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Mazda3 Hatchback
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I have heard the same from mechanics on a local TV program called Autotalk. Basically, going beyond the click of the gas pump may overload the fuel tank system; my recollection is that the extra fuel drowns a device (sensor? canister?)in the fuel tank that is used by the main computer to determine the fuel level. Repairs to the device can be costly. The host recommended that people not overfill their tank; don't keep pumping beyond the click to "top it up".
MS3, black, 1700 miles, only issue so far is a sticking purge valve.
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"Set" to see the computer, "clock" to get back to the clock. I believe it goes back to clock when you shut the car off, but I'm not 100% sure.
Considering that the car is now in its fifth year is it likely that the next generation will be next year (2008) or the year after (2009)?
Also, considering that Mazda shares its engines across different products, is there any news about a new engine for Mazda that the Mazda3 would likely inherit in the future?
Is there any news about a future Ford product using a spruced up engine from Mazda?
Here's hoping that the future Mazda3 hatchback will shed several hundred pounds and come with a more fuel efficient but still performance-oriented engine.
Dave
I will say we've had our share of reliability issues with the MPV. Thankfully, they all occured and were fixed while the vehicle was still under warranty. None of the issues were major and I do think the overall build quality and reliability of Mazdas in general is top notch, which is why we're considering another one. The only real gripe I have about Mazda is they always seem to be lagging behind Honda and Toyota in terms of fuel economy. I don't know if their engine technologies aren't as advanced as those of Honda and Toyota, but when comparing similar vehicles, the Mazdas always seem to be less fuel efficient.
The main reason we're looking at a change in vehicles is fuel economy. My wife is the primary driver of the MPV, and would also be of the 3 as well. Almost all of her driving is in the city. We average about 19 MPG with MPV, which I guess isn't too bad considering it's a minivan, but we'd rather have something that gets more like mid to high 20's in the city. With the MPV, there was only one engine choice. With the 3 there are two, and on paper there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of difference between the them. However, I know sometimes this can misleading. Are there many differences between the 2.0 and the 2.3 engines and if so, what are they? Which one gets the best mileage (the smaller engine doesn't always get better mileage)? Is the 2.0 doggy? Which one is the most reliable. I know the 3.0 Duratec engine in the MPV is bullet proof and I would hope its replacement would be as well.
Also, I've noticed the automatic trannies in the 2.3 liter models are 5 speeds. Are these trannies made by JATCO like the ones in the MPV? If so, I really like their trannies. Who makes the 4 speed auto in the 2.0 liter models?
If there's anything else any of you think I need know about the 3 before I consider buying one, I'd definitely like to hear about it.
Also the front dash is a black material that really seems to radiate heat even if you have put up a windsheild shade. Good news is that the AC works great.
The best mileage that I've recorded is 29. (In manual on the highway.)
I love the zoom zoom zoom, though. And the hatchback allows me to transport all kind of things. I recommend getting the back bumper protectors and the rubber tray that you can get off the internet is a must.
I, too would like to see better gas mileage from cars. I plan on waiting a year to see how the hybrids pan out then I'm selling my Mazda.
I didn't think that you would be interested in my 3. FWIW, my 4200 mile Mazdaspeed3 is averaging @22 mpg in mostly suburban driving. If I could resist the urge to keep my foot to the floor I could possibly see 24 mpg- which is the number the pocket protector crowd at Consumer Reports averaged.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Agreed. I think Mazda has some homework to do. According to Consumer Reports the manual 2.0L of the Mazda3 has the best overall mileage of the Mazda3s.
You aren't kidding. At the strip it seems that the fastest pure stock Mazdaspeed3s can just barely break into the high thirteens. I hope Mazda gets its act together... :P
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
To each his own; I'll forego 40 MPG for a 13 second quarter as long as I'm able to drive.
That said, if/when BMW NA decides to bring the 335d to the US I'll finally have the best of both worlds- a car that will click off a low 14/high 13 second quarter yet still average 35 MPG.
Until then, I'll gladly "endure" the Mazdaspeed's 22 MPG fuel economy, as it's a very reasonable trade-off for the borderline quick acceleration numbers.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
So what? I'll pay a quite a few extra $$$ to escape automotive boredom any time...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Forget the air dam, ask the dealer to get you one that doesn't have one. It's mostly useless except for scraping low driveways.
I usually don't get air dams, spoilers or anything since it really won't work until about 70mph anyway. unless the car is genuinely aerodynamic, and maybe the MazdaSpeed3 is. But the Mazda 3 it's just a piece of plastic that weighs more and most don't look good after they get a bit scraped up.
Tell the dealer what you want no air dam and no Sirius radio, sheesh that's why there are CD's and Ipods.
If they can't remove it they can find you one without it,or remove it. When I bought my WRX I told them, no spoiler. They said ok and it wasn't there on the one I bought.
Dealers want to sell cars, be up front tell them what you do and do not want, and insist that you don't care if the car has it as long as you don't have to pay for it. These add-ons are merely to increase the price.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
While ordering (and especially when signing a contract) remember to list the date by which you want the car to be delievered. A colleague had to wait nearly half a year to get her car because the dealership did not have the particular model she wanted. They kept trying to have her change her mind and take one from the lot. With a date clause in the contract you could walk away from the deal and get your deposit back.
