rode in my coworkers 2015 mazda 3 hatch

[hans007]

i'm super super impressed. I had read about this car, and seen it on the road and already kind of figured "wait why doesn't everyone buying in this price range buy this car?"

and its true.

so my coworker's car has every option on it, and is in the red color. first off, the red is amazing and i complimented him on it (i drive an estoril blue 328i, a similarly eye popping color).

i'd have to say a loaded mazda 3 interior, probably tops a mid level audi A4 or bmw 3 series one. I also have owned a 2010 A4 and interior quality is similar.

the suspension was sporty and it didn't seem to have much body roll, and the 2.5 i-4 seemed to have plenty of pickup (we had 5 guys in the car, and it still seemed plenty quick at city speeds though my coworker kind of drives like a lunatic). Interior space was similar in size to a 3 series / A4. leg room was fine and we were all in the 5'8 - 6' range Transverse layout is great for that.

the stereo was also good sounded as good as the standard stereos in any entry level luxury / premium car.

I don't have any idea why anyone would buy say a corolla at this point. not to mention the car looks amazing.

A cousin of mine has a 2008 mazda 3 that i've driven and the 2015 one is like seriously an entirely different class of car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I rented one and was thoroughly unimpressed with it. Just another ho-hum compact hatch IMO.

 

[hans007]

I rented one and was thoroughly unimpressed with it. Just another ho-hum compact hatch IMO.

unimpressed compared to what though?

the only contemporary car in that range i've sat in was a focus ST. and this was a mazda3 S GT, don't know if the normal non high end versions are as nice.

 

[theeedude]

They did a good job on the new model. First generation, which I have was great too, but they skimped a bit on some things like carpet. Second generation they kind of went off the rails a bit, but it looks like they are back on track now.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Meh. Fiesta st brah. /thread

 

[Insomniator]

I rented a 2014 Mazda 3 a few times, nice little car but I wouldn't consider it super super impressive. Still, better than the corolla, and MILES ahead of the kia soul (lol) I also rented recently.

Is the 2015 a new gen?

 

[MongGrel]

I still drive a fully decked out 2006 Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.3 5-speed auto and like it.

It still looks good and moves well.

I need to look at the new ones someday, personally I like them, I'm sure they have gotten better.

I'd hated what they had done with them for awhile after that, but it looks like they went back to a better styling lately.

I'm not sure, I think the 2015 is a new one.

 

[MongGrel]

They did a good job on the new model. First generation, which I have was great too, but they skimped a bit on some things like carpet. Second generation they kind of went off the rails a bit, but it looks like they are back on track now.

I agree.

 

[JulesMaximus]

unimpressed compared to what though?

the only contemporary car in that range i've sat in was a focus ST. and this was a mazda3 S GT, don't know if the normal non high end versions are as nice.

Well, I certainly wouldn't compare it to an Audi or a BMW.

I have driven a Focus Titanium that I thought was better than the Mazda I rented.

 

[Kelvrick]

I believe OP means he rode in a 2014? The 2015's aren't out yet.

 

[ballmode]

I think they are the most expensive compact car in america compared to a civic/focus/corolla/forte/cruze

I know 2-3k doesn't sound like alot, but for the typical economy car customer it is alot. That's my theory on why it hasn't sold as well because the fuel economy is best in class I believe

 

[Leyawiin]

Is the 2015 a new gen?

Yes and it makes me wonder if Jules got that or if it was a 2014.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

2014 was the new gen. Cars are not bad but really lacking in features for the prices.

 

[MongGrel]

2014 was the new one it looked, I had never obsessed over it.

*shrug*

Like I said still driving my 2006 and like it, so says a bit right there.

I drove several other things at the time in comparison.

If I were buying something today I'd re-evaluate.

The 2006 still drives pretty much like it did out of the showroom.

But I haven't put a ton of miles on it either.

 

[iamwiz82]

I have had a lot of seat time in the Mazda3 and it's driving dynamics are pretty uninspiring. The "zoom-zoom" was never in the 3 though, IMHO.

 

[theeedude]

I have had a lot of seat time in the Mazda3 and it's driving dynamics are pretty uninspiring. The "zoom-zoom" was never in the 3 though, IMHO.

Compared to a Miata or RX-8, maybe not, but compared to its FWD compact segment, it has plenty of Zoom-Zoom. Steering is telepathic and high speed handling vs comfort balance feels like a car costing much more. It shared the suspension design with the Volvo S-40 and Euro Focus.

 

[Wingznut]

I rented one and was thoroughly unimpressed with it. Just another ho-hum compact hatch IMO.

I rented a 2014 Mazda 3 a few times, nice little car but I wouldn't consider it super super impressive. Still, better than the corolla, and MILES ahead of the kia soul (lol) I also rented recently.

