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Weighed about 12 pounds...
I'm sure you've been in a situation where you're comparing a bunch of cars, and you finally land on one that just seems to push all the right buttons. That's what the Mazda is doing for me now.
From a driving impression perspective, it just seems to achieve a great balance between sportiness and comfort. I obviously want a stick, but I learned long ago that they aren't all created equal. Hard to explain this, but if you appreciate a good manual, then you'll know what I mean - everything seems to work together so well, from the clutch engagement to the feel of the shifter, to the responsiveness and "connection" to the engine. It's also an "easy" car to drive in a manual. With some cars, it seems to be almost a chore - where the option of a manual was an afterthought. It's nice that Mazda not only continues to offer it on much of their line-up, but they offer one that feels natural in the car (same goes for the Mazda6 too).
And the interior and amenities are great. It offers nice features that are becoming commonplace in any segment, like a rearview camera and navigation, but it ups the ante with the heads-up display, blind-spot monitoring and HIDs. The overall layout seems very inspired by the current BMW 3-series.
I think it's great that Mazda is offering the manual in the top of the line trim on the Mazda3 - everyone knows it's becoming more and more difficult to combine that manual transmission with the higher trim levels.
And, all that comes for the low $20's.
Most any of my friends and co-workers would think it's funny to get so excited about what seems like a pedestrian car compared to the nicer, upscale cars my wife and I own or have owned. But I think this group understands how satisfying it can be to find a "gem" - part of being a car enthusiast is appreciating all kinds of cars, regardless of badge or price.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I definitely understand your comments on the Mazda3 and in fact it would be high on my list if I was looking for an economical choice. I keep meaning to go drive one but haven't yet, but the amount of features you get for the price is truly outstanding and that coupled with a great driving experience, seems like it would be hard to beat.
As you said, it's about loving cars, regardless of the price or badge.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
of course, I would never consider going down to 1 car in my household, so of course I don't think anyone else should do it either.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Whether we’re driving a $200,000 luxury sedan or a $20,000 compact car, we can’t help but hope to magically find ourselves behind the wheel of a BMW 3 Series. We’re totally in the Goldilocks mode, looking for something that drives sporty but not too much so. It has to be compact but not small. It has to be affordable but not cheap. It’s not only a miracle that the 2014 Mazda 3 delivers the BMW-style personality that we prefer but also a revelation that any compact sedan meets this lofty standard at all.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
He will be home next weekend so we can go to the Philly car show. That should get him revved up. Plus he is taking the car in for it's first oil change service, and of course plans to roam around the lot and dealerships (the audi dealer is right next door, and they share the lot). An A3 could attract his eye too, though the GLI should give the same bang for less buck.
He probably should stay out of the Porsche dealer that is right next to the VW store though.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That leaves the Jetta. I can get a Jetta with the 1.8T engine for around $21k, but add the 2.0T engine, all of a sudden it's $28k?
I'll probably take a look at the GLI. Local dealers seem short on the 2015 model right now - even have some leftover "30th Anniversary" model left, which I like too. Right now, I might want something more differentiated from the wife's GTI, hence the Mazda3. Not to mention the GLI does a great impression of the GTI, but doesn't quite live up to it in the driving dynamics area (in my opinion).
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
It booms, it whooshes, it wails. It demands that your best sweaty-palmed driving skills be applied to the light steering and alloy pedals, and it rewards, delivering a type of demonic, antisocial fun in the same vein as burning ants with a magnifying glass.
Based on a low-priced car, the Mazdaspeed 3 never feels cheap. Nor is it uncomfortable.
Indeed, the Mazda's worst offense is its ability to generate repeated court summonses.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Plus, I'm starting the early hunt to replace my wife's 2011 Mazda3 with something a bit more family friendly. We'll likely flip it in the next year or so. On the list right now are the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring, Honda CR-V Touring, Ford Escape and the BMW X1.
