2014 Mazda3 Aftermarket Stereo

[bigpapajoe]

Hey all, first post here on Mazdaforum, a little about me - been driving an S3 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce for about 10 years now. I love it, but it needs body work really badly and well, not the most practical car. So I'm looking for a new reliable daily driver so I can get the Alfa some classic plates and turn it into my weekend sports driver.

Always loved the look of the Mazdas, and even the miata reminds me vaguely of the spider... and I've only heard great things about the new 2014 3series hatch.

On to my question - I don't need the frills, looking at the 6 speed manual, so I decided on the lowest level i-sport trim. My friend has the one with the infotainment center and it's pretty cool, but to get that I need to spend another $5k. I'm very handy (as you grow to be, owning an Alfa) and would rather buy the base level and install my own aftermarket system that will cost way less than $5k and give me the experience that I personally need. But looking at the stock stereos, it doesn't look like there's a DIN slot or anything that I can use for an aftermarket system.

Is it even possible to replace the stock stereo in the new Mazda 3 hatch? I've read on these threads that it's not. What if it breaks, or I want to upgrade further down the line? I called a Mazda dealership and they said in order to do that I'd need to fabricate a custom dashboard. Seriously??????

Thanks for your time!

 

[bigpapajoe]

Since there is no space for an aftermarket head unit and part of the radio is the display on top of the dash, your dealer is right about fabricating a dash. But even that won't do it because then your display will not be functional. What you can do is cut into the lines after the amp with a LOC that reestablishes the full range and then add an amp and whatever speakers you wish. You won't be able to add any functions to your head unit, however. That said, you already will have Bluetooth and Aux inputs so what more did you want to add. You won't be able to upgrade to the infotainment system so if you want Nav, you'll have to get a Garmin, etc. The Bose system sounds very good, but if you want to pound the bass and twinkle the highs and are not interested in listening to classical music, I'm not sure you'll really like the Bose system which is pretty even throughout the range. I was a musician when I was young, and like to hear all of the instruments and sounds, but if you're into rap, hip-hop, or R&B, you might not like a balanced sound.

Then again, if you have the Bose system like most of us, adding to it is not easy and very expensive to do it right.

Does the baseline isport trim level come with the bose system? I heard it came with a mediocre 4 speaker setup and a non-touchscreen display. Also, bluetooth technology is not there yet, if you have trained ears you can still hear the signal degradation. I relate to your love of classical music it's rare to find that these days. Schubert has always my favorite.

From what I've gathered, the isport comes with a basic unmodifiable head unit that doesn't display ID3 tags or album art, doesn't read lossless files and doesn't let you organize your library and create custom playlists. I highly doubt even the $5k extra infotainment center supports lossless extensions, where a basic $299 head unit does all of that and more. Being a passionate music lover, I like flexibility with my music, and am also after flat quality response, not loudness. In my opinion, Bose is good but not the best. Plenty of other cheaper options that outperform Bose products. I guess I'm looking for what they call 'future proofing', if I can't upgrade what I have today, that means when it becomes obsolete it no longer retains it's value. Kind of like what Apple has done with their Macbook Retina line.

My two cents though... thank you for yours. So I guess that answers my question, the stock head unit can not be replaced, which is a huge let down (if you're an enthusiast).

 

[WildMidwest]

... the stock head unit can not be replaced, which is a huge let down (if you're an enthusiast).

Some of the aftermarket audio guys are pretty clever about finding ways to replace a head unit. Every time manufacturers think they found a better mousetrap to lock out the aftermarket, the aftermarket guys find a better mouse. That manufacturers even attempt to make replacing stock audio impossible is a black mark against companies such as Mazda. I replaced my Corolla's head unit twice since 2004 due to electrical shorts. Thank goodness I didn't have to pay $5000 each time.

 

[WildMidwest]

The problem is that you don't have a "stock head unit".

I didn't look at a third generation iSport 3, but one of the advantages of that trim in the past was ability to install aftermarket heads. Granted the factory head in the second generation iSport MZ3 sounded worse than the AM radio in my 1973 Dodge Swinger. I wish they would have just left an empty center stack DIN slot and speaker wiring but no speakers in the base 3. That's the car I would covet above all others.

 

[WildMidwest]

So, what's it going to cost to replace the infotainment center when my alternator sends a power surge that zaps the elctronics 1 month after my warranty expires? Are we locked into paying exorbitant fees to Mazda versus towing the car to the junk yard? Not liking my choices here.

 

[mtnbiker26]

I have an '03 Protege5 that I bought new and installed a full system in. Due to the car's age I was hoping to replace it with a '14 Mazda 3 until I saw the awful head unit setup. The display up on the dash and the lack of a standard single or double DIN opening is a huge turnoff. I actually feel angry about it. I'm now considering the 2015 Honda Fit when it becomes available.

