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First Drive: 2014 Mazda3

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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 09:01 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by 84Cressida
THANK YOU! I've driven several rental Mazda 3s and I was not impressed. They certainly didn't feel like the sports car Car and Driver and this Autoblog loser make them out to be. They're also a pain in the *** to clean and don't seem to hold up well past 20,000 miles in my experience. I've never been impressed by the third tier brands like Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, etc. With rare exceptions, none of what they sell does anything for me and it's not hard to see for me why they don't resonate with a lot of buyers.

The Corolla has its faults, but these snobs saying everyone that has one is not an enthusiast and is dumb or "duped" can pound sand. I'd take any Corolla over a Mazda, and most of the world agrees.
Judging the Mazda3 based on the i is like judging the BMW's handling w/o a sport package. Not valid.
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 01:21 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
Mazda's biggest problem though has always been their marketing, but even that I believe has been improving as of late. Either way I don't expect them to explode onto the scene. But they do deserve recognition because they are very compelling
Originally Posted by lowincash
Let's hope the new mazda are reliable...
Mazdas sell fairly well in Canada since they have nice styling, are well put together, and are fun to drive. (I've owned two, and brother 2 more). But a MAJOR problem they face up here with our harsh winters is RUST in particular the Mazda 3.

4-5 year old 3s, 5s and prior MPVs would have bubbling rust in the wheel wells, door bottoms, around emblem on the trunk, and yes, even the B-pillar.

A second problem is reliability - electrical and engine problems most common (my brother had his 2.3L in his 3 replaced after 83 000 km due to a seized piston). If this newest Gen 3 can address these two issues, it will be a serious threat to the Civic and Corolla which are the best compact car sellers here.

BTW, I can't shake off this horrible image of a Daewoo Lanos 5 door when I see the new 3 hatch.
Attached Thumbnails First Drive: 2014 Mazda3-800px-daewoo_lanos_rear_20070323.jpg  

Last edited by corradoMR2; Jul 15, 2013 at 01:26 PM.
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 02:52 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Infra
Judging the Mazda3 based on the i is like judging the BMW's handling w/o a sport package. Not valid.
"based on the i"? what do you mean?
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 03:33 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
"based on the i"? what do you mean?
I think he mean't trim. Using the lowest trim with the 2.0 vs say a S GT with the 2.5.

i Sport
i Touring
S
S Touring
S Grand Touring
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 03:42 PM
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The touring model is by far the most popular model of the Mazda 3, at least in the US. And not many BMW's are equipped with sports package either.
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 05:22 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Och
The touring model is by far the most popular model of the Mazda 3, at least in the US. And not many BMW's are equipped with sports package either.
That tends to be the case for the Mazda's and BMW's sold.

In publications they always have the highest/sportiest S/GT or M-Sport package to prove it's handling metal
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