Thinking of buying a Mazda 3, help appreciated?
- Thread starter tj5450
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Yes you can! Funny thing is I've never used 1 my entire life!
ha ha. It's always been a drop in cartrige filter that I've encountered.
Or even 28-30?
I have an '07 Touring Hatch with a 5 speed man trans. I try to be objective when people are asking if they should get one or not. All I can say is that after 10700 miles it still drives like new and is a total blast to drive. It has been the perfect car for me and imho is the perfect balance between sportiness and economy.
Some likes:
Handling - car is solid and loves to be thrown around, relatively level in hard turns, grip is good but could be better if you replace the stock Goodyear RSA's.
Steering - I've been impressed by how precise the steering is. Has a lighter effort than my wifes '01 Volvo S40 or my previous '03 Jetta but still delivers good road feel.
Fuel Economy - I have a 80 mile round trip commute and over the life of the car have averaged over 32 mpg. I've seen 35 mpg on a tank. The mild climate of North Carolina and my easy commute contribute to these good numbers. If you go the used route avoid '04 and '05's with the 4sp ATX. Many members of the Mazda3 user forum that I frequent complain of very poor fuel efficiency. Some as low as 15 mpg in the city.
Dislikes:
These are very minor and would not hinder me from buying again.
Fit and finish - Some of the body panels don't line up 100%. You probably wouldn't notice unless I pointed it out but there are a couple of minor imperfections. Also if you look closely at my True Red paint it kind of has an orange peel look to it. You know, slightly bumpy and not quite glass-like. From more than a couple feet away though it's fine.
Power - My previous car had a 1.8 liter turbo in it that had 180 horses. I got very similar fuel economy from it as well and I've thought that this car with that engine would be the perfect match. It is definately no slouch as is though.
Over all reliability for me is yet to be seen but from others experiance it seems like a very well built car for the long term. Consider this review a first impression type thing. Sorry for the book but I like this car the more I drive it. It does not seem like an $18,000 car. I've heard some magazine reviews call it a baby BMW and I don't think that it's a stretch at all.
Some likes:
Handling - car is solid and loves to be thrown around, relatively level in hard turns, grip is good but could be better if you replace the stock Goodyear RSA's.
Steering - I've been impressed by how precise the steering is. Has a lighter effort than my wifes '01 Volvo S40 or my previous '03 Jetta but still delivers good road feel.
Fuel Economy - I have a 80 mile round trip commute and over the life of the car have averaged over 32 mpg. I've seen 35 mpg on a tank. The mild climate of North Carolina and my easy commute contribute to these good numbers. If you go the used route avoid '04 and '05's with the 4sp ATX. Many members of the Mazda3 user forum that I frequent complain of very poor fuel efficiency. Some as low as 15 mpg in the city.
Dislikes:
These are very minor and would not hinder me from buying again.
Fit and finish - Some of the body panels don't line up 100%. You probably wouldn't notice unless I pointed it out but there are a couple of minor imperfections. Also if you look closely at my True Red paint it kind of has an orange peel look to it. You know, slightly bumpy and not quite glass-like. From more than a couple feet away though it's fine.
Power - My previous car had a 1.8 liter turbo in it that had 180 horses. I got very similar fuel economy from it as well and I've thought that this car with that engine would be the perfect match. It is definately no slouch as is though.
Over all reliability for me is yet to be seen but from others experiance it seems like a very well built car for the long term. Consider this review a first impression type thing. Sorry for the book but I like this car the more I drive it. It does not seem like an $18,000 car. I've heard some magazine reviews call it a baby BMW and I don't think that it's a stretch at all.
I definitely would. I had 1 Mazda and the engine never made it to 20,000 miles.....Mazda 1/2 fixed it and told me to get lost and I had to trade it in at an $8,000 loss. Poor customer service. Plus , the Malibu is a better vehicle with a better powertrain and you'll probably get better pricing minus all the Japanese quality hype. Mazda is definitely NOT Toyota or Honda quality.
for what? Loafing down the highway?
Getting
It will be my next car once I get tired of my MX6 - I'm at 217k now and will probably go to 250k or more before I start my shopping.
Quote:
I definitely would. I had 1 Mazda and the engine never made it to 20,000 miles.....Mazda 1/2 fixed it and told me to get lost and I had to trade it in at an $8,000 loss. Poor customer service. Plus , the Malibu is a better vehicle with a better powertrain and you'll probably get better pricing minus all the Japanese quality hype. Mazda is definitely NOT Toyota or Honda quality.
Wow...Mazda is a regular consumer reports top10 company. Not to mention, recent studies have put mazda above toyota and honda with fewest trips the mechanics.
