When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My ongoing quest to replace our Matrix XRS 2.4 continues. We test drove a Mazda 3 hatch.
Great performance. Lovely interior materials. The center digital display was nice.
The inside reminds me of Lexus type materials....and ride and the performance reminds very close to an F-Sport type Lexus model
Unfortunately, Mazda 3 is just not the car for me.
My brother had a 323 Hatchback back in the early 1990s, a couple of years before they dropped it from the American market. Bought it from the same VW/Mazda salesperson who sold me my 1990 Protege. It was a good car, and ran virtually trouble-free for several years. But, back then, many Americans wouldn't even look at a hatchback, much less buy one......they were considered cheap-image. Chevy tried marketing the 5-door Malibu Maxx, and it was a flop.
When I did the Mazda 6 write-up recently, I looked briefly at the latest 3 Hatchback. (yes, it is sold in the U.S. again). As you say, nice little car, with some good materials, but the current lower roofline and droop-down rear end costs some interior space compared to the more traditional two-box design my brother had.
My ongoing quest to replace our Matrix XRS 2.4 continues. We test drove a Mazda 3 hatch.
Unfortunately, Mazda 3 is just not the car for me.
Have you looked at one of the smaller Subarus? A Crosstrek, Impreza hatchback, or Forester may be just what you need....though the Forester is a little larger than the other two. And you get the noted Subaru Symmetrical AWD system, standard, for those bad winters in your part of the world. I recently did a Car Chat thread on the popularity of today's Subarus.......and how they make sense for so many people. The only thing you have to get used to is the way the CVT feels (if you don't get a traditional three-pedal manual)...but that's not necessarily a deal-breaker. With their large windows and high roofline, you will also be amazed at the outward visibility of the Forester/Outback, compared to the usual claustrophobia that comes with so many of today's vehicles.
Last edited by mmarshall; Oct 24, 2019 at 03:24 PM.
Have you looked at one of the smaller Subarus? A Crosstrek, Impreza hatchback, or Forester may be just what you need. And you get the noted Subaru Symmetrical AWD system, standard, bot those bad winters in your part of the world. I recently did a Car Chat thread on the popularity of today's Subarus..and how they make sense for so many people. The only thing you have to get used to is the way the CVT feels (if you don't get a three pedal manual)...but that's not necessarily a deal-breaker.
Yes. I did look at an Impreza hatch.. I have no issues with a CVT at all.
Unfortunately, Mazda 3 is just not the car for me.
You said before that you liked the Regal Tour-X wagon. Have you driven one? Mary Barra might not keep the present one on the market much longer....right now, the factory is giving 16% off, even to non-GM owners.
It's not my favorite Buick, but I like the way it's built (Opel quality). It's basically a rebadged Opel Insignia wagon. Opel has an excellent reputation in Europe.
Last edited by mmarshall; Oct 24, 2019 at 08:52 PM.
2020 Corolla Hatch is almost like a spiritual successor to your Matrix
I thought of the Corolla hatchback, too, but didn't bring it up because (maybe I'm wrong?) it sounds like she and her husband may just be tired of Toyotas after so many years of having three or four of them in the family. After I had been driving Mazdas for over 10 years, I thought it was time for a change myself.
I thought of the Corolla hatchback, too, but didn't bring it up because (maybe I'm wrong?) it sounds like she and her husband may just be tired of Toyotas after so many years of having three or four of them in the family. After I had been driving Mazdas for over 10 years, I thought it was time for a change myself.
I don't know how you can come to that conclusion. The only posts by OP are mixed feelings over the new Mazda 3, and they tried an Impreza hatch. Unless OP gives up criteria for what they are looking for we can can assume any car including a brand they are familiar with.
I was going to mention this too, esp. the smurf blue, and MMarshall did a review on the new corolla a while back.
I love this new corolla hatch
Yes., and the new Corolla has an interesting CVT transmission, with a conventional built in starter-gear, that prevents the usual CVT motorboating at low speeds......but that unique transmission is only available on a couple of the top-line versions.
Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
I don't know how you can come to that conclusion. The only posts by OP are mixed feelings over the new Mazda 3, and they tried an Impreza hatch. Unless OP gives up criteria for what they are looking for we can can assume any car including a brand they are familiar with.
That's why I left in the part that said I might be wrong.
We test drive new Corolla Hatch.
It was stylish outside & inside, and 2.0 powerful, smooth & quiet.
Superb blend of handling, comfort & refinement.
However hatch bit small.
I think Corolla sedan would be great for you....
From a driving dynamics standpoint, the VW GTi is awesome. The new Jetta GLI is also nice with a good interior. You just have to deal with VW reliability (hot and miss)
My thoughts on the Mazda 3 hatch
