rode in my coworkers 2015 mazda 3 hatch

[MiataNC]

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.

Leave out facts much?

Apples to Apples (MSRP): (Leatherette, Nav, Keyless, etc.)

A loaded 4-door Mazda3 iGT is $25K
A loaded Corolla S Premium with Driver Convenience Package is $23.5K

The only way to get a $7K price difference is to use a base Corolla against a loaded Mazda3. But don't let real facts get in the way of your bias.

Load any car in the same class as the Mazda3 with the same options, and you are NOT paying significantly more. In some cases you pay less going with the Mazda3 (eg Focus Titanium w/Nav @$27k).

 

[Wreckem]

The Mazda 3 isn't without problems.

The minor
Tire road noise on OE tires is terrible. But that is par for the course with Mazda. High quality tires make the noise pretty much go away.
Wind noise is a common complaint with the Hatch, but doesnt appear to be as big of problem with the sedan.

The slightly bigger issue
The infotainment system has been plagued by problems since release. They are on release 30 or so in less than a year. Any update requires you to take it into the dealership and waste a hour or more of your time.

The unknown
It is unknown if Mazda has fixed its reputation for early rust problems.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Leave out facts much?

Apples to Apples (MSRP): (Leatherette, Nav, Keyless, etc.)

A loaded 4-door Mazda3 iGT is $25K
A loaded Corolla S Premium with Driver Convenience Package is $23.5K

The only way to get a $7K price difference is to use a base Corolla against a loaded Mazda3. But don't let real facts get in the way of your bias.

Load any car in the same class as the Mazda3 with the same options, and you are NOT paying significantly more. In some cases you pay less going with the Mazda3 (eg Focus Titanium w/Nav @$27k).

OP was talking about sGT.

Toyota Corolla - S trim starts at 19K
Mazda 3 - sGT starts at 26.5K

Retail pricing may be different from MSRP, but there is 7K difference in MSRP. Plus people who buy corollas do not typically load it up with options.

 

[Wreckem]

For the record. I was debating a Golf and a 3 for the longest time.

I went with the 3 because I got a really good deal on a S touring sedan(I know blasphemy) and was tired of waiting(and I really needed a car) for the Golf/problems with the Golf/GTI rollout.

I loved the car the 5 days I had it. Yeah I said 5 days. It has been in the body shop ever since. A woman hit me when she tried to go straight in a turn only lane and its been in the body shop for 16 days now. I've been stuck in a Versa Note while its being repaired... Now talk about a shitty car.

 

[Wreckem]

Toyota Corolla - S trim starts at 19K
Mazda 3 - sGT starts at 26K

Retail pricing may be different from MSRP, but there is 7K difference in MSRP. Plus people who buy corollas do not typically load it up with options.

Someone looking at a Corolla would never be looking at a S GT. They'd be looking at an iSport or at most an i Touring.

 

[MiataNC]

OP was talking about sGT.

Toyota Corolla - S trim starts at 19K
Mazda 3 - sGT starts at 26.5K

Retail pricing may be different from MSRP, but there is 7K difference in MSRP. Plus people who buy corollas do not typically load it up with options.

Why do you insist on comparing apples to oranges?

The RIGHT comparison is:

Corolla S = $19K
Mazda3 iSport = $19.5K

You must be trolling or lack reading comprehension. It isn't hard to look at both makers sites and pick cars with similar options. You made it as far as the respective sites. Why are you still comparing cars with radically different trim levels?

 

[Kelvrick]

Why do you insist on comparing apples to oranges?

The RIGHT comparison is:

Corolla S = $19K
Mazda3 iSport = $19.5K

You must be trolling or lack reading comprehension. It isn't hard to look at both makers sites and pick cars with similar options. You made it as far as the respective sites. Why are you still comparing cars with radically different trim levels?

I think you're both right. The OP made the comparison of why anyone would buy a corolla when he was riding around in a MUCH higher MSRP mazda3. fleshconsumed is talking about how that is an unfair comparison. You are agreeing that he shouldn't be comparing a corolla to a car at a pricepoint you can't reach in a corolla.

 

[WilliamM2]

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?"

Because at that price range you can find much nicer cars, and mid size to boot. And those of us who have bought new Mazda's in the past, are tired of how quickly they turn into rust buckets.

