Test drove a Mazda 3 today :) *update*

[sillymofo]

All I have to say is, zoom zoom. The one I tested was a Type S, 2.3 L, auto, with the auto-stick thingy. The car accelerated quit well, and it feels solid with my zig-zag test, kinda scared the salesman a bit. I got it up to 60 in no time (in a commercial zone, since there were traffics on the freeway). The engine pegged out at around 7500 rpm (yup, got it up there too, and no, it didn't sound like anything in Best Motoring), and I was in 3rd gear, scared the salesman again. Interior is pretty much looks like everything else that comes out in '04, but not too shabby, I won't expect much out of a $17K car. I think I'll pick me up one this weekend.

Just out of curiousity, any one bought one recently and how much should I negotiate the price to? The only options that I would choose are: sports package (rims & wheel), ABS, auto.

 

[KEV1N]

Did you get a $35 sharper image gift cert?

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: KEV1N
Did you get a $35 sharper image gift cert?

Huh?

 

[mjquilly]

wasn't that impressed w/ the 3. went civic instead.

 

[conjur]

Get the 5-speed!!!

 

[StageLeft]

I liked the one I drove (manual of course). It's got good power for the price. Still, your money would go further with a 2 year old maxima

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
All I have to say is, zoom zoom. The one I tested was a Type S, 2.3 L, auto, with the auto-stick thingy. The car accelerated quit well, and it feels solid with my zig-zag test, kinda scared the salesman a bit. I got it up to 60 in no time (in a commercial zone, since there were traffics on the freeway). The engine pegged out at around 7500 rpm (yup, got it up there too, and no, it didn't sound like anything in Best Motoring), and I was in 3rd gear, scared the salesman again. Interior is pretty much looks like everything else that comes out in '04, but not too shabby, I won't expect much out of a $17K car. I think I'll pick me up one this weekend.

Just out of curiousity, any one bought one recently and how much should I negotiate the price to? The only options that I would choose are: sports package (rims & wheel), ABS, auto.

Go here for car buying tips.

 

[beyonddc]

I bought the Mazda 3 S 4 doors Sedan 2.3L, auto for about $19,800 out the door included tax and other fees or a little bit more. I don't quit remember, but it's for sure that it is no more than $20,000.

The package I included with my car is
Moonroof / 6 cd changer
ABS Braking System
Sport Package which includes 17' alloy wheels and side skirts.

I don't like leather seats, so I didn't have that, and also they don't have the xeon light package included in their in-stock cars, so I don't have that either.

and... I used the S-Plan and recent graduate rebate ($500)
The S-Plan is some sort of Ford Partnership program, the company I'm currently working for has that program. You might want to check your company if you guys get discount before buying it, because with the S-Plan, you'll get a very decent price on it. I think for me, it's a little bit lower than the car's invoice price.

Very very enjoyable ride, BUT maybe you want to wait a little longer to buy that car. My car only been out the street for about a month and it already back to the dealer for some mechanical problems. My ABS light, Brake light and airbag light came on, sometime I have difficulty starting up my car and the brake makes some squeaky noise when I first step on it. I know that I'm not the only person with that problem, because there's ton of people who have the same problem I did on Mazda 3 forum. Maybe Mazda will do a recall soon? Who knows...

 

[CChaos]

www.mazda3forums.com

You might find posts there about what people are paying, though quite a few will likely be in Canadian dollars. Personally, I'd hesitate to buy the first model year of any car, but obviously plenty of people do it. That said, I think the 3 is a nice choice. I drive an Civic auto that was my wife's car and it's alot of things, but fun is not one of them. I'd certainly consider a 3 if I was shopping at the moment, but as I drive 6 miles a day I can't justify it. I'd probably go for the 3s sedan with the same options you mentioned sans the auto.

Good luck with your car shopping!

 

[mdcrab]

It used to be that buying the first year on a ricer was okay, because it had already been out for a year in Japan. So when it is released in the US it is already in its second year. Not sure if this holds true anymore.

mdcrab

 

[0roo0roo]

the ones i've seen look rather nice, definetly nicer looking then the competition kinda looks like an ls300?

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: beyonddc
I bought the Mazda 3 S 4 doors Sedan 2.3L, auto for about $19,800 out the door included tax and other fees or a little bit more. I don't quit remember, but it's for sure that it is no more than $20,000.
The package I included with my car is
Moonroof / 6 cd changer
ABS Braking System
Sport Package which includes 17' alloy wheels and side skirts.

May I ask where you got your car from? I went to the dealer today, and offered $20K out the door for

AT 4 speed
ABS
Sports package

I was gonna put $5K down, but they didn't budge, so I walked. Do you think that is a reasonable price? This is for the 2.3L S, not leather.

 

[StageLeft]

cr4zymofo

I'd ponder long and hard if you really want to drop $20k on a Mazda 3. You can get a 6 for that. You're also well into territory on accords, camrys, altimas, etc. I've always personally been of the idea that it's better to buy a fairly bare bones mid model than a pimped up upper end model. A Mazda 3 can be had for much less than $20k unless you let them nickle and dime options into it.

