Mazda 3 and 6 just keep getting better

[sgrinavi]

.....

And, you know, the red

AH, now I see it

 

[Phanuel]

Aren't you still thinking of doing a swap in the Camry?

Is there anything he doesn't think of doing a swap into?

 

[basslover1]

Don't get me started on Mazda's pricing/packaging logic. They don't include bluetooth audio on any of the base "sport" models equipped with a manual tranmission. And in the case of the CX-5 the base model is the only one you can even get a manual. In the the 6 you can get it in the "Touring" trim but they won't let you order the tech pack with HID's.

For a freaking company that boasts it's sporting attitude it sure wants to crap on the most sporting transmission choice available.

This is what makes me hate car shopping. I've only been driving for 11 years but 9 of them have been with a 5M, and there's no way in hell I'm going back to an auto. And that sucks, because nearly every $20-25k every day car only offers the manual in the bare bones model without any optional extras and it's very annoying.

It's severely limiting my available choices. I want a cross-over in manual with a turbo'd 4 banger, (preferably AWD but that won't happen) my choices are Tiguan, Juke, or Countryman. Or, if I drop the turbo requirement I have more options but 150hp motors in 3500lb crossovers doesn't exactly get my motor going.

 

[punjabiplaya]

needs more Mazdaspeed and/or that 2.2 turbodiesel

 

[phucheneh]

Mazda's options do kinda suck, but I didn't mind them as much as some cars I've looked at. My 3 is like one or two trim levels up...base engine and 5spd trans, but with keyless, cruise, upgraded stereo, upgraded wheels, and bluetooth. I think that pretty much sums it up. I thought it was dumb how high you had to go to get keyless entry and cruise, but I couldn't give two shits less about bluetooth.

The new 3 looks nice. I like that they've largely kept the same body lines. Or at least similar. But the new front end is spiffy...but I'm not digging the back.

I also can't say I like the interior. As much as people bitch about the current one being 'dated' or whatever, I think it just makes more sense than that layout. And seems more driver-centric.

 

[SniperWulf]

Really hoping they do a Mazdaspeed 3-D with a manual trans. Would be right up my alley.

 

[npaladin-2000]

So far there's no word on a new Speed3. They might not make one for a while. That's OK, the 2.5L one should have a weight-to-power ratio of about 15 pounds per HP, which should move along pretty nicely. Any fewer pounds per HP and it'd probably need AWD.

One can hope the reason the next Speed3 will take extra time is because they want to make it AWD, make Subaru and Mitsu and VW sweat some.

 

[yottabit]

I'm curious to see what the top end model will price out at. I can't believe the level of features that are going to be optional on this car:

Regenerative braking
Active aero (shutter)
Faux Heads up Display
Radar cruise control & collision detection
2.5 L engine

I'm not sure which of these would be standard, but I can see this thing easily exceeding the Focus Titanium as the most expensive economy car

I just hope they don't make the 2.5L only available on the top end touring package with full leather and radar cruise control, and only available in automatic. lol

 

[JCH13]

So far there's no word on a new Speed3. They might not make one for a while. That's OK, the 2.5L one should have a weight-to-power ratio of about 15 pounds per HP, which should move along pretty nicely. Any fewer pounds per HP and it'd probably need AWD.

One can hope the reason the next Speed3 will take extra time is because they want to make it AWD, make Subaru and Mitsu and VW sweat some.

I must disagree. 1st/2nd gen speeds were around 12-13lb/hp and I'm glad I made mine faster. It's still not too much for FWD with good tires.

 

[Kaido]

Been reading about the new 3 for the past few days...it's grabbed my attention for some reason, never had a Mazda before! Wonder how the MPG is on the 6-speed 184 HP 2.5 model...it's only been 2 months but I already miss having a hatchback

 

[A5]

Well it's the engine from the new 6, so take those numbers and add 1-2 mpg for the reduced weight? So maybe 27/39?

 

[Kaido]

Well it's the engine from the new 6, so take those numbers and add 1-2 mpg for the reduced weight? So maybe 27/39?

They said 40 MPG on the model with the smaller engine, so I'd imagine it will be less for the bigger 184 HP model. Plus the CVT's are more efficient than stick-shifts these days, so I'm guessing in the 30-35 MPG range for the 6-speed 2.5 (just to lowball it).

Right now, I'm looking at dumping a couple grand into my 14-year-old Escort coupe, vs. using that as a down payment on something. This is definitely appealing!

 

[videogames101]

Lots of nice cars these days. Wish I was "regular" some times and didn't "need" 600+ HP to feel safe and secure from douchebags.

Can you actually read a thread without dumping a post about your cobra?

Just curious.

 

[Eureka]

I actually passed a mazda6 on the street the other day without realizing they had a new version, and I was very impressed with the way it looked inside and out. Definitely has a BMW feel to it.

OTOH, I looked up the specs online and that 2.5L I4 is garbage in a car like that. No V6 option to boot?

 

[Phobic9]

This is the first time in a long time I've been wowed by the Mazda 3. I didn't like the current design much at all, especially in hatchback but wow, this new one looks amazing. I'm a current Focus ST driver but I'm really curious to see what the new Speed 3 looks like, though it may not be out for quite some time looks like.

 

[XavierMace]

Can you actually read a thread without dumping a post about your cobra?

Just curious.

Sometime's he does, so we bring it up for him.

 

[Subyman]

Looks like a Japanese hatchback.

 

[z0mb13]

What I don't like about Mazda is they just screwed me as an early CX-5 adopter.. they just released the 2.5 litre engine version at the same price point!!! uncool

 

[npaladin-2000]

What I don't like about Mazda is they just screwed me as an early CX-5 adopter.. they just released the 2.5 litre engine version at the same price point!!! uncool

Yeah, that was to correct everyone else's complaints about the lack of power. Welcome to the life of an early adopter.

I'll probably end up buying a Mazda3 pretty quick after it's released. And as soon as I hear about changes for M.Y. 2015 I may end up kicking myself. Though I hope not.

 

[Kaido]

2014 Mazda3 Sedan:

http://jalopnik.com/2014-mazda3-sedan-this-is-it-665916418

 

[punjabiplaya]

Yeah, that was to correct everyone else's complaints about the lack of power. Welcome to the life of an early adopter.

I'll probably end up buying a Mazda3 pretty quick after it's released. And as soon as I hear about changes for M.Y. 2015 I may end up kicking myself. Though I hope not.

Let's just hope they announce the Speed3 right after you buy your car.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Let's just hope they announce the Speed3 right after you buy your car.

Unlikely, and unless it's got AWD and some sort of clutchless gearbox I don't care very much.

On the other hand, if they announce fan-cooled seats for 2015, that might annoy me some.

 

[Jinny]

2014 Mazda3 Sedan:

http://jalopnik.com/2014-mazda3-sedan-this-is-it-665916418

i thought the mazda 3 hatch had some lexus IS in it, now they really did it and cloned it with the sedan hehe

 

[punjabiplaya]

Unlikely, and unless it's got AWD and some sort of clutchless gearbox I don't care very much.

Won't have those things. Puts the price out of the range of where they want it, e.g. $25k.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Won't have those things. Puts the price out of the range of where they want it, e.g. $25k.

What, the Mazdaspeed? I have a funny feeling that a fully optioned s GT version (assuming they keep the same trim name convention) may end up north of that by itself. I'm guesstimating between $26k and $28k. I'll be happy if I'm wrong about that, however...