- Aug 5, 2004
- 8,356
- 9
- 81
So as some of you may have remembered I use to drive a 2005 WRX, sadly a few weeks ago when driving back very late at night the engine let go on the highway. Appears to have spun an engine bearing, or something else catastrophic internally. Sadly my garage wasn't really able to do much for me, and getting a new engine is going to be very expensive.
So, new car time! I really wanted to get a 2015 GTI, but given my time crunch I just can't make a deal work right now. Thus, Mazda 3 fits the all-purpose car bill for now!
The old:
I actually still have the car, but I've not the ability to fix it myself. Still unsure what I want to do with it. Loved that car, and it's only got 89k on it.:'(
New:
Mazda 3 iTouring with tech package. Definitely fits the bill as a good commuter car. Relatively quiet (although road noise can be rather apparent at times), good suspension tuning, reasonably comfortable, and the tech package adds in all the fun things! It's hardly quick, but it has adequate power and never feels like it's struggling to do anything. Handles very well, although the stock 'eco' tires definitely let it down (it's a lease, I'm not changing them). Also, you can't go wrong with 30/40 mpg! Interior has some 'meh' points, but overall, for its class, this interior is pretty good. All the switches have a nice feel to them, and a lot of the dash is soft touch. It doesn't look good in pictures, but in person it's not bad at all.
Overall, it's not exactly 'exciting', I mean the thing feels like a 4 thousand pound vault (actually less than 3k lbs) and I've never driven a car where it always feels like I'm traveling at slow speeds, but it drives well and is a rather good car!
So, new car time! I really wanted to get a 2015 GTI, but given my time crunch I just can't make a deal work right now. Thus, Mazda 3 fits the all-purpose car bill for now!
The old:
I actually still have the car, but I've not the ability to fix it myself. Still unsure what I want to do with it. Loved that car, and it's only got 89k on it.:'(
New:
Mazda 3 iTouring with tech package. Definitely fits the bill as a good commuter car. Relatively quiet (although road noise can be rather apparent at times), good suspension tuning, reasonably comfortable, and the tech package adds in all the fun things! It's hardly quick, but it has adequate power and never feels like it's struggling to do anything. Handles very well, although the stock 'eco' tires definitely let it down (it's a lease, I'm not changing them). Also, you can't go wrong with 30/40 mpg! Interior has some 'meh' points, but overall, for its class, this interior is pretty good. All the switches have a nice feel to them, and a lot of the dash is soft touch. It doesn't look good in pictures, but in person it's not bad at all.
Overall, it's not exactly 'exciting', I mean the thing feels like a 4 thousand pound vault (actually less than 3k lbs) and I've never driven a car where it always feels like I'm traveling at slow speeds, but it drives well and is a rather good car!