 

[GasSaver14]

I have an '03 Protege5 that I bought new and installed a full system in. Due to the car's age I was hoping to replace it with a '14 Mazda 3 until I saw the awful head unit setup. The display up on the dash and the lack of a standard single or double DIN opening is a huge turnoff. I actually feel angry about it. I'm now considering the 2015 Honda Fit when it becomes available.

The new Honda Fit hybrid was being tested at 85 MPG. It may be worth the waiting for. If they decide to increase it's power it could be significantly less, depends on how the feel about marketing it in the USA.

The Toyota Yaris was getting 68 MPG overseas but droped to something like 40 after they decided it needed more power for Americans.

 

[WildMidwest]

The new Honda Fit hybrid was being tested at 85 MPG. It may be worth the waiting for. If they decide to increase it's power it could be significantly less, depends on how the feel about marketing it in the USA.

The Toyota Yaris was getting 68 MPG overseas but droped to something like 40 after they decided it needed more power for Americans.

Probably because we aren't accustomed to pedaling.

I scratch my head at preposterous MPG numbers. Has Honda really found a way to more-than-double the efficiency of its engines? Have they found a way to reduce wind resistance by half?

I don't find real world MPG to be increasing at all. My 1979 diesel VW Rabbit routinely got 52+ real-world MPG. Few of today's cars get anywere near this number despite being more streamlined and supposedly more fuel efficient. That boxy old hatchback had huge hauling capacity with good low-end torque, a nice German MT and great road feel with its non-power assist steering.

 

[GasSaver14]

Probably because we aren't accustomed to pedaling.

I scratch my head at preposterous MPG numbers. Has Honda really found a way to more-than-double the efficiency of its engines? Have they found a way to reduce wind resistance by half?

I don't find real world MPG to be increasing at all. My 1979 diesel VW Rabbit routinely got 52+ real-world MPG. Few of today's cars get anywere near this number despite being more streamlined and supposedly more fuel efficient. That boxy old hatchback had huge hauling capacity with good low-end torque, a nice German MT and great road feel with its non-power assist steering.

Honda fit Hybrid has not been released yet, so real world results are not known. New cars are often tweaked and tuned to meet market demands. This is were the real millage changes are. 85 MPG was a number that Honda posted for the Honda Fit.

If we had A Geo Metro today with all the new Engine technologies. We could reach 100 MPG without making it a Hybrid. Who would buy it? ME

The new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Has been released. Professional reviews and my friend that owns one says the EPA MPG is very conservative for the Honda Accord Hybrid. Try to scale down A 200 HP full size car into A small car with about 100 HP and and you could imagine the results to be close to that 85 MPG claim.

Keeping up with todays speeding world is not going to get you above the rated MPG.
You may not be aware that people that drive like snails do get the rewards of better MPG.

If my driving upsets you pass me. I don't own the road and neither do you.

 

[MMC Racing]

So, what's it going to cost to replace the infotainment center when my alternator sends a power surge that zaps the elctronics 1 month after my warranty expires? Are we locked into paying exorbitant fees to Mazda versus towing the car to the junk yard? Not liking my choices here.

If it keeps you up at night, buy a Mazda extended warranty. Future potential problem avoided.

 

[dennis schultze]

Non display sport radio

Since there is no space for an aftermarket head unit and part of the radio is the display on top of the dash, your dealer is right about fabricating a dash. But even that won't do it because then your display will not be functional. What you can do is cut into the lines after the amp with a LOC that reestablishes the full range and then add an amp and whatever speakers you wish. You won't be able to add any functions to your head unit, however. That said, you already will have Bluetooth and Aux inputs so what more did you want to add. You won't be able to upgrade to the infotainment system so if you want Nav, you'll have to get a Garmin, etc. The Bose system sounds very good, but if you want to pound the bass and twinkle the highs and are not interested in listening to classical music, I'm not sure you'll really like the Bose system which is pretty even throughout the range. I was a musician when I was young, and like to hear all of the instruments and sounds, but if you're into rap, hip-hop, or R&B, you might not like a balanced sound.

Then again, if you have the Bose system like most of us, adding to it is not easy and very expensive to do it right.

------------------------------------------
Do you or others know the speaker size in the front doors. Tweeters in top of dash are 3 1/2 but don't know if they have a cable connection to enable the sound. Mazda dealership(s) have no documentation on sizes!could be 6 1/2 or 6 x 9.....service says take the door panel off. That's ok but I want to order the right size and remove once. Thanks.....dennis