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With the Mazda3, this carmaker is marking an achievement: promotion out of the morass of mass-market brands and into the realm of aspirational brands. MotorHead, by Dan Carney.
The story makes no mention that the Mazda3 is actually based on the European market Ford Focus, a car that has always been significantly better than the US market Focus. Ford is part owner of Mazda and the two companies share a lot of engineering.
The really good news is that Ford is bringing the Euro Focus to the US and will be building them in the US. That car, along with the new Euro Ford Fiesta, promises to give American drivers some cars with all the Mazda3 has to offer and perhaps more.
#1 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:14 PM EDTYou need to get your info right on what the Mazda 3 is. The body is that of the small Volvo, the engine is Mazda and the Transmission is a Ford. It is a funny little car!!!
well everyone is wrong on that. first ford owns 12% of Mazda so there isnt any Ford engine or transmission in the Mazda 3 the car is built and assembled in Japan. The Vovlo is based off of the Mazda 3 and a lot of the mazda 3 safety featured came from Volvo. There is no better driving little car out there in that segment. Honda has a very smooth transmission but is not as exciting as the 3 and the corolla let not yawn ourselves to death. although they are both great cars it like having an less attractive girlfriend or boyfriend with a great personality. The 3 is 95% Japanese and the new six isnt anything ignore either. although the 3 was based on the european focus doesnt mean it is a european 3 they just used the platform of it.
if the transmission is from ford, I would be a little disappointed. it is the leader of transmission failures by far
Actually, the MAZDA 3 is based on the Europeon market VOLVO as its chassis was developed in conjunction with one of theirs. FORD used to own over 50% of MAZDA of America NOT MAZDA Motor Corporation. They no longer do having sold their shares back to MAZDA for some cash to help with their debt.
Yes, MAZDA and FORD have technology sharing agreements and it looks as if that will continue along with technology sharing from VOLVO. I always found it interesting how FORD bought into VOLVO and started using VOLVO's expertise but after GM bought into SAAB they started telling SAAB to build its cars with Chevrolet parts. Thats a good example of the different levels of intelligence between FORD and GM.
The Mazda3-5 door is an awesome ride. While I am currently gathering for a new car, after riding in the Mazada3 5-door, it's tough to look at anyone else's comparable model. The ride and styling from inside to out is really upscale for the price you pay. It’s competition for my dollar right now is the Hyundai Genesis Coupe...different type of car, but in the price range and once it gets some more time on the road, I will be seeing which one gets my nod about mid to late 2010.
#2 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:41 PM EDTOh how I wish this car was released before I bought my manual transmission Yaris...
#3 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:06 PM EDTI still think the Mazda6 is a better car.
#4 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:50 PM EDTHave you ever driven the Mazdaspeed 3? Faster and better handling than the Mazdaspeed 6, I've driven both.
What makes your choice the Mazda6?
I too have had both, while the 6 was roomier and a bit more comfortable, the 3 was the hands down winner in driving experience. It had great get up and go, handled like a champ, I even took it on a harrowing ride on a narrow, mountainous, unpaved road full of twists and turns with out a hitch. The worst thing about the 6? The turning radius was non-existent.
Having driven both the 3 and the 6 I liked the 3 better. However, I own the 6 because I got a better deal on it. They're honestly about equivalent for the casual driver. Better drive and gas mileage with the 3 (slightly smaller which helps), better features with the 6 such as a nicer audio system.
Either way Mazda's the way to go, it's an awesome little car that's cheaper than the Toyotas and Honda's of its class and has better amenities. Plus the service is great afterward, there's something to be said for a company that takes care of you AFTER you buy the product. They sent me reminders to go get my oil changed which they paid for the first year. They took care of some problems from custom wheels for me for free. And they give you all the paperwork and explain everything in plain english. This has been my experience with at least two dealorships in two different states so I'd bet it carries over to the rest.
This and the previous generation Mazda3 are both fabulous automobiles.
Not sure that I would call them "entry-level luxury" like the author does, though. It would be totally cool if they were accepted that way, but I don't think people are going the be cross-shopping the 3 with, say, the BMW 1 series or Acura TSX or anything...
#5 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:27 PM EDTBut why does it have the huge stupid grining grill?
#6 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:33 PM EDTThe grill alone is ugly enough to make me not even consider the car.
If anyone has a background in medicine or police work, look up the term "rictus grin". Yuck!!!!!!
If i remember right the porshe cayanne has the same condition.
Yup, the Cayenne also looks like it's got the same disease.
It seems like the designers are either playing a game of circular "me too" or only listening to their own groupthink. The same kind of inbreeding of ideas led to GM's hapless Aztek and to Subaru's um, uhh ... how to put this ... "anatomically correct" B9 Tribeca.
FWIW I read about a driver in France who hit a dog with his Renault Clio. The Clio has an even bigger maw in front, if that's even possible, and the dog was carried for 15 or 20 miles before someone flagged him down.
and yet the automotive world says the porsches with this condition are beautiful? double standard?
Excellent car, but the nose is entirely too hideous for me to even consider it.
#7 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:38 AM EDTAgree with eyes only, if I'm looking to buy an entry level BMW, Audi, or Acura the Mazda 3 is not a car I would place in the same league.
