2015 Mazda 3 - new owner

[GrasshopperCO]

Hey guys,

I've been around on the forums for awhile, but I recently traded in my 2012 Mazda 2 for a 2015 Mazda 3 iSport sedan.

Looking forward to having this car and hoping to make some modifications in the near future

 

[drop360]

I'm also considering doing a similar change of vehicles. Can you compare and contrast the 2 and 3? How is the power? What about the clutch/1st to 2nd shift? What mods had you done to your 2?

Obviously a lot of these questions could be answered with a test drive, but I'm going to live vicariously through your new purchase instead! At least, for the moment.

-Matt

 

[GrasshopperCO]

To answer your questions in reverse order:

In terms of mods, I had upgraded the brakes with cross-drilled/slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads, upgraded the suspension with KSport Kontrol Pro coilovers, fitted a CorkSport short-throw shift plate and rear torsion bar, and did various cosmetic upgrades (tail lights, LED exterior/interior lights).

The clutch in the new 3 is not nearly as touchy as the one in the 2. It's super light, and the 1st to 2nd shift is a bit juddery at first (until you get used to it), but it feels a lot smoother and you don't have the issue of missing gears because of a sloppy engine mount like you have in the 2. The throw action for the shifter is a bit on the long side, but CS does make a short-shift plate for the new 3 that should fix that, and I suspect that's meant for people who can't manage a shorter throw. Like I said, 1st to 2nd is a bit tricky at first, but I don't miss 2nd to 3rd in this car at all (and I did a lot in the 2).

The power looks underwhelming on paper, but I'm surprised how meaty the 2.0L SkyActiv engine actually feels. The 2.0L I have has 55 more horsepower and about 50 lb/ft. of torque more than the 1.5L engine in the 2. Do keep in mind that you have to offset that power with the added weight, but the 3 sedan weighs about 2850 lbs. (compared to ~2310 with the 2). It goes from 0-60 about 2-2.5 seconds faster than the 2, and I have no trouble overtaking in this car (3rd gear is best at highway speeds...you can go from 60 to about 95 in 3rd gear in this car...compared to 60-80 in the 2). I feel there's a lot more mid-range clout on the highways, so I don't have as many butt-clenching moments when I go to pass someone.

Even though you didn't ask, the build quality for the new 3 is phenomenal for what it is - an affordable compact. It feels a lot nicer than the last-gen 3, but it still has the enthusiastic and well-composed handling of its predecessor. The road manners of the car are exceptional, coming from the 2. The ride is informatively stiff, but by no means uncomfortable. However, like other Mazdas, to get decent handling you have to sacrifice a bit in the noise department. The road/tire noise isn't excessive, but it is a bit noticeable at speed. Way quieter than the 2, though.

To sum up, the new 3 is one hell of a good car. It's reasonably comfortable and quiet, the 2.0L SkyActiv engine is super smooth and quiet, if not as powerful as, say, a Volkswagen (like I said, it's still got enough grunt to make you happy coming from the 2, and it does sound nice). The clutch action is light, but not as lacking in feel as the one in the 2 was, and the transmission itself is nice, especially since it's a 6-speed.

As a side note, I did have to teach myself how to hit 6th gear in this car...With the longer throw, you have to push outward (to the right) a bit to get from 5th to 6th. When I went on my test drive, every time I went for 6th I kept getting 4th instead. Oh, and if you didn't know this already, to engage reverse you have to push down on the shift lever, then move it left and forward.

Hope my insight helps you with your decision.

 

[drop360]

Awesome! Thanks!

I've read a lot of reviews of the 2014/15 3, but it's hard to know what vantage point the reviewer is using. So, it's nice to hear a comparison to the car I'm currently driving.

Like you said "on paper" it's hard to tell how much the increased power/torque can offset the increased weight. Honestly, for 95% of my driving, I don't need more power than the 2 can deliver, but there are some moments where a bit more would be helpful. Sounds like this car may do just that.

Have you been able to compare the gas mileage yet?

Also, good to hear that the clutch/shifting is a bit better than the 2. Somewhat unrelated, I had a '97 Jetta with a similar, push down to engage reverse system. Before I bought the car, I took it out for a solo test drive, pulled forward into a parking spot against a wall, and then freaked out for a bit when I couldn't get the car into reverse. I thought I was going to be stuck there and have to call the dealership! Luckily I got it figured out, but it was a stressful couple of moments!

If there is anything else you can think of to share to compare/contrast the 2 vs. 3, I'd love to hear it. Anything about the 2 that you miss or wish the 3 had?

-Matt

 

[GrasshopperCO]

Awesome! Thanks!

I've read a lot of reviews of the 2014/15 3, but it's hard to know what vantage point the reviewer is using. So, it's nice to hear a comparison to the car I'm currently driving.

Like you said "on paper" it's hard to tell how much the increased power/torque can offset the increased weight. Honestly, for 95% of my driving, I don't need more power than the 2 can deliver, but there are some moments where a bit more would be helpful. Sounds like this car may do just that.

Have you been able to compare the gas mileage yet?

Also, good to hear that the clutch/shifting is a bit better than the 2. Somewhat unrelated, I had a '97 Jetta with a similar, push down to engage reverse system. Before I bought the car, I took it out for a solo test drive, pulled forward into a parking spot against a wall, and then freaked out for a bit when I couldn't get the car into reverse. I thought I was going to be stuck there and have to call the dealership! Luckily I got it figured out, but it was a stressful couple of moments!

If there is anything else you can think of to share to compare/contrast the 2 vs. 3, I'd love to hear it. Anything about the 2 that you miss or wish the 3 had?

-Matt

I'd probably miss a lot from the 2 if I went outside the brand for my new car, such as the charismatic looks and agility. The thing I liked about the 2 was that it still looked contemporary (at least on the outside) even though the design emerged in 2007. Compare that, if you will, to the Chevy Sonic, which only debuted in late 2011 and already looks dated. If I had to pinpoint one thing I missed, it was the ability to squeeze into really tight parking spaces on a whim, but the 3 isn't bad for that either. The steering input is as direct as it was in the 2 - I think it's about 2.8 turns of the wheel lock-to-lock, so you can still negotiate tight quarters with relative ease.

In terms of the gas mileage, I'd say it's about the same, in the real world. I managed to average 35 MPG over the first tank, compared to about 32-35 in the 2. The combined EPA mileage for the 2 is 32 MPG, and 33 MPG for the new 3 with the 2.0L SkyActiv engine. You have the opportunity to get better mileage out of the 3, but with the way I drive I probably won't get past about 38 MPG.

You will feel more punch in the 3 - I feel the engine and transmission are tuned well to deliver more low-end torque than the 2 did, so starts are easier to manage (especially with the 3's Hill Start Assist) and you don't have to finesse the throttle quite as much when in stop-start traffic to keep the 3 from lugging out. In the couple times I've started more aggressively, I've broken the tires loose in 1st and in 2nd (though, I'm not sure if that's more the engine or the tires). I'm trying not to get too aggressive yet since I'm still firmly within the breaking-in period. I picked up the car with 4 miles on the odometer, so only the people moving it about in transport and the dealership mechanic drove it before I did

 

[nychotxxx]

I have a 2014 itouring hatch 2.0 6m and it is truly a great car. Vry torquey, shifting is precise and like butter and short throws. Plus it I s pretty luxurious as i have it equipped. The dash mounted entertainment system is the best. I also have a 2014 jeep cherokee 4x4 loaded, but i love driving the m3.