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Mazda3 Hatchback
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For the Mazda3 I'd take the 5-door over the sedan, no hesitation. I don't see a down side for getting the 5-door, unless the buyer just likes the look of the sedan better.
What about chassis flex? I'm thinking of replacing my current ride with the Mazda 3 and while I prefer the versatility of the hatchback I'm concerned that without the c pillar crossmember there maybe a lot of twisting going on back there.
Further happy thoughts from Mazda.com's website (here's what they did to stiffen the 3's chassis -- note there's nothing said about roof crossmembers, and take note of No. 9 where the hatch gets even more stiffening):
1) Straight, large-section front side-members rigidly joined to the cabin bolster bending and torsional rigidity of the front end.
2) Coupling of left and right front side-members to the dash cross-member suppresses lateral deformation.
3) The cowl panel linking left and right front suspension towers is also joined to the cabin to prevent the suspension towers from leaning inwards.
4) Large-section side sills and floor cross-members improve bending and torsional rigidity.
5) The underside of the front floor tunnel is fitted with three members that suppress torsional deformation of the body due to steering inputs.
6) The rear floor has reinforced coupling stiffness between straight side-members and cross-members.
7) Tailor-welded blanks reinforce the side panel inners.
8) Gussets on the rear suspension mountings improve rigidity.
9) In the five-door hatchback, the suspension mounting location of rear side-members and the rear gate opening are coupled by reinforcements to improve torsional rigidity of the rear body.
Here's the page, if you want to see it. There's a lot of other interesting stuff on the 3 here too -- highly recommended reading!
http://www.mazda.com/product/mazda3/4a/2w/product4_5.html
Meade
Peter-
Meade
I like hatchbacks also - actually the first in my family was my father's 1948 Willys Overland. Who remembers that one? My first hatch was a 1978 Toyota Corona. I've since moved up to a '96 VW Golf GL and am seriously considering the MZ3 5 door. We keep cars a long time, so any improvements in the last 10 years will be welcome - like a glove box - which the Golf didn't have in '96 (no room for the glove box and an airbag)
Seriously -- I can shut the thing with my laptop in it.
I keep hearing about people being arrested for putting their kids in the trunk -- heck, you could almost get a kid in the glovebox in the Mazda3! (Just kidding, and I wouldn't recommend it even if it was that big ...)
Meade
They post 25/32 for the 2006 MT...same as 2005.
Meade
I was very surprised, after hanging out here for so long and seeing my car compared to Hyundais and Kias and even a Scion xA, to see that Car and Driver used the Mazda3 hatchback as the benchmark to compare against the (turbocharged) Audi! Our car was mentioned throughout the article, mostly in a positive manner -- the only negative was when they said the Audi beat the Mazda from zero to 60 by about a second (well DUH, it's turbocharged and cost a great deal more -- let's just put it up against the Mazdaspeed 3 when it comes out).
And it was equally amazing to see how well our Mazda (base price, $17,600, price as tested $19,600) held up against this car (base price = price as tested $25,460) in the end-of-article comparisons.
You know those little charts Car and Driver uses at the end of its car reviews to compare five test-track attributes between the test car and three other cars? Well, in addition to the Mazda3, they chose the Acura TSX and the Saab 9-2X to compare against the Audi. Nice company, eh?
Here are the results of those charts. Since they're bar graphs, I'm going to list the cars in each category in descending order, from best to worst (and add notes where applicable):
Current base price: Mazda3, Audi A3 2.0T, Acura TSX, Saab 9-2X. (Oh yeah, baby.)
Acceleration, 0-60: Saab 9-2X, Audi A3 2.0T, Mazda3, Acura TSX (yes, our Mazda beat the Acura! BTW, it was a pretty close match -- the range from best to worst was only about about 1.5 seconds. We just beat the Acura and were about a second slower than the Audi -- but hey, it's got a turbo!)
Acceleration, 1/4-mile: Saab 9-2X, Audi A3 2.0T, Acura TSX, Mazda3 (again, a close range: Best was 14.8 seconds, worst (Mazda3) was a flat 16 seconds).
Braking, 70-0 mph, feet: Mazda3 (oh yeah baby), Saab 9-2X, Audi A3 2.0T, Acura TSX (not a close range: the range was from 169 feet for the Mazda to 194 feet for the Acura. The Audi did it in 185 feet.)
Roadholding, 300-foot skidpad, g's: Mazda3 (on top!), Saab 9-2X, Acura TSX, Audi A3 2.0T.
EPA City Fuel Economy: Mazda3, Audi A3 2.0T, Acura TSX, Saab 9-2X. (And the numbers weren't very close here: The Mazda3 got 25 mpg; the next-in-line, the Audi, got 23, the Acura 21, and the Saab 20.)
So ... Was it fair to benchmark a $25.5K turbocharged European car with a Japanese hatchback that cost $6,000 less (as they optioned it, but can be had for $8,000 less)? You decide: The Mazda was about a second slower, but it beat the Audi in handling and safety (as far as brakes are concerned), had the best fuel economy, and the lowest price!
Let's hear it for the little hatch that thumbs its nose at the best Europe and Japan can throw at it! And keep in mind that once again, Mazda did it first and did it right!
Zoom Zoom,
Meade
You should visit the Alfa Romeo web site and reconsider the similarity of the hatch.
BTW - Don't insult the look of the 3 hatch by comparing it to the BMtroubleu. The Bimmer may have the moves, but definitely not the looks.
Peter-
BTW, I'm getting destroyed on a VW board (not edmunds) for posting a review of the 06 Jetta GLI and concluding I'd rather have the far cheaper (and slower) but more agile and reliable Mazda3 hatch. you'd think I insulted their families with the way they're coming after me.
