Looking for an '05 Mazda3

[zoomzoom4ever]

Hey guys, this is my first post! I am looking to get a new car within the next couple of weeks and I have my heart set on a Mazda3. The look of them are awesome. I live in Oklahoma and there are very few Mazda3's here. I want something that looks unique and will turn heads. The new Mustangs are cool, but they are everywhere here.

My only problem is that I want the 3S 2.3L engine with the moonroof/6 cd system and rear wing spoiler without the sport package. All of the cars on the lot that have the options I want have the sport package. Is it possible to find one with the options I want without the package or will I have to special order? I don't want the 17 in. wheels for the fact that tires will be $200 a piece. I am a teacher so that won't work!

Also, what style tinting looks best on the 3? I am getting it tinted immediately.

Any ideas on my future purchase?

 

[wongpres]

Have you discussed this with your dealer? I would let my dealer know this and they would probably figure something out - like you purchase a Sport package vehicle, but they swap wheels with a 16-inch sitting on the lot and you don't pay for the cost of the sport package.

Otherwise, I'm sure you can come to forums like this (or locally) and swap your 17's for 16's + cash.

But discussing with the dealer would be the best first step.

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

Have you discussed this with your dealer? I would let my dealer know this and they would probably figure something out - like you purchase a Sport package vehicle, but they swap wheels with a 16-inch sitting on the lot and you don't pay for the cost of the sport package.

Otherwise, I'm sure you can come to forums like this (or locally) and swap your 17's for 16's + cash.

But discussing with the dealer would be the best first step.

Thanks for the info. I did not know that they would switch out like that. I will definitely try to work something out with my dealer.

Also, I have a question on the color "Strato Blue". Is it the indigo more purple color? I have seen the winning blue on the RX-8, but I am more of a dark blue/purple person. Just wondering!

 

[wongpres]

Yes, Strato Blue is a dark blue that even has a bit of a purple hint to it in certain lighting conditions.

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

Colors

Yes, Strato Blue is a dark blue that even has a bit of a purple hint to it in certain lighting conditions.

I'm hoping to get a Strato Blue 3. My second and third choice is Sunlight Silver Metallic and Black Mica.

I'm going to do my homework and get a report from Consumer Reports on how much the dealer is paying for the car, so I can work on talking them down (since I'm a girl I want to be armed and dangerous). I also have a meeting with my loan officer in a couple of weeks to see what kind of deal I can get since Mazda isn't running any good deals on financing right now. I will be applying my $500 grad rebate as well. I'm putting 5 grand down on it,so I'm hoping payments will be under $300 for a $19,000 car. I'm just amazed I can get so many options for that price. Hopefully I'll be Zoom Zoomin by the end of March.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

fly to chicago, i'll pick you up and take you back to my dealer and sell you a car. support your fellow forum friends

 

[M3 5MT]

You dont have to spend $200 on tires for 17's.

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

This price was quoted to me at every place called

Maybe not where you're from, but here they are expensive. We've called several places, and they were very surprised that we were even checking. They said alot of people get this size (P205/50 R17) not knowing how expensive they are and then gripe when they have to pay for a tire. They told me to stay away from 17 inch wheels if possible because of the price. The cheapest tire (off-brand) would run $150/tire, and name brand would run up to $300/tire. Every place we called said the same thing. I can't justify paying that much more for one inch difference! JMO...

 

[fam]

actually kumho's from tirerack.com were 91 a piece (i paid about 200 even for 2 tires shipped next day) The kumhos are better than factory in every way ive noticed thus far.

 

[M3 5MT]

actually kumho's from tirerack.com were 91 a piece (i paid about 200 even for 2 tires shipped next day) The kumhos are better than factory in every way ive noticed thus far.

I was just about to say that. $93 last time i checked.

 

[tsunami]

wow.... if it is just the tire $$ turning you off of the 17's then i would say just buy your tires online. you can get sumitomo...(great performance tires) real cheap like 70$$ each on www.tirerack.com. thats crazy that they are telling you 200$$ a tire. just use the internet... the 17's look much better then the 16's

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

wow.... if it is just the tire $$ turning you off of the 17's then i would say just buy your tires online. you can get sumitomo...(great performance tires) real cheap like 70$$ each on www.tirerack.com. thats crazy that they are telling you 200$$ a tire. just use the internet... the 17's look much better then the 16's

Ordering them off of the internet doesn't help me if I have a blow-out and I can't afford to buy some to just have laying around. I just don't see it as a necessity. I've seen both kinds of tires on the 3's and on the road you can't tell much difference. Even the dealer and the tire stores tell me that. I think getting the S with the moonroof, and rear wing spoiler and then getting the windows tinted will add enough "sport" for what I want.

 

[hworth18]

ZoomZoom,
I live in Tulsa.. (drinks)
I have a 3s with the Sport package.. Is there any particular reason you DON'T want it?? I think it makes the 3 look better with the extra ground effects and the 17" wheels.. You can probably special order a 3 to your needs if you can't find one you like..
I basically got a fully loaded 3 with leather, sport pkg, Cd changer and sunroof for $19k which is a heck-of-a deal..
And.... I originally bought it for the gas mileage (I drive 20 miles a day to work), but now, I absolutely LOVE it!!(drive)

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

ZoomZoom,
I live in Tulsa.. (drinks)
I have a 3s with the Sport package.. Is there any particular reason you DON'T want it?? I think it makes the 3 look better with the extra ground effects and the 17" wheels.. You can probably special order a 3 to your needs if you can't find one you like..
I basically got a fully loaded 3 with leather, sport pkg, Cd changer and sunroof for $19k which is a heck-of-a deal..
And.... I originally bought it for the gas mileage (I drive 20 miles a day to work), but now, I absolutely LOVE it!!(drive)

I'm concerned about the cost of the tires on the 17'' wheels. The tires that come on the car are 205/50 R17 tires. For that tire, I called around and every place I called quoted me between $175 and $300 for that kind of tire. I would love to have the sports package, but as a teacher, I don't have tons of money to blow on tires when the time comes to change them.

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

I see on tiretrack.com that tires are available cheaper, but no dealer has those tires. Ordering off the internet just doesn't work for me. I'd love to have the sport package, but it is something I can live without. I'll keep checking around, though and if something becomes available within the next week or so, I'll be sure and post it. Thanks for all your input!

 

[dominoy2k1]

http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/2055017/


check this site out. 74 for the cheapest tire you need. i bought some for my mazda. very good prices and fast delivery.

 

[Mikey444]

when the time comes to get new tires, it's not a big deal spending a couple hundred more. If you want the 16" which ride better anyways just tell the dealer, you want the sport package but with 16" wheels instead at no extra cost. It should not be a problem.

 

[zoomzoom4ever]

when the time comes to get new tires, it's not a big deal spending a couple hundred more. If you want the 16" which ride better anyways just tell the dealer, you want the sport package but with 16" wheels instead at no extra cost. It should not be a problem.

I wouldn't mind throwing a couple hundred down for a tire if I got paid more, but in my profession it aint gonna happen!

I will talk to my dealer about the sports package, and see if I can get the tires switched out. I want the ground effects and I know that it would make the car alot better. I'm going to start looking for my zoom zoom next weekend, so I'll post what I find out. Thanks Mikey for your input.

 

[mobomelter]

are those hankooks any good?

 

[GimmeA3S]

actually kumho's from tirerack.com were 91 a piece (i paid about 200 even for 2 tires shipped next day) The kumhos are better than factory in every way ive noticed thus far.

Ditto for me....these tires stick like glue, even in the wet