When it comes to power toys, anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Yeehaw! The 263 turbo horses tug at the steering and bust the front tires loose at silly speeds. The colossal brakes absorb speed like a Jell-O embankment. The driver's chair is deeply cupped in the backrest, just right for those Immelmann turns you've always wanted to try. The exhaust booms, the wind rushes, a shower of stones seems always to clatter off the belly. Everything in this car happens in italics.
It's fun. Of course, the numbers are heroic — 101 mph in the quarter-mile at 14 seconds flat, 151-mph top speed. But the fun is deeper than extralegal velocities. The machinery works. The six-speed loves to play. The steering is always entertaining, passing along just enough unruliness to hint at an outlaw spirit, but not enough to confirm it.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I keep telling my wife that if she hadn't chosen the GTI, that would probably be the easy choice for me in my current endeavor. I promise her I hold no resentment over that and I'm just happy to have one in the fleet. And it opens up the door for other choices too.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I'm kind of waiting on the upcoming Mazdaspeed 3.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Did you read the long term 20K wrap up on the Mazda 3s GT 6MT here on edmunds? Looks like it will suit you just fine & you'll be hey with it.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
It's funny that we have "both" of Sandy's cars and "some" of @breld's cars in the Edmunds fleet (well, a 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the 2015 Audi A3).
And didn't someone in here get a Mustang recently?
I did just read that, as well as the previous posts. Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like they had some growing pains with some squeaks and rattles, but nothing too bad, and hopefully issues resolved after the initial 2014 model year.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y
Random thoughts: Pretty much all of the full-size pickups are insanely huge. The Chevrolet Colorado was very impressive, but the one on the floor stickered for a whopping $35k. I kind of liked the Highlander for some reason? The Volvo XC60 seems very small, like a CR-V for $20k more. I was impressed with Subaru's interiors. Hated the Mercedes CLA. MItsubishi had a sad little display. It's funny how some older designs like the Traverse/Enclave/Acadia and Edge have updated infotainment and backup cameras tacked on.
Regards:
Oldbearcat
Rats!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
If I end up in a GTI it's Mazda's fault.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
The Colorado/Canyon is well over $40k in Canada when optioned with everything, which is quite steep for a "small truck".
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I guess we just have different priorities. When buying a minivan, my priorities are versatility and kid friendliness (go figure!). For example, having to fold or move the middle row to get into the 3rd row rules out a van immediately for us. It completely defeats the purpose and we might as well buy an SUV at that point. So that punts the Honda to the bottom. And removing seats altogether? You've got to be kidding me? I remember having to do that with my mom's 1980 Chevy C20. No way I'm regressing 35 years! So I believe that kills the Sienna. And, while the Nissan's seats all fold flat, they really cut into cargo room since the resulting floor is about up to the door armrests. I can give the Kia a pass since at least they offer seats that stand up straight against the backs of the front seats. Still takes up some room, but it appears tolerable. The sad RSE in the Kia (there's that pesky kid friendliness problem again) and high price for a fully loaded example ($45k) is what kept me away from it when we were shopping, although I sure like the looks for it (for a minivan).
So, onto the wrap-up of the CTS Vsport. Hey, same color as mine, too. I was hoping for a more in-depth review. It was pretty brief and not terribly informative. Although its good to know they were pleased with the reliability over 20k miles, and I suppose the reviewers summation is the best part ... "there are very few long-term testers I miss when they are gone. This is one of them."
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
First car - Q50 hybrid. Nice, but 56K and a little tighter inside than he liked, and no lumbar on the passenger seat, which is big to him as he won't always be the driver. Tech was pretty impressive.
Second car - MKZ hybrid, leftover 14 with ~46K sticker, fairly loaded. Bigger, not as sporty - but he likes it more. Tech wasn't bad either, massaging seats are always fun too. I suspect it has the better chance with him as it is more comfortable and significantly cheaper. Both dealerships were crowded at the end of the month. No deal could be made, as the dealership couldn't get his payoff - but my friend is patient. He seems to think he'll have positive equity in the Prius, I told him to settle down.
Spotted a MazdaSpeed 6 on the used car lot of a Subaru dealer, today
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The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)