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Mazda3 Hatchback
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The price might go up slightly on these mid-'08 models too, since the GT now has a power seat and there are a few other upgrades. The value of the dollar vs. yen might also affect the new price.
ahightower: I'm in the Detroit area, and the winter issue is more about driving a nice new car in the salt and slop than being able to get thru it. My own car is a BMW 325i, and we've had so little snow since I got it in '04 that I've easily made it thru three winters on the stock all-season tires. I finally got a set of full winter tires this year, so am hoping for more snow . The most fun I had in the winter was with my Audi A4 Quattro AWD.
The Mazda3 will be my wife's car, and I expect it will do OK for the limited winter driving that she does.
I've found that once you are truly prepared for winter weather you don't get any; we haven't had any significant winter weather in KY since I bought winter tires for the Wrangler and my wife picked up the X3... :P
BTW, I love Copper Red; the dealer that sold me my Mazdaspeed had a beautiful CR RX-8- but the back seat was too cramped for my 5'6" 13 year old son
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mazda announces mid-year enhancements to Mazda3
Richmond Hill, Ontario - Mazda has announced mid-year enhancements to its Mazda3 line-up, including a new entry-level Mazda3 Sport GX model for the 2008 model year.
Unique to Canada in the North American market, the new 2008.5 Mazda3 Sport GX uses the same 148-horsepower, 2.0-litre engine found in the current Mazda3 GX and GS sedans. The new trim line includes 15-inch steel wheels, body-coloured grille, GFX front and rear bumpers, fog lamps, anti-lock brakes, side and curtain airbags and CD stereo with four speakers. An available Comfort Package adds power locks and windows, power heated mirrors, keyless entry, illuminated entry, wheel-mounted audio controls, spoiler and 15-inch alloy wheels.
Air conditioning and an automatic transmission are also available as options.
The Mazda3 Sport GS now receives air conditioning, rear spoiler, cruise control and two additional speakers as standard equipment, while the Mazda3 Sport GT receives additional standard equipment, including Xenon headlamps; its Luxury Package now also adds a power driver's seat and Bose audio with Sirius satellite radio.
The Mazda3 sedan also receives additional equipment content, with the GX gaining two extra speakers and body-coloured mirrors, along with a Comfort Package similar to the Sport GX.
The GS sedan receives body-coloured grille and standard 16-inch alloy wheels, previously available as a GS Sport Package, and will have only a stand-alone sunroof as an option. Similar to the Sport GT, the Mazda3 sedan GT receives Xenon headlamps and additions to its Luxury Package.
Pricing for the models will be available at a later date.
It will be interesting to see how Mazda deals with the recent rise of the Canadian dollar in its pricing. Several manufacturers are introducing New Canadian pricing to address the issue. Unfortunately, this is not across the board and is sometimes applied only to higher end models. As a consumer we should insist on having a clear explanation why Canadian prices do not match US prices considering our dollars are at par and the models are virtually identical.
Could you tell me how the hatchback does in snow? Do you put snow tires on?
Is the traction control helpful? I read it was pretty low to the ground 4.8in. Any one have problems w/ scaping, bottoming out? Thank you
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Other than that, I hear the M3 will have a very large smile.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I guess the big change will be in the 2010 model.
"The Mazda2 is also a marvel of lightweight technology, weighing only 2,103 lbs. Mazda told us that its engineers managed to shave about 220 pounds off the former Mazda2, yet the body is stiffer, NVH is down, and safety is improved."
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
By the way, the Mazda2 is receiving rave reviews from Autoworld, the British weekly. In part it is due to its low weight, handling and fuel efficiency. The Mazda3, on the other hand, is not positively reviewed.
The new look of Mazda3 is from Laurens van den Acker, Mazda's new design chief.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Agreed, turbodiesels should be part of Mazda's North American strategy. The risk in this strategy seems to be the novelty of diesels in the NA car market.
A five speed automatic transmission sounds like it's becoming the bar separating the higher end compacts from the lower end ones. A model with a six speed automatic would leap to the top of the pack.
Unfortunately, the weather has been so lousy that my bike is still on the work stand in the basement and I'll be gone for the next couple of weeks. But I'll try to remember to post back here when I have the results.
I haven't had much chance to drive it myself since I'm still trying to pry it away from my wife, but it certainly looks like we made a good choice!
wheel.
Here are 2 differences:
1. My bike is 49 cm -- Lemond Reno 2005
2. My car is Mazda Protege 5 Wagon. but I suspect, Mazda 3 is a little bit longer.
I was thinking of this as I walked by a stunning VW Golf GT with what looked like 40's. The car may be superb and the tires may provide great control but, oh, the pain when hitting one of those cracks/crevices/canyons in the road after the ravages of winter. The nature of our roads is a limitation on automobile design/set-up; sports (or, sporty) cars need great roads (or, better still, race tracks).
Will like to replace them all with aftermarket ones.
Thanks!
But just out of curiosity, in what areas does CR claim the Rabbit is better?
Here's the link to the article in Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=126106
Takes out the cargo cover and fold down the seats.
Put the bike in back wheel 1st.
Turn the handle bars so the front wheel is vertical and there you have it.
Also, is there any aftermarket replacement for the cargo cover that is smaller than the stock and easier to stow away than the big plastic monster that comes stock?
Thanks
ty
Every reputable source that I know of has the same thing to say about fuel saving devices including chips- they simply don't work and often do more damage than anything. The greatest risk in your case would be voiding the warranty on your '08 model.
Modifying driving habits, where and when safe and reasonable, is the most effective way to increase your fuel economy. I made some fairly simple changes in how I drive- shifting a bit sooner and accelerating more gradually when possible, using cruise control when driving on the highway, etc. have significantly improved my fuel economy. My overall average average fuel economy was barely 25mpg (24.8, to be exact) before I made these changes. I am now seeing at least 27mpg overall and 29-30mpg cruising at 75mph on the interstate.
If you have an automatic transmission, there isn't as much potential as in a manual because most automatics already operate as efficiently as possible. Minimizing hard acceleration and avoiding making the transmission downshift are about it. If you're are an 80+mph highway driver like me, you may be surprised at the fuel economy benefit from reducing speed by 5-10 miles per hour.
Tire Rack reccomends Michelin Exalto's 205 55 17 v rated ..My car has 205 50 17 V rated.
Whats the diff a higher profile ,or they won't fit? :confuse:
I'd stick with 205/50-17... There are a lot of choices in that size... Stock size for the BMW 330i from '03-'05...
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Depending on how discerning of an eye you have, the 55's might be slightly noticeable in overall look....I'd definitely stick with the 50-series since that's what it came from the factory wearing...
I'd stick to the stock size...
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Sounds like the gearing to which you have to get used. My Mazda Protege5 is similarly "light". Comes in handy for passing.