 

[MiataNC]

Because at that price range you can find much nicer cars, and mid size to boot. And those of us who have bought new Mazda's in the past, are tired of how quickly they turn into rust buckets.

Base model mid-size cars all start $2-4K higher than base compacts. The gap widens as you add options.

To be "nicer" that mid-size car would have to offer more than the compact for the same money. For most people "nicer" means more options (leather, nav, sat radio, keyless entry, etc. etc.). Since you can't get a mid-size with more options for the same money or less, you are wrong.

 

[hans007]

I think you're both right. The OP made the comparison of why anyone would buy a corolla when he was riding around in a MUCH higher MSRP mazda3. fleshconsumed is talking about how that is an unfair comparison. You are agreeing that he shouldn't be comparing a corolla to a car at a pricepoint you can't reach in a corolla.

Well what I meant is most of the other cars in this class optioned up don't compare. Like a civic ex-l would not be nearly as good.

 

[MongGrel]

Because at that price range you can find much nicer cars, and mid size to boot. And those of us who have bought new Mazda's in the past, are tired of how quickly they turn into rust buckets.

Must be a snow on the road thing up North or something.

Still driving a 2006 in FL, and no rust whatsoever.

Not sure if you might have meant that in another context.

 

[toronado97]

I will admit that the infotainment system hasn't been without its problems. Kudos for Mazda for bothering to roll out 25 or so updates thus far, footing the bill for upgrades on their own dime, and continuing to put forth effort into its functionality.

It should also be noted that the infotainment in this car runs on a Linux kernel very similar to Android, and there's already been some inroads into customizing it on the user end. Minor things so far but it's only a matter of time until it's completely "jailbroken" if you will. Whether or not you want to risk your 20k+ investment by fiddling with it is on you however.

Edit: And this car makes every other car in its class feel like a cheap piece of shit. I loved my buddy's 2014 Focus ST when he bought it, and I was dead set on a Focus Titanium myself before driving the 3. That Focus and my other friend's 2013 Hyundai Elantra both feel like plastic econoboxes next to my 3s GT. The car isn't perfect, but it's without question got the best interior in its segment.

 

[Wreckem]

Because at that price range you can find much nicer cars, and mid size to boot. And those of us who have bought new Mazda's in the past, are tired of how quickly they turn into rust buckets.

You will be hard pressed to find a midsized car for less than $23k that has

Bixenon headlights
LED Daytime running light
LED Taillights
7" screen with infotainment and navigation
dual zone automatic ac
heated front seats
advanced keyless entry
push button start
premium audio

You might find some of it, but you are not getting all of it in a midsize until you hit the upper $20s. The closet thing to midsize in that price range with similar(but not all) features is the Hyundai Sonata, and it would be an outright lie to call the Sonata a better car than the Mazda 3. Similarly if you spec out a Mazda 3s gt hatch fully loaded($30k MSRP), to get comparable features in a mid size you will be hitting mid 30s. When it comes to the Mazda 3 S. Most competitors in the compact segment do not have trim levels that come anywhere close to the features of the 3. The only one that really does is VW and they are more expensive for similar features.

 

[Wreckem]

I will admit that the infotainment system hasn't been without its problems. Kudos for Mazda for bothering to roll out 25 or so updates thus far, footing the bill for upgrades on their own dime, and continuing to put forth effort into its functionality.

It should also be noted that the infotainment in this car runs on a Linux kernel very similar to Android, and there's already been some inroads into customizing it on the user end. Minor things so far but it's only a matter of time until it's completely "jailbroken" if you will. Whether or not you want to risk your 20k+ investment by fiddling with it is on you however.

Edit: And this car makes every other car in its class feel like a cheap piece of shit. I loved my buddy's 2014 Focus ST when he bought it, and I was dead set on a Focus Titanium myself before driving the 3. That Focus and my other friend's 2013 Hyundai Elantra both feel like plastic econoboxes next to my 3s GT. The car isn't perfect, but it's without question got the best interior in its segment.

They have to get it fixed or there would be a lot of lemon claims. That is the sole reason why the have and will continue to work on getting the infotainment issues sorted out.

 

[ponyo]

Base model mid-size cars all start $2-4K higher than base compacts. The gap widens as you add options.

To be "nicer" that mid-size car would have to offer more than the compact for the same money. For most people "nicer" means more options (leather, nav, sat radio, keyless entry, etc. etc.). Since you can't get a mid-size with more options for the same money or less, you are wrong.

