Mazda 3 wagon

[jjanders]

Just wondering if anyone here owns one or has had any experience with them?

I'm looking for something with some utility and practicality without having to sacrifice handling and mileage by getting an SUV.

Compared to the Forester/CRV/Rav4, the Mazda seems like it will offer a pretty sporty ride, give decent mileage, and still have the hatch for hauling stuff.

I currently own a 2002 Protege and it's been fairly reliable, it has the 2.0L motor though. How is the 2.3L? I believe it's a Ford engine? Reliability is very important to me, so I'm interested to know the long term durability of that engine. Also, does anyone know if this motor uses a timing belt or chain?

It doesn't seem there are many options in this group, I've looked at the Fit but it's a bit anemic and isn't available with things like lumbar support, heated seats, HID, etc... (if I get the top of the like Grand Touring wagon). It seems the Mazda wagon is a good compromise.

Thoughts?

 

[Mermaidman]

A roomier option is the Mazda6 wagon. I'd guess that a used Mz6 wagon can be had for a bargain just because it's less well known and less "cool." And, obviously, bigger car=worse fuel mileage. Anyway, can't go wrong with the Mz3 if you don't mind small--It's very popular!!

Originally posted by: jjanders
It doesn't seem there are many options in this group . . .

Another choice is the European flavored Saturn Astra, but it has unknown reliability, and worst of all--No cup holders WTF?! Good looks, great handling, not enough power.

 

[Gibson486]

How's the engine?

Mine has just got this problem where it squels at constant low RPM while driving. Dealership seems oblivious to what it is.

Gas mileage is alright (wagon only comes in 2.3l) with an auto. When I first got the car, it was horrible (17/23), but has improved to 21/27.

Keep in mind also that the air conditioner sucks in the car. Also, the paint is very weak and my brakes have a rumble sound while braking at very low speeds. Dealer does not know what the porblem is either since I still have 85% of my brake life left.

BTW, I had this car for about 7 months and already has 15k on it.

 

[Kelvrick]

I consider the gas mileage horrible for a car of that size/engine.

Why not get say a WRX? At least then you have an excuse in AWD. A subie will last you forever.

 

[jjanders]

Gibson - Yeah, my Proteges A/C has never been very strong, heard that is common with Mazdas. Also, when looking at real world MPG between the 3 and the Forester, they seem pretty comparable.

Kelvrick - I like the WRX. Only problem is I don't really like the new styling, and it's out of my price range.

Due to the 2009 Forester redesign, you can get GREAT deals on '08 Foresters right now. I have quotes $800-$1,000 under invoice, plus they have 3.9% financing. Given the comparable mileage I am currently leaning towards the Subaru....

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
A roomier option is the Mazda6 wagon. I'd guess that a used Mz6 wagon can be had for a bargain just because it's less well known and less "cool." And, obviously, bigger car=worse fuel mileage. Anyway, can't go wrong with the Mz3 if you don't mind small--It's very popular!!

Originally posted by: jjanders
It doesn't seem there are many options in this group . . .

Another choice is the European flavored Saturn Astra, but it has unknown reliability, and worst of all--No cup holders WTF?! Good looks, great handling, not enough power.

I saw an Astra on the road the other day. At first, I thought it was a German car. It looked nice from the outside.

 

[imported_K3N]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
A roomier option is the Mazda6 wagon. I'd guess that a used Mz6 wagon can be had for a bargain just because it's less well known and less "cool." And, obviously, bigger car=worse fuel mileage. Anyway, can't go wrong with the Mz3 if you don't mind small--It's very popular!!

Originally posted by: jjanders
It doesn't seem there are many options in this group . . .

Another choice is the European flavored Saturn Astra, but it has unknown reliability, and worst of all--No cup holders WTF?! Good looks, great handling, not enough power.

I saw an Astra on the road the other day. At first, I thought it was a German car. It looked nice from the outside.

It is a German, its re badged from the GM german division, OPEL.

 

[misle]

I have a 2007 Mazda 3. Bought it in November of '06. I have over 20,000 miles on it and I've never had a problem. I also bought it for the hatch, to haul stuff around.

