I drove a mazda 3 before you did! *EDIT*

[StageLeft]

Checked them out last night. They are nearly as big as the 6 it seems, at least from the outside. The 3i, which is the 148 HP version, is ok but lacks much in the way of options. Once it's mildly optioned out it makes more sense to get the 3s. A base 3s was quoted at this dealership at $16,400 with little wiggle room. However, 3.9% for 60 months is available. Alternatively a base 6i could be had for about $1500 more with 2.9% @ 60. Kind of makes me wonder the point of buying a 3, since the 6 can be had for such little extra.

The 3 was decently quick. It handled very well. Not particularly torquey but still nice.

Big pro: Holy crap the glove compartment. You could fit a body in it. It opens up and just goes on into another dimension.

Big con: Stock stereo. I cannot imagine replacing this with an aftermarket if you so desired. It's really built in so intricately with the rest of the dashboard (and not sized in any way like a standard stereo), that I can't even see how one would change it out if they wanted to.

Mazda's standard 4 year 50k is pretty cool, and the 3 undoubtedly is nicer than a corolla/sentra/civic, but then it also costs a lot more than either of them.

*EDIT* I just remembered the worst thing about the 3. The horn. I mean it. This is not just a weak horn. It's absolutely embarassing. I hit it twice in the car and it sounded worse than my 93 sentra before I stuck the second horn in my car. If I bought the 3 no lies I would have to have the horn changed.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Checked them out last night. They are nearly as big as the 6 it seems, at least from the outside. The 3i, which is the 148 HP version, is ok but lacks much in the way of options. Once it's mildly optioned out it makes more sense to get the 3s. A base 3s was quoted at this dealership at $16,400 with little wiggle room. However, 3.9% for 60 months is available. Alternatively a base 6i could be had for about $1500 more with 2.9% @ 60. Kind of makes me wonder the point of buying a 3, since the 6 can be had for such little extra.

The 3 was decently quick. It handled very well. Not particularly torquey but still nice.

Big pro: Holy crap the glove compartment. You could fit a body in it. It opens up and just goes on into another dimension.

Big con: Stock stereo. I cannot imagine replacing this with an aftermarket if you so desired. It's really built in so intricately with the rest of the dashboard (and not sized in any way like a standard stereo), that I can't even see how one would change it out if they wanted to.

Mazda's standard 4 year 50k is pretty cool, and the 3 undoubtedly is nicer than a corolla/sentra/civic, but then it also costs a lot more than either of them.

LOL!



Sounds nice.

 

[CChaos]

I keep hearing that the 3 price is awfully close to the 6, though this is probably due to the current incentives on the 6 and the fact that dealers probably won't go too low on the 3 as it's brand new. I think there's something like $2500 back on an '03 6 w/o the sport package. That's a damn good deal. When incentives start to kick in on the 3's they are going to be very nicely priced also. I just found out I can get S plan pricing so I have a feeling my next car is going to be a 6s.

 

[ndee]

Here's a cookie for you Skoorb. :cookie;

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: CChaos
I keep hearing that the 3 price is awfully close to the 6, though this is probably due to the current incentives on the 6 and the fact that dealers probably won't go too low on the 3 as it's brand new. I think there's something like $2500 back on an '03 6 w/o the sport package. That's a damn good deal. When incentives start to kick in on the 3's they are going to be very nicely priced also. I just found out I can get S plan pricing so I have a feeling my next car is going to be a 6s.

Yep. It is like this:

2004 6 has $1000 off, or $500 off and 2.9% for 60 months.
2004 3 has 3.9% for 60 months
2003 has $2500 off, OR $1000 and 2.9% for 60 months (not 100% sure on the OR condition, but I know $2500 off is valid)

So, essentially an 03 6 can be had for the price of an 04 3. Unfortunately I abhor the idea of driving an automatic, and the only 5 speeds they had available were the 6 cylinders.

 

Don't forget the rusting problem on the 2003 (possibly 2004) 6's as well.

 

[conjur]

Not before *me*!

I drove one a couple of weeks ago and another one last week.

I ended up driving home last night in my BRAND NEW Mazda 6i!

The 6 is definitely bigger. Longer, a bit wider and a much bigger trunk and tons more rear legroom. It's the latter that made me decide on the 6 over the 3.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: conjur
Not before *me*!

I drove one a couple of weeks ago and another one last week.

I ended up driving home last night in my BRAND NEW Mazda 6i!

The 6 is definitely bigger. Longer, a bit wider and a much bigger trunk and tons more rear legroom. It's the latter that made me decide on the 6 over the 3.

What did you pay? Options?

 

[conjur]

Sticker was $22,990.

I was "out the door" for $21,100 with only $500 down. I would have been "out the door" for less but my financial situation dictated giving some of the rebate to the dealership to cover fees from the lending institution (if you don't know my situation by now..well...not gonna go into it again )

It's a 6i with the...hang on...I'll just cut and paste:

1CO COMFORT PKG -inc: heated front seats,...
1SE SPORT PKG -inc: 17" alloy wheels...
2I4 PREMIUM PKG -inc: 16" alloy wheels,...
LS1 LEATHER SEAT UPHOLSTERY
MR1 PWR MOONROOF
MRH AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR W/COMPASS & HOMELINK
WLK WHEEL LOCKS

It's a black on black 5-speed, 4cyl.

 

[Aztech]

The cash back financing options on the 6 do not apply to the ones with the sport package. That defeats the point because we're looking to these cars for sporty styling and the base 6 does not have it! The sport package really hooks it up!

