New '05 3i owner here!

[dishe]

Hey everyone!
Just wanted to introduce myself to this side of the forum. I used to spend a bit of time on the Mazda5 section since my wife drives one of those as our family car, but I've been stuck driving a 2001 Sentra as my daily driver for the last 12 years.

Unfortunately, I lost the Nissan in an accident a couple of weeks ago, but the good news is I just picked up an 05 Mazda3i in manual 5-speed to replace it. So far loving this car, it's a blast to drive and looks great considering how old it already is.

But I sort of bought it based on my positive experience with the 5 (I know they are built on the same frame and are similar cars internally). But to be honest, I know very little else about the car. Is there anything I should look out for with this model year? Do they have the same rapid tire wear that the 5 does (my biggest gripe with the 5)?

Thanks, and looking forward to learning a lot around here!

 

[dishe]

Oh, and here's some pics of our new addition:

 

[Speed3.5]

nice choice and looks like in great condition, I have one of same year and it is fun to drive it.

 

[dishe]

Thanks man, I'm really having fun driving it too!

Trying to figure out what direction to go with the audio support, though. I don't really do CDs anymore, and once I'm installing an Aux port, I'm debating replacing the whole stereo unit. But advice on the forum here has been pretty slim. :/

 

[mnsnwta]

I liked the stereo head unit. Not sure cuz of ur year but I have an 07, there is an aux hook up in the center console

 

[dishe]

I liked the stereo head unit. Not sure cuz of ur year but I have an 07, there is an aux hook up in the center console

I think that was added in 06 or 07. The 05 didn't have that.

Truth be told, the stereo isn't anything amazing, but if I had an Aux jack I'd just leave well enough alone. Problem is, I don't have one and I don't really do CDs anymore (and I've never been a big radio guy) so I'm finding myself severely limited in the tunes department. Once I'm doing something to the stereo, the question is to just add an aux (via auxmod or something like that) or go big and replace the entire head unit with an aftermarket unit supporting bluetooth streaming (no wires cluttering up the dashboard- I actually have a Sony model from a previous car sitting in my garage right now).

The problem and reason I'm still so flip-floppity here, is that any 3rd party stereo head unit NOT work with the information LCD display (the bar with the clock, track information, etc). This concerns me, because right now that little LCD display is really perfect eye level to glance at things like the clock without really taking your eyes off the road. Any third party stereo would need to be installed underneath that, in the cavity that houses the stereo controls, and making all that information I'd like to glance at lower down and more of a distraction while driving.

That's why I was considering one of those EONON units, since they interface with the car's existing electronics, until I found out that the current models don't work on the "older" type of LCD (I think only 06 and up, or maybe 07- I can't remember which). So now I'm back to the drawing board... some folks have said you can replace the LCD with the newer kind and have the Eonon work with it, but that sounds like an awful lot of hassle and investment (buy a used newer stock stereo off ebay to strip the LCD, buy an EONON, splice a few wires, etc), but I keep feeling like maybe I'm overthinking this and should just install an aux using the auxmod unit and call it a day.

*sigh*