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Meade
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The Mazda Mania Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Bill, there's something very wrong with your car. You do have a 3S, don't you? My 3S routinely gets 27-28 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving that is all commuting -- and believe me, I'm guilty of having a lead foot and a desire to zoom from every toll booth and stop light. Still, in 3,500 miles I haven't gotten under 26 at all. For you to have been getting only 21 when your car was "OK," there is something very wrong. Dammit, take that car to a reputable dealer and get them to diagnose what the heck is going on.
NOW!!!
We'll wait.
:shades:
Meade
MPG is not that high on my priority list - sure it would be nice - but I only drive (the Mazda3) about 800 miles a month - it is a bit of a pain only going 225 or so miles before I need to stop and get gas - I know this is the wrong way to look at things - but since it takes less that $25 to fill up the Mazda3 VS almost $50 to fill up my Z-71 it does not seem that bad. Car runs great - except for the occasional stall - but the fuel pump replacement should fix that (I don't see anyway replacing a fuel pump could improve MPG but you never know) dealer did a computer scan and it showed no problem codes so I am not sure what any dealer would be able (willing) to do. This is not just Mazda - every dealership has the standard - MPG will depend on how the car is driven bla bla bla statement.
I have only taken the Mazda3 on one pure highway trip - and got a shade over 29 MPG - which is above the EPA rating.
Don't want to get too far off topic - but I have been looking for a replacement - would consider the Mazda3 - mainly because I can't find anything else (under $35K) that I really want - but would hold out for a 2006 -
The technical specialist from Mazda corporate is scheduled to look at my car today - service manager told me he has worked with him and he is "the best he has ever seen" I can only hope.
I also made another inquiry in a different post, but was (politely) reprimanded for putting this in the audio forum, where I thought it belonged:
'I'm just inquring of those of you who have a Mazda3 with the CD player option with mp3 support, can you comment on its quality? Specifically, I hear the one in the Ford Focus randomly skips, so was wondering if there any 'weird' issues with the M3's player.
Also, does it support auto resume, meaning that when you turn the car off, does it start exactly at the point where it left off when you turn it back on again? (Important for audiobook junkies like me.)'
I don't share your experience; the two Toyota dealerships here (in Ottawa, Canada) are among the best in the city for their courtesy and attention to detail. Making a deal though is not the easiest because they don't budge as much on price as others. Let's treat each dealership for what it is, an independent business; some have the right approach to customers, others need to learn from them.
Since Ford is having such a hard time (GM too) maybe they will sell Mazda to Toyota and then I could get both - a fun car to drive and some service after the sale - what a concept that would be. But I guess that is what Toyota is trying to do with the Scion brand.
I think you will see a very small difference in ride quality - the 16" wheels / tires should have a little bit softer ride.
You should just drive both and see for yourself. When I bought all the S models had the sports package. I like the look of the sports package - IMO it gives the Mazda3 - a "sportier look" imagine that!
You may want to price out replacement tires in both sizes - very limited choice in the 205 50 17 size - and the cost in MUCH higher - If you compare stock Goodyear RS-A the 205 50 17 is $163 VS $82 for the 205 55 16. BTW - I will be lucky to make it to 20K on the stock Goodyears -
I plan on going with the Kumho ASX - $93 for the 205 50 17 VS $65 for the 205 55 16.
This is per Tirerack - but Discount Tire is close to the same.
LINK
what is the coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.33 and is that better/worse than a plain 3i w/o the power package?!
Coefficient of drag refers to wind resistance or how easy an object can pass through the air. The more streamlined the less resistance an object has. Thus the lower the (Cd) the better. The power package has no relation to this.
i.e. spoiler creating more down force, wider tires creating more drag etc. but this isn’t a 911 turbo compared to a “regular” 911 it’s just a Mazda 3 so I guess you’re right.
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But, almost every upgraded "sport" model is less slippery than the base model.. But, the better handling and acceleration usually more than makes up for it...
I'm not the kind of person that checks for coefficient of drag when I'm shopping.. though I do pay attention to the estimated fuel mileage.... I'd guess that 99% of buyers wouldn't even know what it means...
regards,
kyfdx
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If the drag went from .30 to .35 it might affect mileage and top speed (just making this up).
I think .33 or .32 is “ok” but not great.
If I recall correctly I think a Passat had one of the better coefficiencies of .27 and Prius around a .26.
Don’t remember precisely, but a Lamborghini has a higher one like .35 or .38 even though it’s so small and sleek (those big tires again).
~alpha
fowler3
The Sandman :sick:
You'll get there. I had my 3s special ordered and it took me 4 months of waiting to get what I wanted. The only thing I didn't get was Navigation...Enjoy the new car...Zoom, Zoom... :shades:
We pick her up today at 3!
