Mazda 3 overrated?

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Sure it's a nice car but they left all the great features out until you get in the mid to high 20k range. I recently looked into one after hearing about all the great equipment it comes with and the 185hp motor and what not only to leave disappointed once I found out your looking at close to 30k for a well equipped one. At that price why not buy a full size sedan?

 

[dbk]

Some prefers the additional benefits of owning a hatch.. As far as sedan to sedan yeah i dont get it.. Id rather get a mazda6 touring stick over a 3 GT

 

[Vdubchaos]

Sounds great to me, less options the better.

I don't really understand people that pay 20-40% of the car's price for BS options but whatever.

Mazda is making some amazing cars and they have to as they almost went bankrupt. If you look at the history of automobile, companies that are in the most trouble always end up making amazing cars.

Companies that are well off > make boring crap (Toyota/Honda are great current day examples).

 

[MiataNC]

I constantly see posts like this on the net, and please don't take offense, but you are not being intellectually honest. Load up a full size sedan with the same options as a loaded Mazda3 @$27K (2.5L S Grand Touring w/auto), and you will be looking at a car with an MSRP @15% higher than the Mazda3.

Examples:
Mazda6 = @$31K
Camry (2.5L) = @$31K
Fusion SE (2.0L) =@$33K
Accord (4cyl.) = @$31K
Sonata Limited = @$31K
Malibu = @$33K

In addition the Mazda3 is priced similar to other cars in the same segment with the same options.
Focus Titanium = @$27K
Cruze = @$27K
Civic= @$25K
Jetta = @$26K

Look at any segment, and a fully loaded model will bump up against the base trim of the next segment.

I think the real question is...

Why are you picking on and singling out the Mazda3?

 

[Blackjack200]

Jesus Christ, I look at the models and the prices, and yes, I know they're well equipped, but I still just want to weep. $33k for a fucking Chevy Malibu?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Jesus Christ, I look at the models and the prices, and yes, I know they're well equipped, but I still just want to weep. $33k for a fucking Chevy Malibu?

Only people who actually pay that price weep once they find out how badly the dealer ripped them off.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I picked the Mazda 3 because I read all the great reviews and went and checked it out myself. And I'd prefer a stripped down full size car any day over a fully loaded small car. Also I felt all the reviews gave the false pretense these things come loaded for not much cash.
And tbh I also looked at civics which come way more equipped for a good portion less.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Sounds great to me, less options the better.

I don't really understand people that pay 20-40% of the car's price for BS options but whatever.

Mazda is making some amazing cars and they have to as they almost went bankrupt. If you look at the history of automobile, companies that are in the most trouble always end up making amazing cars.

Companies that are well off > make boring crap (Toyota/Honda are great current day examples).

Problem is the base model doesn't come with cruise control or even Bluetooth. The next step up gives Bluetooth and cruise control but still has hubcaps. I mean we're talking 22k minimum for what I consider basics in today's car.

 

[MiataNC]

I picked the Mazda 3 because I read all the great reviews and went and checked it out myself. And I'd prefer a stripped down full size car any day over a fully loaded small car. Also I felt all the reviews gave the false pretense these things come loaded for not much cash.
And tbh I also looked at civics which come way more equipped for a good portion less.

You must be trolling.

The Civic does NOT come "way more equipped". You can't get Bi-Xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, paddle shifters, rain sensing wipers, LED running lights and tailights, etc.

If you are happy driving a stripped down full size car, why not save thousands more and drive a stripped down small car?

Yup. You are trolling.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Problem is the base model doesn't come with cruise control or even Bluetooth. The next step up gives Bluetooth and cruise control but still has hubcaps. I mean we're talking 22k minimum for what I consider basics in today's car.

How often do you use cruise control. I don't remember last time I used it (and yes we drive A LOT).

Bluetooth is worthless to me, I don't even want it. I usually rip out all audio equipment from all my cars anyways (even new ones).....and no I don't get any receivers with Bluetooth.

But if you do...pay the price I guess.