Mileage:
Lowest = 21 mpg (I was doing a lot of slow driving around town for work)
Best = 31.8 mpg (highway, keeping speed around 70)

Unlike Gibson486, I've never had any problems with the A/C (even in Missouri's horrible humidity), never had an engine problem, or brake problems.
The radio display dimmed on me a few times and they said it was a known issue and replaced it in about 30 minutes.
My only real complaint is the stock Goodyear RS-A Tires. Terrible tires, especially in snow.

I am very happy with my Mazda 3.

 

[LeiZaK]

I had a Mazda 3 hatchback for about 2 1/2 years and loved it. I traded it in for a Speed 3, which is everything I loved about my 3 x 10, without all of the annoyances.

The 3 is a great little car though.

 

[BZeto]

I was thinking about getting one because of the hatch and amazing interior. I'm now considering a Civic because I don't really NEED the hatch right now, plus they're more quiet with better MPG's.

 

[senseamp]

I got one, I love it. Please don't buy a silver one, there are too many
I can toss my bike in the back with both wheels on when I fold the rear seats. It handles like a dream, great steering, great brakes, great looks.
Cons: Radio antenna sucks, had some rattle in the glove box that I fixed myself since Mazda had no clue. Had carpet replaced, because it was crap and rubbed through in 1 year. Mazda did treat me well, give me loaner cars, etc.
Mileage is OK for me with stickshift. You can't compare it to a civic, because of the bigger engine. It's more in Impreza/Scion xB,tC/VW Golf type of engine combo, so it should be compared to those cars. I get about 30 mpg on highway, closer to 35 if I am drafting, so a lot of it is due to aerodynamics as well. City I get 25-30mpg, depending on driving style, and I drive fairly aggressively.
My friend bought one too after me

 

[jjanders]

Originally posted by: BZeto
I was thinking about getting one because of the hatch and amazing interior. I'm now considering a Civic because I don't really NEED the hatch right now, plus they're more quiet with better MPG's.

This is my thinking lately too.

Not to mention I got an insurance quote for the 3 Hatch, and it would increase my premium $120 every 6 months....while the Civic would increase it like $7. Not sure why the difference.....I even got a quote on a WRX sedan and it would only increase it like $70, why the hatchback is such a big increase, I don't know...

 

[Funyuns101]

shouldn't you be looking into the normal Impreza instead of the WRX if you're looking into the Mazda3 hatch?
Mileage is fairly similar between the two but the Subie has AWD, which might be helpful if you're from NY.
If you're looking into the WRX then you should look into the Speed3 which is practically the same thing but faster and 6 speed!

As for your insurance... I'm not sure but maybe they think that people are less reckless w/Civic's than other cars?

 

[jjanders]

Originally posted by: Funyuns101
shouldn't you be looking into the normal Impreza instead of the WRX if you're looking into the Mazda3 hatch?
Mileage is fairly similar between the two but the Subie has AWD, which might be helpful if you're from NY.
If you're looking into the WRX then you should look into the Speed3 which is practically the same thing but faster and 6 speed!

As for your insurance... I'm not sure but maybe they think that people are less reckless w/Civic's than other cars?

I am, I'm not interested in the WRX, but when I saw the quote for the Mazda hatch of $120 more, I figured I'd look up the WRX, 3-series, and some other more expensive sporty cars to see how they compared....and they all would make my insurance go up less than the Mazda hatch (even the BMW). Of course, this was a general quote from Geico and not exact without a VIN, so you never know.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
A roomier option is the Mazda6 wagon. I'd guess that a used Mz6 wagon can be had for a bargain just because it's less well known and less "cool." And, obviously, bigger car=worse fuel mileage. Anyway, can't go wrong with the Mz3 if you don't mind small--It's very popular!!

Originally posted by: jjanders
It doesn't seem there are many options in this group . . .

Another choice is the European flavored Saturn Astra, but it has unknown reliability, and worst of all--No cup holders WTF?! Good looks, great handling, not enough power.

I saw an Astra on the road the other day. At first, I thought it was a German car. It looked nice from the outside.

