Mazda 3

[andrewts]

Well, my mum has moved on, trading her crappy EL GLi in for a Mazda 3. It's a Neo sedan manual in the Phantom Blue colour.

Does anybody know or know of any bad things about these cars? I read a little bit and found that it might get the standard occasional squeek and rattle, but are they ticking time bombs?

I personally think the car looks pretty kewel, and apparently the performance isn't too bad either.

Your opinion?

[madmatty]

my mum had a mazda 3 sp23 just got rid of it,not a bad car for the price.no dramas at all with it.

[Dezza]

Supposedly the Mazda 3 is quite a good car. Mazda are building some quality cars at the moment. It shouldn't give any trouble

[sexy_xr6]

My friend owns one and the only trouble she has had is the AirCon. It smells like pee and Mazda can't fix it. Other than that she loves it.

[JACK250]

Originally Posted by sexy_xr6

My friend owns one and the only trouble she has had is the AirCon. It smells like pee and Mazda can't fix it. Other than that she loves it.

Sounds to me like a cat has releived itself in the air vents

[chevypower]

Mazdas are good quality, kind of bland in styling in the past, but the 3 sedan looks funky still. Only problem i had, was the auto tranny in the Mazda built 94 Ford Laser - it was crappy, needed a few major repairs. Everything else was great

[andrewts]

This is sounding good, looks like we are in with a winner.

Certainly should provide happier motoring than the old GL' did. I loved that car, but it had too much crap wrong with it.

Now I have to learn on an old burgandy ED Futura with a loud exhaust and screwed bushes all around I feel.

If you are around the Greystanes area, you might have seen it... or heard it.

[Dezza]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Mazdas are good quality, kind of bland in styling in the past, but the 3 sedan looks funky still. Only problem i had, was the auto tranny in the Mazda built 94 Ford Laser - it was crappy, needed a few major repairs. Everything else was great

Mazda went through a stage where quality dropped considerably, and they went quite bland. But ever since the introduction of the Mazda6, they have lifted their game in both looks and quality

[Bill_R]

My ex gf had one. It looks good and had great build quality and features but I didn't like either the handling or performance. Power/weight ratio is actually lower than an ED Falcon.

[Homer1]

Mazda3 and Focus are essentially the same mechanically. Both excellent cars!

[dub351]

I have heard that the mazda 3 and the ford focus are built on the same chassis design.

My GF has a 3, only problem is a little rattle in the steering column. But it is getting fixed under warrantly. Supposidly some of the bushes are worn.

[XR8-260]

A Manual Mazda 3 would give an EL falcon a close run and is capable of doing 0-100 in the low 9s. The only real criticism is the NVH which was improved with later models.

[rxj]

Not a Mazda 3 but my wifes car is a Mazda 6 great build and ride quality and very reliable.

Check out http://www.ozmazdaclub.com/forums/ for more details on the Mazda 3. These guys maybe able to provide you with some advice as well.

Cheers,

rxj.

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by Homer1

Mazda3 and Focus are essentially the same mechanically. Both excellent cars!

See that's what I maintained, but she keeps telling me that the Ford is slower... I think she just goes by looks. Which is fine I guess, since the other condender is a good brand.

The model she bought is the latest one, so everything should be hunky dory!

I had also noticed a similarity in chassis design between the Corolla and the older Astras. Especially side on.

[pertuan]

Originally Posted by andrewts

See that's what I maintained, but she keeps telling me that the Ford is slower...

Hmm... funny that. I found the 3 to be slower. LOL I just didnt seem like it was accelerating very hard.

This was in Jan06 when I was shopping for a new car. Maybe its changed since.

[andrewts]

Yeah, the motors are almost identical, same capacity, same valves, same bore/stroke, although the Ford being more economic, so I am not sure how to explain the difference. I wouldn't be surprised if the Mazda motor was out of the Ford. Another thing to note is the fact that the Automatic ratios are exactly the same for each car (Ford rounds up on their page).

I sense a theme...

[nitroman]

My mum has had a mazda 121 metro for just on 100,000 k scince new and no dramas at all. It is a really practical car with lots of luggage space (with seats folded) holds five people and is really cheap to run. The new mazda 3 could only be better.
Oh, and ford owns mazda so you are still supporting the right team.

[andrewts]

Well that's right! My dad has a Mazda bravo ute, and it is absolutely awesome, really love it. 2.6L 4 cyl, has some guts for sure ;).

My dad's olds have a 121 (the bubble) and it is really good, never a drama. Come to think of it, my family has only ever owned Ford, Holden and Mazda. My mum's olds have a Townace and a Landcruiser, and they are just rocksolid. They also now have a Lancer, and it's just rubbish (sorry! but it is).

[RSgerry]

We sold an AU 3 XR6 for a Mazda 3 SP23. We bought both new and so far the Mazda comes out in front on build quality and service. Performance wise, I would say that there isnt a huge difference between them up to 100 around town. The SP23 has a decent amount of go. I am sure the XR6 would be a better overtaker in the country and probably more comfortable, but the vast majority of our driving is done in town. We are verry pleased with the Mazda, it is a great car.

