New Mazda 3!

[Demo24]

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!

 

[bigi]

Grats.

I have 2xCX-5s and it really looks same inside and similar out.

You should get like 40MPG on HWY.

 

[pegasis]

That center pop up display is really bad

 

[ballmode]

Whoa whoa whoa. HOLD THE PHONE.

Are those the Stock forged BBS WRX 5x100 16" wheels?

If SO. I WILL BUY THEMMMMM

 

[Soccerman06]

I actually just bought a 2014 2.5l 6GT, love it. The only 2 reasons I picked over the 3 was because the wind/road noise was bad in the 3 and the display in the 3 screams steal me.

 

[Demo24]

That center pop up display is really bad

Really doesn't bother me in person, and it's actually fixed in position.

Whoa whoa whoa. HOLD THE PHONE.

Are those the Stock forged BBS WRX 5x100 16" wheels?

If SO. I WILL BUY THEMMMMM

Yes, although they are actually 17's. However, still not sure what I want to do with the car. If I fix it, gotta keep them, but if I decide to sell it they may become available although unlikely (car would probably go to a friend).

 

[Demo24]

I actually just bought a 2014 2.5l 6GT, love it. The only 2 reasons I picked over the 3 was because the wind/road noise was bad in the 3 and the display in the 3 screams steal me.

You know wind noise I don't really notice apart from certain times, but somehow I definitely didn't pay much attention to the road noise on the test drive. I suspect it's more obvious because the rest of the car is relatively quiet.

 

[Pocatello]

How is the wind noise of the Mazda 3 compare to the WRX? I have a 05 Forester and the wind noise is loud, frameless windows and all.

 

[ballmode]

Did you buy them as an option on the car? Or pick them up separately?

I've been wanting to get those wheels so bad. I will buy them ASAP if you want.

 

[toronado97]

I don't know if the difference between the I and the S is that great, but I'm amazed that you consider the car not to be quick, and refer to it as a 4,000 pound vault. My 2014 3s GT is quick (not fast, but it's definitely never struggling to move itself around) and it absolutely devours corners. It feels light, nimble, and extremely responsive. I've driven it pretty hard in an attempt to make it lose composure, and I've yet to see it do it. Clearly it's not going to outperform a sports car, but for the segment it's in it's absolutely a blast to drive. Either way welcome to the Mazda family, there's a few of us on here.

 

[Demo24]

How is the wind noise of the Mazda 3 compare to the WRX? I have a 05 Forester and the wind noise is loud, frameless windows and all.

All around much better than the WRX. That car could get pretty loud at times, especially on the highway for extended journeys. Again most notable part is the road noise at significant speed, around town unless you're on rough pavement it's not been remarkable to me. I typically have the radio on almost all the time as well, so highway (70-80) is really where it starts to be a little irritating. Smooth asphalt highways though really quiet it down significantly. I never drove a 's' model with the sporty tires, so no idea if changing the tires would improve this over the rather large sidewalled Yokohama Avids on it now (they do look a little silly, but cushy).

Did you buy them as an option on the car? Or pick them up separately?

I've been wanting to get those wheels so bad. I will buy them ASAP if you want.

Separately. Short story: dude in florida was selling a red 04, had those wheels, I couldn't make it that weekend, he sold it to a guy in Atl, a few months later I saw a posting for the wheels, I went and got them, turns out this guy ended up buying the car and somehow didn't want the wheels so he sold them off. I didn't get the car, but I got the wheels.

I would keep looking, a number of people liked to sell them off since the width wasn't great on them. 225 is as wide as you could feasibly go on them.

I don't know if the difference between the I and the S is that great, but I'm amazed that you consider the car not to be quick, and refer to it as a 4,000 pound vault. My 2014 3s GT is quick (not fast, but it's definitely never struggling to move itself around) and it absolutely devours corners. It feels light, nimble, and extremely responsive. I've driven it pretty hard in an attempt to make it lose composure, and I've yet to see it do it. Clearly it's not going to outperform a sports car, but for the segment it's in it's absolutely a blast to drive. Either way welcome to the Mazda family, there's a few of us on here.

Well two things:

A) I came from a WRX which had a turbo 4 making 220hp, versus 155hp I have now. So significant difference, but again for less than 3,000 lb it's competent enough. It'll move along decently, but it's definitely not quick. I knew that going in though so not really a complaint.

B) You have an S model with the 2.5l 184hp engine, so you've effectively got 30 hp more. I never drove that model, as I knew it would be out of my current price range, but I suspect that helps things significantly. If nothing else you got significantly better standard tires so it grips quite a bit better.

Don't get me wrong, I find this car to be a drivers car. The steering is quick and responsive, the suspension does an excellent job of absorbing bumps while handling body roll, etc. It's very solid and composed, and I guess that's what makes it feel like it weighs a lot more than it does.

 

[dirtboy]

Mazda 3's are great cars. Congrats!

 

[Soccerman06]

You know wind noise I don't really notice apart from certain times, but somehow I definitely didn't pay much attention to the road noise on the test drive. I suspect it's more obvious because the rest of the car is relatively quiet.

I happened to do my test driving on a day where there was 30-40mph cross winds going 70mpg and the 3 did have quite a bit more wind noise. But that might have been a more subjective thing.

 

[Zee]

i wouldnt say they are great. but they are good cars. Mazda definitely uses shitty tires but you already covered that knowing it s lease.

What isi t, some goodyear crap? RSA maybe/

 

[jmai87]

I love Mazda's new design language. That front grill looks SO gundam to me. Congrats!

 

[ViviTheMage]

find a used engine, and drop it in that wrx