WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
It also rains too much in Vancouver for a convertible to be useful. But eh... tempting but too much pressure not to get that car. 🙁
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YACT: Any reason NOT to buy a Mazda3?
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It also rains too much in Vancouver for a convertible to be useful. But eh... tempting but too much pressure not to get that car. 🙁
randomlinh
Lifer
there is one benefit of a 3 over a tC (well, the 5 door anyway), you can pack more into it. I too am a little weary of the 3's reliability, didn't the 6 have a bunch of electrical problems? Minor, but still.. but I loved my mx6, I was just unlucky as i was the third owner and had the ONE model that had big tranny problems.
Vic
Elite Member
eh? In a regular WRX? Reset your ECU and turn off your AC or something. EPA is 20/27, and I get a consistent 21 city and 26 highway, and my foot is heavy.
Comparing apples with apples, an Impreza 2.5RS sedan or wagon has roughly the same power as a 2.3L Mazda3, comes with AWD instead of FWD, costs about the same, and has a similar "fun level".
I would not buy a 3 for (ironically) 3 reasons: (1) Ford engine, (2) altezza-style taillights, and (3) FWD.
WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
I would be looking at the TS sedan which is the same engine as the RS. I believe it has 165HP.
It's not as nice as the Mazda3. The Mazda3 has a much more features and a nicer interior. The TS Impreza is very bland but it does seem like a decent driving car for its price.
I definately am concerned about reliability but from the people I've spoken to it should be ok.
It's not as nice as the Mazda3. The Mazda3 has a much more features and a nicer interior. The TS Impreza is very bland but it does seem like a decent driving car for its price.
I definately am concerned about reliability but from the people I've spoken to it should be ok.
If I was car shopping the 3 would be at the top of my list. I think there's a very good reason that it's selling so well in Canada, just as it's predecessor the Protege did. It's an excellent value, and frankly, doesn't have much in the way of weak points when you compare cars in it's class. There's absolutely nothing wrong with 160hp and FWD in a little car like this. I say go for it and enjoy!
Mr.IncrediblyBored
Lifer
Do you have a link to back up the claim of the 2.0 or 2.3L engines being from Ford?
The main reason not to buy one is that they aren't offering any major rebates on it yet as far as I know. If they start offering rebates later, you'll feel stupid/hosed on resale.
Also, I would look at picking up at slightly used Mazda Protege 5. If there is a good enough depreciation on it, that may be a better deal.
I like the look of the Mazda 3, but protege 5 isn't bad looking itself, and stereo is more moddable. You can probably pick up a 2002 for under 10K USD with low miles still under warranty, which will save you $6K. That's a lot of dough. I am looking at 5 door hatchbacks. If you are looking at the Sedan, I would probably get the 3 over the protege, since it looks much better in the sedan version.
Not sure about Scion tC, not a big fan of no-haggle pricing or the derivative styling. I guess if you need a panoramic sunroof, get that. I never open my sunroof, so I don't care. The thing with sunroof, if you live in cold climate, you won't be using it much, and if you live in hot climate, you are probably going to have AC on and sunroof closed, so it doesn't get much use in my case, but it does eat up head room, so I preffer not to have them, especially if I have to pay for them.
Also, I would look at picking up at slightly used Mazda Protege 5. If there is a good enough depreciation on it, that may be a better deal.
I like the look of the Mazda 3, but protege 5 isn't bad looking itself, and stereo is more moddable. You can probably pick up a 2002 for under 10K USD with low miles still under warranty, which will save you $6K. That's a lot of dough. I am looking at 5 door hatchbacks. If you are looking at the Sedan, I would probably get the 3 over the protege, since it looks much better in the sedan version.
Not sure about Scion tC, not a big fan of no-haggle pricing or the derivative styling. I guess if you need a panoramic sunroof, get that. I never open my sunroof, so I don't care. The thing with sunroof, if you live in cold climate, you won't be using it much, and if you live in hot climate, you are probably going to have AC on and sunroof closed, so it doesn't get much use in my case, but it does eat up head room, so I preffer not to have them, especially if I have to pay for them.
WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
2002 Protege5s are going for about $20,000 Canadian. While it is a few thousand cheaper, I believe the Mazda3 does provide quite a bit more car for the money.
I'm not dead set on the sedan, it's just that it looks better than the hatch in my opinion.
I don't ever remember Mazda Canada providing rebates. The Mazda3 is very popular up here, so I don't anticipate them releasing rebates.
I'm not dead set on the sedan, it's just that it looks better than the hatch in my opinion.
I don't ever remember Mazda Canada providing rebates. The Mazda3 is very popular up here, so I don't anticipate them releasing rebates.