I don't understand buying a compact and loading it with options but that's me. I much rather take the options money and put it towards buying a mid-size car. To me, base midsize > loaded compact. Options are waste of money. The only option worth spending money on might be the engine.

 

[Wreckem]

I don't understand buying a compact and loading it with options but that's me. I much rather take the options money and put it towards buying a mid-size car. To me, base midsize > loaded compact. Options are waste of money. The only option worth spending money on might be the engine.

Because of automotive bloat. Compact cars these days aren't all that compact. Compare the front interior capacities of the 3 to most midsize sedans and they are roughly the same. In a compact you only lose a marginal amount of space in the backseat and the trunk. Things that most do not use on a daily basis(unless they have kids).

Plus not everyone wants or needs a midsized car. Do I see the point of fully loading a S GT? No simply because the added money over the S Touring doesn't get you that much more. The Touring model is the best model in terms of features and price.

 

[toronado97]

Because of automotive bloat. Compact cars these days aren't all that compact. Compare the front interior capacities of the 3 to most midsize sedans and they are roughly the same. In a compact you only lose a marginal amount of space in the backseat and the trunk. Things that most do not use on a daily basis(unless they have kids).

Plus not everyone wants or needs a midsized car. Do I see the point of fully loading a S GT? No simply because the added money over the S Touring doesn't get you that much more. The Touring model is the best model in terms of features and price.

Won't disagree but the wife wanted the moonroof. Adaptive bixenon HIDS are nice, but I could live without the adaptive bit.

 

[Wingznut]

Won't disagree but the wife wanted the moonroof. Adaptive bixenon HIDS are nice, but I could live without the adaptive bit.

Never had them before we got our new Mazda 6... And I have to admit, they are very nice, and do really help visibility.

 

[slugg]

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

And this is precisely why I didn't buy a Mazda 3.

And this is generally why I hate Mazda right now. You can't configure the car you actually want.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

And this is precisely why I didn't buy a Mazda 3.

And this is generally why I hate Mazda right now. You can't configure the car you actually want.

You also can't get the better motor without going all the way to the top model. In the end I'm glad I didn't get one because at 20k I was basically getting a stripped down model with a wimpy motor. No thanks. My fiesta st is loaded to the gills, with a 6 speed manual, and would wipe the floor with the 3.

 

[theeedude]

You also can't get the better motor without going all the way to the top model. In the end I'm glad I didn't get one because at 20k I was basically getting a stripped down model with a wimpy motor. No thanks. My fiesta st is loaded to the gills, with a 6 speed manual, and would wipe the floor with the 3.

Sub 8s 0-60 is plenty fast for everyday (even spirited) driving, especially in a well handling car that lets you take corners fast.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Sub 8s 0-60 is plenty fast for everyday (even spirited) driving, especially in a well handling car that lets you take corners fast.

Yeah it costs money it still gets its ass handed to it by my fiesta st. Track or straight line. For anyone even remotely interested in spirited driving its not a debate.

 

[Wingznut]

Yeah it costs money it still gets its ass handed to it by my fiesta st. Track or straight line. For anyone even remotely interested in spirited driving its not a debate.

Seriously, you're getting all brash over a 15 second 1/4 mile time car? Even still...


2014 Mazda 3s Grand Touring Hatchback (Manual) 0-60 mph 6.6 Quarter Mile 15.2
2014 Ford Fiesta ST 0-60 mph 6.7 Quarter Mile 15.0

I'm not sure that qualifies as "gets its ass handed to it"...

 

[theeedude]

Yeah it costs money it still gets its ass handed to it by my fiesta st. Track or straight line. For anyone even remotely interested in spirited driving its not a debate.

This assumes that someone in a Mazda3 gives a sh!t about racing you, some random dude, in a straight line or the track. If not, he'll be driving a better car than yours in pretty much every way.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

This assumes that someone in a Mazda3 gives a sh!t about racing you, some random dude, in a straight line or the track. If not, he'll be driving a better car than yours in pretty much every way.

lol. No. Not even close. The st handles like a car twice it's price. Its loaded with features and did I mention turbo? I tested a 3 before deciding on the st. They weren't even close. The 3 was asking prices I'd expect from a loaded accord. It felt every bit of econo box. I don't get that feeling in my st. In fact I've had dude's stopping to check out my st.