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Aztech
The cash back financing options on the 6 do not apply to the ones with the sport package. That defeats the point because we're looking to these cars for sporty styling and the base 6 does not have it! The sport package really hooks it up!

Worked with me!

 

[rpc64]

I'm jealous. Skoorb: was that 3s you were looking at the sedan or the hatchback? Man I can't wait until I have enough saved up for a down payment....

 

[SuperTool]

I drove one on sunday

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: rpc64
I'm jealous. Skoorb: was that 3s you were looking at the sedan or the hatchback? Man I can't wait until I have enough saved up for a down payment....

It was the 5 door, though I'd lean towards the 4 because it's cheaper. Downpayments? You don't need them these days baby!! Especially with a financing rate that low it almost doesn't make sense to make a downpayment, even if you can, unless you need it to get financed.

 

[rpc64]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: rpc64
I'm jealous. Skoorb: was that 3s you were looking at the sedan or the hatchback? Man I can't wait until I have enough saved up for a down payment....

It was the 5 door, though I'd lean towards the 4 because it's cheaper. Downpayments? You don't need them these days baby!! Especially with a financing rate that low it almost doesn't make sense to make a downpayment, even if you can, unless you need it to get financed.

I want the 5 door just because I think it looks better What kind of payments would you have been looking at without a down payment?? I need my payments to be as low as possible.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: rpc64

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: rpc64
I'm jealous. Skoorb: was that 3s you were looking at the sedan or the hatchback? Man I can't wait until I have enough saved up for a down payment....

It was the 5 door, though I'd lean towards the 4 because it's cheaper. Downpayments? You don't need them these days baby!! Especially with a financing rate that low it almost doesn't make sense to make a downpayment, even if you can, unless you need it to get financed.

I want the 5 door just because I think it looks better What kind of payments would you have been looking at without a down payment?? I need my payments to be as low as possible.

http://autos.yahoo.com/finance/calcloanlease.html

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: rpc64

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: rpc64
I'm jealous. Skoorb: was that 3s you were looking at the sedan or the hatchback? Man I can't wait until I have enough saved up for a down payment....

It was the 5 door, though I'd lean towards the 4 because it's cheaper. Downpayments? You don't need them these days baby!! Especially with a financing rate that low it almost doesn't make sense to make a downpayment, even if you can, unless you need it to get financed.

I want the 5 door just because I think it looks better What kind of payments would you have been looking at without a down payment?? I need my payments to be as low as possible.

http://autos.yahoo.com/finance/calcloanlease.html

 

[StageLeft]

Payments at the 3.9% for 60 months with 0 down on a car out the door at $16,200 (not gonna get any lower on the S I think), plus processing and taxes for a final price of $17k will put your payments at $312/month.

 

[rpc64]

May be doable with even a somewhat small down payment. What I really need to do now is call up my insurance and see how much that will set me back.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: rpc64
May be doable with even a somewhat small down payment. What I really need to do now is call up my insurance and see how much that will set me back.

Hope you have a decent driving history.

Mine's not bad...(two Not at-fault accidents in the last 5 years...one had no payouts/claims at all but got listed) and on my new 6, it's $1380/yr full coverage w/$1000 deductibles. $1750/yr if I went with $500 deductibles. It's through Liberty Mutual.

 

[rpc64]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: rpc64
May be doable with even a somewhat small down payment. What I really need to do now is call up my insurance and see how much that will set me back.

Hope you have a decent driving history.

Mine's not bad...(two Not at-fault accidents in the last 5 years...one had no payouts/claims at all but got listed) and on my new 6, it's $1380/yr full coverage w/$1000 deductibles. $1750/yr if I went with $500 deductibles. It's through Liberty Mutual.

I've had 1 traffic ticket 3 years ago that was supposed to be cleaned off my record after taking driving class.

 

[Crazymofo]

Originally posted by: rpc64

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: rpc64
May be doable with even a somewhat small down payment. What I really need to do now is call up my insurance and see how much that will set me back.

Hope you have a decent driving history.

Mine's not bad...(two Not at-fault accidents in the last 5 years...one had no payouts/claims at all but got listed) and on my new 6, it's $1380/yr full coverage w/$1000 deductibles. $1750/yr if I went with $500 deductibles. It's through Liberty Mutual.

I've had 1 traffic ticket 3 years ago that was supposed to be cleaned off my record after taking driving class.

Even if it's still on your record ins co's dont charge for tickets over 3 years old...

 

[Aquaman]

I will find you and I will poop on your hood

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[rpc64]

Originally posted by: Crazymofo

Originally posted by: rpc64

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: rpc64
May be doable with even a somewhat small down payment. What I really need to do now is call up my insurance and see how much that will set me back.

Hope you have a decent driving history.

Mine's not bad...(two Not at-fault accidents in the last 5 years...one had no payouts/claims at all but got listed) and on my new 6, it's $1380/yr full coverage w/$1000 deductibles. $1750/yr if I went with $500 deductibles. It's through Liberty Mutual.

I've had 1 traffic ticket 3 years ago that was supposed to be cleaned off my record after taking driving class.

Even if it's still on your record ins co's dont charge for tickets over 3 years old...

I'd say I'm in pretty good shape then.


LoL @ Aquaman

 

[StageLeft]

Insurance is greatly determined by your area. I am 25 married (younger than conjur) and on a new 6 like his I could get it insured for $900-950/year with $250 deductibles and close to the maximum insurance offered in Alabama. I have a flawless record but his not at fault accidents shouldn't be affecting his rate.