How you like your mazda3?

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

Well I will be graduating from college in a year and am debating what to do with the p5. I am not sure if I have brought this up before but the 3 is on the list of cars to consider. And want to know what your thoughts on it are besides "its good". Has anyone on the boards made the transition from a p5 or protege to a 3? Cause their comparison/review would be much obliged.


On a side note, the plans are to either:

1. dump money into the p5
2. pick up a miata as a project car
3. trade er in for a mazda3
4. wishing i could trade her in for a bmw m3

If i get a 3 i will most likely boost it seeing the good numbers and how reliable it has been SO FAR, but you never know. I know an option is waiting for the mazdaspeed 3 but seeing as how its slow in development we wiill never know. But that is also option 5 if it ever comes out.

An begin discussion/advice!

*edit* I am thinking of getting the 5 door but after seeing all the beautiful pictures of the mazda3 sedan in the pic thread i am open to either or. So if anyone has driven both please put your input here as well thanks!*

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

no one cares :(

[illusis]

i love my 06 3HB GT. it handels vey nice, takes the turns great, its not FAST but its got enough speed to keep me happy and out of trouble. i payed 20k for it fully loaded. minus sun room b/c i dont like them. i eather want a roof or no roof. the car has great response to my daily driving great gas milage. comfortable and roomy for me to get back and forth to school. the only thing is that the back seat is a little small for anyone bigger then 5'7 or so. but i like that in a way b/c then i dont have to drive all the time. my car has so many luxuary options. its a great entry level car for the money that i paid. headlight(HID), windshield wipers, air/heat all auto. fogs, heated seats, leather, extra space in trunk inbetween and spare which is plastic so thats great to put things that are dirty in so they dont mess up the trunk carpet. you obvously dont need the space of a HB seeing that you are graduation but i like the look. i hope this helps you somewhat. im not great with cars so i cant tell you all the mech info im sure someone else can but i hope my general info on comfort and everyday use of the car. good luck with your decision

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

thansk its great kinda what i wanted to hear!

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

bump for more opinions!

[illusis]

i got my ca on a rainy day...perfect day to go there were like 2 other people in the dealership and i got the car 2k off sticker...bgood luck man hope you love your choice like i do =]

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

thanks...if i do end up getting a mazda3 ill have two things in my favor...college graduate and "loyal mazda owner" discounts. but its still a year off so who knows.

[BlueMonsta]

things I love about:
1. the power (I came from a 1991 Protege LX). For regular driving its enough, highway passing included, I don't even have to rev it, keep it in 5th and I still have ample power.
2. The cornering ability definently suprasses my old car (it was stock). it can handle 20-30km/h more per turn on average.
3. Stock highlights are bright and I can actually see my headlights, I don't see the need for HIDs.
4. cargo room, the glove box is HUGE. The right handle rest has 2 compartments. Trunk space is decent. I'm getting 500km per $40 of gas (81 cents / L).
Car is still brand new, as in 4 days old.

Cons.
1. knee rest SUCKS ass. (my mz3 is left hand drive) so I rest my left knee on the door. It starts to hurt after a while. And if I'm on twisties, it starts to get annoying.
2. Steering wheel doesn't provide me with enough information about road conditions (my protege really excel in this area).
3. Brakes were really senstive. I made one emergency stop and the sensitive was less, but I also felt a loss in braking power.
4. stock goodyear RS-As are horrible in snow. (my car saw snow already =( ).
5. sedan wise, its somewhat diffcult to back in, can't really see the trunk is too high. Wish I got the hatch.
6. and as the other fellow forum member noted, the backseat is area is rather small.
7. Rather heavy, at 1,318KG (2006 mazda 6 GT sedan AT) for a compact car.

unknowns.
1. I have yet to tryout the fog lights in fog.
2. I dunno how long till the moonroof leaks water.
3. I dunno if fuel consumption will get worse or better after break in.

As my first brand new car, I'm satisfied but nothing beyond. Maybe I'll grow to love it as much as my protege since the car is only 4 days old.

whats your budget anyway?

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

i dont really know at this point since i have atleast 1 year of schooling left...but i mean if i get a mazda3 ill get it for the purpose of turboing it...it seems a little more reliable engine wise then the fs-de

[blueM3hatch]

get a mazda3. Protege is discontinued by Mazda.

