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Mazda3

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Comments

  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    I never mentioned this in the previous discussion because you seemed more sure than I was, but my belief is that the circle-thingy on the front bumper is for the block heater (I've seen it used for that purpose on a Mazda6 in Finland).

    You've opened up the circle and have examined it, does this sound plausible?
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Preston. I have no idea. I have my doubt that the towing hook could actually screwed on because the thread doesn't seem to be strong enough. But then do one really need a thread for block heater? I would imagine some electric pin connections would be enough?
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Bruno: So the 2.0 in the Mazda3 should be as fast as a similarly-equipped Pro 2.0 (at best) or slower (likely) if you are to drive it normally, meaning below 5000RPMs.

    Preston: Where is it? Just out of curiosity. Not that I have time now, but it'll be cool to see new cars arriving in the future.

    Dinu
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    Bruno:

    I'm really not sure about that circle. I'm going to ask some European Mazda6 folks. Which leads to another point, all indications are that the regular N. American-spec Mazda3 doesn't have this hole but the sporty bumpers do. The reason is that the sporty bumpers are common worldwide whereas the regular bumpers are not (perhaps only euro-spec regular bumpers have the hole). But if this hole does turn out to be for the block heater, then it'll be useless for N. American-spec (cause our 2.3l block heater will probably be the same as from the Mazda6 and it comes from inside the hood). Anyways, I'm really not sure on this and will ask around.

    Dinu:

    CN's Toronto autoport is located just north of Hwy7 between Jane & Keele. The exact intersection is Creditstone Rd. & Hwy. 7, Creditstone goes along the compound.

    Unfortunately, I'm not in that part of town today so not going to head over. It's near my route back from work but it's dark when I leave work. I'm just going to see a dealer sometime this week.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Thanks! I know the area a bit.

    Dinu
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Dinu: about the engine, yeah, I have the same feeling as you, at least from the spec paper.

    Preston: good question. Let's me know, if you can't find the answer, I'll be glad to stop at the dealer and take a look at the user manual (can't really trust the salesman).
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Ok, so let's assume that it is up to a second slower than the PRO LX/ES/5. All things taken into consideration, it's still on par with the competition and it does offers (hopefully) a fun ride for less.

    Ok so we all want more power (who doesn't) and if that's the case the GT/s trims will do just fine :)

    Dinu
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Dinu: definitively not one second slower. My guess is +- 0.2 second on 0-60 mph. It's more than fine, you will like the refinement of the new engine.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    "you will like the refinement of the new engine"

    If it's less buzzy than the current one (and it should be), the car overall seems to be a better package than the PRO, and the PRO is still #1 for kicks per clicks [kicks per kilometers for our metrically-challenged friends :) ] even after 5 years on the market. That being said the 3 should still be #1 (even if Honda introduces a new Civic which will be more docile anyway).

    Dinu
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Following a recent suggestion, I and fowler3 have designed a poster for the hatch Mazda3. We will make few prints for our own personal satisfaction!

    http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/brunoluong/vwp?.dir=/Mazda3&- - - - - .dnm=Mazda3_Hatchback_Poster.jpg&.view=t

    We also thinking about making next a poster for the sedan, but I haven't found yet a good picture to start with. Suggestions are welcome.

    Bruno
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    If interested, I have created a new message board comparing the Mazda3 sedan and Mazda3 hatchback. I am having a tough time making up my mind between the sedan and hatch. This board would be a good place to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of each bodystyle.

    Not sure this new board is repetitive, but here is a link:

    mazdafun "Mazda3 Sedan vs. Mazda3 Hatchback" Nov 16, 2003 8:14pm!make=Mazda&model=3&ed_makeindex=.ef2272b
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    Bruno & fowler3:

    Wow, that looks great, thanks guys.

    The circular plug on the front bumper:

    A German Mazda6 owner got back to me with this:

    "That's where you can screw in a removable hook to tow your car."

