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actually the numbers that have been quoted are fairly accurate....apx 60% of the cars are shared and 40% are brand identity. The whole idea of brand identity is to make sure the mazda feels and sounds like a mazda, the volvo feels and drives like a volvo, etc...Remember there are many thousands of parts that make up a car and the huge percentage of them are not seen. The MZ3, Volvo and european Focus were done as a very close venture involving all three companies to gain the expertise of all the companies. The end result has been very positive.
I believe using the S40's shocks on the 3 will make both the Mazda & Volvo ride very similarly. By the way, there are 2 different suspension settings on the S40 at $750 apart. The Focus II & S40 share the same steering rack different from Mazda3's Japanese rack.
By the way, I'd hate the car if it's a "Volvo". But the new S40 is such a non-Volvo! I'm open minded enough to ignore the badge. Ignorant people are already calling me a dork for finding this Volvo my dream car.
There is more to come thanks to Ford and their family of car companies.
i read somewhere that Ford and Mazda were NOT getting the Volvo safety features (either in Motor Trend of C&D), based on the S40 review. that is why i was surprised that Mazda would offer the WHIPS item on the 3. luckily, the mazda/volvo/ford engine sharing isn't happening here in the U.S. anytime soon. the Ford and the Mazda will not be getting the tried and true inline 5's of Volvos....all is right with the world!
does the 3i also have that feature?
thanks.
NOT getting SOME OF the Volvo safety features, Correct. The S40 has 4 stages of steel softness in different crumple zones, super-strong diagonal door beams that ruin the door pocket size, & even a soft "pedestrian crumple zone" in the bumper/nose/hood in case you bump into a human.
thanks.
I have noticed that the paint on the side sill extension, on the rear door above the side sill extension and under the back bumper behind the tires is getting "sandblasted" from salt and sand from the road.
It's probably worse in areas where it snowed alot.
Please let me know if anyone is seeing this...I alerted my local dealer and he is looking into any reports to Mazda on this.
Check mazdausa.com for specs
Dinu
I had the same reservations about Mazda putting the "intelligent" airbag sensors in only US and Canada cars and look what happened to that. This was something new for Mazda, and to top it off only putting it in cars in only two countries made me believe that this wasn't going to be top priority when they tested the cars. In fact most of their test mules probably never had the sensors in it. Some people's cars won't even have the airbag deploy! This is ridiculous.
fowler3
a couple of things that i learned:
1. i was originally going to go for a fancier alloy wheel with more "face" to it (mille miglia's), however, the tire trends people told me that i would be happier with an alloy with very thin spokes for winter use. they were right - less surface to clean dirt off or get pitted.
2. the selection in canada of wheels with 48 or greater offset is slim. they had a better (a slightly cheaper selection) of wheels that started at a 45 offset, but were reluctant to go that "low". still don't understand why (bluong1 - who hasn't posted here for a while and is probably on the side of a milk carton somewhere) did mention in a previous post about "changing the pivot angle" or something like that. oh well, 48 apparently works. tirerack has those same wheels in a 48 or greater offset, but i guess we don't get those in canada (short of ordering from tirerack, of course).
3. with the "hub centering rings" that tiretrends also shipped and instructed me to install, there seems to be no detectable vibration. i believe it has something to do with the rings making sure that you tighten the wheels down properly, centered around the hub. i can see why being slightly off and rotating the wheel as such can lead to problems, not to mention a really funny feeling. probably the same feeling you get when the tires flat spot at -35 C.
