Mazda3 owners chime in please.

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: JEDI
avoid the stock goodyear eagle rs/a tires. they suck in rain (ie: slip and slide during a stop). standard 15" and upgrade 17" tires uses the goodyear eagles.

while I agree the RSA's suck, I've never had it slipping and sliding during a stop. unless you mean if you slam on the brakes... i've never had to test that in the rain in live driving..but yeah, they aren't the best performing in that arena.

 

[Davegod75]

have they added the remote trunk release for 2006? any news on 07?

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Davegod75
have they added the remote trunk release for 2006? any news on 07?

I dont' think they have em yet, you'd have to go aftermarket.

I was wondering, at about what rpm are you guys sitting at when cruising on the highway? 65, 75?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Davegod75
have they added the remote trunk release for 2006? any news on 07?

I dont' think they have em yet, you'd have to go aftermarket.

I was wondering, at about what rpm are you guys sitting at when cruising on the highway? 65, 75?

I shift around 3.5-4K unless I am passing or merging.

 

[KoolAidKid]

1) How do you REALLY like it?

Handles well, doesn't accelerate as well as my previous car (Golf 1.8t). Overall I like it a lot.
2) Any options you like that you couldn't live without now?

I got the S Touring Hatch with moonroof/6 CD changer. I would consider side airbags and ABS (usually part of thetouring package I think) absolutely necessary. Other options, not really crucial.

3) Any options you thought would be worthwhile but you don't really use?

Not really.

4) What is typical gas mileage? City/Hwy? Manual/Auto?

I drive a manual tansmission. Gas mileage is a weakness of this vehicle. I have never gotten more than 28 MPG even when driving 100% highway miles.

5) What kind of range do you get on a tank of gas?

280 - 300 before the fuel light comes on.

6) How does the car feel @ 70 mph? 80 mph? Is it struggling at 80 or is it comfortable?

Comfortable up to 100 (fastest I have driven mine).

 

[randomlinh]

I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

Damn right thats a huge flaw. For me, it turns my decision upside down, considering mine would be black.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

I'm in the ATL. As far as I can tell my AC works fine. No compaints.

 

[Farbio]

2k4 3s Hatch
5sp Manual
Sunlight Silver
Red Interior changed to Blue

1. I love the car, every day driving it I know I made the right decision. Handles great, accelerates briskly, not gonna win many drag races but enough pep to keep it fun. Good shifter, although I do enjoy the twm short shifter as well. Clutch and brake feel is great.

No big dislikes, I'll echo most of GT's statements - no big blind spot troubles personally and I have a hatch, so no remote release anyways. A few rattles in the passenger door/seat can't isolate it for some reason. Dead pedal, eh, check out the mazda3forums member sok07 - he custom makes dp's and replacement pedals, awesome stuff. And the oil changes are a pain.
And the RS-As suck something fierce, bad in rain, terrible in snow and only so-so in the dry!

2. Options I love? nothing insane, I only got the SAB & ABS package as it was already loaded with almost everything I wanted. Wish you could have gotten the moonroof w/out the 6cd changer.

3. Wish I'd gotten something? eh, now that I've moved up to the Northeast and don't know the cities like I did in the south, I would appreciate the Navi, but not gonna complain. I bought aftermarket HIDs off mazda3forums market - xenonexpert is awesome and got the 50w version - love them! So I should have gotten HIDs, but probably, no definitely got mine cheaper and brighter.

4. Mileage I get between 28-31, mostly highway - 25 mile commute to work daily

5. Range about 300-360, often get first 1/4 just over 100 miles or the half at 200

6. I love the feel of the car on the highway I often find myself cruising well over 80 without realizing it. Not huge amounts of power to pass, but it is fine, as long as you're doing over 70, you can pass without problems

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

Damn right thats a huge flaw. For me, it turns my decision upside down, considering mine would be black.

I do mention it, but it's hard to tell if it's a flaw or simply a subjective opinion. there are obviously folks who have no problems. It's not by any means TERRIBLE, I just think it could have been better (as I do still promote the car, it's just too damn fun to drive).

 

[Farbio]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

Damn right thats a huge flaw. For me, it turns my decision upside down, considering mine would be black.

I do mention it, but it's hard to tell if it's a flaw or simply a subjective opinion. there are obviously folks who have no problems. It's not by any means TERRIBLE, I just think it could have been better (as I do still promote the car, it's just too damn fun to drive).

I spent the first year with the car in florida and can't say I really had any big complaints on it - if you live in a hot area, you have to expect the a/c to work a bit to cool it down - its not gonna start up and 2 min later have the whole car cooled. not to mention, that my interior is black - the darker the interior, the hotter it gets, the outside color really doesn't matter. This is coming from someone who's had white exterior cars w/ black interior and navy exterior with grey interiors - exterior really makes no difference, the interior does though!

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

I'm in the ATL. As far as I can tell my AC works fine. No compaints.

I believe that problem existed with early models, but is fixed on 05 and above. My 05 doesn't have the best AC of any car I've ever owned, but it's fine for DC summers...certainly nothing like what other people complain about.

