The new Mazda 3.

M

maxmk8

Registered
Has anyone looked at those lately?? Although i hate Mazdas (bad experience with a 626), the new Mazda 3 looks very appealing. Besides the 4 cylinder 2.3 Liter I 4 with 160hp, the car has some very interesting features only found in much more expensive cars.
You can equip the car with Xenon HID lights, A tire pressure monitor.
Electronic brake force distribution and side curtain air bags.
As well as a Navigation system.
All this for

$20,735 :eek:


Here are some pics

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/...res/VEHICLE/2004/Mazda/100364240/027895-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/...res/VEHICLE/2004/Mazda/100364240/027898-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/...res/VEHICLE/2004/Mazda/100364240/027894-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/...res/VEHICLE/2004/Mazda/100364240/027896-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/...res/VEHICLE/2004/Mazda/100364240/027897-E.jpg
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

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Impressive... esp if they made coupes.
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that 4 door sedan they got is ugly i like the 5 door hatchback much much more. Yea it would be interessting to see a coupe.
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

I dunno - the design is still a real compromise made to economy. I still prefer the no-holds-barred design of the Mark VIII and numerous other sleek models. Even my '96 T-Bird cost less than that new, yet they were still able to use a no-compromise design. To tell you the truth, unless I really look, most the economy imports still all look the same to me...

John
[link:mark8.org/lodnca|NorCal Chapter Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
I dunno - the design is still a real compromise made to economy. I still prefer the no-holds-barred design of the Mark VIII and numerous other sleek models. Even my '96 T-Bird cost less than that new, yet they were still able to use a no-compromise design. To tell you the truth, unless I really look, most the economy imports still all look the same to me...John[link:mark8.org/lodnca|NorCal Chapter Website]http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg'97 Mark VIII LSC'96 T-Bird 4.6L
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Don't take me wrong I love t birds/cougars. I even have 1993 Cougar myself. $17,400 was the base price on a 1995 T-Bird. That included no options, once you add up keyless entry, leather seats, abs, etc etc. You're up to 20k+ now thats back in 1995, 9 years ago. Thats high 20s if it was sold now. Besides the car didn't have side airbags, EBD, or a navigation system, not to mention a 6 disc in dash changer or HID lights. Tbirds were great cars back kin the day but you can't really compare them to new cars that are comming out, just like its hard to compare a Mk8 to lets say a G 35 for example.
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

Trish and I were lucky enough to take one for a spin. It is a very, very good little car. What struck us most was the interior. It is way more upscale than any economy car. Period. I didn't think it was a quole lot better quality wise than a G35. It's a very nice interior. The drive was fine. Peppy little car. Very quick steering. Bumps were much more tamed and car was quieter than I was expecting. I would recommend it to anyone. Great car!
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

I was looking at one of these to haul my bike in instead of an SUV. I didn't drive it though. I can get Mazdas at below dealer cost, and want a small, efficient car to use when I need to haul something or to possibly travel, not to replace but in addition to my Mark.
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

Well it is a Focus and it isn't...

It's on a totally different platform than the US Focus. Currently, the cars using this platform are the Euro Focus, the Volvo S40/V50, the Mazda3. This new Focus won't be here until 2005 or 2006 I believe.
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

Ditto on that, Mazda 3 uses lots of suspention parts as well as steering parts from the 6.
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

All I can see is Pontiac VIBE and that Toyota clone. Might be a decent car with a nice interior, but to me it's butt ugly.
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

I've been VERY tempted by these for the last few weeks... sharp looking car. Saw a loaded sedan in Lava Orange... Hmmm! Don't get me wrong, I love my Mark, but with all the traffic & tight parking in the L.A. area, I'm afraid to take it out anywhere. I'm leaning towards something that's a bit tidier in size... easier to maneuver into these pint-sized parking spaces... and no LONG, heavy doors to have to try & squeeze out of. Just a few weeks ago, some idiot backed into my Mustang while at the AAA office getting tags! Sheesh! At least I wasn't driving the Mark!

The "3" has received excellent reviews, and appears to be a noble successor to the Protege. I'm just not sure if I want a "brand-new" car again (along with new car payments). This area is tough on cars, & if I can't keep it perfect, I'd just as soon drive a beater- so I don't stress & obsess over every nick, scratch, & dent.

Man... y'all are HARSH styling critics! I LIKE the styling of the new "3". I even like the styling of the Honda Element- an amazingly versatile & roomy design in a very tidy package. The styling's definitely offbeat... which is probably why I like it. As for the new GTO... I agree they could've done a little more with it, but I'm thankful they didn't plaster it with all the crappy skirts, scoops, & spoilers like most of the previous Pontiac fare. That's what I always liked about the '94-'96 Impala SS's... not too overdone.

I've always gravitated toward BIG cars (60s T-birds & Continentals, Lincoln Premiers, Mercury XL-100's, etc.), but as I get older, I find myself leaning toward smaller cars, i.e. something you can drive & park in the real world, & won't cost a fortune to operate & maintain. Of course, I've never done anything "normally"...

Phew... ok, off my soapbox...
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

I also like the Element. I do like the price with regards to the Mazda3 (it looks great too!). But for the same price, a 2 year old Lexus IS300 could be had. And is also a great car. Inline 6, funky styling, a nice interior, and best of all..Lexus reliability. It would be tough for me to pick between the two. Great cars...
 
RE: The new Mazda 3.

The Element and the CR-V are essentially identical underneath, so I'll talk about the CR-V. I've put almost 20,000 miles on my 02 CR-V in the past 8 months (lots of trips from Texas to the northland here until we actually moved to Minnesota).

CR-V plusses:
+ ACCURATE fuel gauge
+ Realtime AWD is very cool, and it works well
+ No unscheduled stops for service
+ Cops ignore it

CR-V minuses:
+ Small fuel tank (15 gallon)
+ Relatively poor mileage for a 2.4 L (24 MPG highway - got better in Mark)
+ Ass-buster seats
+ Crappy accelleration until VTEC kicks in at 4500 rpm

Once we buy our house in December, I'll be getting a Mark for a daily driver, but until then the CR-V will do. Going from 290 HP to 160 HP is the major ball-buster. The CR-V is a very good hauler, reliable, and does the job. It reminds me of a refrigerator - does its task, and you don't have to buy a new one except every 15 years.

And on a sidenote, went to dealership for service and sat in a 04 S2000 - my knees were holding the steering wheel - seat all the way back. Oh well. Guess I'll have to find another dream car! (They had a used NSX in the showroom - talk about SWEET!!!)
 
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