4. which, by the way, the dunlop's did not flat spot at -35C. ask me what the tire pressure is and i will tell you once its warm enough for me to want to stay outside the car long enough to insert a digital gauge.
my first choice were kumho kw11 (out of stock), followed by kw17 (also out of stock). both were about $100 each. my next choice was nokian wr's ($230 each, but rated to 80,000 kms vs, 30,000 or so for the dunlop's, so cheaper "per kilometer" cost than the dunlop's as long as you take them off for summer even though they can be run as summer tires). tiretrends does not carry nokian, and there was just too much hassle involved in buying rims over the internet, tires from a dealer, installation, etc. so, i'm happy, but you can probably do better if you have the time and energy.
as far as steel wheels, i hope you are successful in getting $45 - $60 ones that are the perfect offset. otherwise, i found that the alloys were better value if you had to pay $120 each for a mazda stock steel rim plus $35 for a hubcap (i paid $167 for the alloys). maybe there will be younger adults in the summer who will be selling their original 16's cheaply to move to something bigger and you can hopefully benefit from it.
howho
So far I am still very happy with the car, which is good. Got a lot of payments left to make!
I have had no problems with the car yet. No airbag sensor issues, no CEL, and if there's anything unusual going on with my rear brakes I'm too ignorant to notice it. It still smells new, and I've managed to keep my wife from leaving any trash in it. So far, so good.
It still doesn't feel like "my car" yet, though. I've gotten completely used to the feel of the drive, but the actual seat still feels foreign to me. It'll take a few months of driving it, I think, to really "settle in."
I do enjoy the fact that I don't see many of them on the road, in parking lots, etc. I'm sure that'll change over the next 12 months but for now when I do see one it's a big deal. I've seen a couple hatchbacks in town, and one nearly identical sedan, but that's about it.
The reason its there is due to a US federal mandate that requires all cars to have the "smart airbags" in the next couple years...
Not applicable in N.A., since the phone option is deleted.
"The IDIS function continuously registers the driver's activity by monitoring steering wheel movements, the accelerator pedal, turn signal function, braking and so on. This information is processed and at a given activity level, information that is not essential to safety is held back.
IDIS is standard in all versions of the all-new Volvo S40; irrespective of whether or not the car is fitted with an integrated phone (U.S. cars will not be offered with the integrated phone)."
Now whether or not the system can actually function without the phone I don't know, but this leads me to believe every S40 has the system in it. So if it is messed up would the person with the US-spec Volvo S40 just not know the difference since the phone isn't there? Did you try switching radio stations or something like that while driving the car at fairly high speeds or while turning?
Will be back in full force by mid-late May.
Dinu
That was my quote.
Boy, wasn't I dreaming! I just realized the S40's I sampled on the smooth track had a firmer suspension than the turbo T-5 on the presentation platform, where I pushed the car's outside corners & found its suspension setting soft w/ a relaxing/calm rebound . Well, the trick they pulled was that they didn't put any bump strips(as test-drive events usually do) on the test track for us to experience.
So I had a false impression that the soft-suspension S40 handles magically well not too different from the Mazda3!
AUTOCAR found the S40 T-5 2.5 turbo(read hard-to-modulate pwr) accelerates only about as strong as the 325i 2.5 WITHOUT turbo, while trailed behind in steering feel(especially at the limit), handling/composure & ride.
Sounds like the Mazda 3S & the upcoming Focus ST sedan w/ engine-driven pwr steering are more fun than the new S40 w/ no significant sacrifice in comfort other than some road noise.
Maybe leasing this "SVT sedan" won't be such a bad idea.
As an FYI, the only feature on the Mazda3 airbag system that's unavailable on the Mazda6 is a passenger weight sensor that'll automatically turn-off the passenger airbag if there's not enough weight. The N. American-spec Mazda6 already has a placeholder for the light and this feature is on certain-specs of the Mazda6's assembled in Japan.
(yeah, I'm still looking for good reasons to spend less money on my next car)
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This past weekend we went to Wyoming. So the mileage was almost all open highway- set the cruise control at 83mph and left it there for hours. We were running through snow squalls and high winds. We passed a generating windfarm right next to the highway and also passed an accident site where two 18-wheelers were blown off the road; suitcases and furniture spread in the median from the ruptured moving van. The Mazda3 tracked superbly; honestly, I couldn't feel the wind at all in the steering. The seat was very comfortable through the long trip.
