressions of the car once we've been driving it for a while.
Until then, take care and all the best. :P
Meade
Since I have a red hatch, I went for the red (and black) premium mats - they look great, more colorful than the all-black mats. The premium mats also come in blue and black.
Thanks. I hope so too. We're picking the car up tonight at 7pm and my wife will get honours driving it home. Ultimately, i think it will end up being her car in a few months, but I'll still get to drive it and more importantly, want to drive it now and again too.
I'll make a point of taking a good look at the floor covering tonight. I had never noticed it previously and yah, I like to hooks as well. I think I have an extra one from the Pro that I can use if they indeed fit on the 3. We'll see.
When we test drove the car, the only complaint I had was that the center console stack was too close to my right leg and at times it felt a little awkward pushing from the gas to the break and then finding the gas petal again. I think I am just so used to the REX and the PRO that this will go away on its own. Its a minor thing at best. ...OH yes, the petals are still a little close together too, like in the Pro, but again, not a big deal.
Talk ta ya soon. :shades:
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Took a book along (Collapse by Jared Diamond - good so far) and read it while I waited. Took 1.5 hours. Total cost was less than the advertised price and they fixed a leak in my tire for free. I can thank my TPMS for catching it.
It's not the mats that are the problem -- it's the hook that holds the driver's mat from sliding forward that's cheap and poorly anchored to just the carpet. The hook in my 2000 Protege was metal and bolted to the metal floor of the car, under the carpet. The Mazda3's is plastic and just notched into the carpet material. I guarantee you it'll tear the floor covering or pull out in the not-too-distant future. Stoop down, take out your mat and fiddle with yours, and you'll see what I mean.
And by the way -- I got my premium mats for free, nyah nyah nyah!!!
Meade
Dont drink and drive - not even soda or coffee.
There's also a cupholder in your door.
I tend to use the center-console cupholder for cans of beer, which aren't tall enough to get in the way of my arm or the stick. And the glovebox holds a 12-pack very easily.
:P
Meade
Doesn't the ice leak all over, once it starts melting?
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Meade
My new commute is worse than I expected it to be =/.
How about a six of club soda?
Actually, I DID stash a 1.75-liter bottle (sealed, in its bag) from the liquor store in my glovebox a few weeks ago. And I had room left over. It is really amazing what that glovebox will hold -- I can even fit my laptop in there!
Meade
:shades:
Meade
How about Booze Box?
fowler3
Any further posts off-topic will be deleted.
Meade
- cosanostra (KB0COO)
Well, well, well, another ham on the group! Nice to make your acquaintance. I'm K4CMD. Licensed originally in 1980, now an Extra Class. By the way, my 4-year-old son is named Sean too!
Five years ago I removed the center console of my Protege to install an Icom IC-229H 2-meter (er, VHF for all you non-hams) transceiver. It made a nice fit for it, sitting down in the little well in front of the shift lever. I ran my coax (er, antenna cable) down under the console, under the carpet on the exhaust tunnel and under the rear seat, up a trunk strut to the Larsen 5/8-wave NMO-mounted (permanent) antenna on my trunk lid. Yes, I had a 3/4-inch hole in my trunk lid -- I'm a firm believer in permanent-mount antennas -- they work MUCH better than mag-mounts and other arrangements that don't have as good a ground connection -- and I won't even get into the horrors of shutting cables in doors and stuff.
BTW, I've had my 3 hatchback for almost four months and I have not yet been able to determine the best place for an antenna on it. Actually my delay has been more due to the fact that I can't find a good place in the car for the radio! I'll figure it out eventually.
So, what's your story Sean?
73,
Meade K4CMD