First Drive: 2014 Mazda3 Sedan
10-03-13, 08:58 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
it will probably be the best looking car in class, in person...i saw it on some show videos and it look good... these pics are not flattering and i dont think interior is that great but it will likely feel special.
Got rated really well in Autobild, beat diesel Focus and Civic... of course, they somehow did not test it against new Golf. As usual, they will probably test petrol version against turbo Golf.
Got rated really well in Autobild, beat diesel Focus and Civic... of course, they somehow did not test it against new Golf. As usual, they will probably test petrol version against turbo Golf.
And that also lies a problem because it may not sadly sell to the levels of your Civic, Corolla or Golf.
I just hope that Mazda sells as many units as they can (as volume is what the company needs right now)
10-03-13, 09:30 AM
#18
At least they should have some oem-looking shroud for it. You can see the left over black screen on each side.
I mean, that area looks like it was for a digital clock, but mazda just stuck a nav there and said, "navigation is available"
10-03-13, 10:08 AM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, it's definitely better-looking on the outside than the last one. But I'm not terribly impressed with the new interior, at least from these preliminary shots. I do like the smallish wheels, though, and the nice long front overhang. Too many of today's cars have oversized wheels/tires and almost no overhang at all, which, IMO, makes them look awkward and ride too stiff.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-03-13 at 10:13 AM.
10-03-13, 11:37 AM
#22
It is considered the "BMW" of it's respecitve class segment ie Corolla, Civic, Sentra, Forte, Elantra, Jetta, Cruze, Impreza, Focus because of the way it drives. Though I will digress on the Focus as it's European roots have it up there as well
10-03-13, 02:00 PM
#23
Lexus Champion
No one ever said it was.
It is considered the "BMW" of it's respecitve class segment ie Corolla, Civic, Sentra, Forte, Elantra, Jetta, Cruze, Impreza, Focus because of the way it drives. Though I will digress on the Focus as it's European roots have it up there as well
It is considered the "BMW" of it's respecitve class segment ie Corolla, Civic, Sentra, Forte, Elantra, Jetta, Cruze, Impreza, Focus because of the way it drives. Though I will digress on the Focus as it's European roots have it up there as well
10-03-13, 02:15 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
It looks like form wins out over function again. With that high and swooping beltline, it must be terribly claustrophobic, especially for shorter people or children, in the rear seat. I would not want to sit back there, especially in a fashionable black interior -- it would feel like crouching in a tiny cave.
I hope that there is an audio system on/off switch on the steering wheel. Anyone notice that what seems to be the on/off switch and volume is between the seats, next to the mouse-like wheel? That will take some getting used to. Whatever happened to simple, easy-to-understand, easy-to-use controls?
I hope that there is an audio system on/off switch on the steering wheel. Anyone notice that what seems to be the on/off switch and volume is between the seats, next to the mouse-like wheel? That will take some getting used to. Whatever happened to simple, easy-to-understand, easy-to-use controls?
10-03-13, 03:26 PM
#25
I am driving the current Mazda 3, and I used to have a 335, and I agree, they don't drive anywhere near alike. The Mazda is pretty stable in the corners, but it lacks BMW's dynamics and grip, and badly suffers from torque steer even with it's anemic vegetarian engine.
10-03-13, 03:31 PM
#26
The new interior is fine. That stick on GPS is a stupid trent that EVERYONE is doing - Audi, MB, BMW - so Mazda is just following the trend. In my 2013 the interior is not luxury or premium in any way, but its very solid, everything is built very precise, there are no funny squeaks or noises. The car is very, very well made.
10-03-13, 03:51 PM
#27
I think Focus and Mazda 3 share a lot of components, as Mazda is Ford's subsidiary. They probably drive very similar.
I am driving the current Mazda 3, and I used to have a 335, and I agree, they don't drive anywhere near alike. The Mazda is pretty stable in the corners, but it lacks BMW's dynamics and grip, and badly suffers from torque steer even with it's anemic vegetarian engine.
I am driving the current Mazda 3, and I used to have a 335, and I agree, they don't drive anywhere near alike. The Mazda is pretty stable in the corners, but it lacks BMW's dynamics and grip, and badly suffers from torque steer even with it's anemic vegetarian engine.
This is when we started getting sky active engines, new 6 and new CX-5.
10-03-13, 03:56 PM
#28
Also, their new diesel in 3 got rated as the best among 3, with Focus one being really crappy and old Honda 2.0l not so far behind Mazda.
10-03-13, 05:21 PM
#29
Same goes for Ford and Aston Martin, a $40 Million stake remains.
10-03-13, 06:15 PM
#30
As far as I know the last move by Ford was in 2010 (previously 2008 from 33% to 10%) when they dropped from 10% to 3% ownership. I have not seen any moves to divest them entirely since then. Even so a strategic partnership remains.
Same goes for Ford and Aston Martin, a $40 Million stake remains.
Same goes for Ford and Aston Martin, a $40 Million stake remains.
Now i found the number in Mazda financials - it is 2.1% now, as of few months ago.