Is it a perfect car; no, but a very good value for the price. On certain road surfaces, the road noise intrudes in the cabin more than I would desire. That is the only complaint I can think of. Love the solid brakes, the smooth clutch and transmission, the compact size, and short turning radius. And that gas mileage; haven't seen less than 30mpg at any time.
I am planning on buying a new car within a few months. I'm deciding between the Lancer Ralliart or the 3 GT hatchback (auto in both cases). Both are fairly similar specs wise. Since this is a Mazda3 board I know most of you will choose the 3 so my question is "what made you choose the 3 over the other car (Lancer, Civic, Sentra, etc)." It could be anything, looks, feel, price, smell, etc. Hope I don't get slammed but the reason I'm leaning towards the Lancer is the finance. Right now with the Diamond Days incentive I can get a new car with 0% financing for 4 yrs. Mazda is 3.9%.
As for what I'm looking for in a car, good fuel economy, good acceleration, sporty, and reliability, not necessarily in that order.
It's still a toss up between which car I will end up so your comments will be helpful.
But also, the bumper to bumper warranty is shorter on the Mitsu (powertrain is longer); the Lancer doesn't have a shiftable automatic, the Mazda3 does; the Lancer wagon looks a bit longer and I don't like the taillights (though the longer cargo bay would be better if you need it; it's just that I don't). Mazda3 is available with Xenons. Mitsubishi has less torque, but also lower mileage (fuel economy? Need an Englsih-English translator..hehe). Mazda3 is available with side-curtain airbags, the Lancer doesn't have them. 6 CD changer, moonroof and MP3 player are available on the Mazda3, unavailable on the Lancer (if you go aftermarket, you might give them an excuse to ignore the warranty).
Lesee, what else...Lancer's interior is more airy, Mazda3's is more cozy.
Oh, keep in mind I'm comparing the American versions of the Ralliart Sportback and Mazda3s 5 door. The word "Hatchback" is taboo here in the land of the free.
1davao
I would chose the 3 and here's why:
great chassis
great brakes
quiet
tight ride - not harsh or firm, but great IMO
nice interior+exterior - the Lancer looks less "upscale" if you will
I trust Mazda reliability more than Mitsu's - also we get 36mths/80000kms for the Mazda. Not sure what Mitsu offers in Canada
The 3 may cost more and you're talking about $1500-1800 more just in financing charges on the 3 on top of that. But it is the better car. Question for you: How much are you willing to pay for "the better car" or best in its class?
Dinu
I forgot to mention that I'm interested in the sedan of the Mitsu and not the Sportback. Also, don't know if this will be a factor, I need a car that will last me for yrs. Not one of those guys that goes out to buy a new car every 3 or 4 yrs. I'm a one car man.
dinu - Can you tell me why Mazda3 has better brakes? I think they both have ABS standard but Mitsu has Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. I think the Mitsu bumper to bumper warranty is 3yrs/60000km or 50000km, a liitle weak compared to the Mazda.
Does anyone know how much it would cost to maintain a Mazda 3. I've heard the cost is higher simply because parts are more expensive. Mitsu dealer told me this but I can't get any data to refute him.
Also, does anyone know anything about engines? Of course, over at the Mitsu forum they're raving about the MIVEC engine. What are they saying about the Mazda3 engine?
I'm also interested in knowing trunk space. Without folding down the seat how much room is there in the Mazda3? Can you fit a set of luggage in the trunk? Is it easy to open and close? Would you say the trunk is bigger or smaller then an ordinary sedan?
One final note, I am concerned that the Mazda3 is a first yr model. Already, I've read a couple of problems with this car. Although, they are minor I hate to waste my time going to the dealership to get it fixed.
Money is an issue but not really a ground breaker either. It's nice to save money though. Obviously, here you guys say Mazda3 is the better car. I want to know why. Over at the Mitsu forum they're saying Ralliart is the better car. Don't know if there really is "the one thing" that will sway me either way, seems almost like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Wow, this is getting too long, I better end it here and give you guys a chance to respond.
Lol. Don't EVER ask a dealer something like that about a competitor's car unless you want a load of stinky crap for an answer. You're almost guaranteed to be lied to. My experience is that people at the dealer hardly know about the cars that they sell, let alone a competitor's cars' parts prices.
