2010 Mazda3

[ronmcdon]

Hood scoop off the new ms3 is hideous.
looks like one of those 90's camaro ss scoops.
come to think of it, the new ms3 is tacky in every way.
looks like cheap rip of the current wrx/sti.

prior ms3 was a lot more clean & mature looking.

[exitspeed]

As ugly as it is, I'd rather have a Cobalt SS.

[VROOOM]

Originally Posted by exitspeed

As ugly as it is, I'd rather have a Cobalt SS.

ive been hearing of people buying 08 and 09 Cobalt SS's for under 20k.

Ron - im with you on the old MS3. i dont like the new one very much. if they took the hood scoop off i'd like it much more.

[ManoNegra]

Bumping an old thread, sorry
there seemed to be little love for the Mazda 3 judging by this thread
I'm wondering if over the years it's changed
seriously looking at one of the new 2012 5 door Skyactive models
test drove one this weekend and can't complain
performance is nothing to get excited about but the the car felt solid
anyone else's had a chance to test it? impressions?

[raz0rbladez909]

Originally Posted by ManoNegra

Bumping an old thread, sorry
there seemed to be little love for the Mazda 3 judging by this thread
I'm wondering if over the years it's changed
seriously looking at one of the new 2012 5 door Skyactive models
test drove one this weekend and can't complain
performance is nothing to get excited about but the the car felt solid
anyone else's had a chance to test it? impressions?

I'm a big fan of the RX8 and the MX-5, however I can't bring myself to really like the 3. To me it feels kind of minivan-esque and big but if you like it why not?

[ManoNegra]

I like the looks personally
but I never considered a 3 before because the gas mileage was pretty meh
I know the RX8 and MX5 would probably better more fun cars to drive
but I'm actually looking for a cheap commuter
and of the lot that it's offered, it's one of the least offensive
as far as how the interior and driving experience feels

if the WRX would get anything close to 30mpg combined
it would have been a no brainer for me

[ronmcdon]

I got to test drive the '11 or '10 model with 2.3l (not sure about actual disp size, but it was larger than a 2.0l) with an auto. The car was for my gf. I actually enjoyed the way it drove. most things from the steering, throttle, suspension, brakes, etc were set up to be quite responsive and on the sportier side. Seats weren't memorable, but weren't bad either. It's fun to drive for sure, also comfy. I think it would make a great daily driver.

Really like the skyactive engine. It's very good fuel economy without having to go hybrid or diesel, & the power sacrifice isn't huge. There's no reason to get any other engine imo.

I think it's not bad looking, it's just the mazdaspeed 3 that seems overdone, imo. If you're going to the mazda dealer, might as well give that (and the Mazda 2) a test drive too.
There's going to be a lot of fun cars that get 30mpg. I think the Mini S, the Civic Si, and the Mustang V6 already do that. Maybe the Fiat Abarth 500 & the next GC, the BRZ/Scion counterpart as well. I would wait if I were you, but if you had to get the 3, it is a solid choice imo. I would not mind having one myself.

[ManoNegra]

Originally Posted by ronmcdon

I got to test drive the '11 or '10 model with 2.3l (not sure about actual disp size, but it was larger than a 2.0l) with an auto. The car was for my gf. I actually enjoyed the way it drove. most things from the steering, throttle, suspension, brakes, etc were set up to be quite responsive and on the sportier side. Seats weren't memorable, but weren't bad either. It's fun to drive for sure, also comfy. I think it would make a great daily driver.

did she end up getting it?

Really like the skyactive engine. It's very good fuel economy without having to go hybrid or diesel, & the power sacrifice isn't huge. There's no reason to get any other engine imo.

Exactly my thinking,
I don't see how the other models besides maybe the Speed
are going to sell when the Skyactive one is available

I think it's not bad looking, it's just the mazdaspeed 3 that seems overdone, imo. If you're going to the mazda dealer, might as well give that (and the Mazda 2) a test drive too.

I actually like the speed but would never buy one
specially new
I already test drove the new Skyactive 3 this past weekend
solid chassis, good suspension, comfortable
was weird getting used to the pedals (very soft) and how quiet the car is
but once I did it was a breeze to drive
only thing I wasn't impressed with is the lack of torque
but that probably a bias coming from years of driving KAs

There's going to be a lot of fun cars that get 30mpg. I think the Mini S, the Civic Si, and the Mustang V6 already do that. Maybe the Fiat Abarth 500 & the next GC, the BRZ/Scion counterpart as well. I would wait if I were you, but if you had to get the 3, it is a solid choice imo. I would not mind having one myself.

not really considering a lot of those
since I have my mind made up on a 5 door hatch
contemplated the Focus, Fiesta, Mazda2, Fit, Yaris, and others
but never really liked any of them
interior on most of them feels cheap

[ronmcdon]

No the gf ended up moving back to the east coast in nj. We got a forester instead in-case the snow is bad. She likes it and it serves out purpose. Of all the cars we test drove I enjoyed the Mitsu Ralliart the most, but that's not the most practical. The forester isn't a bad car for her.

The 3 skyactive is a solid choice, can't really argue with it. It's just a really good balance between being fun to drive and practical. The focus is really the closest contender. Supposedly it feels much more upscale as per some reviews. The drawback is that it's not quite as responsive. Seems like a car tuned to appeal a more mainstream demographic, plus it might be a bit pricier.

I think the 3's a great choice personally. I'm sure there are attractive finance and lease specials from the manufacturer all the time. I like the 2 b/c it reminded me a lot of the fun smaller POS cars in europe and latin america, but it isn't as practical & does look cheap, lol.

[Jose1]

Originally Posted by TurDz

Props to Mazda.

Uh, no not ever the F again. Brittle plastics and shitty auto box. Trust me ask anyone with a automatic Mazda and their plastic components are the crap.

just when you need a new automatic transmission buy it new from the dealer.

[ManoNegra]

Originally Posted by Jose1

Uh, no not ever the F again. Brittle plastics and shitty auto box. Trust me ask anyone with a automatic Mazda and their plastic components are the crap.

just when you need a new automatic transmission buy it new from the dealer.

You own(ed) a 3? what year?
The interior or the new ones isn't something to get excited about
but as I have stated before, it is so much better than a lot of the cars in the class

[ronmcdon]

I actually think find the interior a lot more pleasing than many of it's competitors.
the plastic is softer & the ergonomics felt comfortable to me.
the seats were okay.
I wouldn't get the oem navi, the screen is ridiculously small.

[ManoNegra]

I'm interested in the base one not the Grand Touring
a few of the features would be nice (bi-xenon directional headlamps for one)
but for the most part it's stuff I can live without
I just need a plush ride, ~40mpg highway, heater, AC, radio/CD player, 4 passenger sitting and decent trunk/cargo space.

[axiomatik]

My brother-in-law has the previous 3 hatch, and loves it. He averages something like 33mpg with mostly highway driving and the larger engine (2.3L?) and manual. I've driven in it , and it's a fun car to drive. I can't really compare it to other modern small cars, but I liked driving it. I sat in the new 3 and think the interior is pretty nice. Just bought a CX-7 for the wife, so I spent a few hours hanging out at the Mazda dealer. I think Mazda has a pretty nice interior design. It doesn't feel cheap, and with the facelift, the 3 looks better now that they toned down the grill.

The Focus is pretty nice inside too, but felt a little gimmicky in comparison.