Zoom Zoom!
The Sandman
Not that the car is under powered. Its just that it handles so well it overshadows the power. There are times when I’m cornering at 4500+rpm at higher g’s and when I accelerate harder as I exit I expect it to squeal or to pull to the out side of the lane.
It’s almost as if I’m “scrubbing” off the power maybe it’s my driving heh.
Turbo kits are a little too pricey and I don’t want to affect my 5 year 100K warranty.
Still very happy
I've considered a CAI and exhaust for a little extra torque and HP. Another MZ3 forums has dynos for just those mods with a few members installing both. Together they should increase TQ and HP by 10ft-lbs and 10 HP.
Live and learn I guess. But we are lovin' this car. I hope the mileage will approach the epa #'s after the 1st oil change or at least by 5k miles.
Zoom Zoom y'all!
The Sandman
So far the 3 is still intact :surprise:
The Sandman
quite a record ... makes you pause before getting another car. :P
As I think about what could happen in traffic as we zip along at 70+mph it sends a shiver up the spine ... but then we just all continue on our merry way.
Thanks for the update.
I already had a car that worked. I hated it, but it functioned. If I knew all the cool new features I might have held out for a 2006.
The local Mazda dealer has a special no-haggle price (300 over invoice) for all military people so buying a new car at the beginning of the model year would not have mattered.
I bought a loaded 5-door and would have waited for a Special Edition if I knew one was coming in to my local store. One was, but I found out too late.
ALL the features are great additions.
Pollen filter - why not? sounds like a good option. How much extra can it be?
Outside temp - definitely. I bought the electrochromatic mirror because I wanted the temp gauge.
Trip computer - This I really don't care too much about but I would use it if I had it.
Auto climate control - Yes, Yes! I very much want this.
Variable wipers - Sure. I guess. I don't know how much of an improvement this is over the current wipers. It rains a lot in Georgia so I'd get to use them often.
5AT - Probably the option I want the most. I keep wanting to shift into 5th gear when I hit cruising speed. I am curious to see how much this improves highway fuel economy.
Bose/6CD/Moonroof package - Already have the second two. Wish I had the Bose audio as the only place i listen to music is in my car.
Sigh. Oh well.
Outside temp - Buy an outside thermometer, red type, mount on outside A-pillar, right side facing driver.
Trip computer - keep pad and pencil in glove box and pocket calculator.
Auto climate control - That's what windows are for, i.e. auto down button.
Variable wipers - they park UP as well as DOWN.
5AT - Be thankful, it could be a 3AT.
Bose/6CD/Moonroof package - You have the second and third, hire the Boston Pops
Fowler3.
How about this?
In December 2004, I purchased a brand-new Mazda B2300SE pickup truck.
Two months later, I was on a 55-mph, 2-lane highway in the mountains when a flatbed truck passed me going the other way. He was carrying a load of soli oak front doors to new houses. Guess what? One flew off just as he passed me, hitting me squarely in the grille. The 110-mph impact broke the door in half, sending half of it bouncing over my hood, windshield and roof, and the other half under the truck. (Thank God it wasn't a steel door, eh?)
$3,000 later (in 1995 dollars and on the trucking company's tab), I had a sort-of new truck with 900 miles on it again.
Meade
Pollen filter - Thank the Lord you don't get hay fever.
Outside temp - What's next? A rain gauge? I have a radio that tells me not only the outside temperature, but also the forecast.
Trip computer - Thank goodness my head still works.
Auto climate control - Yep, then I'll be in a quandary as to whether I really like it at 71 or 72. Or maybe 73? Tell me, what's so "auto" about it? You've still got to decide where you want it set.
Variable wipers - OK, maybe this would be nice. But then again, my finger can push the little arm upward with very little caloric loss.
5AT - Oh well, learn to drive a stick and you would've always had 5 speeds -- and a lot more flexibility than a "diptronic."
Bose/6CD/Moonroof package - Yeah, but where does the 60-inch DLP HDTV go? Out on the hood might be too close for comfortable viewing. Maybe in the open hatch of my 3 wagon, and I'll just ride along in front of you?
:P
Meade
P.S. Just remember, Mazda's going to make you pay more for these now-standard things. Me, I'll enjoy my lower car payment and less stuff to break down the road!
December 2004? or 1994?
fowler3
fower3
Meade
The Focus has the better stereo as a stand-alone option. I wonder how often it is included without the other high priced options like sunroof and leather.
Restricting it to the GT doesn't seem like the wisest idea.
fowler3