[XR Martin]

Focus has better rear suspension, (control blade), the Mazda 3s are known for rear suspension clunks, so keep an ear out for it.

[fmc351]

Mate of mine works at a Mazda dealership as a mech, he tells me he wouldnt touch one. None of them.

Make of it what you want. He's British is that sways you one way or the other too.

[Jayden]

My mum has a 3 neo sedan too, only thing she dosnt like about it is the fact there is 2 more on the street, they are common as hell now but thats because they are nice enough cars for the conservative driver. The interior of the mazda will make the old EL interior look like an artifact in comparison.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

We sold an AU 3 XR6 for a Mazda 3 SP23. We bought both new and so far the Mazda comes out in front on build quality and service. We are very pleased with the Mazda, it is a great car.

You can say that again.
My wife's SP23 is nudging 2 years old and has done 30,000km with absolutely no problems. The only negative thing is cabin noise, which is mainly caused by the Bridgestones. When they're worn out I'm fitting Yokahama 550 that have been recommended as much quieter by both the Mazda Dealer and a good friend of mine who owns a BJ franchise.

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Focus has better rear suspension, (control blade), the Mazda 3s are known for rear suspension clunks, so keep an ear out for it.

The Mazda 3 and Volvo C30/S40/V50 all have "Control Blade", it's just they don't use that term, as it's a Ford marketing term.

All you have to look is between the front of the rear wheel and the wheel arch and you'll see the little control blade hanging there, the single longitudinal suspension arm on each wheel.

You'll spot them on Holden Captivas, VW Golfs, Volvo S80s and many more cars now.

[snortycorty]

I've never heard a bad thing about them. Everyones says they are a great little car.

Although i have seen one in the panel beaters, front end was absolutley trashed, and all that had happened was the lady hit a meduim sized dog, the dog walked away but her car was mangled. And apperently the front end is all plastic, everything.
So i wouldnt have mindedn if i had a mazda 3 or 6 until i seen that.

[pauljh74]

I'm interested in a Mazda 3 SP23 second hand in a few years. I was looking at the Mazda 6 initially, but having sat in some of the current crop of small/medium cars like the 3 and Focus at the motor show, they are fine.

A mate of mine who is a panel beater says you wouldn't want to crash the Mazda 6 - not that he says they are unsafe, but that it's harder to get them right again after they've been in a crash compared to most cars. That doesn't really bother me as I don't plan on crashing my car and don't have a history of anything besides minor bumper damage after being hit twice.

How is the handling of the 3 - especially the SP23? Obviously if I was to switch to one from an EL pretty much means no more throttle induced rear wheel steering : , but for a front driver, how do they go? Not too much understeer?

[Noddy]

Originally Posted by fmc351

Mate of mine works at a Mazda dealership as a mech, he tells me he wouldnt touch one. None of them.

Make of it what you want. He's British is that sways you one way or the other too.

Thats pretty typical comment from people that see/work with a particular make/model of car, my mate is a tech at Southside Ford in Brissy and he has always told to stay clear of them (falcon) because he see's nothing but problems with them. Anyway he's a pom lol! e Personally, i have had a few late model mazda's in our family and haven't had an issue with any of them.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Lagom

The Mazda 3 and Volvo C30/S40/V50 all have "Control Blade", it's just they don't use that term, as it's a Ford marketing term.

All you have to look is between the front of the rear wheel and the wheel arch and you'll see the little control blade hanging there, the single longitudinal suspension arm on each wheel.

You'll spot them on Holden Captivas, VW Golfs, Volvo S80s and many more cars now.

I stand corrected! Hmm I thought only the Ford version got the control blade, maybe im thinking of another car.

[GK]

Originally Posted by Noddy

Thats pretty typical comment from people that see/work with a particular make/model of car, my mate is a tech at Southside Ford in Brissy and he has always told to stay clear of them (falcon) because he see's nothing but problems with them. Anyway he's a pom lol! e Personally, i have had a few late model mazda's in our family and haven't had an issue with any of them.

I know a bloke who is a specialist in genetic disorders in children, and when he first became a dad, he said it was strange seeing a child healthy all the time, as his experience with children to that point, was only seeing them quite unwell.

Sad but true story. Also a story a fair bit different from the car mechanics etc, but the point I'm making is that I guess it's a matter of perspective.

I've only really heard good things about the Mazda 3, if that's any help.

GK

[Nappa]

Mazda 3 is a good car and are very close to the focus as far as spec and features. today i was able to have a good look through one we traded and found a few things that a didnt like.

Im not a fan of the rear seats, they seem to have a lot less room then the focus, and i dont know why you can only pop the boot using the latch in the cabin (sedans) the button on the keypad is a great idea.

They also seem to chew through the juice a fair bit more, particually in a manual.

But they seem well built.