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

well the thinng that i like about it is the price per what you get i mean...if i get a good trade in for the p5 then i get like high 100 to high 200 as monthly payments so who knows.

its still up in the air...

[blueM3hatch]

http://i1.tinypic.com/no7jv7.jpg


The 3 has such a unique look/

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

see im kinda bumped cause i was calculating one online before and well i cant get the good stuff like hid's and navigation without getting the s touring...its like wtf man i cant get like the s hatch with navi and hids?

but yeah im digging it in white and in black....i have a black p5 now and know its a pita to keep clean but there is something sexy about the white...

[blueM3hatch]

but there is something sexy about the white...


wrong again. Theres something pedestrian and "Avis Car Rental" about the white.

[BlueMonsta]

well the thinng that i like about it is the price per what you get i mean...if i get a good trade in for the p5 then i get like high 100 to high 200 as monthly payments so who knows.
its still up in the air...
don't mean to change the focus of the tread.
But do you already have a house? retirement plans? investment plans?

if you do have money to spare, you might want to look at finacing a left over Mazdaspeed 6.
price wise: Mazda 3 + turbo = a regular base mazda 6 v6. (guessing).
but insurance won't cover you if anything happens.
have you considered the mazdaspeed 6?

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

Im a junior at pace uni and live with my folks for now...when i grad im hopin to get a job somewhere and maybe go to fl who knows...i have fl on my mind for some reason but most likely ill be livin at home for the next 2 years i think until i have money to move out. cost of living is mighty expensive where i live LMAO so there is no way id afford a place on my own. We shall see what the money situation is but i am wanting a project car...i might just keep the p5 for years to come because of money situations, but im just weighing out my options. I have plans but not too deep into the future since im just 21 and you just never know where life leads you.

oh and about the ms6...idk im not a fan about large sedans i cant see myself driving one i mean i think the 6 is sexy and i love the 6 wagon but i dont know...i guess a test drive in a year would be in order...but for some reason im not a fan of large luxo sedans.


don't mean to change the focus of the tread.
But do you already have a house? retirement plans? investment plans?

if you do have money to spare, you might want to look at finacing a left over Mazdaspeed 6.
price wise: Mazda 3 + turbo = a regular base mazda 6 v6. (guessing).
but insurance won't cover you if anything happens.
have you considered the mazdaspeed 6?

[illusis]

my 3 is a white hb and i love it, everyone now gets colors, expecialy mazda blue. white is different and getting more popular

[bbrich57]

wrong again. Theres something pedestrian and "Avis Car Rental" about the white.
Eh-heh! I beg your pardon, but there is something very COMMON about "winning blue."
Like every ad shot Mazda put out is in WB. Like every other 3 I see is either WB, or titanium gray (sorry TG guys 'n' gals.) I get tired of seeing them all in the same two or three colors.
"White" gives you a good base to do other appearance mods to. I'd like to do some bold contrasting stripes (6-8") on mine.
Personally, I wish they still had the yellow, but the P5 yellow. It was bolder than what the '04-3's came in.

[blueM3hatch]

Theres a reason they choose winning blue for the 1st ad campaign. It's the flagship color of the Mazda3 line, and it is unique.


If im not mistaken. White is the color most oftenly used for Car Rental companies such as Avis, Thrifty, Enterprise. Don't forget the lines and styling cues are more apparent in colored cars. IMO

[bbrich57]

Theres a reason they choose winning blue for the 1st ad campaign. It's the flagship color of the Mazda3 line, and it is unique.
About twenty-five years ago when used 55-57 chevys were still pretty common, everybody and his brother had theirs repainted metallic blue. Winning blue reminds me very much of that same color. There were hundreds of 'em everywhere it seemed. You may like it and that's fine, but don't preach to me about how "unique" it is and how "boring" white is until you've experienced life for a while.

[blueM3hatch]

Well, I guess we better agree to disagree on this one. (thumb)

[bbrich57]

Well, I guess we better agree to disagree on this one. (thumb)
Done! (poke)
(thumb)

[blueM3hatch]

Done! (poke)
(thumb)



Youd get a much better argument if we debated this on

**********************

If your not already on there too.