 

[NFS4]

Went on a road trip to Huntersville, NC with my bud yesterday. About 300 miles round trip. Averaged 34.9MPG with the A/C on :Q

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: NFS4
Went on a road trip to Huntersville, NC with my bud yesterday. About 300 miles round trip. Averaged 34.9MPG with the A/C on :Q

I've done ATL to Birminghame in mine. AC on, 75 MPH highway speed, one passenger, luggage/heavy boxes in the trunk...and average about 32 MPG.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I forgot to mention one huge flaw I have with the 3... the AC, IMO.. sucks unless you park in a garage all day. Yes, i've done the diffuser add in (actually, it already had it, I put in the cabin filter). No help. It'll take a good long while for me to be comfortable if the cars been in the sun all day (w/ tint, and shades). My mx6 and camry never had this problem. I completely forgot about all this... being winter and all.. ha.

Damn right thats a huge flaw. For me, it turns my decision upside down, considering mine would be black.

I believe they put a smaller compressor in it so it doesn't hit the engine power as badly, either that or for them to save money. I drive an 01 Protege with the mazda 2.0 engine, AC is somewhat weaker than other vehicles I've driven, strongest AC ever was in a dodge caravan, although I suppose it's got the biggest compressor if it's gotta cool the whole van.

 

[NFS4]

BTW, as far as the A/C goes. It works fine for me. There were a couple of days a few weeks ago where it topped 90 here in NC. A/C was cold as ice

 

[aphex]

Another MZ3 owner here... 2005 Mazda3s in Black...

1) How do you REALLY like it?
2) Any options you like that you couldn't live without now?
3) Any options you thought would be worthwhile but you don't really use?
4) What is typical gas mileage? City/Hwy? Manual/Auto?
5) What kind of range do you get on a tank of gas?
6) How does the car feel @ 70 mph? 80 mph? Is it struggling at 80 or is it comfortable?

1. I can honestly say, i LOVE it... I've put over 31k miles on her in a year and havent had a single problem. A blast to drive.
2. I got mine loaded... Navigation, HID, Leather, Sunroof, 6-cd in dash, 17", etc... and i love each and every one of them.
3. Not really. As w/ Brandon, i dont use my 6-cd much anymore. Got the auxmod and have both Sirius and my ipod running to it.
4. I dunno, usually between 27-31, 80% highway.
5. ~ 300 mi.
6. Feels comfortable at all speeds for me. Road noise is a bit high over 75, but ive since upgrades all the speakers, added and sub and 2 amps so i don't hear it anymore

Only complaint as others have said is the weak A/C. However, i live in FL, and my Mazda3 is black with black leather. Its never been THAT bad, just take a bit to get cool and never gets as ice cold as my old Vdubs... My only real complaint.

And my obligatoy pic;
http://www.aphexii.com/pics/mybaby.jpg

 

[GTaudiophile]

Ouch! 31K in a year? I've gone 15 months and have 14K miles on it!

 

[codeyf]

If only this had the heated leather...

Link

It's the color I want and everything.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: Abel007
I am going to be in the market for a new car in a few months and am looking at the Mazda3 Hatchbacks as well as some other cars in the sub $20k range. I have some questions I'd like to get answered before I go in for a test drive/possible purchase.

1) How do you REALLY like it? Best purchase of my entire life!
2) Any options you like that you couldn't live without now? The Automatic with the Sport Manual
3) Any options you thought would be worthwhile but you don't really use? None
4) What is typical gas mileage? City/Hwy? Manual/Auto? I do not know, but it is very good.
5) What kind of range do you get on a tank of gas? I can drive from Houston, TX to Corpus Christi, TX and back on a single tank.
6) How does the car feel @ 70 mph? 80 mph? Is it struggling at 80 or is it comfortable? This car comes alive over 80mph! I just wish it hit 100mph a little faster, it feel like it is draggin alittle ass.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: Abel007
I am going to be in the market for a new car in a few months and am looking at the Mazda3 Hatchbacks as well as some other cars in the sub $20k range. I have some questions I'd like to get answered before I go in for a test drive/possible purchase.

1) How do you REALLY like it?
2) Any options you like that you couldn't live without now?
3) Any options you thought would be worthwhile but you don't really use?
4) What is typical gas mileage? City/Hwy? Manual/Auto?
5) What kind of range do you get on a tank of gas?
6) How does the car feel @ 70 mph? 80 mph? Is it struggling at 80 or is it comfortable?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

1. For the price range it is way out of its league, I love it.
2. Cruise on a manual is a must
3. I dont like ABS but got it anyway.
4. 28 city 32 highway
5. Hrm, 400 highway usually i think
6. Comfortable at 80, this is a 4 cylinder but it has power.

I got the hatchback version

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Ouch! 31K in a year? I've gone 15 months and have 14K miles on it!

im about to round 32k, my 1 year anni is on may 8th or 9th

 

[Abel007]

I didn't even realize this thread was still alive. Thanks once again for the information. I was looking at some older Lexus IS300s and the sort but the insurance is going to be through the roof on one so I am more than likely back to looking at the Mazda3s. I love the look of the car, I still haven't been able to test drive one. I went to the dealership last week but nobody felt the need to help me out so I just left.


Thanks for the replies and as always more info is welcome!

 

[abaez]

What is the auxmod? I just got into an accident and got my car totaled and I am leaning heavily to the mazda. I don't want 6cd changer but if I could have some way to do plug in my ipod without getting the factory aux that would be great - is that what the auxmod is?