First Drive: 2004 Mazda 3

[NFS4]

This would make a nice commuter car for me I'll take the 3s Sedan

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/100599/article.html?tid=edmunds.h..reviews.graphic.18.*

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Beautiful.

 

The dash looks wierd but i like the body.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Phocas
The dash looks wierd but i like the body.

Installing an aftermarket headunit in that dash would be interesting.

 

[StageLeft]

Not bad. For the first time ever Mazda has recently introduced some cars (6 and rx8 so far) that would actually make me consider the mazda name. Before this they've been interminably boring. Still needs some power though.

 

[cliftonite]

thats a pretty nice car.

 

[Spikesoldier]

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Not bad. For the first time ever Mazda has recently introduced some cars (6 and rx8 so far) that would actually make me consider the mazda name. Before this they've been interminably boring. Still needs some power though.

the 2.3 is better than engines in most other economy cars.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: SkoorbNot bad. For the first time ever Mazda has recently introduced some cars (6 and rx8 so far) that would actually make me consider the mazda name. Before this they've been interminably boring. Still needs some power though.

the 2.3 is better than engines in most other economy cars.

Don't mind him, he's a Nissan fanboi

The new 3 totally outclasses the "class"

 

[ElFenix]

i mean, you could get an si, and have no where near the torque and an ugly car... you could get an se-r and be a bit less rev-able and have those narrow seats designed for 5'8" 135 lb japanese guys... svt focus doesn't have as much torque either... other than that you would either have to spend a lot more money for an SRT4 and deal with what is really just a crappy dodge, or a 1.8T, or a mazdaspeed3 or something.

 

[SWScorch]

man thats ugly!

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: SWScorch
man thats ugly!

"Kill him!"

 

[KhoiFather]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: SWScorch
man thats ugly!

"Kill him!"

I second that

I'm actually thinking about getting the sedan model. It'll be great, and I'll be a stud muffin crusing down the street with it

 

[Aharami]

it looks pretty good. the front hood looks a little high though. i like the interior

 

[Eli]

I like it!

And 160HP from a 2.3L is respectable.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

To save people from extra clicking, here is the other first drive from Autoweek.

Mazda follows a much-loved 6 and 8 with another impressive number

 

[conjur]

Thanks, NFS4!!

I'm SERIOUSLY considering getting this car! I'm torn between the hatch/sedan. I like the extra storage of the hatch for trips w/the kids but the sedan looks a bit sweeter.

 

[Turkish]

I am considering getting this car as well... it looks good, nice interior, good enough performance, and a hot monkey spankin price!

Mazda has beaten Honda/Nissan/Toyota in my book.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Not bad. For the first time ever Mazda has recently introduced some cars (6 and rx8 so far) that would actually make me consider the mazda name. Before this they've been interminably boring. Still needs some power though.

Miata = boring, skoorbie?

Edit: Anyone have any pictures of the rear of the 3 hatchback?

 

[batmang]

yeah, the mazda 3 is an awesome car. its replacing the mazda protege 5 which is what i just bought a week ago. for what you get in that mazda 3, and for how much you pay, its a real good bang for the buck. i got my 2002 protege 5 with 19k miles, 100,000 warranty, for $12,433 out the door. not bad at all, if you ever get that mazda 3, give some feedback. that car is awesome.

 

[batmang]

mazda is the shizzle.

 

[Mani]

By far the best looking in its class.

 

[KokomoGST]

I hope they're not overrating the engine like they did with the Miata and the RX8 again...

Either way, the SE-R has gotten ugly (I hate Nissan's new grilles) but the 3 looks nice in sedan trim. A bit too squished in hatch trim.
"Crappy Dodge" or not, the SRT4 is better than a Neon by far... and LOADS faster anything in the segment.

As soon as Mazda starts racing the 3 (since they're very active in Speed Touring Car and other race venues) I hope we see better version of a Mazdaspeed 3. Hopefully one done right instead of the wussy "slap a turbo on it and lower the boost" for the Mspeed Protege.

 

[Imported]

Nice car. Would consider it if I could wait..

Is it already in dealers?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Not bad. For the first time ever Mazda has recently introduced some cars (6 and rx8 so far) that would actually make me consider the mazda name. Before this they've been interminably boring. Still needs some power though.

Miata = boring, skoorbie?

Edit: Anyone have any pictures of the rear of the 3 hatchback?

http://www.youngbabez.com/mazda/mazda3/pic02.jpg

F*&kin' SWEET