To put things into perspective you realize that for $20k you could get a 2003 maxima with leather fully loaded, and not that many miles on it. Frankly, it's superior to the 3 in every single way except it would lack the new car smell.

And of course the above experiences about issues in the Mazda 3 are not unusual. It's been out for only a couple of months in the US and damn near any car has various little (or sometimes not so little) problems in the first year of creation.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

cr4zymofo

I'd ponder long and hard if you really want to drop $20k on a Mazda 3. You can get a 6 for that. You're also well into territory on accords, camrys, altimas, etc. I've always personally been of the idea that it's better to buy a fairly bare bones mid model than a pimped up upper end model. A Mazda 3 can be had for much less than $20k unless you let them nickle and dime options into it. To put things into perspective you realize that for $20k you could get a 2003 maxima with leather fully loaded, and not that many miles on it. Frankly, it's superior to the 3 in every single way except it would lack the new car smell.

Thanks man, but the car with the options I mentioned comes to about $18K and some odds in change. With tax/title and license, it would be around almost $22K. $20K is the total purchase price.

 

[rootaxs]

Originally posted by: Skoorb<brTo put things into perspective you realize that for $20k you could get a 2003 maxima with leather fully loaded, and not that many miles on it. Frankly, it's superior to the 3 in every single way except it would lack the new car smell.

Skoorb, you know how much of a Nissan diehard i am but even i have to disagree with you on the above statement. I own a 2k2 and have test-driven the 3. The Max does excel in outright straightline performance, but handling is hands down a 3 trait. Fit and finish is about equal IMHO.

 

[bozack]

for 20K I would much rather have a CPO BMW or something nice....good luck with the rice though if you get it

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: beyonddc
I bought the Mazda 3 S 4 doors Sedan 2.3L, auto for about $19,800 out the door included tax and other fees or a little bit more. I don't quit remember, but it's for sure that it is no more than $20,000.
The package I included with my car is
Moonroof / 6 cd changer
ABS Braking System
Sport Package which includes 17' alloy wheels and side skirts.

May I ask where you got your car from? I went to the dealer today, and offered $20K out the door for

AT 4 speed
ABS
Sports package

I was gonna put $5K down, but they didn't budge, so I walked. Do you think that is a reasonable price? This is for the 2.3L S, not leather.

no moonroof and 6cd changer included? no, that's not a good price then.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: beyonddc

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: beyonddc
I bought the Mazda 3 S 4 doors Sedan 2.3L, auto for about $19,800 out the door included tax and other fees or a little bit more. I don't quit remember, but it's for sure that it is no more than $20,000.
The package I included with my car is
Moonroof / 6 cd changer
ABS Braking System
Sport Package which includes 17' alloy wheels and side skirts.

May I ask where you got your car from? I went to the dealer today, and offered $20K out the door for

AT 4 speed
ABS
Sports package

I was gonna put $5K down, but they didn't budge, so I walked. Do you think that is a reasonable price? This is for the 2.3L S, not leather.

no moonroof and 6cd changer included? no, that's not a good price then.

Thats pretty BS, I can get that for 20 grand canadian. Very sad.

edit: The way I know that is because I was at the local dealership last sunday.

 

[kitkit201]

oohhh, for a minute there, i thought u were atlking in USD , not canadian..

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: kitkit201
oohhh, for a minute there, i thought u were atlking in USD , not canadian..

I am talking in USD.

 

[ajayjuneja]

I was quoted $21,200 for a fully loaded Mazda 6 with a Manual (befor $1500 in incentives) -- get a lower price on the 3.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: ajayjuneja
I was quoted $21,200 for a fully loaded Mazda 6 with a Manual (befor $1500 in incentives) -- get a lower price on the 3.

Unfortunately for buyers the 3 is such a hot item right now that the price difference is minimal between the two. I was looking at both and the price difference for similarly optioned 3 vs. 6 was $1500 or 2k tops.

The Max does excel in outright straightline performance, but handling is hands down a 3 trait.

It will be a bit tighter on the corners, but not tight enough to make up for almost 100 horsepower less. Also, who really cares about cornering in America? The max is still bigger, and will come probably with a better stock stereo than the 3. While we're talking about stereos has anybody figured a way to change the stock stereo in the 3? I was looking at it and it's so integreated with the console that I can't imagine it would be an easy change _at all_ should you ever decided to replace it, or be forced to.

 

[bolbim33]

I bought my mazda 3 about 3 weeks ago.

Specs: manual type S hatchback
Options: xenon, ABS, moonroof (6 cd)



After college rebate ($500), my price came out to $18,150. Invoice price was $18,500. I got 3.9%APR and i'm paying a total of $21,440 in 60 months. That's the price that includes everything (financing, tax, license, etc.)

I think they dont' budge much yet because the car is new. Make sure you just take in a carsdirect printout, and get about $500-$1000 off that price and you'll know that you walked out with a good deal.

As far as if i like it or not.....the car's great. I really do like it. No problems yet...i have 2800 miles on it so far. We'll see how it goes.

 

[KEV1N]

Just drove one today too. WAY fun to drive, more so than my 2004 Accord!