Mazda3 Discussion

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

I'm looking to get my first car soon, my top choice in my price range ($15,000 - $20,000) is the new Mazda3 with 4-door s-trim. I really like the look of it, in addition to the fact it gets over 30 miles to the gallon in highway driving. With sport package, safety package, and a few other options it comes in around $19,000. Going to take a test drive (hopefully) later today.

I mentioned my choice to a few of my friends and got some mixed feedback. One of them, a V6 Mustang owner, could not stop using the word "ricer" when i told him, suggesting I put rims and wings on it. However, despite his best attempts to find SOMEthing to discredit in it, he couldn't make a single coherent argument against it... it gets about 10 more miles to the gallon than his car, comfortably seats 3 more people, and even gets about 10 more hp. Finally he admitted than he just doesn't trust Japanese cars ("or their owners"), leading me to discard him entirely as another disillusioned wannabe-muscle-car owner, who prefers the bulk of his car payments going to doughnut-chomping labor unions instead of the machine itself. Yeah, I hate American (Ford) cars. Chalk it up to being an engineer and knowing how things work here.

Most others gave me a fair appraisal, liking the look, reliability, and gas mileage of the Mazda3. A few pointed out that the engine isn't monsterously powerful (I4 w/ 160 hp), and because it is a brand-new model there may be a few imperfections yet waiting to be worked out, but for the price I still think its an incredible bargain.

I was hoping I could get some feedback from the other ATOTers who have been following the market for cars in this price range. Any other models I should be looking at or anything I should note about the car I'm looking at now?

 

I drove quite a few of the 15-25K entry level vehicles.
The mazda is a nice car, definatly worth the price. There is no longterm quality results from it yet. Though from my experience they are overall good reliable cars. One of my gf's has a 626 with 200K on it. Still runs like new.

That new scion tc that everyone is drooling over is definatly the direct competition to the 3.

I ended up going with a subaru. Can't beat awd for the snow we get up here in ny.

 

[caboob]

Might wanna compare with the Corrolla XRS which is about the same price and features the now discontinued Celica engine. I test-drove one that had a 180hp and 6-spd manual. Personally, I thought the engine was kinda loud but was fun to drive.

I havent gotten around to test drive a 3 yet so I cant say which I like better.

 

[Shyatic]

Mazda3 is the best car in its price range, hands down in every category. Power, space, fun-to-drive factor, handling, braking...

Personally I'd get the hatch if it were me... Looks good and I can haul a bit more stuff.

 

[Shyatic]

Oh and..

http://forums.mazdaworld.org

Ask away over there if you are so inclined.

 

[RagingBITCH]

tC, Civic SI, Sentra Spec-V, and the (gone for 05) Focus SVT are all other fun cars to drive in that range.

 

[krunchykrome]

tC

 

[maziwanka]

yes, your friend with the v6 mustang is all powerful - what a sh!t car.

the mazda3 is definately a nice car. in the 15k-25k range i would also take a look at the subaru wrx and dodge neon srt-4 (ill probably get flack for this, ahhahahah). i think the mazda6 is also in this range. im sure there are a bunch of other good cars to look at too, but ive been out of the car scene for a while since i got one last nov.

any way you go, enjoy it.

 

[jkats]

scion tc

 

[jessieqwert]

Not based on facts I have to say I hate the whole Scion thing. Please get the Mazda!

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

That Scion tC looks really nice, I'll definitely take a look at one of those before I decide.

The hatchback version of the Mazda3 also looks good, but I still feel a lot more attached to the 4 door one. Small and sleek.

 

[Achtung]

Mazda3 has been getting rave reviews AFAIK... I'm looking at it as well as the 6.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: jessieqwert
Not based on facts I have to say I hate the whole Scion thing. Please get the Mazda!

why would someone buy a Mazda3 when the tC is a better car for the dollar ?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: jessieqwert
Not based on facts I have to say I hate the whole Scion thing. Please get the Mazda!

why would someone buy a Mazda3 when the tC is a better car for the dollar ?

Not everybody wants a coupe and for some folks the Mazda3 looks better.

I'd love to have some of standard equipment on the tC, though.

 

[shopbruin]

i really want the mazda3 wagon. its so darn cute.

test drove a mazda6 - i thought it was REALLY cute that it says hello when you turn on the engine.

(i'm female - these things matter to me.)

the scion tC is really appealing though. that thing is adorable also - saw one on the road the other day.

unfortunately, with the car i have running well, and it is technically my parents car, i can't trade in to get a mazda 3. not like i can afford a new car/insurance right now anyways.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: freesia39
i really want the mazda3 wagon. its so darn cute.

test drove a mazda6 - i thought it was REALLY cute that it says hello when you turn on the engine.

(i'm female - these things matter to me.)

the scion tC is really appealing though. that thing is adorable also - saw one on the road the other day.

Matrix ownz j00!!!!
and wouldn't a RAV4 or CRV fit your taste more so?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: freesia39
i really want the mazda3 wagon. its so darn cute.

test drove a mazda6 - i thought it was REALLY cute that it says hello when you turn on the engine.

(i'm female - these things matter to me.)

the scion tC is really appealing though. that thing is adorable also - saw one on the road the other day.

Matrix ownz j00!!!!
and wouldn't a RAV4 or CRV fit your taste more so?

Her type(Females) of people keeps the VW (Beetles or Bugs or whatever they are called) in business.
That and gay men.

 

[kami333]

Test drove one with my gf the other day (she's on the waiting list for a Prius but her old car is on its last legs), she got one of those "test drive a so-and-so and get free something" cards. It was a pretty nice car, I personally liked the 6 wagon better but that's very different. Didn't get to drive it on a highway but on country roads it was fairly responsive, predictable, and relatively quiet. Although it wouldn't be my top choice for a car since I'd consider a Impreza (non-WRX) before it in the similar price range, it definately could make a nice choice.

 

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: freesia39
i really want the mazda3 wagon. its so darn cute.

test drove a mazda6 - i thought it was REALLY cute that it says hello when you turn on the engine.

(i'm female - these things matter to me.)

the scion tC is really appealing though. that thing is adorable also - saw one on the road the other day.

Matrix ownz j00!!!!
and wouldn't a RAV4 or CRV fit your taste more so?

Her type(Females) of people keeps the VW (Beetles or Bugs or whatever they are called) in business.
That and gay men.

rav 4 = better looking than it used to be.
crv = crap.

i'm not big on driving suv's. or min suv's.

and i cannot stand VW's. ick. the beetle looks so silly to me, and i've been driving my civic forever so i like smaller cars. that and i'm hecka short, and i'm not comfortable wielding huge ass cars everywhere.