 

[ElFenix]

mazda3 had always kinda straddled a pricing line/segment. nicer to drive and more available equipment, but more expensive than a corolla. and not quite as nice inside but less expensive than the jetta (gen iv - v, latest gen is decontented).



side note: wonder if importing a new gen iv jetta turbo from mexico is difficult?



edit: why is the i-touring available with a moonroof but the s-touring is not?

 

[GTaudiophile]

There are those of us who do prefer luxury-light features in a small, zoom-zoom, efficient car. Now if they weigh the same, this argument is moot.

 

[toronado97]

mazda3 had always kinda straddled a pricing line/segment. nicer to drive and more available equipment, but more expensive than a corolla. and not quite as nice inside but less expensive than the jetta (gen iv - v, latest gen is decontented).



side note: wonder if importing a new gen iv jetta turbo from mexico is difficult?



edit: why is the i-touring available with a moonroof but the s-touring is not?

Having driven both of these cars when looking for our new car this year, I challenge you to sit down in a 2014 Jetta, and then sit in a Mazda 3s Grand Touring and tell me with a straight face that the Jetta has a better interior. Quite simply the Mazda 3 is the best driving car in its segment, it has (on paper at least) the best fuel economy out of an engine with more horsepower and a real 6-speed auto or manual transmission instead of a CVT slushbox, and it has BY FAR the best interior in the segment. I don't even think you can find a vehicle in the compact segment that offers real leather other than the 3. It also offers a ton of features that you would have to move up into the midsize sedan segment to normally get ahold of like radar cruise control, forward obstruction warning, and has unique options only available on the Mazda like the Active Driving Display and the commander switch which I think works great.

There's literally no way you can line up a Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and a Mazda 3, test drive each of them for an hour, and tell me that the Mazda isn't the best car there. I'm clearly biased because I own one, but I honestly cannot imagine a situation in which that would occur, because I've literally done it. The Mazda feels more like an upscale European hatch, and the others are just econoboxes.

Edit: Got ElFenix confused with OP so don't think I'm singling you out there heh. I don't know the answer to your question really about the moonroof. The S doesn't have a sport trim, and moving from the i GT to the s T deletes the moonroof but adds the bi-xenon headlights and the bigger engine, so maybe they wanted to offer a trim level without the moonroof but still have the bigger engine and headlights, and not have that trim level w/o the moonroof bump into the position of the i GT. Not sure on that one.

 

[996GT2]

Geez, a mid-spec Mazda3 i Grand Touring with the 155hp engine costs more than a Civic Si...

How often do you use cruise control. I don't remember last time I used it (and yes we drive A LOT).

Bluetooth is worthless to me, I don't even want it. I usually rip out all audio equipment from all my cars anyways (even new ones).....and no I don't get any receivers with Bluetooth.

But if you do...pay the price I guess.

I can't speak for others, but I use it all the time on the highway. Even my old mid-1990s Accord had cruise control back in the day. There's no excuse for a car from 2014 to not have such a basic feature.

 

[gus6464]

I constantly see posts like this on the net, and please don't take offense, but you are not being intellectually honest. Load up a full size sedan with the same options as a loaded Mazda3 @$27K (2.5L S Grand Touring w/auto), and you will be looking at a car with an MSRP @15% higher than the Mazda3.

Examples:
Mazda6 = @$31K
Camry (2.5L) = @$31K
Fusion SE (2.0L) =@$33K
Accord (4cyl.) = @$31K
Sonata Limited = @$31K
Malibu = @$33K

In addition the Mazda3 is priced similar to other cars in the same segment with the same options.
Focus Titanium = @$27K
Cruze = @$27K
Civic= @$25K
Jetta = @$26K

Look at any segment, and a fully loaded model will bump up against the base trim of the next segment.

I think the real question is...

Why are you picking on and singling out the Mazda3?

You are also not being completely truthful as a lot of those cars street price is lower or the same as the Mazda 3 street price. Case in point:

Current street prices based on truecar for my area.