#8 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:10 AM EDTActually, the gas mileage (22/ 29) seems a little low for an I4 engine with 5-speed auto and no turbo. There are mini-SUVs with this kind of gas mileage. Other than that, it may be worth a test drive.
#9 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:32 AM EDTi probably should check this car out. i have always been "NISSAN" . no way would i buy european. i do think Mazda wasted too much time and money on the rotary. they would be much bigger today.
#10 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:31 AM EDTAs Kikaiju pointed out this shares parts with other Ford platforms, which the author of teh article should be made aware includes the S40/V50 VOLVOs that have apparently fallen to the wayside. Maybe someone should have done some research into their article before posting. The Mazda is a good car, as is the Focus and the Volvo with which components are shared.
Mazda tried to Upscale their cars - Millenia/929 and failed due to not keeping up with European or even other Japanese manufacturers. They are however making good cars that appeal to people in the Camry/Accord price range with better driving dynamics.
#11 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:53 PM EDTI own the 2005 Mazda 3, great car, awesome to drive thru the windy mountain roads. I usually get 30 mph depending on the weather. ( I live in the northeast) Two drawbacks, this car cannot handle well in snow, even with the best of tires. I previously owned a 323 and it could handle any weather. The second would the the trunk. I have the sedan, and with the seats are down I can fit alot as long as I can get thru the awkward opening or the back doors. The grill on the new mazda is hidieus, I will hold on for a while longer, I am hoping the crossover improves.
#12 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:23 PM EDTI considered the "happy face" an asset. Every other car looks like it's angry to have to be out on the road. I've had my 2010 Mazda3 for about a month. I love it. I'm a boring mom, but I had to get the manual transmission. Never had so much fun on a test drive. zoom-zoom
#13 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:37 PM EDTI have an '05 Mazda 6 Wagon...probably one of the best vehicles I've owned (70k miles and running strong). Sad they don't make it any more.
Took my neice to check out the new Mazda 3. We both LOVED the interior, the handling, the feel.. But neither of us could get away from the RIDICULOUS smiley face front end. WTF are the designers at Mazda smoking? The same thing for the Miata. I was sooo ready for a PRHT...NO WAY with the new smiley face. Maybe we can both hunt down some left over models from last year. Otherwise, we keep looking.
Let's just hope Mazda's makes a FAST change for next year. Such a shame. They're great vehicles.
#14 - Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:20 AM EDTThese are great little cars. My X girlfriend had one and it is pretty much the only thing I miss in that relationship.
#15 - Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:04 PM EDTHmm, too bad you would miss out on a great ride just because the nose is 'not pretty'.
#16 - Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:32 AM EDTBought my wife a new 3 in 06. Has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. Great vehicle for the money. I am thinking of buying the 2010 model for myself. I drove a Grand Touring 4 door and it had about every feature you could think of. Very sporty feel and even tighter and quieter than the old model. I did not love the front end at first but it is starting to grow on me some. I did notice with the tag bracket installed on the front it looks much better IMO. I would highly recommend the 3. I also had a 00 Protege and it was a very good care as well.
#17 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:27 PM EDTI purchased a new 2007 Mazada 3 sedan in August 2007. Since then I've put 73,000 miles on it, changes out the tires (Nexan's - Korean made-handles well), and changed the oil every 3500 miles. Other than a previous Nissan 2001 Maxima have I a enjoyed the ride, handling, and performance of a such a car. Oh, and gas mileage is a comfortable 32 mpg: automatic! For the money, you can't buy a better performing car that you'll enjoy driving every day. As far as the front end, get over it as everyone else only sees the rear end as you drive pass them!
#18 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:06 PM EDTI love my 05 Mazda 3s. You've got to drive it up a winding canyon or mountain road to fully appreciate it. My parents have a G35, and in my view, the Mazda is more fun. The other great thing is that most cars that are this much fun have to use premium fuel. The 3 burns regular unleaded! I have 56,000 miles on mine and have had 0 problems. Zoom, zoom!!!
#19 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDTI own a Mazda 5 which is blessed by the Mazda 3 underpinnings...just want to say this is the market value for the money best kept secret...Shhhhhhh!!!!
#20 - Sun Nov 8, 2009 10:31 PM ESTI'm sorry, but it looks like a bike helmet.
#21 - Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:16 PM ESTMazda is Japan's hidden gem. Majority of American car buyers are steered towards Toyota and Honda. What they do not realized is that the Mazda 323 aka Protege or Mazda 3 has always out performed the Corolla and Civic. It was a car that had better road manners than the Corolla and Civic. I have been driving Mazdas for over 25 years and I would not put any other Japanese auto maker above Mazdas. Let the massive for the Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans. I don't want too many people driving my car anyway. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!!!
#22 - Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:35 PM ESTI have an 05 Mazda3 HB 5 sp, love it, fun to drive, comfy as a daily driver and on long trips as well. Plenty of power for me, and fun as $%$# on curvy roads in the mountains, handles well in traffic. The HB is better looking than the sedan IMO, plenty of cargo/luggage space. Took the 3 on a 1800 mile trip May 09, never got tired, did not feel "beat" from driving it all day, got ~35mpg overall, can't ask for much more than that. Don't care for the new grill and overall styling of the '10, but would be interested in another 09 though if I found another creampuff like my 05.
#23 - Fri Jan 1, 2010 9:07 PM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
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