Bought a Mazda3

[tuberider]

It's actually for my wife to replace her POS Jetta. After looking at several other cars in it's class (civic, GTI, scion, corolla) we decided it's a great car for the money, I was able to get it for only 300 over invoice. We went with the 5 door manual in titanium grey.

My overall impressions with the car are that it's very well balanced, ride quality is firm, some cabin noise, the 2.3L provides adequate excelleration, and the interior fit and finish is on par with mid level Japanese cars. Navi is option we did without.

Any other 3 converts out there?

[Blue Bomber]

If I had to buy a FWD 4cyl with seating for 4, that would be the one I'd pick. Next to maybe the Mazdaspeed 3. ;) I had a 3 as a rental for a week and loved almost everything about the car.

[SOAPY]

Mazda 3 is nice car. Good thing you didn't fall into the SCION Advertising. :chuckles:

[twistedGTS]

If I had to buy a FWD 4cyl with seating for 4, that would be the one I'd pick.


same here, looks a great car!

[555 SOUL]

good choice. the 3 was on my list, but i got a SI instead.

[marc]

my girlfriend has a 3i and I love the **** out of that little car.

[techgeekwill]

If the markup on used 3's wasn't so high, I would have bought it instead of the celica.

[skalogre]

Nice choice I think. How are the handling characteristics compared to a stock Celica? More understeer? The Mazda3 does look nice, if I were buying new it would be a candidate. But I could not argue with a used Celica under $10k :D

[nyoneway]

Drove a couple a Mazda 3 in a autocross and it handles almost as well as a stock Celica. I think this car is on top our our shopping list for a car for my girlfriend.

[Blue Bomber]

Nice choice I think. How are the handling characteristics compared to a stock Celica? More understeer? The Mazda3 does look nice, if I were buying new it would be a candidate. But I could not argue with a used Celica under $10k :D I believe the slalom tests put it at about equal to the Celica, and the skidpad a bit higher. Mazda knows suspension :thumbup:

[Tippman98x]

yaaa i was gonna buy the 2.3L mazda 3 i love those cars

[tuberider]

good choice. the 3 was on my list, but i got a SI instead.

We looked at the new civics and it was a serious contender, but the versatility of the hatchback with a surfboard, and pricepoint of the 3 sold me.

Nice choice I think. How are the handling characteristics compared to a stock Celica? More understeer? The Mazda3 does look nice, if I were buying new it would be a candidate. But I could not argue with a used Celica under $10k :D

It handles very nicely. I have not had a chance to push it really hard, as we are still breaking it in. However, during "spirited" driving it feels similar to a stock celica.

[tuberider]

If the markup on used 3's wasn't so high, I would have bought it instead of the celica.

Agreed, the markup on a used 3 is ridiculous. I bought a new one for cheaper then people were trying to sell used ones. I'm still trying to figure out how the market supports something like that.

[marc]

I have never been able to get her car to "plow" or understeer very badly.

My only gripe is that it is a bit high and there's some bodyroll - other than that it is very neutral and balanced - Mazda really knows how to make a car.

To fix it, I would put it on coilovers, get some real tires (she already got the 16s), put in some big beefy sways, and add the Mazda OEM rear spoiler - but she wants to keep it stock.

[Meltica]

Some nice tricked out ones here in europe at the dealers. Nice little ride, and you can pimp it out...

[lpphreakx06]

It does seem like a solid sedan for the price.

[6SPDGTS]

great car