All three Mazda engines I've driven have gone to at least 120,000 miles with no troubles and I've just started on a fourth.
Anecdotal evidence really doesn't add up to anything, but all we can do is give advice.
The Malibu is a better vehicle with a better powertrain? Depends on what you're looking for in a car. The Mazda3 auto 2.0l I drove as a loaner felt like a day waiting in line at the IRS compared to my '06 Miata. Compare the Malibu to the Miata...oh my...
All that said, the 3 is a very capable car - practical with engaging handling (for a economy car) and good looks. I'd also recommend a 5 speed.
Anecdotal evidence really doesn't add up to anything, but all we can do is give advice.
The Malibu is a better vehicle with a better powertrain? Depends on what you're looking for in a car. The Mazda3 auto 2.0l I drove as a loaner felt like a day waiting in line at the IRS compared to my '06 Miata. Compare the Malibu to the Miata...oh my...
All that said, the 3 is a very capable car - practical with engaging handling (for a economy car) and good looks. I'd also recommend a 5 speed.
Can't get the Malibu with a stick, so it wasn't on my list.
We have a 3 hatchback 5 spd pretty much loaded. I usually get around 25 mpg that I find a little disappointing, and would be happier with the 2.0L I think. The 2.3L has a lot of torque that can tolerate lazy shifting. I am surprised that Mazda makes both engines available in this size car. The cartridge oil filter is a growing trend, driven by environmental concerns. Have less than 10k on the odometer, and haven't changed one myself yet(dealer offers free oil changes @ 5k), but understand there is an opening in the plastic shield that doesn't line up w/ filter and most people remove the entire plastic shield for better access. 7 screws. We like the car.
A friend of mine had a Mazda 3 5-door, 5-speed. I really liked it, had a nice look to it, lots of space in the back, seats were decently comfortable, but I wouldn't want to sit in them for too long. The only thing I didn't like was the ridiculous radio. I think he got pretty good gas mileage with it, I don't really remember, though. He ended up getting sandwiched between a van and a Crown Vic in a multi-car pile up, and the little car folded like a book.
He traded it for a Mazdaspeed 6, which I also like, but IMO, is a little overpriced.
I actually considered one of these as my next vehicle, but it was just too small and the 4-cylinder didn't have nearly enough grunt. If you're just looking for a commuter car though, it's almost a no-brainer. A much better value than most of the stuff that GM, Toyota, and Honda offer.
He traded it for a Mazdaspeed 6, which I also like, but IMO, is a little overpriced.
I actually considered one of these as my next vehicle, but it was just too small and the 4-cylinder didn't have nearly enough grunt. If you're just looking for a commuter car though, it's almost a no-brainer. A much better value than most of the stuff that GM, Toyota, and Honda offer.
Great car. My daughter bought a 3S 5dr. 5spd touring last year and loves it. This is the most under rated car co. in the US. This is the 5th mazda in our family since 1993. All were stick shifts. Mazda had major problems with the Ford built auto trans.in the early 90's but they now use one built in japan by Aisin (I believe)in the 3i and s models.The driving feel of a mazda 3 is that of a much more expensive car. (zoom- zoom)
I just wish they'd put the 2.0 in the hatchback. The hatch isn't that much heavier and that 2.0 puts out decent enough power. I'll have trouble deciding between the i touring and the hatch (5 speed manuals of course) when I buy one; fuel economy is important to me here in Cali.
FWIW: I've got a Protege'5 with the red instrument illumination. Much better than Honda's blue. At night, I just dial it down about half-way with the dash panel rheostat, and that eliminates any forest-fire-in-your-lap effect. Oh, and by the way, the 3's on my very very short list for my next car. Had one as a rental. Nice.
I have a 2004 Mazda with the 2.0L. I've been more than happy with it. I decided to go with the 2.0L because I felt it was more than adequate for what I needed, and besides, during the test drive of both the 2.0L and 2.3L models, I did not notice an appreciable difference (not worth the hit in fuel economy and cost for the upgraded model). However, if I could afford it I certainly wouldn't say no to an engine spitting out 263 horses!
I agree with DrinkDuff's analysis of the vehicle. The handling is the best aspect of the car. With the 5 speed, I safely average 38-40 mpg on the highway, and somewhere between 24-26 mpg in town. Mind you, I drive fairly sedately and I don't push it too hard very often.
