2007 Mazda 3: thoughts?

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: Tremulant
I've said this in other threads, but I'm looking to buy a Mazda 3s GT or Mazdaspeed 3 GT when the lease on my current car is up.

The only things steering me away from the MS3 are its manual transmission (I'd need to learn), that it requires premium fuel and that it gets less MPG (than the 3s). That said, I don't think I'd have a big problem with the increased fuel costs, plus I hope to either be closer to work or travelling less by that time.

Anyone know how difficult it is to actually get a MS3? Every article I've read about it has mentioned the relatively high demand and relatively small production run (only 5000 cars going to North America). If you try to get one are you going to end up on a waiting list for 6 months?

 

[iamme]

goto mazdausa.com and check inventory of dealers around you.

 

[iamme]

can any previous mazda3 owners talk about the car's quality and reliability?

i'm comforted that the car is in its 3rd or 4th generation. i haven't seen many gripes about the car's quality and warranty. but, i don't remember hearing mazda mentioned when they talk about reliability.

 

[theeedude]

I had a rattle in my glovebox dampener. Dealer couldn't fix it, but I figured out how to do it myself. Don't know if Mazda fixed it or not.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=52650.0
Other than that it's been solid. I am not worried about reliability. The reliability differences between cars are exaggerated nowadays. It's not like 1990 when US cars were real junk and japanese cars were much more reliable. Now it's all about style and quality feel.

 

[randomlinh]

31k miles, about 17 months. I love my car. I just wish it were a liftback (or hatch.. or 5 door... basically a smaller version of the 5door 6). My mom has a v6 mazda 6 which is nice, but it's bigger than I'd want to drive. And I'd want it in manual. The four banger for the 6 IMO isn't enough.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: senseamp
I had a rattle in my glovebox dampener. Dealer couldn't fix it, but I figured out how to do it myself. Don't know if Mazda fixed it or not.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=52650.0
Other than that it's been solid. I am not worried about reliability. The reliability differences between cars are exaggerated nowadays. It's not like 1990 when US cars were real junk and japanese cars were much more reliable. Now it's all about style and quality feel.

thanks for the link :thumbsup:

 

[Riverhound777]

I have a few squeaks around my center console. I did have to have my windshield wiper nozzles replaced, but that was free. When installing my sub woofer, I broke a clip on the rear seat, which seems to be pretty common on this car. I still need to get that fixed, but that was after taking my seat out several times.

I'll tell you one thing, the stereo on the 3 is very easy to remove, which is both good and bad I guess. I would recommend getting a nice after market alarm anyhow.

Reliability has been great though overall. My roommate has a 2003 civic and I like my 3 much more. His feels sluggish and sloppy even though he only has 30k miles on it. My tranny still feels just like the day I got it, though you wouldn't be getting a manual. If you going for mileage, maybe you should look at the civic. My 3 gets 28-34 which is fine with me, but my roommate's civic gets close to 40.

I would highly recommend reading mazda3forums as was posted earlier. I read that site for 6 months before I decided on my car and I still visit.

 

[iamme]

yeah, i've checked out mada3forums.com and mazdaiii.com. great info on both. although, i figure everything would be a little biased towards the 3

 

[misle]

I just picked up my '07 GT Hatch tonight. What a fun car. I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. Maybe I'll just go drive it until I have to pull over and sleep in the car.

Seriously, it's a very fun car to drive.

Note: I learned to drive on manual, but I haven't driven manual for 10+ years, so once I have it back down (I'm a little rusty), watch out, cause this is a fun car.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: LS20
see if you can get one used... 1 year old CPO cars are a steal because someone will have eaten depreciation.. which is pretty high on mazda

CPO = ?

Certified Pre Owned

It can also be abbreviated as U, for Used.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: iamme
i know there was lots of Mazda 3 lovin' here in the past. Just wondering how those owners are enjoying their cars now. I'm in the market for a new car and the dealers is offering an '07 Mazda 3s GT (2.3L) w/ a few options for ~$22K OTD (purchase).

thoughts on the car? other car recommendations in that price range? any great rebates or incentives on more expensive cars that might bring the price down to my range?

27k miles on my 2005 3i (2.0L) automatic. Love it.

as a bonus:
i got lucky that my car came w/16" wheels (Toyo tires). The 15" and 17" tires were Goodyear RS-A, which i heard SUCK.

Bonus#2:
sticker says 26/34mpg city/hwy. i'm getting 29 mixed/36 pure hwy

1st car i've ever had that's ABOVE sticker for mpg.

but if i had to buy over again, i would get the Miata. (Mazda invited me to a test drive event 6 months after I bought my 3i. Miata on a sololm course = fun.)

 

[JACKHAMMER]

I have an 06 MT Hatch. I like it, althought not quite as much as my old Protege.

Likes:
Relatively quick
Well optioned for the price
Good Brakes
Direct Steering with decent feel
Leather steering wheel is nice
Handles well (not as tossable as the protege)
I average about 29.5MPG

Dislikes
My seat squeekes like a mofo, seems to be a common occurance
Seats aren't as comfy as my Protege's
1st/2nd gear can be a PITA sometimes - i blame it on the drive by wire and a diffence in gearing
Clutch has little feel
Cheap a$$ paint likes to chip

Overall I like it, and for the $ I think it is the best car you can get if you like a little spunk in your econobox. If I had to do it again I would buy it again, although I would give more serious consideration to the Honda Fit - seems like a nice car for the price (I test drove it, liked it but i felt slow although the only had the AT in stock.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER
I have an 06 MT Hatch. I like it, althought not quite as much as my old Protege.