Japan: Best and worst. Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota were among the makes well represented in the top ranks of reliability. The Toyota Camry (redesigned for 2002) and Nissan Altima, which had sunk to average in our 2002 survey, have improved to above average.
Plus you really need to hop in and test drive both cars and see which one has a better feeling. I think basically Mazda's reliability is better but who can tell on a 1st year car like the M3.
Not sure how the Mitsu is, but the brakes in the 3 are similiar to the 6 and Protege: no brake fade! This is important in a highway panic stop when you need to hold the brake for longer than usual.
Now for warranty, those extra 20000kms that Mazda offers means you can save some more $ if an issue comes up.
As for reliability the 3 is a 1st year model but again, if we go by CR, Mazda is rated in the top 5 along with Acura/Honda, Lexus/Toyota and often recommended.
As for the engine, the 2.3s has been rated at 7.4s by C+D in the HB for 0-60. I drove the 2.0 and even with AT it was good. Not as fast as the MT but very good compared to the standard engines that the competition offers.
In the end, you MUST drive both to make an informed decision. To me the 3 is refined yet sporty. Not sure about the Mitsu - didn't drive it yet.
Dinu
As far as reliability..true, who knows about the 3. But I DO know 2 people who own 1991 Proteges, and they're both in excellent driving condition, with no major work done (one's got over 200k miles on it). I've driven them both a bit, and they still feel nice and tight (that's what got me thinking about Mazda in the first place).
bigdadi118 - That's one of the things that worry me about Mitsu is they're not usually at the top of any lists yet I've often heard of them as being reliable though.
npaladin2000 - I did not know Mitsu were financially in trouble. Do you have any links that mention this?
I have driven the Lancer and I will be test driving the 3 this sat. I'm happy with the performance and handling of the Lancer. I've heard alot of good things about the performance and handling of the 3 as well.
Nobody can really say that all of the Mazda3 parts are going to be more expensive than the Lancer parts and it’s funny that a Mitsu salesperson would pretend to know that. Some parts might be more expensive on the Lancer and some might be cheaper than the Mazda3. It depends on what part, but overall I would expect the prices to be pretty similar. Also keep in mind that part prices can vary from dealer to dealer.
What I can tell you is that I know Mazda has employees that look at what their competitors are charging for their parts and they try to be competitive.
My made-in-Japan '90 Protege LX never costed me a fortune while still running strong w/ all features working today at over 180k mi.
The made-in-Japan '93 Camry SE sedan I bought in '02 w/ 130k mi. costed me a fortune even after I had the radiator power flushed. Because the engine-mount went bad & that heavy V6 engine rocked the radiator to death -- cracked it!
"That's one of the things that worry me about Mitsu is they're not usually at the top of any lists yet I've often heard of them as being reliable though."
Wasn't the Eclipse so unreliable that it got the lowest satisfaction rate of all sports cars? While the Miata topped the list.
I did like the '89 Mirage/Colt/Summit as it drove nice w/ good ride comfort, plus the 2-stage A/C setting, but I didn't own one.
"Our initial expressions indicate that the Mz3 has many strengths for a small car. It has a supple and controlled ride that's quite rare in this class of cars. Loud road noise and a stiff, choppy ride, hallmarks of the Protege, have essentially been eradicated. Handling has also been improved."
"The Mz3 feels agile with quick, responsive steering. The body doesn't lean too much when cornering. The engine is smoother and more refined than the engine in some larger sedans we've tested recently. The smooth, responsive automatic transmission has a mode that facilitates manual shifts."
"We also liked the comfortable, nicely trimmed seats and the driving position. The steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, a feature that few competing cars offer. Rear-seat room, while not great, is competitive with other small cars. Interior fit and finish is nicely executed."
There will be a full report on the Mz3 in the August issue. And by the way, I did not omit any negative things about the car. Fact is, there weren't any, unusual for Consumer Reports. We'll see what the full report has to say.