Scott
I think the engine technology is okay.. the efficiency/power trade-off seems good. But, sporty options (and most Mazda3 are pretty sporty, compared to the average Civic or Corolla) will put a hit on mileage..
Worth the trade-off, IMO...
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Mazdas tend to be more driver-oriented than the equivalent Hondas and Toyotas. There's certainly a market for inexpensive yet fun to drive cars. Honda used to be the major player in that niche, but now -like Toyota- their cars are becoming plain vanilla transportation appliances(Civic Si and S2000 excepted).
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I guess that explains why a lot of Mazda dealers have put ADM stickers on their Mazdaspeed3s- and also why you can't get one on S Plan... :surprise:
Look, I've done the math; if I drive 15,000 miles per year and average 22 mpg I'll use 682 gallons of gas. At $3.50 per gallon that works out to $2387. So, let's assume I buy a fuel sipper that will average 35 mpg. In 15,000 miles I will have used 429 gallons, which at $3.50 per gallon would amount to $1500- a savings of $887. That's $74 a month, or less than $2.50 per day. From my perspective, $2.50 a day is an extremely small price to pay to drive a car that makes me grin every time I slide behind the wheel.
But to each his own...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Remember that the Mazdaspeed3 uses premium fuel and the Mazda3 uses regular; the fuel savings would be around $1000 per year.
Since most drivers keep their cars for more than one year, one should also calculate the difference over a longer period (like 3 or 5 years). So, that would mean the Mazdaspeed3 is now $3000 to $5000 more than the Mazda3.
Also, one should also factor in the additional maintenance required for the turbo speed.
But, as you say, to each his own. The Mazdaspeed3 is an impressive machine.
That's exactly what I did back in 12/05 when I was looking for my MZ3 5-door. I'm in Atlanta, but the closest ones I could find in Titanium Gray with manual transmission were in Knoxville TN and Charlotte NC. I ended up getting almost $2k off sticker from the dealer in Knoxville and it was well worth the three hour trip to get exactly what I wanted and not wait for it.
Your chances of getting much of a discount on an ordered car are pretty low, too. Buying one on the lot will always be a better deal as long as it's what you want.
In any case, there's a topic about people's real world fuel economy and one also about the differences between the 2.0 and 2.3 engines.
Briefly, the 2.0 is fairly fuel efficient and looking at Consumer Report's numbers it's not that far off from the Civic in real world use. The 2.3 will not net you tons more power but it is noticeable. For me, the biggest difference is in the smoothness of the 2.3 engine. It often feels more like a v6 than a buzzy i4.
As for whether Mazda is behind Toyota and/or Honda in engine tech, it probably is considering the relative size of the R&D departments (even taking into consideration being partnered with Ford). Still, Mazda really is not dramatically behind. You have to remember that Mazda tends to design their engines with a flatter torque curve; their gearing is more aggressive as well. Some people find driving Honda i4 to be frustrating as they need more revs (in general) to achieve the same power. Thus, there are tradeoffs for the increased fuel economy observed in say a Civic vs. a Mazda3.
If what you really care about is fuel economy, then a Mazda is probably not the way to go. I would venture you should look at a hybrid if you are saving the world or a Civic (maybe even a B class vehicle) if you are saving money.
Any help or information would be greatly appreciated as the purchase and installation is forth coming this winter.
Thanks
I don't know about the 3 in particular, but installing a roll cage almost always compromises or eliminates rear seat accomodations. You also must remember that even a padded cage can present a danger to a passenger who isn't wearing a helmet. You might need to check some boards that are more competition oriented.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Not dumb, I never thought to ask either. They are fixed on my 2007 Mazdaspeed3. It would be cool if you could open them, though.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
At the test drive, they also had some competing cars to try (Civic sedan, Rabbit 3-door, Mazda3 5-door), and their first mistake was in the colors of the cars in their display: all the Astras and two of the competitors were in the usual white/black/gray shades, but the Mazda3 was sitting there like a jewel under the lights in Phantom Purple. Seriously, my eyes went right to it, and when we took a closer look we found all sorts of features over the Astra (usable console & armrest, cupholders, auto-climate control, etc.).
The test drive was even better, as the Mazda has about 15hp over the underpowered Astra, plus the 5-speed automatic over the 4-speed in the Saturn. Both my wife and I came out pretty underwhelmed by the Astra and impressed with the Mazda, so we visited the dealer on Saturday and have all but picked out our car (still deciding on color). And since my company supplies both GM and Ford, I get about the same discount on either.
I'd say that Saturn's test-drive policy sort of backfired on them. Without this, we never would have looked closely at the Mazda.
I'd go with the Phantom Purple myself...that color is truly unique and mysterious in its own way, speaking for myself!
I hope Ford enables Mazda to feature it's new SYNC with all Mazdas in time, especially the 3 model.
As far as the Astra is concerned the jury is still out on that one for my Lady and myself. I've seen the 5dr version in various websites and I wasn't all that impressed. The 3dr model holds promise, IMHO. Time will tell...
Enjoy your new wheels, Mr. & Mrs. !!!
Peace<-AladdinSane-< :shades: -
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Hatchback in the cargo area.Short of breaking it I'm out of idea's.Any help
would be greatly appreciated
It will probably not get here until late February, but that's not a problem since I never liked the idea of getting a new car in the dead of winter in Michigan anyway.