And more than likely it would turn into a 5 page thread in 1 day.

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

lol soooo colors aside...how you like your mazda3's?

i think i might wait for the mazdaspeed3 while im at it...

[bbrich57]

Youd get a much better argument if we debated this on
********************** (http://**********************)
If your not already on there too.
And more than likely it would turn into a 5 page thread in 1 day.
Actually blue I was trying to make a point. I'm not really interested in arguing about it.
'Fact is, I used to feel the same way as you do now. And the '80 Honda Civic I used to own and race was nearly this same metallic blue, only a bit darker I think.
My point is that things change. Points of view change depending on situations. We both live in Texas and the hot sun was one of mine when I bought Virgin1. I had read that the A/C isn't all that great... and it ain' t! I bought Virgin late in the year and my options were limited... and my wife REFUSED to let me get the yellow one.
I understand that you are proud of your car. You should be, but so am I, and anyone else that takes the time to post on this site. I was in the business myself for about ten years and couldn't afford a new car then. This is my first brand new car and I am nearly 50 yrs old.
There you have it. I hope this will help you understand how life can alter your opinions over time.
(blowup)

[bbrich57]

lol soooo colors aside...how you like your mazda3's?
i think i might wait for the mazdaspeed3 while im at it...
Hey Pro5! Are you still here?
I LOVE it!!

Oh... wait. You wanted more than the pat, short answer didn't you.
I may have to get back to you with a more detailed answer, but in general after almost two years with Virgin1, I still look out the window at her from time to time. I still enjoy going places in her. For me it's a toss up for the best car I ever owned against my Civic (Inga,) which I beat the Sh#* out of for many years and many miles, and she still gave me 32mpg@ 70mph.
More later, if you please?
:)

[blueM3hatch]

Actually blue I was trying to make a point. I'm not really interested in arguing about it.
'Fact is, I used to feel the same way as you do now. And the '80 Honda Civic I used to own and race was nearly this same metallic blue, only a bit darker I think.
My point is that things change. Points of view change depending on situations. We both live in Texas and the hot sun was one of mine when I bought Virgin1. I had read that the A/C isn't all that great... and it ain' t! I bought Virgin late in the year and my options were limited... and my wife REFUSED to let me get the yellow one.
I understand that you are proud of your car. You should be, but so am I, and anyone else that takes the time to post on this site. I was in the business myself for about ten years and couldn't afford a new car then. This is my first brand new car and I am nearly 50 yrs old.
There you have it. I hope this will help you understand how life can alter your opinions over time.
(blowup)


I understand. Are you a member of m3f? anyway? (stoned)

[bbrich57]

I understand. Are you a member of m3f? anyway? (stoned)
No sir, I've never posted. But I do have the site marked. Why?
(deadhorse

:)

[blueM3hatch]

No sir, I've never posted. But I do have the site marked. Why?
(deadhorse



just curious. Though this one seems geared more to the P5, and all mazdas (Which is fine and all.) M3F is Mazda3 all the time. Having it geared toward just the one car.

[bbrich57]

just curious. Though this one seems geared more to the P5, and all mazdas (Which is fine and all.) M3F is Mazda3 all the time. Having it geared toward just the one car.
Thanks! I'll check it out more thoroughly tomorrow. Right now, the wife is calling....
Gotta' go! 'Night Guys!

[bbrich57]

Well I will be graduating from college in a year and am debating what to do with the p5...
...An begin discussion/advice!
*edit* I am thinking of getting the 5 door but after seeing all the beautiful pictures of the mazda3 sedan in the pic thread i am open to either or. So if anyone has driven both please put your input here as well thanks!*