Yea i saw them at a dealer a coupel weeks ago and had to do a double take as i had never heard of it. they look good from the outside and the inside looks nice from the pics at saturn.com That and they get good milage 24/32

 

[senseamp]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally get insurance quote for Mazdaspeed 3 instead of regular Mazda 3s?

 

[jjanders]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Are you sure you didn't accidentally get insurance quote for Mazdaspeed 3 instead of regular Mazda 3s?

Yep, I did the quote on the MS3 too just to be sure, that increases it like $200-$225

 

[Riverhound777]

Originally posted by: jjanders

Originally posted by: senseamp
Are you sure you didn't accidentally get insurance quote for Mazdaspeed 3 instead of regular Mazda 3s?

Yep, I did the quote on the MS3 too just to be sure, that increases it like $200-$225

Geico gave me a ridiculous quote when I got my 3. It was something like $1800 for the year. I stuck with AAA even though it is still high at $1350/yr. And I am 25 with perfect record.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: jjanders

Originally posted by: BZeto
I was thinking about getting one because of the hatch and amazing interior. I'm now considering a Civic because I don't really NEED the hatch right now, plus they're more quiet with better MPG's.

This is my thinking lately too.

Not to mention I got an insurance quote for the 3 Hatch, and it would increase my premium $120 every 6 months....while the Civic would increase it like $7. Not sure why the difference.....I even got a quote on a WRX sedan and it would only increase it like $70, why the hatchback is such a big increase, I don't know...

The new Civics are *really* nice, a big improvement this gen over the previous one. They're not that quick, unless you spring for the Si ($$$$), but they're decently powered for what they are. The only downside I see to them is that even the 1.8L motor is so packed tight up front that service would probably be a bitch.

Civic resale is awesome, so you could drive it for 2-3 years and not get upside down on the deal.

EDIT : Whoops they're 1.8, not 1.6

 

[Funyuns101]

With insane gas prices, you almost have to consider the Civic and Corolla with their 1.8L I4 engines and great fuel economy.

I'm looking at similar cars, just wish that the 3Hatch and Impreza hatch got better mileage.
OP, take a look at this post in Off Topic from not too long ago about other people w/Mazda3's.

 

[jjanders]

Originally posted by: Funyuns101
With insane gas prices, you almost have to consider the Civic and Corolla with their 1.8L I4 engines and great fuel economy.

I'm looking at similar cars, just wish that the 3Hatch and Impreza hatch got better mileage.
OP, take a look at this post in Off Topic from not too long ago about other people w/Mazda3's.

Yeah I read that thread. Been reading the Mazda 3 forums too, there seems to be a lot of minor issues, but it seems that was with the 04-06's and the 07 and 08's seem to be pretty solid.

Still, the Honda will have a much lower cost to own considering the reliability, MPG, resale, and insurance, so that's why I'm leaning that way. While a little performance would be nice, I drive a 130hp Protege right now so the Civic would suit my needs fine.

 

[senseamp]

Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

 

[raildogg]

I am waiting for the new 2009 Honda Fit to come out. I also seriously considered the Mazda 3 and wanted to get one but the mileage concerns me. I want a car with at least 30 MPG.

Here is a thread about the 2009 Honda Fit:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...098955&highlight_key=y

 

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Civic is not a Hatchback. If you want a sedan, there is a 2.0L Mazda3i that is more like the civic in performance and gets better mileage than the 2.3L hatch.
Also, the resale on the 3 is pretty good, I know because I was going to buy a used one until I found out how much they were going for.

I'm sure he knows that... if you're concerned about mileage and want a small hatch/wagon: check out the 2009 Toyota Matrix? Looks are still up for discussion.

You can get the 1.8L I4 from the Corolla: 26/32 for the manual (25/31 for auto)
Alternatively, the 2.4L I4 from the Camry/Tc (correct me if I'm wrong): 21/28 manual (21/29 auto)

 

[jjanders]

I drove a Matrix a few years ago as a rental, HATED the way it drove and couldn't get comfortable in the seat for the life of me. Not sure if they've changed much in the last few years.