Mazda3s fresh off the dock at Vancouver, BC.

[Bumble G]

anyone notice that the front plate holder looks like a european plate will fit?? Even the back plate space is huge. They even have headlight washers.

I don't think thease are US/Canadian models.


Other than that I think it's ok. not the hottest looking but not as ugly as some other cars.

But hey to each his own.

 

[1sty]

I really dig the interior and the hatch looks better in those pics then anwhere else I have seen.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

gotta say - i still like them both

 

[1sty]

They definitly keep looking better.

 

[dmurphy10]

The wagon looks too much like the Matrix.

 

[cdglowp5]

CAN YOU SAY
WELCOME THE MAZDA FUGLY

It has power,

Its like the went to the mazda bin and said take these from the rx8 take this from the 6, and the wagon we will make it a smaller version of the MPV. Looks like a matrix nobody will notice the similarties.

 

[ashutoshsm]

Wow I'm amazed!

For starters - let me get this out of the way - I LOVE the redesign and think the entire 3 family (with the exception of minor design issues) looks absolutely awesome AND AN IMPROVEMENT over the current Pro/P5s

I'm amazed at how many of you are dissing the new 3 merely becaue you own the older (most recent) versions. I own a second gen Pro, and readily admit the 3rd gen (99 on) and the facelifts (minor changes 2001 on, and then the P5/MP3 front fascia) were major improvements.

Yes, design is a subjective and personal thing - but come on! All dimensions are improved, the frontal appearance is much better (rear, somewhat questionable - the P5 is classic good, mainly because of the lines) and the sedan looks SO much nicer. Just because it shares some lines with the Neon doesn't make it automtically bad! The Neon was a crappily built car that performed worse than crap, the appearance was definitely fine! The 3 actually looks like (it has something in common with) the rest of Mazda's lineup! Finally! Some common DNA in all Mazdas

 

[dugrant153]

Anyone have a Canadian price on these beauties?

 

[jrodhotrod]

I have owned a protege5 and now the protege sedan. I like the new 3 and the current gen. They both have their good qualities. I won't be trading in my mazdaspeed anytime soon, but I must admit I really like the interior on the new 3.

 

[Natey]

Andres hit the nail on the head for me. The first time I saw a P5 sitting on the Mazda lot, I knew that was my next car. The 3...eh. It just looks pregnant to me, and I don't feel that "pull" toward it like I did with the P5(and MSP).

I'm not hating because I drive a P5, the truth is I really wish I liked it. Like Antoine said, it's a Mazda, so it can't be THAT bad. I just wish they would've styled the 3 a little bit more aggressively. It seems to have lost it's nimbleness...I'll bet Sport Compact Car doesn't break any records with a three, and that's my main worry.

...Mazda seems to be going BACKWARDS in the performance category, even the 2006 Miata is"Longer, wider and more comfortable". Translation: Not as nimble.

 

[cortez]

I really like it.

I love the 6 too, but I simply can't bring myself to buy a 3200 pound car. It's hard enough thinking about buying a 2700 pound car like the 3rd gen Protege or what probably is also the 3.
I'll probably wait a year or two to see what parts fall off, what breaks, what works good and what the real horsepower ends up being after Mazda lowers their power claims, etc. and then I'll see if I get a 3. If only they would come up with a Club Sport version, shake off 200 pounds, keep the 2.3 L motor, firm up the suspension and let 'er rip...

 

[melbourne_mp5]

I like it. If I was in the market for a new car, I'd consider it.

 

[YuYuRena]

the wagon reminds me of VW golf from the back especially the shape of the c-pillars. The sedan's c-pillar from a quarter-view looks like a jetta, too. Front is a mini-scale of 6 and the back has altezza light (which 6 didn't get in NADM version).

front is fine back needs more work, overall still much better than a corolla or a civic in terms of overall looks, I hate the new civic's tail light and the tall-fake suv height of corolla.

 

[SpicyMchaggis]

the black sedan doesn't look too bad..i WILL be getting those headlights for my car.

 

[blynzoo]

:wtf:

Word. I LIKE the interior.

Heck, I like the car. This thing is straight out of europe. I spent a vacation in the French Caribbean and fell in love with all the smaller cars. To me this looks great, should do well.

It is also going to be competing with the new euro-inspired subcompacts that are going to be hitting the US next year. The new Toyota Scion line, for example.

 

[glyph]

I'm not sure I like it. When I first saw my protege, I wanted it. When I first saw the rx-8, I wanted it. When I look at this, I am not sure, at all. I will have to look at the real thing to make up my mind. Like most of the people posting here, I do not find it truly appealing.

It does not look sporty. I guess they figure the RX-8 and the 6 to be there sporty vehicles, now. The hp is nice, but I personally don't think that's enough.

The interior is quite nice. I think it's a little confused, though, as the mixture of circles and flat lines are not entirely complimentary. Again, I need to get inside.

As for the flames, this board is for people to express their opinions. Whining about opinions you don't agree with is ridiculous.

 

[Black Majik MSP]

Anyone notice the pop-up headlight washers in the 1st, 3rd, & 6th pics? Does that mean that the 3 has optional HIDs?

 

[Antoine]

I like to see that this thread got back on its feet...opinions - or + are welcome...that is what we do here...but CRAP (aka flaming) is not.

I think the new 3 is going to make for some really sweet tuner show cars...keep your eyes open.

 

[dugrant153]

The chassis is based on the Ford Focus chassis or something like that, right?

Handling could be very different.
Could Focus parts be swap-able??

 

[AZDriftR]

The chassis is based on the Ford Focus chassis or something like that, right?

i think thats right but that might just mean the focas will handle better...hopefully