Hi again, Pro5!
Here's is the more detailed info you asked for. I warn you though that like much of what I write, this could be looonnnggg, but hopefully informative. Remember, you asked for it.
General: Before you buy a new car, perhaps you should "invest" your first paycheck in a really good, professional driving course. Since taking mine @ Pocono in the mid-'80's, I have had only one accident, which I was unable to avoid (I was hit from behind-left in traffic and was determined to be the other drivers fault... an 18 wheeler at that,) and no tickets. I have avoided more potential accidents from bad drivers due to this training than anything else. I would recommend such a course to anyone that drives. Best $600.00 I ever spent. 'Don't know how much it would cost today.
This course taught me what I like to call "Finesse" driving where you get the most performance from you and your vehicle w/o bullying it.
Also please remember that no one drives BETTER while talking on a cell phone or monkeying around with stereo controls. You're not the only person on the road and are putting other's lives at risk as well as your own.
"...Licence no replace eye, ear and brain." (Mr. Miagi, The Karate Kid, Pt 1.)
Also, you should know that I personally don't like automatics and in 33 yrs of driving have never owned one.
OK. Enough preaching.
I looked at the sedans and the hatchbacks when I did my research on both. Both cars drove the same but the hatch, which I was leaning towards anyway, looks more muscular and is obviously much more practical.
I was very disappointed with the trunk of the sedan. It has a high lift over, a high deck (obstructs rear view), and a low opening. I determined that it would not be not very useful for us. Other than that, same-same.
Part 1: What I LOVE about my "3". These are in no particular order. 1. More powerful than any other 4-cyl vehicle that I have ever owned; 2. great handling, but I plan to install the Progress 22mm rear bar to eliminate understeer; 3. Great look; 4. Firm, supportive seats; 5. Nice looking wheels and 17" tires. As many have stated, the stock "BadYears" really SUCK WIND though!!; 6. BIG 4-wheel disc brakes w/ABS. Stock rear pads suck; 7. Drivers seat and control adjustments, though for my frame they could be better. Plenty of headroom for my 6+ feet; 8. For my big 12's, heel & toe is a breeze, and I don't have a problem left-footing the brake when using the clutch pedal as some have complained about; 9. Very positive shifter. Closest thing to Hondas highly touted shifting that I know of. This thing doesn't feel at all like it's connected to cables... but it is; 10. Taut, but not harsh suspension... more German car like (they did their homework); 11. Headlights are good w/a sharp European style cut-off. I got used to using these a long time ago, before they were DOT approved for automotive use (like many others, I used them anyway); 12. Interior lighting (blue/red-orange backlighting) w/map lights that you can actually read a map by!! WOW!! What a concept! (boom07) ; 13. Steering wheel controls. I don't know anyone who doesn't like these;14. Stereo is just OK. Nothing to write home about but it'll do; 15. Multipule air bag safety.
I think that's enough for you to absorb for now. I'll write the rest down a little later in another post.

[bbrich57]

Well, I guess we better agree to disagree on this one. (thumb)
Hey Blue!
Here's something I didn't admit to last night, but thought you might get a kick out of it anyway...
I considered doing the wide stripes I mentioned and perhaps some AM mirror covers in Winning Blue metallic to contrast and highlight the white. 'Could even do the side trim and door handles, if that wouldn't be too much. Kind of a retro look. WhaddoUthink?
'Course after this, if I do it, you'll have to do the reverse and white yours out!! (whip)

[bbrich57]

my 3 is a white hb and i love it, everyone now gets colors, expecialy mazda blue. white is different and getting more popular
You tell him, Illusis!! We white car "guys" have to stick together.

[Gambino]

White for teh win!



sorry, I had to

[bbrich57]

White for the win!

sorry, I had to

Man, are you still takin' your clothes off in the garage in front of your father? (poke)

[Gambino]

Man, are you still takin' your clothes off in the garage in front of your father? (poke)
of course not

[bbrich57]

of course not
That thread was already pretty full when I viewed it, but that was enough evidence for most of us to question your sanity. But, you got what you wanted for the trouble, plus a lot of ribbing.
'Guess then you need a new signature pic with the "blues" on, huh?

[Gambino]

That thread was already pretty full when I viewed it, but that was enough evidence for most of us to question your sanity. But, you got what you wanted for the trouble, plus a lot of ribbing.
'Guess then you need a new signature pic with the "blues" on, huh?
yeah I do.....I need to wax her and take some new pictures anyway. i really want some white eyelids on there too..........

