On the market for a Mazda 3

[ill_eagle]

Hey Mazda enthusiasts!

Boy, am I glad I found this forum. I've only been driving for 4 years, but finally, it's time to retire this piece of S 1993 Ford Taurus and move onto something better... like a Mazda 3. That's like upgrading from a rotary phone to a paper thin celly.

Anyways, I'm approaching this purchase with the utmost care. I'm going for the 3i 4 door, because I'm still in school, and I don't need a top-drawer ride. I have a few questions I was hoping I could get some answers/opinions to:

1) It's mid-June, should I wait for the 2006 model? It's doubtful that the 2006 model will arrive with significant improvements, but if there are any nagging problems with the '05 model that are fixed with the next model, I might prefer to wait. Does anybody know when the 2006's will arrive?

2) As I said, I'm going for the i trim, not the s. Options-wise, I'd like to keep it to a minimum. A/C, power windows, and that's it. Unfortunately, I can't find anything about power windows on the i model... what's the deal?

3) What are the main cosmetic differences between the i and s trims?

Thanks in advance

[Gambino]

Welcome! First of all, if you are ready for the car now, I dont think it is necessarily going to be worth the wait, but thats up to you. As for power windows, I am quite sure that it is an option, although my dads i doesnt have them. And as for cosmetic differences, s has fog lights and i doesnt, also the grills are different. Also with the s you can get up to 17 inch rims, but I think thats about it cosmetic wise. Good luck with the buy!!

[fam]

I have yet to see any mazda3 without power windows and locks, I had thought it was a standard option as is a cd player \cruise\ and steering wheel controls. THe only advantage to waiting until the 06 is that they may have some good incentives on the remaining 05s in stock. S trim gets bigger motor, wings, fog lights, alot cooler guages\ leather shifter knobs and steering wheel cover, silver accented interior with a fake carbon fiber piece. I model gets 16" wheels (ive seen hubcaps but only on rentals) and S model gets 17s. I own both an i and an S, not a big difference to worry about other than the guages on S are more visible at day and night. What state you live in? I have an 04 3S that im selling as cheap as an I model with sunroof and 6cd in Ohio!

[wongpres]

The '06 Mazda3 begins production in July so first ones will reach dealerships in late Aug to Sep timeframe.

This thread has the '06 info to help you decide on '05 vs '06:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106501

[Gambino]

I have yet to see any mazda3 without power windows and locks, I had thought it was a standard option as is a cd player \cruise\ and steering wheel controls. THe only advantage to waiting until the 06 is that they may have some good incentives on the remaining 05s in stock. S trim gets bigger motor, wings, fog lights, alot cooler guages\ leather shifter knobs and steering wheel cover, silver accented interior with a fake carbon fiber piece. I model gets 16" wheels (ive seen hubcaps but only on rentals) and S model gets 17s. I own both an i and an S, not a big difference to worry about other than the guages on S are more visible at day and night. What state you live in? I have an 04 3S that im selling as cheap as an I model with sunroof and 6cd in Ohio!

Like I said, my dads i has no power windows or locks. Also, his doesnt have cruise either. And the 16 inch wheels are the biggest, you got hubcaps, then 15's, then 16's.

[Mikey444]

The most significant difference between the 2005 and the 2006 is that the 2.0l engine gets VVT.

[RHAGEL]

I like the fact that the i has a tan interior option. I would prefer it over the black, as it gets too hot in the summer. As far as the other differences, most editors that test the s & i say that there is not much noticable differences. The i has a good motor and the s is just a little better and stronger.

[thebird_19]

I'm new to this forum and my wife and I just bought a 05 mazda3 Friday. They did have a used one that had no power, no cruise, and hub caps. It sucked. The one we bought was an i but it has the power and wheel package $1400 that gives you power windows and locks and 16" alloy wheels. It also has a wing and cruise control. The only thing I really wanted was a 6 disc stereo, it was upgraded to a 6 speaker from the 4 speaker but its only a single cd system. Maybe someday I can upgrade that and add a mini disc player to it as well since it has the buttons but they don't do anything.

[goldwing2000]

I think there's somebody selling the CD changer in the marketplace forum.

Yeah, here:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111916

[fam]

My mazda dealership must not carry the cheapies as Ive never seen the barebone ones you speak of. My bad! ;-)