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Hybrid Vehicles Chat Room
Immediately following at 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET, we keep the chat party going with the Mazda Mania chat.
Mazda Mania Chat Room
The Town Hall chats are a great place to take these message board topics LIVE. Hope to see you there this week!
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
Hand washing your car on a nice sunny day is pretty nice :P
I ran a silver BMW through a brush carwash and got them all over the car, the light reflecting off the scratches did look like spider webs. Repainting the car was prohibitive so I traded it. That was when BMW used laquer instead of today's paints, a six step process.
fowler3
they said the wrap on the car mayhave trapped air?\
see paint under problems
A note about so-called "old lady's" corolla. I realize that more than likely the MZ3i offers more features, a larger engine, similar gas mileage, and wayyyy more style, than the corolla. Some people buy for style some people are satisfied knowing their car will go for 250k.
My main point is that it doesn't matter if your car can get your from point a to b in style if its sitting in the shop.
Not to bash any car maker, just trying to inject some perspective.
Average owners do away with a car within 5 years. Somebody putting on 50k miles a year (beyond me)?
My main point is that it doesn't matter if your car can get your from point a to b in style if its sitting in the shop.
Any car breaking down in the first 100k miles is cause for concern. Haven't heard of the corolla or 3 having that problem. VW...
Mazda seems to have taken their perfect handling and mixed in VW level interior materials with a heavy dose of style. That's the ultimate econo package and the reason mazda sales are going nuts.
From articles I've read, it seems Mercedes realizes quality has slipped and even seem to admit to it and are taking steps to improve. On the other hand, the articles I've read give me the impression that VW is dancing around the issues and the officials don't want to blame themselves. Even an article released recently have them blaming the poor Phaeton sales on it being a bland sedan and that something more interesting would have been better. They don't dare question that the price has anything to do with it. The US is a big market for the Phaeton and Americans prefer sedans, but they're also badge hounds and aren't going to cruise around in a lowly VW and be serviced at dealerships where other people having their Jettas and Golfs being serviced. Maybe some super coupe with huge HP MIGHT work but the whole point is to make VW more prestigious. The Ford GT and Chevrolet Corvette don't really raise the Ford and Chevy brands any.
On top of that, VW, Ford, and GM have a stranglehold on European parts suppliers and have basically told them they have to lower their prices to be competitive with Chinese parts suppliers or they'll go to them for their parts. To cut prices to Chinese levels means quality will suffer. Will VW ever learn?
And to make matters even worse, what happens if Middle Eastern countries follow Russia and start pricing oil in euros? You better believe the parts will start coming from China because it won't work when the euro is worth more than the US dollar. Having oil priced in euros will be a HUGE hit to the US dollar. Russia has already done it.
Malibu_Jack: Mazda does not recommend pulling trailers with any of their compact sedans. There is no frame to attach the hitch to and will void the warrenty. Read a Mazda owner's manual for more information.
The only reliable VW was the original Beetle. All the others sinc ehave had electrical problems. Audi cars have had problems with failing alternators since 1977. German engineers think like Ford and GM, if it's "good enough" why spend more time designing to a higher standard?
Look at Lexus' signature, "The relentless persuit of perfection". Doesn't that mean they will never get there?
fowler3
This means drifting fun all the time w/o worries about going to the repair shop.
So far, someone too bored w/ his auto IS300 tried to rev before shifting from N into D & ruined the slush box. The dealer won't cover the several-thousand-dollar transmission repair under warranty 'cause the computer revealed how he ruined it!
For God's sake, get the stick & LSD on a powerful RWD car if you want to have so much skidding fun.
Anyway, the Focus II-suspension Mazda3 is a short cut to become a German car w/o the nightmare repairs.
A Corvette Z06 can't, at least not all the time, 'cause at such velocity in the real world...
http://www.autosite.com/Reviews/2004-mazda-3.asp
Is Madza really selling the 3 with RSA tires? They're not any better than the RE92's my '99 pro es came with.
Does anyone know?