    Still don't totally understand what that means. My interpretation is that this would be used for cases where your car is well off the road or something so this would hook to a tow truck on the road which would pull you back. Could be a snow thing too.
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    Is this picture a pic of the 2.3S sedan WITHOUT the sport package? I have not seen any other pics of this configuration anywhere( 16" wheels with the sport bumpers, tailights). Bruno, have you seen any? :)

    http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/mazda3/gallery.jsp?car=4&id=1
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Still don't totally understand what that means. My interpretation is that this would be used for cases where your car is well off the road or something so this would hook to a tow truck on the road which would pull you back. Could be a snow thing too.

    to tow your car away if you don't park correctly. ;-)

    Thanks Preston. The explanation coincides with my dealer's! I wonder how this little fragile thread can hold the hook??? Amazing.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Louis. You are right this is the picture of the s-trim, and it's the only one available on the web. ;-(

    MazdaUSA doesn't show either any decent picture taking the back of the sedan, even for the i-trim.
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
     tomcat630 Nov 14, 2003 2:52pm

    "'It's been 30 years since I was serious about buying an American car. I look at them, but they look so much like what GM and Ford built 30 years ago...'

    Huh? Most 1974 cars were huge boats, laden with chrome, vinyl tops, and opera windows. Which car from today "looks so much like" one of those? A 2004 Taurus hardly looks like a Torino. Nor does a 2004 Malibu look anything like the huge '74. Not to mention that no current Chrysler product resembles anything from before 1993."

    The '04 Malibu may look more like the '78 & not the '74 Malibu, but sure looks like the '74 Checkers taxi cab.

    The Taurus did not exist back in '74, so it can't look like the Torino, which, by the way, wasn't bad looking at all, especially w/ the narrower grill. The German Taunus did exit back in '74, & it was beautiful almost like the '74 Cortina.

    "Why do some people think of the Jetta as a "mid-size" car when it clearly is a compact?"

    Where did you hear that? Was it from the rental companies that offers you a full-size, then gives you a Camry? I remember the 1st Camry('83) we had was already very roomy w/ more stretch-out leg room than our Chevy Caprice! While the '85 Jetta had the same exterior length as that Camry &, of course, a larger trunk.

    Today's Jetta is made cramped on purpose, as the roomier version is reserved for the "peasant's" Jetta/Passat under the Skoda badge as Octavia/Superb. Even China's VW Passat has an extended wheelbase as long as Skoda Superb's, although still w/ the Passat's exterior styling.

    Ever wonder why the Lexus version of the Camry - the ES - is always more cramped than the Camry & even purposely offering insufficient rear headroom? They think Lexus buyers are wealthy enough to step up to the even more expensive larger Lexus if they really want the Camry-like room.

    'cause when the Infiniti equivalent of the FWD Maxima - the I - kept the same styling, people didn't "appreciate" it & found it cheap.

    So Toyota might as well make the Lexus version of the Camry worse.

    Even Mazda did that on the "Amati" Millenia. In the Mazda show room in '95, the salesman told me that the Protege became so roomy even more than the Infiniti Q45. I told him, "You're right! The Protege is also roomier than the Millenia." & even the '95 929.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    Sometimes I think Mazda's ad agency contracts with photographers who do weddings mostly. They sure don't understand cars and how to photograph them.

    Bad photography is hidden with blurring to simulate zoom-zooming. Not what prospective buyers want to see. I have never seen good photos in Mazda's Gallery.

    Mazda should hire the photographers who do CAR magazine, or at least the ones who make photos for Road&Track. R&T has taken a big step up in high-quality images, especially interiors.

    fowler3
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Check mazda.ca

    The worst photos of any Mazda site for the 3 and this (Canada) is one of their top markets for this car.

    Dinu
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Where are all those Canadian pictures and test drive reports?
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    OK with all this talk about 0-60 times I was curious about the weight differences between trims. It seems that the s sedan is slightly lighter than the s hatch which should make it a little quicker. So if you're trying to squeeze as much performance as you can out of the 3, the sedan seems to be your machine.

    I personally don't care which one I get because pretty much either of the engines/trims will be faster than my Civic. Boy it'll be nice to be able to climb hills again. ;)

    What I am curious about is if the 6i MT will be faster than the 3s MT.

    Here's the info from the curb weight chart from the MUSA site PDF file:

    Curb weight (lbs.)

    i MT sedan 2,696 (PZEV = 2,718)
    i AT sedan 2,738 (PZEV = 2,760)
    s MT sedan 2,762
    s AT sedan 2,807
    s MT hatch 2,826
    s AT hatch 2,857
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    It seems that the s sedan is slightly lighter than the s hatch which should make it a little quicker.

