blueboxdoctor
Member
- :
- Mazda 3
Hi everyone, just joined up here because I'm very interested in getting a Mazda 3 i Touring. There are a few reasons for this choice:
- Tried other cars in the segment and they were all boring (civic, scion's hatchback, hyundai elentra gt) and I'm not a fan of the focus.
- The only other car I'm looking at is the GTI but there are a few things turning me off from that including the need for premium fuel and most importantly their less than positive reliability history (I know they just started a new gen but history is not on their side)
- I also test drove a Scion FRS, love that car, but being in Jersey it's not really practical since I'm looking for a main car (maybe down the road I'll get it as a weekend/summer car)
- Tried the "s" series with the 2.5 skyactive and to be honest I didn't see enough of a difference to justify the price and the pop up HUD was strangely distracting (it kept creeping into the corner of my sight and I'd look down on it, and by the end of the test drive it started to give me a headache)
I'm not sure if I should put this here, but I have a few questions about the car:
- My dad has a 2012 Mazda 3 with the standard 2.0 MZR offered at the time and I haven't had an issue with power. I really like the handling of that car. I didn't have enough time to fully get used to the new 3 and I also had 4 people in the car for the test drive (I know, stupid thing to do) so it felt heavier than it normally will be (somehow I ended up testing the "s" with just one other person in the vehicle, which is a shame, should have been the other way around or that way for both). I was just wondering if the handling is as sporty (at least sporty for the vehicle's segment) as the previous generation. Overall the car feels a lot more refined and "grown-up" than the last gen (meaning the styling in and out is higher quality) which I like, but I couldn't tell if they softened the suspension or not. The steering felt heavier. Not anything overbearing, but it was noticeable (though I'm sure I could adjust to that after a few days of owning one).
- I'm not sure if I should go for the tech package for an extra $1600. I'm leaning towards no because all I really like from it is the sat nav (not interested in a sun roof, dual zone since the car isn't really big enough to need it, and while I'd like a CD player it isn't worth it for the price), which I can use a multitude of other devices for that.
- Just out of curiosity, is the estimated mpg accurate or close to it?
As of right now, the setup I'd go with is as follows:
- Hatchback
- Automatic (sadly I have nothing to learn manual on and I don't want to potentially get stuck with a car I can't drive, though I may find a way to learn between now and then if I can find someone with a manual transmission)
- Red exterior
- Black interior (not sure why they are pushing the awful beige interior)
- 2.0 skyactive (since it's the "i" series)
I'm glad for this year they made the touch screen system standard with the i touring, whereas last year I would have had to get the tech package for the screen.
Of course, if anyone else has anything to add please feel free to. I'm looking to be as informed as possible before putting down a substantial amount on a new car.
And I'll be looking around the forums here more (just found this site today but the community seems pretty helpful/friendly, so I figured I'd join).
Thanks for any information/help/advice. It's much appreciated.
- Tried other cars in the segment and they were all boring (civic, scion's hatchback, hyundai elentra gt) and I'm not a fan of the focus.
- The only other car I'm looking at is the GTI but there are a few things turning me off from that including the need for premium fuel and most importantly their less than positive reliability history (I know they just started a new gen but history is not on their side)
- I also test drove a Scion FRS, love that car, but being in Jersey it's not really practical since I'm looking for a main car (maybe down the road I'll get it as a weekend/summer car)
- Tried the "s" series with the 2.5 skyactive and to be honest I didn't see enough of a difference to justify the price and the pop up HUD was strangely distracting (it kept creeping into the corner of my sight and I'd look down on it, and by the end of the test drive it started to give me a headache)
I'm not sure if I should put this here, but I have a few questions about the car:
- My dad has a 2012 Mazda 3 with the standard 2.0 MZR offered at the time and I haven't had an issue with power. I really like the handling of that car. I didn't have enough time to fully get used to the new 3 and I also had 4 people in the car for the test drive (I know, stupid thing to do) so it felt heavier than it normally will be (somehow I ended up testing the "s" with just one other person in the vehicle, which is a shame, should have been the other way around or that way for both). I was just wondering if the handling is as sporty (at least sporty for the vehicle's segment) as the previous generation. Overall the car feels a lot more refined and "grown-up" than the last gen (meaning the styling in and out is higher quality) which I like, but I couldn't tell if they softened the suspension or not. The steering felt heavier. Not anything overbearing, but it was noticeable (though I'm sure I could adjust to that after a few days of owning one).
- I'm not sure if I should go for the tech package for an extra $1600. I'm leaning towards no because all I really like from it is the sat nav (not interested in a sun roof, dual zone since the car isn't really big enough to need it, and while I'd like a CD player it isn't worth it for the price), which I can use a multitude of other devices for that.
- Just out of curiosity, is the estimated mpg accurate or close to it?
As of right now, the setup I'd go with is as follows:
- Hatchback
- Automatic (sadly I have nothing to learn manual on and I don't want to potentially get stuck with a car I can't drive, though I may find a way to learn between now and then if I can find someone with a manual transmission)
- Red exterior
- Black interior (not sure why they are pushing the awful beige interior)
- 2.0 skyactive (since it's the "i" series)
I'm glad for this year they made the touch screen system standard with the i touring, whereas last year I would have had to get the tech package for the screen.
Of course, if anyone else has anything to add please feel free to. I'm looking to be as informed as possible before putting down a substantial amount on a new car.
And I'll be looking around the forums here more (just found this site today but the community seems pretty helpful/friendly, so I figured I'd join).
Thanks for any information/help/advice. It's much appreciated.