Mazda 3
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 168
From: Coquitlam
Car Info: 1985 Corolla AE82 FWD
Mazda 3
What do people think of the new Mazda 3?
From what I've seen, other than the Subaru lineup, it's the only other japanese car manufacturer that's offering 4-wheel disk brakes standard on even their cheapest trim!
Personally, I was thinking between this or a used Subaru :P I like both cars... doh!
From what I've seen, other than the Subaru lineup, it's the only other japanese car manufacturer that's offering 4-wheel disk brakes standard on even their cheapest trim!
Personally, I was thinking between this or a used Subaru :P I like both cars... doh!
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,341
From: your friendly neighborhood hairpin
Car Info: '03 PSM Sedan
last weekend i actually drove the new 3. they didn't have any five speeds in stock, so i drove a 4-speed tiptronic auto. for a FWD car, they're nice. Mazda built them to handle pretty damn well, and there is enough power to make it a pretty fun car. the acceleration isn't much if you're used to driving a tuned WRX, but it's enough to make it entertaining. the best part was that the interior was really nice, espescially for a $20k car.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 168
From: Coquitlam
Car Info: 1985 Corolla AE82 FWD
I am SO into the 4-door sedan 
I already sat in one and checked out the space and the interior. Compared to the 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback I sat in, there's a lot more passenger space (front and rear) and a WAY HUGER glove box.
Didn't get a chance to drive either car (Impreza or MZ3), but what draws me is the price of a base model MZ3.
Some used 1999 2.5RS's go for that same price (but A/C is an additional $1000 dollars).
I already sat in one and checked out the space and the interior. Compared to the 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback I sat in, there's a lot more passenger space (front and rear) and a WAY HUGER glove box.
Didn't get a chance to drive either car (Impreza or MZ3), but what draws me is the price of a base model MZ3.
Some used 1999 2.5RS's go for that same price (but A/C is an additional $1000 dollars).
Guest
Posts: n/a
I really like it. I would take the 5 or 4 door. It would be a hard decision.
I think of buying a car like that when I realize there is nowhere to safely speed where I live. Either a cop or accident is bound to get you. So there is no real point in having a fast car. The Mazda 3 would save me lots of money and be nice to live with. I like a lot of the options, especially the leather.
I think of buying a car like that when I realize there is nowhere to safely speed where I live. Either a cop or accident is bound to get you. So there is no real point in having a fast car. The Mazda 3 would save me lots of money and be nice to live with. I like a lot of the options, especially the leather.
On a quick glance, Sube has the plus of 4wd, and the Mazda gets the vote for the better interior. Haven't driven a 3 yet though. I did drive a 2003 Impreza RS and it had adequate torque and power, nothing more. Not sure about the 2.3 Mazda. I am curious though.
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,341
From: your friendly neighborhood hairpin
Car Info: '03 PSM Sedan
the new mazda 3 isn't exactly a slow car. i'm used to my '03 WRX (with lots of suspension mods, and some power) and i didn't feel like the 3 was too underpowered, and it definitely had pretty good suspension for a fwd car.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'm looking forward to trying out the new 3!
I ALMOST got a Mazda6, but decided on the wrx. I was hoping the 3 would come out sooner, but Mazda is notorious for delaying new releases.
The Protege 5 was a great idea, but it was all show/no go. That seems to have been corrected with the 160hp engine (same as in the base 6). Plus leather, sunroof, xenons, etc... Sticker tops out around $20k!
Excluding the awd/turbo, the Mazda3 is the better deal; especially when compared to the RS/TS, IMHO.
I ALMOST got a Mazda6, but decided on the wrx. I was hoping the 3 would come out sooner, but Mazda is notorious for delaying new releases.
The Protege 5 was a great idea, but it was all show/no go. That seems to have been corrected with the 160hp engine (same as in the base 6). Plus leather, sunroof, xenons, etc... Sticker tops out around $20k!
Excluding the awd/turbo, the Mazda3 is the better deal; especially when compared to the RS/TS, IMHO.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 168
From: Coquitlam
Car Info: 1985 Corolla AE82 FWD
Originally posted by jamester
Excluding the awd/turbo, the Mazda3 is the better deal; especially when compared to the RS/TS, IMHO.
Excluding the awd/turbo, the Mazda3 is the better deal; especially when compared to the RS/TS, IMHO.
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
I've driven (and ridden) in a few Mazdas and I have never been thrilled with their build quality; they rank about even with Nissan, IMO, and that's quite a few steps below Subaru (or even Hyundai).
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well, everyone has their own experiences to draw conclusions on; my g-friend has a Protege, and it's had no problems for about five years now. And the suspension and handling are tight! Big diff from a Civic. Unfortunately, it's flat-azz seats let you fly all over the place when attacking the twisties.
Having said all that, the main reason I got the wrx over the 6 is 1) the 6 hatchback may never come out at this rate, and 2) it's having a lot of quirky, annoying problems that add up to too many headaches for a new car. That, and some rust issues!
Still, I think Mazda is coming back up, and they really are putting "sports car attitude" in their new cars - the new 3 being the prime example. So I am pro-Mazda.
dugrant- like I said, the RS & TS have all wheel drive, but for the same money DO NOT have leather, sunroof, xenons, navigation, tire pressure monitoring, etc.... The wrx has the turbo & awd, and sunroof in the sedan, but it is realistically about $5-6k more. So I think the 3 is the better deal.
But I got a REX! =)
Having said all that, the main reason I got the wrx over the 6 is 1) the 6 hatchback may never come out at this rate, and 2) it's having a lot of quirky, annoying problems that add up to too many headaches for a new car. That, and some rust issues!
Still, I think Mazda is coming back up, and they really are putting "sports car attitude" in their new cars - the new 3 being the prime example. So I am pro-Mazda.
dugrant- like I said, the RS & TS have all wheel drive, but for the same money DO NOT have leather, sunroof, xenons, navigation, tire pressure monitoring, etc.... The wrx has the turbo & awd, and sunroof in the sedan, but it is realistically about $5-6k more. So I think the 3 is the better deal.
But I got a REX! =)
Originally posted by meilers
I've driven (and ridden) in a few Mazdas and I have never been thrilled with their build quality; they rank about even with Nissan, IMO, and that's quite a few steps below Subaru (or even Hyundai).
I've driven (and ridden) in a few Mazdas and I have never been thrilled with their build quality; they rank about even with Nissan, IMO, and that's quite a few steps below Subaru (or even Hyundai).
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Originally posted by The Mirror
Sadly, not below my buzzing, rattling, creaking, clanking 2003 WRX. More interior bugs in this car than my 1995 Golf with 133K.
Sadly, not below my buzzing, rattling, creaking, clanking 2003 WRX. More interior bugs in this car than my 1995 Golf with 133K.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,801
From: my home is Portland but I'm @ School in Seattle
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Legacy L 5-speed
Originally posted by dropkick_muppet
... it definitely had pretty good suspension for a fwd car.
... it definitely had pretty good suspension for a fwd car.