The fit and finish is a bit rough, but I certainly saw much worse (Pontiac Sunfire - the engine/tranny seemed fine, didn't handle that well, but body panel gaps and interior fit and finish was embarrasing) when I was looking at other vehicles before I settled on the 3. The glove box doesn't latch very snuggly and as a consequence rattles over rough roads. There are a few squeaks and rattles elsewhere, but considering how terrible the roads in Saskatchewan are, the car seems to be holding up pretty well. DrinkDuff is right in that the paint has a orange peel look to it. It isn't the worst I have seen (I've seen some terrible examples even on very expensive vehicles), but it is noticeable in direct sunlight.
Reliability wise, it hasn't caused me any major problems. The most serious thing so far was the rear motor mount deciding to ingest some pebbles and dirt, which caused a horrible racket. According to the dealer this is something they have seen with the 3, but I don't know if this is an issue they have addressed in the new models. I'm trying to get the dealer to replace the motor mount as they have been known to fail prematurely, I'm sure especially when they get dirt and abrasives stuck in them.
Overall, I'd certainly recommend it, but I wouldn't hesitate to see what is out there right now from some of the other car companies. I wasn't certainly set on Mazda, but after driving the vehicle, I sure was. If I was to make the decision again with the choices I had at the time, I certainly would buy the 3 again.
Cheers,
Mike
I agree with DrinkDuff's analysis of the vehicle. The handling is the best aspect of the car. With the 5 speed, I safely average 38-40 mpg on the highway, and somewhere between 24-26 mpg in town. Mind you, I drive fairly sedately and I don't push it too hard very often.
The fit and finish is a bit rough, but I certainly saw much worse (Pontiac Sunfire - the engine/tranny seemed fine, didn't handle that well, but body panel gaps and interior fit and finish was embarrasing) when I was looking at other vehicles before I settled on the 3. The glove box doesn't latch very snuggly and as a consequence rattles over rough roads. There are a few squeaks and rattles elsewhere, but considering how terrible the roads in Saskatchewan are, the car seems to be holding up pretty well. DrinkDuff is right in that the paint has a orange peel look to it. It isn't the worst I have seen (I've seen some terrible examples even on very expensive vehicles), but it is noticeable in direct sunlight.
Reliability wise, it hasn't caused me any major problems. The most serious thing so far was the rear motor mount deciding to ingest some pebbles and dirt, which caused a horrible racket. According to the dealer this is something they have seen with the 3, but I don't know if this is an issue they have addressed in the new models. I'm trying to get the dealer to replace the motor mount as they have been known to fail prematurely, I'm sure especially when they get dirt and abrasives stuck in them.
Overall, I'd certainly recommend it, but I wouldn't hesitate to see what is out there right now from some of the other car companies. I wasn't certainly set on Mazda, but after driving the vehicle, I sure was. If I was to make the decision again with the choices I had at the time, I certainly would buy the 3 again.
Cheers,
Mike
Ugh, I meant a 2004 Mazda 3!
ive got a speed3 and am enjoying it alot. i came from a pumped out GTI with the 1.8 turbo that was putting down around 200 hp and 240 TQ to the ground and this little beast has a little more. ive seen some dynos for around 250hp/260tq. im 37 but i like to drive cars with a bit of power and good handling characteristics and this ride is terrific in both respects as is in the stock form. most every magazine that has put an article up on it has had very good ratings. im getting 25.5 mpg with around 80% freeway 20% city and 1500 miles on the odo. the only real gripe i have with it is the plastic canister type oil filter. if your looking for a nice little performance car you will be hard pressed to find anything better in the $25,000 and under range than the speed3 but if your looking for pure gas milage economy look somewhere else. just my
Yep! At least you'll have something worth selling in 5 yrs if you take care of it.
Wow guys! I never expected such a response. Thanks for all the great input.
Yesterday I test drove the Speed3, Grand Touring. What a rocketship! This car is fast, tight, rides & handles great and if we buy it will take concious effort to hold it back. The wife tells me she was white-knuckling on her side... I wasn't paying attention!
We noticed a little more road noise than our current car, but that is an unfair comparison with a Yukon XL Denali. The wife doesn't think she likes how small it is, so that will be the challenge. This will be her car and I hope she would let me drive it on family trips.
Thanks again to all for your commments. And just a bit of advice to Pablo... Don't test drive this one, Buddy! You'll be hooked!
Tim
Yesterday I test drove the Speed3, Grand Touring. What a rocketship! This car is fast, tight, rides & handles great and if we buy it will take concious effort to hold it back. The wife tells me she was white-knuckling on her side... I wasn't paying attention!
We noticed a little more road noise than our current car, but that is an unfair comparison with a Yukon XL Denali. The wife doesn't think she likes how small it is, so that will be the challenge. This will be her car and I hope she would let me drive it on family trips.
Thanks again to all for your commments. And just a bit of advice to Pablo... Don't test drive this one, Buddy! You'll be hooked!
Tim
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