    That's right. Not only the sedan is lighter, it also has smaller air resistance coefficient (Cx). European spec sedan is quicker than the hatch counter part of 0-0.2 second in 0-62mph (depending on version), faster in max speed about +3km/h, and has a slightly lower fuel consumption. However, according to someone who just take the testdrive of both versions, the handling of the 5-door is better. That's not a surprise either.

    What I am curious about is if the 6i MT will be faster than the 3s MT.

    what make you think the 6i would be faster? I rather think the contrary.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "what make you think the 6i would be faster? I rather think the contrary."

    Well, the 6i is about 300 lbs heavier than the 3s. Unless the gearing is different, the 3s should be faster. If the gearing on the 3s is anything like my Protégé ES 2.0L though, the 6i might be faster than the 3s to 60mph because the 3s would need to shift to 3rd in order to reach 60mph.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    The Mazda3-s MT gearing is exactly like the Protegé's. The Mazda3-s AT gearing is shorter than the Protegé's.
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    in terms of acceleration and shift points on an automatic transmission? Does it mean that the trans shifts are closer together?
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    No it doesn't mean the ratios are closer. (the AT gear ratios are the same for both Mazda3 and Protegé, just the finale drives are different).

    Shorter means: for the car same speed the engine will rev at higher RPM. That means the torques at the drive wheels are greater, which in turn give quicker acceleration but fuel mileage will be worse.

    I don't know about the shift points, for that one needs to know how the Activematic is programmed.
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    I am not as concerned about gas mileage, as I am about having quick downshifts, and enough power available once you are cruising and need to pass someone :p I wish the rpms were lower for cruising, but that is a small price to pay in exchange for all the other features the Mazda3 offers.

    Have you driven an auto equipped car yet (or would you not be caught dead in an automatic car :)), and if you have, is the trans responsive?
  • doying5doying5 Member Posts: 83
    How long will it take me to decide on trading in my own Protege5 for one of these.
    I have never seen one in person myself. I guess if I buy one, we'll always have one here for customers to look at!
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Have you driven an auto equipped car yet (or would you not be caught dead in an automatic car :)), and if you have, is the trans responsive?

    You mean Mazda3 AT? No. But I have heard positive comments about the very same Activematic box on Protegé and Mazda6.
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    newcar31 Nov 17, 2003 5:20pm
    "If the gearing on the 3s is anything like my Protégé ES 2.0L though, the 6i might be faster than the 3s to 60mph because the 3s would need to shift to 3rd in order to reach 60mph."

    Don't forget it's 205/65 riding on the 15". That means the 2nd gear is likely to reach 60 mph?
  • creakid1creakid1 Member Posts: 2,032
    This is classy! Just like the new 3-series! Along w/ the light-color interior, black glossy strip on the dash & the big "shield" black grill, maybe I should get the 2.0! J/K!
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Don't forget it's 205/65 riding on the 15". That means the 2nd gear is likely to reach 60 mph?"

    I don't know. My Protege didn't get to 60 mph in 2nd gear and that hurts the 0-60 time. If the Mazda3s doesn't get to 60 in 2nd gear, I'll bet the Mazda6i is quicker or equal 0-60.

    Car and Driver has the Mazda6i manual 0-60 at 7.9 seconds BTW.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    is a lighter shade of Sepang Green. Maybe it's the same paint with a different name. ;)

    That ivory, can't be called beige, trim looks like it will get dirty fast. Think I would look for some sporty seat covers or have them made.

    And to think that I didn't like the 2001 Civic because it had a black steering wheel. So what does Mazda do with their cars? Black everything! I have a little dog, she's black and white, rides in the back seat. On beige seats the black hair shows; on black seats the white hair will show. Can't win.

    fowler3
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    The MZ3 is lighter and the gearing is slightly lower (shorter), so it should be a little quicker than the MZ6.
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    'Where are all those Canadian pictures and test drive reports?'

    I'll check out some dealers over the next few days.

    Apparently, all Toronto dealers should have at least one this week.