Not sure if this answers your question - I assume the adjustment to the lifters you are talking about is the same thing Mazda is referring to as a valve adjustment.
What engine does that have?
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The engine and tranny are awesome though. I have a rather lengthy review of the GLI in the Jetta 06 board - blueguydotcom, "2006 Volkswagen Jetta" #874, 23 Aug 2005 2:25 am.
The Jetta needs to be an inch or two lower. And the body needs to be chopped down an inch or 3! It's way too tall. The brakes are lousy and too small for the 3400 lbs monster. And the suspension is way too soft and spongy. I wasn't really happy with the car's handling in corners - it dove and rolled like crazy.
If Mazda can get the MazdaSpeed3 out, I'd be very interested. I love the interior, handling and reliability of Mazda. The lack of power (nobody argue with that as I personally find my 235 hp 330i to be underpowered) is what will keep me away from a standard 2.3 Mazda3 hatch.
More power and AWD would be nice.
Incidently, I think the black (unpainted) lower body parts look dumb, especially on the Salsa Red GLI. What's up with that?
Mazda on the otherhand - nothing but positive things to say. I just recently sold my 03 Protege and I have to say that was the best built car I've ever owned. Solid little beast that was a hoot to drive. My family's owned many, many Mazdas and never had a problem with them. Great cars. And sublime handling.
I think the GTI can be fun. But it needs a major retooling to differentiate itself from the Jetta GLI. 3400 lbs is too much for a car that size.
I hope Mazda has a speed version of the 3 out before May of 06.
The valves have not needed to be adjusted, completely silent.
No failures of any kind in 32,000 miles.
Just replaced the OEM Goodyear RSA's 205/50-17 with Michelin Pilot A/S 225/45-17 and the handling and steering response is radically improved, it' handling is now amazingly close to our 350 Z track.
Interesting.... Everyone loves that new 2.0T engine....
regards,
kyfdx
EDIT: Just saw the posted pictures in that thread... I like the GLI look a lot better than the base car.... Looks aren't really high on my list, though..
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Advantage A3:
Interior - subjective, but I believe Audi does the best in the business
Engine - the 2.0T is a gem. Quick and responsive at all times
Traction Control standard
DSG transmission available- amazing transmission
Advantage Mazda3:
Handling - Some comments fromA3 owners blame the stock tires for less than stellar grip. In any case, out of the chute the Mazda handles sharper
Reliability - No big surprise here
Price - the biggest advantage
Tie:
Exterior design - there are similarities, andboth are attractive. I prefer the Audi, but others prefer the Mazda
Gas mileage - shocking, actually. The EPA numbers (not the C&D) show the Audi at 24/32 and the Mazda at 25/32. So close as to be a virtual tie. I expected the Audi to be much lower, with its higher HP and heftier curb weight.
All of this makes a tough choice for me. The Mazda is a more practical choice. It is a less expensive way to get great performance and a beautiful car. The Audi is more expensive, but a beautiful and luxurious drive with performance to boot.
I agree with Meade, in that it is impressive for the Mazda3 to compared to luxury models such as the Audi A3. Speaking as an current owner of an Audi, I did not expect to be cross-shopping with a Mazda.
in addition the Mazda is bigger (actually it compares sizewise to the BMW 3 series).
I guess driveability is the same for Mazda 3, BMW 1 and Golf V (which is not sold in the US). Maybe the Mazda engine is even better because of the more sophisticated engine. The audi A 3 might be fancier, but not necessarily better.
If you make the comparo on drive train alone the GLI (or GTI) is the clear winner, but when you start to look at the whole package it's a different story altogether.
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The lighter interiors - especially in areas where rain/snow is common - age fast. Beige is the worst, imho.
The floor covering (not really carpet not sure what you would call it) shows every spec of dirt. It looks like it has dandruff.
The dash is also hard to clean - if I use something like Armorall cleaner I always need to go back over it 2 or 3 times - otherwise it shows streaks.
I also have black exterior and although it looks great when clean it only stays looking that way for a short time.
Light gray is IMO the best interior color - easy to clean - hides the dirt and is also cooler in the summer.
Armorall?! Yikes, no way. Wipe it down with a white, lint free cloth. done.
I also have black exterior and although it looks great when clean it only stays looking that way for a short time.
True - i owned one black car - but that's the exterior.
Light gray is IMO the best interior color - easy to clean - hides the dirt and is also cooler in the summer.
I have light gray leather in my car and like it. But I also have black floormats - gray carpet is too easy to scuff up. The black floormats are perfect - hides the dirt, offers contrast and protects my light gray carpet.
Try http://www.classicsofttrim.com for installation shops in your area.
I would still like plush cut-pile carpet mats, but they don't seem to make those anymore. What ever happened to Beverley Hills Motoring? They use to have carpet mats. Thick carpet mats deaden road noise, looks luxurious, and doesn't show wear as quickly. Matching trunk mats were also cool. Better than that black sprayed-on stuff.
fowler3
fritzillini: I haven't heard of a window shattering. Warrenty will cover it.
fowler3
Meade
Anyplace on the internet I can see this color? It's supposed to be a new color on the RX8 this year as well and I'm really interested in it.
Not according to this:
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=56087
This is the Mazda RX-8 Specification Deck as issued 7/10/05.
Specifically, it list 'copper red' (code 32V) as available only on the Grand Touring edition with FF9 leather interior (not sure what color this is but it is available only with the Copper Red or Snowflake White Pearl exterior).
http://www.mazda.co.uk/know/mazda_movies/MegawashGuys.wmv
Meade
Very funny. I knew there was a good reason I married a Brit. Must have been my Python fascination of the time......the salmon mousssssssssssse.
seen couple of Mazda 3's around the UNCC area. Seen only 3 or 4 HB's though.