I'm a current Mazda 3 owner, and I suggest you to buy one either next year or later this year, and make sure your Mazda 3's build-date is not one of the early one like the one I've which manufactored November of 03.
Problems I've with my car
1) Replaced air bag sensor TWICE
2) Replaced brake roters
3) Replaced fuel-pump
4) Will replace front driver's seat base, because it's making noises, my dealer is ordering it for me.
5) Will replace the power outlet, the one for the cigarette lighter. It just stopped working last week. I don't smoke, but I need it for my cell-phone charger.
Other than all these problems, I love my car. It runs great and the handling is very good. Much better than my old Nissan Sentra. That's why I suggest you to wait for awhile until Mazda fixes all these problems or get a later build, make sure you're not getting an early build.
Mazda 3 Sedan - Tit. Gray
Moonroof/6cd changer
sport package
ABS
Problems I've with my car
1) Replaced air bag sensor TWICE
2) Replaced brake roters
3) Replaced fuel-pump
4) Will replace front driver's seat base, because it's making noises, my dealer is ordering it for me.
5) Will replace the power outlet, the one for the cigarette lighter. It just stopped working last week. I don't smoke, but I need it for my cell-phone charger.
Other than all these problems, I love my car. It runs great and the handling is very good. Much better than my old Nissan Sentra. That's why I suggest you to wait for awhile until Mazda fixes all these problems or get a later build, make sure you're not getting an early build.
Mazda 3 Sedan - Tit. Gray
Moonroof/6cd changer
sport package
ABS
And you can visit the below forum to ask more about Mazda 3 questions.
Mazda3s Forum
Mazda3s Forum
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
I'd pick a Miata, screw what the family thinks, they aren't you
WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
Since it's summer the '05s will be released soon I think. But the salesperson at a dealership warned me that they probably will increase the price of the '05 model. I'm wondering what improvements there will be?
I guess Canada is different. Last year Mazda was offering $2K US rebates on outgoing 2003 MP5s, which in turn lowered the resale on the models, and now you can pick up 2002 MP5 private party for $10K (edmunds TMV is $9400 base). I believe the 3 hatch is around 16K base, making MP5 a good deal, IMO. Are you sure you aren't looking at dealer prices? Worst case I would ever pay for used car is private party TMV. Generally I can pick one up on dealer auction for under dealer wholesale (tradein) which would be around $8400.
WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
Good link. I've been reading it and they say the 05 model will come out in November with no real differences for the GT models asides from some color changes.
Vic
Elite Member
Car and Driver:
"... Ford has had control of its Japanese affiliate (Mazda) since 1996."
"... the Mazda 3 is, in all essentials, a Focus?not the current model, but the new small Ford that appears in Europe as the C-Max minivan this autumn and worldwide as a five-door hatchback in 2004."
"Mazda's new plan required its small car to be an integral part of the Ford C1 family, along with the new Focus and the replacement for the Volvo S40/V40. Ford doesn't talk about platforms anymore; this is ?global shared technology,? where each company is able to pick and choose from a basket of components and systems. But look at an unclothed Mazda 3 and examine its specs, and it's clear it shares the elements that make the current Focus such a good, fun-to-drive all-around car."
A Mazda 3 is, in effect, the new Focus (the one that just went on sale in the US). The 2.3L Mazda 3 engine shares many of the same components as the Duratec 2.3L, including the block, but does have a Mazda designed head and valvetrain. The 2.0L is almost entirely Ford, but both engines were tweaked and tuned by Mazda engineers.
WobbleWobble
Diamond Member
Reliability and resale reasons.
43st
Diamond Member
I've had my 5-door 3 for about 6 weeks and it's been great. It's simply a fun and confident ride more than anything. My other car is a 1993 Mazda 626 that's been virtually trouble free for it's entire life cycle. My parents have 2 Protegés, one with over 200k on it. They've all been great cars.
I would keep an eye out for the early build date 3 though. The first ones seemed to have a few issues, as noted on Mazda3forums.
I would keep an eye out for the early build date 3 though. The first ones seemed to have a few issues, as noted on Mazda3forums.
Mr.IncrediblyBored
Lifer
1) The Focus that just went on sale is still the old platform, just spiffed up. The new Focus is not on sale anywhere yet, not even Europe. The U.S. won't see the new platform for another 2 years.
2) I'm fully aware that the platform is a joint venture among Ford, Mazda, and Volvo. I asked specifically about the engines. It would be logical to assume the 2.3L is a heavily modified Focus engine, but I have been unable to find anything to confirm it.
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