    But I did confirm 2 things:
    - US-spec Mazda3's do NOT have rain-sensing wipers
    - the Mazda3 sedan's keyless does NOT have a trunk opener (big bummer for me personally)
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    "But I did confirm 2 things:
    - US-spec Mazda3's do NOT have rain-sensing wipers
    - the Mazda3 sedan's keyless does NOT have a trunk opener (big bummer for me personally)"

    The rain-sensing wipers is a nice feature, but how hard is it to flip a lever every once in a while, or set the imtermittent setting?

    Now the trunk button on the keyless entry fob IS a feature that is very useful, and should be a standard feature, especially given Mazda has equipped all Mazda3's with steering wheel audio controls. Even my mom's old 97 escort had a trunk button on the keyless fob!! But it is a small negative on an otherwise excellent package.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    "the Mazda3 sedan's keyless does NOT have a trunk opener (big bummer for me personally)"

    What about the hatchback?
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    Preston can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the hatch fob doesn't have a hatch opener button either. I think the hatch unlocks when the other doors are unlocked.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I would expect it to be quicker. If it's geared low enough (like my Protege) that it doesn't reach 60 in 2nd gear though, the 0-60 time will suffer.
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    lmp180psu:

    The problem with the Mazda3 intermittent setting is that it's fixed (i.e. only 1 delay speed). My parents' 626 is like this and IMHO it's even a safety issue. Fortunately (for me anyways), Canada's getting the rain-sensing intermittent wipers (though it could still be programmed stupidly, hopefully I'll find out this week).

    mazda6s:

    lmp180psu's right, the hatch unlocks with the other doors (the second press of the button to be more specific).
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Good point on the 0-60 thing. Of course if you're sprinting to 80 you'd be shifting in any case.

    Incidently, doing the math I get 63.8MPH at redline in 2nd.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Incidently, doing the math I get 63.8MPH at redline in 2nd."

    Then I guess we can expect the manual Mazda3s to be quicker than 7.9 seconds 0-60. I wonder what 300 lbs is worth?
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    I'll be at Avante Toronto tomorrow at 7.30 - I'm getting poor reception on the radio in the PRO since last week and they'll check it out. I'll ask what they know and walk around the dealership in case they're not telling me the truth :)

    Dinu
  • shado4shado4 Member Posts: 287
    Minor beefs... ;-)

    Wonder why the US-spec Mazda3 doesn't offer traction control, even as an option? I have it on my Hyundai Elantra and it really comes in handy when driving up snow-covered hills.

    Fixed intermittent wipers? Where's the variable control setting? I had fixed intermittent wipers on an old Acura Integra and hated them...could never find the "right" speed.

    No trip computer? Other countries get it, we don't. Why not? The Elantra has one and I find it to be a most useful gadget.

    Don't you just hate the decontenting of vehicles based on where they are sold? I say offer the options and let the consumer decide what they want. Kudos to Mazda for at least offering a NAV system on the 3.
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    Another glowing review of the Mazda3 from the Canadian testfest from two weeks ago:

    http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/04economycars.htm

    Dinu:

    Is that 7:30am or pm? Let us know anyways. I may go to there tomorrow night since they're the closest dealer to my house. But I'm definitely going to check out various dealers over the next few days.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Dinu
  • wongpreswongpres Member Posts: 422
    Great, please post what they tell you, it'll save me a trip if they don't have any Mazda3's (actually I'll just visit another dealer tomorrow night).
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Will do before lunch.

    Check Markham Mazda. Apparently they have a GS sedan and Brampton Mazda has a GT sedan.

    Dinu
  • tapointertapointer Member Posts: 5
    I have the same beefs about this car that shado4 has. I'm looking for a 4 door hatchback to replace my Ford Probe GT and have narrowed my choices down to the Mazda3 or Hyundai Elantra GT. The Mazda looks great and I can't wait to see it in person but I'm really disappointed by some of the missing features. The lack of a trip computer I can understand but no traction control or variable intermittent wipers? Not even optional? What's up with that? Some of the most inexpensive cars nowadays have variable intermittent wipers and they are extremely useful. These are some of the things turned me away from considering the Protege5 and I just assumed Mazda would fix on the 3.
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