help needed

[Bennouk]

I am just getting out of a 3 year lease on a Golf GTI V6 and am seriously considering purchasing a Mazda 3. Would like some advise on whether to go with the hatchback or 4 door s version along with what packages/upgrades to consider. Also interested in opinions on exterior color and interior cloth or leather option also.

Seems that the local Mazda dealers are relatively low on actual 5 speed manuals on in bith hatchback or 4 door s versions (Atlanta, GA) and thus can I get the ABS package or moonroof package etc added to a vehicle prior to purchase?

Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Andy.

 

[RonH]

The options are factory installed (ABS, Moonroof) and are packaged with some options you might not want.

I would suggest going online to the Mazda site or MSN Carpoint or Kelly Blue Book. I priced the one I wanted, then started looking for online dealers to check what they had in stock. My local dealer had almost what I wanted (I wanted the side impact air bags, but it's packaged with ABS that I didn't want. The moonroof is also packaged with the 6 CD System. I bought the one that I settled for, even though I didn't want a moonroof but did want the sound system.

These cars are very popular and are in short supply. Mazda is opening up an old factory to build more to meet the demand. A lot of people had to order them with a long wait.

 

[GimmeA3S]

Having owned a Golf, you've probably become accustomed to the convenience of a hatchback - you might not be happy with the limits that a sedan can impose. Or, if you're ready for a change, find a sedan! I don't do a lot of hauling and I prefer the looks of the sedan, but if you like the cargo room, snag a 5-door.
I weighed the color options carefully before I settled on Strato Blue - I love the looks of the Lava Orange, but concluded that I might be tired of looking at it after a while. The sedan can look pretty sharp in white, but if you don't upgrade your wheels and get your windows tinted, it can look a bit like a rental car. As far as interior - black is the only choice. (No offense to you tan owners) I found the tan interior to be a bit too 'yellow' for my taste - if it were more subdued, I might have liked it better, but the black is pretty hot looking. If you get a sedan, definitely get a spoiler. Good hunting! I originally wanted a "lightly optioned" sedan, but ended up taking a heavily optioned one because it was the only Strato Blue sedan that the dealer could find. I've learned to love the sunroof, 6-disk, etc and hope not to ever use the ABS.

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

yeah, at this point, it's gonna be hard to get an 04 from the dealer that you want, without settling, you might have to wait for an 05 to come in(by the end of October latest). Of course, thats when us Canadians get them. I think titanium Grey with GFXpackage looks good...either Sedan or Hatch it's hot