Is the 2015 a new gen?

I have had a lot of seat time in the Mazda3 and it's driving dynamics are pretty uninspiring. The "zoom-zoom" was never in the 3 though, IMHO.

Are you guys sure you are talking about the redesigned Mazda 3? Like the Mazda 6, it's a completely different car than previous generations.

2014:

2013:

 

[toronado97]

Anybody saying they've rented a 2014 Mazda 3 and were unimpressed aren't driving the same car everyone else is raving about. The Mazda 3 that impresses is the 3s GT or even the 3i GT with all the tech stuff. Someone said they're lacking options in this car up above, and you must be smoking copious amounts of crack. There's a lot of features in this car that aren't even available in this segment outside of the 3 until you hit honest to god midsize sedans. Radar Cruise, intelligent braking, adaptive HID lighting, etc etc. You're going to pay a price premium to get some of those goodies, but as they aren't even available on many competitors I don't understand what the complaining is about.

 

[Demo24]

I currently own a 2014 3i, which is the newest model you can get. It's a rather nice car for the money, got it 22k with tech package. Auto climate control (very good a/c!), navigation, touch screen infotainment system, etc. Keyless entry might be the best thing ever invented, especially when that is coupled with push button start. It's reasonably roomy, although the slopping roof does hurt that some on the hatchback model.

Biggest beefs with it are tire noise, the strangely un-linear gas gauge, the transmission can do some funky stuffs at times, and the way the seat cushion is designed it gets uncomfortable to me on long car rides (also the bolstering isn't enough given how well it corners).

But overall I really quite like it. It's extremely planted on the road, and although eco tires hurt it's corning it still does quite well. Steering is spot on, although not much feel in it. May not be terribly quick, but it has sufficient power in 2.0l model (I'd have preferred the 2.5 in hindsight). Brakes are quite strong and give lots of confidence! The gas mileage is often spot on, and this is the first car I've driven where it's electronic estimates are within a couple percent of what I average it out at the pump. I do mostly city driving and have easily been averaging ~30 each tank. Does drop noticeably at speeds above 65 though. Speakers on my model do sound quite nice. Inside most parts feel of good quality, but it is an entry-ish level car so not expecting the world there. Still I feel the interior is somewhat above the others in it's category.


I drove a number of other vehicles in the category, and really don't see anything that was noticeably above it. The Focus just wasn't quite all there, plus it felt cheap inside.

 

[Railgun]

Because you can't by an s with a manual for no reason whatsoever.

 

[Riverhound777]

Because you can't by an s with a manual for no reason whatsoever.

Oh wow really? Fail Mazda. I loved my 2006 3s with a manual. So they have a 6 speed manual, but you can only get it with the small motor. I guess maybe they are saving that for the Speed? Oh well, i'll be enjoying my Focus ST for a long time to come.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Looks much better now. Previous gen was hideous. Haven't driven one yet but suspect that it has better dynamics than a comparable Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, or Nissan. That leaves the Civic which has no hatchy option.

So I'm with the OP on this one. Other than new Mk7 golf (msrp??) there isn't much else out there for budget hatch lovers who like to drive.

 

[fleshconsumed]

unimpressed compared to what though?

the only contemporary car in that range i've sat in was a focus ST. and this was a mazda3 S GT, don't know if the normal non high end versions are as nice.

I don't have any idea why anyone would buy say a corolla at this point. not to mention the car looks amazing.

So you compared top of the line 3 GT hatchback that starts at 26K to a corolla where the most expensive S trim starts 7K below at 19K and you cannot understand why most people would buy the corolla?

The new 3 hatch is an amazing looking car, especially in red, in fact I think it's the best looking hatch on US market right now. However, they're expensive. I wouldn't put them in the same price category as corollas. They start out about the same with Mazda being only 2K more expensive, but difference grows pretty fast once you move up to the top trims. Yes, there is a certain contingent of people who would pay 26K for a good looking kind of fast kind of fun compact hatch, but most people would opt for a different car.

 

[Wreckem]

2014 was the new gen. Cars are not bad but really lacking in features for the prices.

I wouldn't say the 3 lacks tech or features. It may be overpriced if you pay MSRP(you should be shooting for $1500 UNDER INVOICE) but the Mazda 3s gt and t are not lacking features.

A similarly equipped 2015 Golf SEL will set you back several grand more.

 

[Wreckem]

Oh wow really? Fail Mazda. I loved my 2006 3s with a manual. So they have a 6 speed manual, but you can only get it with the small motor. I guess maybe they are saving that for the Speed? Oh well, i'll be enjoying my Focus ST for a long time to come.

Reportedly the manual will make its debut with the 2015 year model.