Likes:
Relatively quick
Well optioned for the price
Good Brakes
Direct Steering with decent feel
Leather steering wheel is nice
Handles well (not as tossable as the protege)
I average about 29.5MPG

Dislikes
My seat squeekes like a mofo, seems to be a common occurance
Seats aren't as comfy as my Protege's
1st/2nd gear can be a PITA sometimes - i blame it on the drive by wire and a diffence in gearing
Clutch has little feel
Cheap a$$ paint likes to chip

Overall I like it, and for the $ I think it is the best car you can get if you like a little spunk in your econobox. If I had to do it again I would buy it again, although I would give more serious consideration to the Honda Fit - seems like a nice car for the price (I test drove it, liked it but i felt slow although the only had the AT in stock.

I'll agree on 1st/2nd gear. A grounded TB helped me a little. But the gearing is something I wish I could change. As for paint, I've heard complaints about cheap paint across the board from mazda to bmw (for new stuff these days).

As for the seats... mine did too. But I auto-x.. so well.. it was pretty much expected. I took out my driver seat, and just put a little silicone lube where I thought it would creak... rebolted it back in.. and a year later (with auto-x in there) it has yet to make a peep.

I forgot to mention I get a rattle when it's cold above my head somewhere. It's been for the most part pinned to a clip for the drain tube for the moonroof. I haven't bothered though mainly because you have to tear a lot out just to get the lining on the top off All other creaks I have are self-inflicted... heh.

 

[JEDI]

"I'll agree on 1st/2nd gear. A grounded TB helped me a little."

grounded TB? what does that do?

 

[CombatChuk]

The Mazda 3 is a really good car. My good buddy has one (One of the first '04s). Another car to consider is the new 4-Door Rabbit. It scored first in a Car and Driver Comparison. The Mazda was second, although a close second.

 

[iamme]

well, i haven't really found anything that i like more than the Mazda 3, in that price range. i'm currently trying to get the best price by pitting a few dealerships against each other. i also got a $250 off coupon from ebay that i'll spring on them at the very end (after they give me their lowest price ).

as far as financing, i think we'll check out our local credit unions and a few online auto financing sites (thank FW), since they don't seem to be offering any low APRs on the 3.

 

[Riverhound777]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Make sure you make them aware you know the invoice price on the car, not the MSRP. And you might want to talk with their fleet manager if they have one (or internet fleet mnager). If you are a AAA or Costco member, let them know as well. That is how I got the deal on mine, $300 over invoice.

 

[iamme]

btw, has anyone been able to haggle things like free oil changes from the dealer?

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: senseamp
I had a rattle in my glovebox dampener. Dealer couldn't fix it, but I figured out how to do it myself. Don't know if Mazda fixed it or not.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=52650.0
Other than that it's been solid. I am not worried about reliability. The reliability differences between cars are exaggerated nowadays. It's not like 1990 when US cars were real junk and japanese cars were much more reliable. Now it's all about style and quality feel.

I have the same problem like I said earlier in the post. I guess I will give that a try, but I am disappointed that problem was not caught by Mazda.

 

[theeedude]

You should submit one of those info requests from edmunds, then a bunch of dealers will email you. Then you can play them against each other on email.
It's also a good idea to send them a starting price based on internet research, so they can bid down from there.

 

[iamme]

yeah, that's basically what i did from reading advice online. good stuff

 

[Tremulant]

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: Tremulant
I've said this in other threads, but I'm looking to buy a Mazda 3s GT or Mazdaspeed 3 GT when the lease on my current car is up.

The only things steering me away from the MS3 are its manual transmission (I'd need to learn), that it requires premium fuel and that it gets less MPG (than the 3s). That said, I don't think I'd have a big problem with the increased fuel costs, plus I hope to either be closer to work or travelling less by that time.

Anyone know how difficult it is to actually get a MS3? Every article I've read about it has mentioned the relatively high demand and relatively small production run (only 5000 cars going to North America). If you try to get one are you going to end up on a waiting list for 6 months?

I was browsing mazda3forums.com and I only saw a few people (like 3 or 4) who already had MS3's. I also saw a few posts from people who had cancelled their orders due to the wait.

My lease isn't up for another 18 months though, and I have a feeling that Mazda may put out another batch of MS3s if the initial run sells quick enough. And if I can't get a MS3, then a 3s GT will have to do.

 

[Xyclone]

How does the VW GTI Mark5 compare to the 3 hatch? That hatch is FAST, it got my attention. I think it starts at 22?

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Originally posted by: JEDI
"I'll agree on 1st/2nd gear. A grounded TB helped me a little."

grounded TB? what does that do?

It has an electric throttle body, and from what people say it isn't completely grounded. They run a wire from a bolt on the TB to the chassis or battery terminal. It is supposed to even out idle, and improve responsiveness. I'll probably give it a try next summer.

 

[quikah]

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER

Dislikes
My seat squeekes like a mofo, seems to be a common occurance
...
Clutch has little feel

My seat squeaks also. Might dig around and try to lube it up a bit. Not that loud.

As for the clutch, I had a wierd experience with it. I test drove an '06 hatch in May, the clutch was ridiculous, practically fell to the floor with the slightest touch, other than that I loved it, but was a bit too busy to buy at then. Come Sept, I am ready to buy, but no hatches to be found, so I buy a 4-Dr, either my memory is bad or the clutch is completely different, cause it feels great compared to that hatch I drove in May.