That's why Mazda has to keep this inexpensive car looking modest by making its exterior into an AMC Gremlin w/ rear doors. ;-)
Hey, AMC cars look like super heros in the old James Bond movie "The Man With the Golden Gun".
Than the Encore(Renault 11) also did some super stunts in another episode.
since the article was written the engine has been put in a number of other vehicles inluding the Mazda 3 and Tribute, Ford Focus, Focus C-Max, Escape, and Fiesta, European Volvo S-40 and V-50. The 2.3 l version will also be the base engine in the car that was formerly called the Futura.
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.
In regard to your inquiry, the 2005 MAZDA3 is currently scheduled to be
released in October. Unfortunately, we don't have any specific
information or pricing on the 2005 MAZDA3 at this time.
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- so October is confirmed. i guess it is safe to say that nobody really knows what changes, if any, are going to come.
2005 Mazda3 Changes:
- new wheel cover design for 'i' model
- sirius compatible radio
- titanium gray available on 'i' model
- solar yellow deleted
- lava orange available on 5 door only
Meade
I too can't find a good driving position in the 3. Perhaps if they brought back the 8-way seat. Oh well. Good thing I own a Protege.
I am a 36 year old male and am somewhat concerned with getting a vehicle that looks like a chick car or like a teeny boppers car.
Can anyone give me there opinion as to wich style, hatchback, or sedan is more masculine and in which color for that particular style?
I am not a machismo freak, but just want opinions. I was leaning toward a silver sedan with a spoiler, but sometimes think it looks like a chick car, but I sometimes look at the hatchback and think it looks too much like a cross between a focus and a vibe, neither of which I like.
When I say chick car I hope to offend no one.
Oh, and can anyone tell me if the hatch is slower than the sedan because it weigh's more?
With all the complaints I have seen about the AC and the brakes on the 3, would anyone change there mind about owning one?
Some say that this is a first year vehicle and that bugs always need to be worked out, but a Mazda salesman told me this car was out in Japan for sometime before coming here and there are no bugs to work out??
No complaints about the A/C and brakes here, though I found a chip in my hood while I was washing the car today, ouch. Time to break out the touch-up paint. It's tiny, but it annoys me. I wouldn't trade my 3 for anything. Incidentally I got the hatch, and think it's more manly. Looks bigger and meaner.
Incidentally, my A/C works so great, I can't stand to turn it up to 4. I've kept it at 3...for brief periods. I've noticed driving with the sunroof open to vent seems to make it more effective, BTW.
I've noticed that, too, in my Protege on very hot days. The 3 seems to not have as good a flow-through ventilation system as the Pro.
bunk1968, the man makes the car, not the car makes the man. Have you looked at the new Chrysler 300, if the Mazda3 seems too chic for you?
The 5-door appeals to guys more than the sedan because of its utility and sport prospects: snow boarding, biking, surfing, camping, etc. It's neither the Focus wagon nor the wonky Vibe.
fowler3
Go to a Hertz agency and rent a Mazda3 (if they have them in stock) or a Mazda6, which they do have, for the weekend and see if you like the car. The 3 and the 6 are similar in some ways. Then on Monday, go to a Mazda dealer and test drive the 3.
fowler3
The reason I want to get a new car now is because my college credit will run out august 15th. So I'm not sure if I should spend the 600 and wait it out until Mazda/Scion come out with some rebates or just trade/sell my current car (92 camry LE V6) and put that as a down payment. I'm going back and forth between what I should do in this situation so any comments will be greatly appreciated either about the cars or my situation.
Also, anyone have any luck with either AAA or Costco pricing?
LoL, the Pro's got a sad AC unit and it takes eons for that car to cool down to the 60s. My only complaint about my 03 pro ES would be that my AC is useless. We don't get that hot in San Diego but on days when it's over 85 like today, the car is scary hot for 20 minutes.
What did you get ?
Barry42
I haven't traded yet. My Pro has only 19K miles on it after 38 months.
bluedotguy:
I've noticed that, too, in my Protege on very hot days. The 3 seems to not have as good a flow-through ventilation system as the Pro.