Mazda 3 s Grand Touring with Tech Package
$28376

Honda Accord EX-L i4
$26169

The reason I chose the s Grand Touring with Tech is because it's the only one that can match the options of the stock EX-L which are:

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)[9]
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)[10]
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, Including Power Lumbar Support and Two-Position Memory
Front Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment
Leather-Trimmed Interior
Heated Front Seats

So unless I really wanted a hatch why on earth would I buy that Mazda 3 when I can have a pretty much tricked out Honda Accord. Ohh and if I wanted the fully tricked out EX-L with Nav and hard drive infotainment system low and behold this is the current street price:

$27804

 

[PhoKingGuy]

How often do you use cruise control. I don't remember last time I used it (and yes we drive A LOT).

Bluetooth is worthless to me, I don't even want it. I usually rip out all audio equipment from all my cars anyways (even new ones).....and no I don't get any receivers with Bluetooth.

But if you do...pay the price I guess.

Every day actually, most people I think do?

I use pretty much every gadget my car has on a daily basis.

Comfort access to open doors without unlocking
Start car, BT audio stream starts from where it left off
Heated seat on
Auto headlights to turn on and off inside my parking structure
Use navi to check traffic to see which freeway to take
Once I hit the freeway hit the ECOPRO button plus cruise at 78 mph the whole way in
Set in car venting to blast the vents 10 minutes before I get to it so its not blazing hot when I get in to go home
Etc....

 

[MongGrel]

I've a 2006 model hatchback I love myself that is loaded.

Considering where I drive they are more than enough.

I have even driven the newer Accords and GTI's at the time.

You can buy a lot worse car for the money on them, and like the newer bodies at any rate than the things they did a few years ago.

*shrug*

 

[MongGrel]

Personal preference I guess, got mine decked out at the time for 20K.

Was when they came out new that body style.

And revamped many things.

It's been running like a trooper since then, still looks good, and has many goodies.

That and paid off long ago.

*shrug*

Maybe that's why the 3's go that much these days, I got mine new when they came out and they do get a bit noticed, I'd driven a GTI at the time and they were overpriced then.

I liked the way the 3 drove over the GTI, it's just what you want half the time I guess.

 

[michal1980]

Jesus Christ, I look at the models and the prices, and yes, I know they're well equipped, but I still just want to weep. $33k for a fucking Chevy Malibu?

you can get the price even higher, I think with every option it actually gets to ~36k.

or you can get a basic one for ~23k.

 

[MongGrel]

I'd probably not buy a 3 myself again with those prices atm myself to be honest.

Like I said, I still like my 2006 for 20K new, that is fully loaded other than the leather seats they were going to throw in cheap att, but I live in FL and didn't want them considering heat.

Does seem pricey even with inflation, mine still looks almost brand new and runs like it.

 

[toronado97]

All I can tell you is that regardless of sticker prices, and going rates, I paid 24,200 out the door for my 2014 Mazda 3s GT in Soul Red, which was about 3,000 under sticker. Mazda isn't moving a lot of 3's because everyone is migrating to the CX-5, so deals can be had.

 

[bryanl]

Overrated only in comparison to the Mazda 5.

 

[MiataNC]

You are also not being completely truthful as a lot of those cars street price is lower or the same as the Mazda 3 street price. Case in point:

You are assuming that the Mazda3 is only sold at MSRP, and cannot be purchased for less to make your point. So I guess we are both not being completely truthful.

Right now Mazda is not offering money to move the Mazda3. They don't have to, but when sales start to drop off, we will see lease and purchase incentives. Then the point will be moot, because people will be able to buy the 3 discounted, just like they can the other makes/models mentioned in this thread.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Got my '12 speed3 for 24.7 out the door. That was, by far and away, the lowest price that any brand would offer for a car in that category. Love it.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I think it's just sticker shock for anyone that's been driving for awhile. I'm not that old but I can remember when a stripper Civic was around 11K msrp. 20K used to buy you a loaded car.