Recent content by LeeLee

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    This f'n city paving their roads!!

    Kerosene is great for removing tar. And cheap too.
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    Stiff Seats?

    The leather will soften up a bit, remember to condition it. The Mazda3's seats are fairly firm compared to other cars that I've sat in. It's a good thing for some, and a bad thing for others. I kind of like it, but I don't know how it will feel on a long drive.
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    hatch or no hatch..that is the question

    I really like the hatch because I need the space and it is more aggressively styled of the two body types. The sedan is also nice and is a bit more conservative looking. The hatch doesn't really cost more than the sedan since for the price difference of about $500 you get the performance...
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    One or two keys

    Two keys, absolutely. Usually cars come with three keys: two regular plus a valet. I was surprised that my Mazda3 came with only two keys. When I asked, the dealer said that the Mazda3 only comes with 2 regular keys and no valet key. I confirmed this with others on one of the other Mazda3...
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    Is this a good deal for a Mazda3 hatchback?

    As of right this moment, www.fitzgeraldauto.com shows seven Mazda3 HBs that are going $1200 below invoice before individual rebates. Plenty are going for invoice and slightly above.
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    Is this a good deal for a Mazda3 hatchback?

    I think no one should pay more than invoice for their Mazda3. I bought mine for $18250 before $1000 in rebates. My car is a HB with ABS, Moonroof, and Xenon, so it was like $120 below invoice before the rebates. The car was mint with 2 miles on the odometer. Lots of internet sites for...
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    Speaker info. Easier??

    It's not really a matter of cone area. There are many more choices in 6.5" than 6x8. And if you want a nice set of speakers, then you almost have no choices in the various oval sizes.
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    ROUND 1 of The Great Audio Install: Speakers.

    You rule man! but a few question: I saw where you made the adapter plates, the sides look really thin. In fact, I could only spot 2 screws holding the mid-bass to the plate. Did you put in more than 2 screws? Would anything be in the way if the plate was "made fatter" at the sides to fit...
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    Mazda3 tires 2 small

    I agree with Macadonious that 215 on 6.5" rims should be fine. Most 215/50/17 tires spec rim widths from about 6" to 7.5", with 7" being recommended. But 6.5" rim should certainly be okay. I would only begin to worry if 225 tires are used because it would be on the lower edge of acceptable...
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    what did you pay for your Mazda3 in the USA?

    That doesn't seem like a low payment in comparison to what I am paying. I bought a 5-Door manual with ABS/airbags, Moonroof/Changer, and Xenon/TPMS with 3% virginia tax, financed at 3.9% for 60months, with a monthly payment of around $328. Of course there are other gives and takes between...
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    Mazda3 tires 2 small

    I think it's just the tire and not the size. 205/50R17 is perfectly fine for a car of the 3's weight and power. You don't necessarily need a Z-rated tire to get good performance, since the lette rating is just a max-speed rating and has little to do with traction. A better indicator of...
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    2002 Protege vs Mz3 Soundsystem

    Well, I'll take that you mean you've never in your life heard music so clear in a mobile environment. Because any decent home stereo should be able to produce cleaner music than even the best car audio system. The Mark Levinson system is a very well done OEM system, but it doesn't produce a...
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    Drive by wire throttle woes

    The Mazda6 also has electronic throttle, and the delay is a common complaint on that car as well. Many other cars have electronic throttle, including the TSX, and the new TL.
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    Drive by wire throttle woes

    Does your MPV have electronic throttle? Regardless, the delay is really only noticeable if you have a manual transmission, which I doubt with your MPV. The nature of the torque converter in an automatic transmission masks any delay there may be in the throttle. The delay in the Mazda3 is...
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    2002 Protege vs Mz3 Soundsystem

    $500? I'd be happy if I can swap in a $200 deck - just find one with nice pre-amp specs.
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