LoL, the Pro's got a sad AC unit and it takes eons for that car to cool down to the 60s. My only complaint about my 03 pro ES would be that my AC is useless. We don't get that hot in San Diego but on days when it's over 85 like today, the car is scary hot for 20 minutes.
I said when it gets HOT like 95 degrees or higher. It was 84 degrees yesterday and it cooled the Pro down quickly. Our problem is mainly humidity.
fowler3
The only thing I'd really like is some more torque and horsepower. I am thinking of adding a less restrictive cat-back exhaust, upgrade the air intake, high performance plugs, and synthetic oil to hopefully give me about fifteen more horses. Just don't want one of those loud burbling exhausts I hear on cheap Civics. Can anyone recommend a good exhaust system? Something quiet at idle, with a nice sound like the G35 when accelerating? With some more horses, I'll have that under 20 grand BMW, aggressively handsome styling, great handling, japanese built sedan with european connotations; and power! Finally, C/D and road and track post a 0-60 times of 7.4 and 8.0 secs respectively for the manual 5 door. Anyone have times for the lighter auto/manual sedan? Sure would love to know, love to get the times down to mid 6 sec.
NOTE: This is a NEW time slot for this week!
Hybrid Vehicles Chat Room
Immediately following at 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET, we keep the chat party going with the Mazda Mania chat.
Mazda Mania Chat Room
The Town Hall chats are a great place to take these message board topics LIVE. Hope to see you there this week!
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
I live in San Diego. If it ever hits 95 here the city will shut down and our cheeseball news will spend 24/7 reporting on the heat wave.
For me when it breaks 75, I think it's hot. 85 is miserable. 95...I'll stay in the ocean/pool/inside.
npaladin2000 : What color did you get?
I have driven the 3 and I am pretty sure of my purchase on it. I think it is a blast to drive.
Still trying to decide on the Sedan or the Hatch.
If I get the Sedan I think I will go for silver or titanium. In the Hatch, even though everyone say to avoid it, I really like the black.
Oh, also, does anyone know if I may be able to fit a mountain bike in the back of the hatch? If not I guess I really wouldn't care if I had the hatch or not. Just need to decide which one LOOKS SPORTIER.
Oh, and, can anyone tell me if putting a bra on the black car is a bad idea? I thought it would help with rock chips, but I have heard that it can be bad if moisture builds up underneath it. I heard it affects the paint.
I don't like bras at all. I've heard they can discolor the paint underneath them.
My previous post questions are certainly more important to me than this one though.
Sportier like a sports car? (read low center of gravity)
Or more sport utility like an off roader? (read high center of gravity)
As for side airbags/air curtains, just take a look at some of the crash test pictures on the IIHS website. It should help you make up your mind.
Toyota Camry without side airbags:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/side/s0316.htm
Toyota Camry with side airbags:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/side/s0315.htm
As for the bra, I personally don't like them because they look very bad and never seem to fit right. But the main issue is that dirt and other debris will get trapped underneath the bra and will slowly grind into the paint. If you're concerned about getting chips, look into the clear films offered by 3M and other companies.
Please keep us posted as to how you increase your HP. I would really be interested in how you do the work, if it is easy, and how much it may cost. Thanks.
If you will check the Mazda Protega forum and look at the Owner's Maintenance data, there is information on *high performance plugs*. I think they did not recommend them and it would cancel your warrenty.
zoommazda3:
Locating the car you want, the dealer you went to calls other local dealers and dealers in surrounding cities and around the state. If another dealer has the car and will trade it to your dealer for one of his, he will call you. A driver has to go to the other dealer and bring back the car you wanted. It isn't unusual to do this. You may have to compromise on an option.
bunk1968:
I'm with the others on this one. The ABS option is a MUST HAVE in a car as small as the 3. Other options are vanity items or gadgets. Also with those who say to avoid Black. If you want a microwave-oven-on-wheels get black with leather.
fowler3
I'd say it's rather "sporty"...
I, too, opted for the ABS and side curtain airbags option moreso than any other feature. The Xenon headlamps are also a great safety feature, IMHO.