Hi!

[Chemgeek]

Hi All!

I have a question about the Mazda 3 and thought this would be the best way to get it answered.

How do you all feel about owning the 3 and do you all like it? I'm kind of worried about the size and if it can fit things like ski's and if its comfy on long drives. Also how about accidents? I can't find too many ratings on this model as of yet.

If you could just let me know how you all feel driving the car that would be great!

Thanks!

 

[ZoomVT]

Hey Chemgeek.

i have a mazda 3 sedan and i absolutely love it. I thought i would just drive this car for a year and then trade up but i just love it, i want to keep it until it dies 20 years from now.
The size of the sedan i think is great, very spacious especially in the back seat compared to other compact cars. The ergonomics of the driver seat are very good, especially with the tilting steering wheel. I dont ski but i ride, and i got a nice Thule Ski Rack for about $300 including everything (bars, clamps, locks, fittings, etc). Not only does the Thule rack work well but it also looks SWEET on the sedan, very sporty, at least i think so. I have a M/T and long drives are a dream with this car, i just love driving so the more time i spend behind the wheel the better. This car loves to be high in the RPMs so cruising on the higway at 5K RPMs is awesome and that usually means you are going about 90 (lol)
When i bought it, the ratings were pretty good, not much information and it was lacking on side impact but everything else was 3.5 or 4 stars.

LOVE THE CAR!

 

[BC3I]

I really love mine..... i do a lot of freeway driving and long distances and i have to tell you....the 3 is a hell of a lot better than others i have driven....ie: Colrolla, Sentra, Civic, Neon (piss).... its very spacious.....if you got skis then buy they ski rack the sell. other than that i would give the 3 10 out of 10 (10)

 

[tsunami]

i like mine a lot...i have a hatch, and don't see why you couldn't put skis in the back or a board for that matter if you don't mind puttin the rear seats down... highway cruising is easy, the telescoping and tilt steering wheel is a great option, also it was i believe the only compact to have passed the side impact testing... if you are worried about safety i would highly recomend the safety package of abs and side impact airbags.. and tpms as well... you can navigation as a factory option and most people have found it very user friendly...

 

[Chemgeek]

Thanks to all who have answered this pondering question...I just now have to make the deal and put the $$ down to get it!

Thanks!

 

[tsunami]

haha... good luck and welcome to the ZOOM ZOOM club...

 

[Chemgeek]

So, after much debating w/ the sales person at four different dealerships I finally got my car. The sad part is its not the hatchback (sniff-sniff) but the sticker shock and the realization of insurance going through the roof scared me into going w/ the sedan. By doing that I overpaid invoice by $300!! I screwed myself.

Well, the question I have now is, I forgot to ask for mud guards. Do any of you know if its easy to put one on?

Many Thanks!

 

[GimmeA3S]

Mud guards are a great investment, but they only fit the sedan without the "S" lower side sill extensions (old school term: ground effects). I haven't seen any that fit over the sill extensions. Mine were moderately easy to install - do yourself a favor and remove the wheels. The rears were kind-of a b****, as the holes in the car that appear to be specifically for the mud guards didn't line up with the holes in the mud guards, so it took a little bit of 'customization'. Besides the bra, they are the best protective investment I've put on the car.

 

[ZoomVT]

ALERT: THREADJACK

i dont see them in your signature. can you take pics of those mud guards? also where did you get them? and how much was it?

 

[GimmeA3S]

I took this pic right after the wheels were installed, but before I got the mud guards. I got them at my local Mazda dealership, and I think they're around $100 for all 4. I've seen them online for cheaper, but wasn't sure of the quality or the trustworthiness of the seller, so I went the safe and more expensive route.

 

[Chemgeek]

I took this pic right after the wheels were installed, but before I got the mud guards. I got them at my local Mazda dealership, and I think they're around $100 for all 4. I've seen them online for cheaper, but wasn't sure of the quality or the trustworthiness of the seller, so I went the safe and more expensive route.

Thanks for the info and the help!! We'll see what I end up doing...I think I'm going to have to convince my little brother to help me. (uhm)