Mazda 3 performance and reliabllity

[ourLaserBlueMP5]

Does the 3 currently have any recalls? Any ideas on top speed, 0 to 60, dyno numbers for both automatic and manual and for both engines? I have a '03 ZX3 Focus and Im not wanting to trade, the negative equity would kill me. I like the 6 but its a bit out of my price range, my payment on the Focus is $268.88 so Id like to keep it around that amount, any ideas?

 

[Turbo Matty P]

keep you car and pay it down more. Swapping cars every year is going to kill you unless you plan on putting down 2-4K when you swap. The 3s is a great car and very quick, but it's not a rocket ship. I assume it'll be faster than your focus, but again I don't know for sure.

My advice....keep your car..pay $300/month on it. Pay that thing down faster and build some positive equity in it. THEN look to trade in about a year and a half when they come out with the Mazdaspeed 6. By that time you should have positive equity in the vehicle and possibly a down payment.

 

[ourLaserBlueMP5]

Yeah, thats an idea. And are there any rebates on the 3? I know that negative equity will kill you on trade in, my wife is in financing. What is the Mazdaspeed 6 version gonna be like?

 

[Turbo Matty P]

no rebates on the 3 yet....the MSP6 is rumored to be AWD 2.3L turbo.....nothing concrete yet. Do a search for Mazdaspeed 6....someone posted some pics...looks AMAZING!! It will be my next car if its AWD and turbo.

 

[ourLaserBlueMP5]

Im not too fond of the AWD but the turbo does sound(evil)

 

[dugrant153]

here's the recalls:
http://groups.msn.com/BrunoLuong/tsb.msnw

As for an AWD MPS6 with turbo, I highly doubt the AWD will come out here. The Protege 5 in Japan had optional AWD... the Mazdaspeed Protege only had the turbo.

So chances are Mazda will not give any car AWD except for the Tribute.

 

[acc3d]

Postive Equity

Could you explain the concept of equity? At what point in the loan payback does equity go from negative to positive?

 

[MB Hawaii]

Could you explain the concept of equity? At what point in the loan payback does equity go from negative to positive?

When your car is worth more than what you owe. Example: Car worth $15,000, Loan balance $5,000 = $10,000 positive equity.

 

[speedmaster]

Falling in love with the 3....

As I keep driving it I'm just falling in love with this car... (jerkit) reasonably fast, economical, kart like driving capability and great looks and interior... what the heck, for 19.5k it is a great value and Mazda may have a winner.

From all the problems reported I have only the disc groove in the front left.

Driving around I found also that the car is kind of sensible to lateral wind. Is that because of the low profile tires + 17 inch wheels or due to the electric hydraulic steering pump? (uhm)

 

[netranger6]

I'll have to check my rotor tonight...damn it if it's gouging! I'm a dealers worse nightmare when it comes to warranty issues.