[bbrich57]

yeah I do.....I need to wax her and take some new pictures anyway. i really want some white eyelids on there too..........
Maybe Winning Blue would be more appropriate? (yes)

[Gambino]

Maybe Winning Blue would be more appropriate? (yes)(no)

[bbrich57]

(no)
(angel) = (encourage

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

thanks for the review bbirch57!

guys keep em comming!

[bbrich57]

thanks for the review bbrich57!
No problem, Pro5. I hope that if you haven't already, that you and anybody else who reads this post will take my suggestion of a professional driving school seriously. I truly believe they can make anybody a better driver, and it's FUN too!!
Are you ready yet for part 2, what could be better?

[bbrich57]

Part 2:
What, for me, Could Be Better: 1. I'm almost 6'1", 155 lbs. (tall and thin) and even with all the available adjustments, the driving position is still a compromise for me. I like to drive mostly upright, in a "command" position with my arms about half bent, my legs not quite completely outstretched when clutching, and the wheel directly in front of me. Getting as close to this as I can, with the steering wheel all the way out and down, the seat nearly all the way back, I can't see the gauges w/o ducking. Even the speedo is partially blocked (from about 45MPH up) by the wheel. And the "gas" pedal is still too close. I use the cruise control a lot though, and adjust my speed from the wheel; 2. Rear side vision could be better, especially with the dark tint in my HB. The very first thing I did when we brought the car home that day was to remove the rear headrests... and they haven't been back in since. This helped a lot; 3. The A/C. Another common complaint. In Texas where 100* in the summer is not unheard of,it has taken me the whole trip home from work, about 17 miles to get to reasonably cool. It's still better than nothing, and even knowing that it didn't change my mind in buying her in the first place. 'Just wish it were better; 4. The wheels take time to clean completely. There's a lot of surface area there and they are harder to scrub clean than they look; 5. Tires: The RS-A's SUCK; 6. The RS-A's SUCK; 7. Carpet: Anyone who plays an amplified instrument knows this stuff, and it ain't easy to clean; 8. The stock brake pads suck too, especially the rears, but I mentioned that already too; 9. The fog lamps are nearly useless, and as far as I know, not adjustable. I would like to have seen them offer driving lamps to supplement the high beams instead; 10. The rear springs are, in my opinion, weak. Put a moderate to heavy load in the hatch area, or a small trailer on the back and she will sag. I nearly bottomed her out one day with 15- 14"x 14" pavers. I drove home very slow and carefully that day.
Off hand I can't think of anything else. Some of these complains are my own and others are small by comparison. I would still buy another one... in a Heartbeat of America!
Good Luck, Pro5. I hope you find this helpful in your future decision making.

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

No problem, Pro5. I hope that if you haven't already, that you and anybody else who reads this post will take my suggestion of a professional driving school seriously. I truly believe they can make anybody a better driver, and it's FUN too!!
Are you ready yet for part 2, what could be better?

i went with my dad to a bmw driving expierence which he got for free when getting his 6 series...now all i am waiting for is for him to take me on the bmw M driving expierence, which means beating on m3's and m5's....should be fun!

[blueM3hatch]

sorry, havent checked in. But I will be removing my side moldings this week.

[bbrich57]

sorry, havent checked in. But I will be removing my side moldings this week.
I hope this isn't to avoid painting them white? I wasn't completely serious about that, ya' know. Don't do anything desperate on my behalf. (sun)

[wannazoomina3]

I love my 3S Touring Hatch...only has 79 miles on it in 2+ days, but I can't wait to get back in it and zoom around...will probably put a tank's worth of miles on it this weekend, barring too much rain...

I especially like the way the car handles, best of the bunch I tested...I have the 5-speed Auto, but can pretend it's a stick when I want to. If my commute was more open and not congested, I would have gone for the manual...

I do have one question...does anyone know where I can get the Zoom-Zoom decal? Is that from the dealer?

Thanks.

[bacon]

dealer should send u a decal by mail along with complimentary bottle of touch up paint

[Mazda3Rookie]

dealer should send u a decal by mail along with complimentary bottle of touch up paint

I got my Zoom-Zoom decal in the mail, but it came with an accessory catalog... (glare)

[illusis]

if i call my dealer can i get a touch-up paint...scratched my back bumper a little and it could be used...also i didnt get a sticker =[