New Mazda 3

[gregmav]

I have some questions about the new Mazda 3. Will a 5 speed automatic with manual shift ever be offered? Seeing as the 3 is based on the Volvo S40, will all wheel drive ever be an option? How about heated seats? Why didn't they offer heated side view mirrors? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Greg

 

[G'sMAZDA3]

no AWD or heated seats thats why i stuck with the sport fabric seats but there are heated side mirrors in the model that i own so they are available

 

[gregmav]

no AWD or heated seats thats why i stuck with the sport fabric seats but there are heated side mirrors in the model that i own so they are available

Strange? The Salesman at the dealership I went to told me the side view mirrors were NOT heated. Also, I feel Mazda is missing the boat by not offering a 5 speed auto and AWD.

 

[Kain]

Missing what boat? FWD keeps manufacturing costs down, not to mention is cheaper to insure. By your rationale Mazda is missing the boat by not offering 700hp, 4-row seating and lifetime lap dances at Club Platinum.

Mazda not only has to think about catering to the largest demographics but also how much they can invest.

 

[Newf]

Missing what boat? FWD keeps manufacturing costs down, not to mention is cheaper to insure. By your rationale Mazda is missing the boat by not offering 700hp, 4-row seating and lifetime lap dances at Club Platinum.

Mazda not only has to think about catering to the largest demographics but also how much they can invest.

LOL. I agree though

on the other hand, toyota does offer a 180hp Matrix with AWD that is actually somewhat affordable ( granted not worth it for that thing, but anyways). And to the average joe, I can see how the Mazda might come up short in certain ways. If Mazda did have a few extra features, and AWD, can you imagine how much it would be?

It's a compromise. And I think it works.

 

[gregmav]

Missing what boat? FWD keeps manufacturing costs down, not to mention is cheaper to insure. By your rationale Mazda is missing the boat by not offering 700hp, 4-row seating and lifetime lap dances at Club Platinum.

Mazda not only has to think about catering to the largest demographics but also how much they can invest.

Well, Kain

Thanks for the warm welcome to these forums. My rational was that other manufacturers are offering AWD as an option in their vehicles. I was stating an opinion as to wondering why (or if) Mazda was ever going to consider it. Also, I don't believe any manufacturer is offering 700hp, 4 row seating as an option, so I won't comment. As far as the Club Platinum promotion goes?........well, let me know if you subscribe to one.

 

[gregmav]

LOL. I agree though

on the other hand, toyota does offer a 180hp Matrix with AWD that is actually somewhat affordable ( granted not worth it for that thing, but anyways). And to the average joe, I can see how the Mazda might come up short in certain ways. If Mazda did have a few extra features, and AWD, can you imagine how much it would be?

It's a compromise. And I think it works.

AWD as an option, in general, adds around $1,700.00 to $1,800.00. Obviously other manufacturers are marketing it successfully. I was just asking if Mazda had any plans. The new 3, even loaded is still quite competitively priced. Some may like the option of having AWD available.

And, as I seem to recall........at one time Mazda DID offer AWD, although it was on the MPV. So it seems, they are capable of it, although from a monetary standpoint, they may find it prohibitive.

 

[dulog]

180hp awd matrix?

LOL. I agree though

on the other hand, toyota does offer a 180hp Matrix with AWD that is actually somewhat affordable ( granted not worth it for that thing, but anyways). And to the average joe, I can see how the Mazda might come up short in certain ways. If Mazda did have a few extra features, and AWD, can you imagine how much it would be?

It's a compromise. And I think it works.

The 180hp XRS model is only available with front wheel drive, at lest in the US. If you want an AWD matrix you must compromise with the motor from the XR. I bet it's painfully slow with just 123 hp and awd. Persoanlly if I were going for a small AWD wagon I'd go with the Impreza TS or for a little more a WRX.

 

[gregmav]

The 180hp XRS model is only available with front wheel drive, at lest in the US. If you want an AWD matrix you must compromise with the motor from the XR. I bet it's painfully slow with just 123 hp and awd. Persoanlly if I were going for a small AWD wagon I'd go with the Impreza TS or for a little more a WRX.

Interesting. I would think that Mazda might consider Subaru to be a competitor. Doesn't Subaru offer AWD in every model range they have? I wonder how many sales Mazda may lose because of that? Just curious.

 

[dulog]

Interesting. I would think that Mazda might consider Subaru to be a competitor. Doesn't Subaru offer AWD in every model range they have? I wonder how many sales Mazda may lose because of that? Just curious.

I think you're right that all the current Subaru's offer awd. I know where I use to live (Missoula, MT) there are a ton of Subaru's on the road new and used. The Subuar dealer does VERY well there. I agree an awd as option is appealing option in many markets but I have a little idea what the logistics and financial considerations are to the automakers.

 

[gregmav]

I think you're right that all the current Subaru's offer awd. I know where I use to live (Missoula, MT) there are a ton of Subaru's on the road new and used. The Subuar dealer does VERY well there. I agree an awd as option is appealing option in many markets but I have a little idea what the logistics and financial considerations are to the automakers.

Agreed, with regards to the financial considerations. But, almost every manufacturer offers AWD somewhere in their line, so who knows?

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

Strange? The Salesman at the dealership I went to told me the side view mirrors were NOT heated. Also, I feel Mazda is missing the boat by not offering a 5 speed auto and AWD.

Heated mirrors are only on canadian models, as is the washer fluid light.... I think that the xenon and side airbags are only avialable in the US.... Yay country differences.

also, the AWD for Mazda is on the tribute and the B-series. The only car I can think of that had AWD before that was the MPV.

 

[Kain]

I'm thinking you don't know the history of Subaru too well. Not every auto manufacturer is looking to go high volume like Toyota, Honda or GM. Subaru tried this during the early '90s and nearly went under. They learned that they offer niche products to niche customers and make their money by staying smaller and delivering products that few other companies have.

As for your question of how many sales Mazda loses for every Subaru that is sold, hell, you can make that case for any car company. Even high-end exotics like Ferrari, Lambo, Aston Martin and Porsche face fierce competition for the available customer base. Honda doesn't offer AWD on any of their vehicles that is not an SUV, and they lose a potential sale just like Mazda does for every Subaru that sells.

 

[dulog]

I'm thinking you don't know the history of Subaru too well. Not every auto manufacturer is looking to go high volume like Toyota, Honda or GM. Subaru tried this during the early '90s and nearly went under. They learned that they offer niche products to niche customers and make their money by staying smaller and delivering products that few other companies have.

As for your question of how many sales Mazda loses for every Subaru that is sold, hell, you can make that case for any car company. Even high-end exotics like Ferrari, Lambo, Aston Martin and Porsche face fierce competition for the available customer base. Honda doesn't offer AWD on any of their vehicles that is not an SUV, and they lose a potential sale just like Mazda does for every Subaru that sells.

Staying smaller but cooperating with one of the worlds largest corporations. Fuji insudustries is 20% owned by GM now. Seems like there's increasing cooperation in product development these days. It's not just this year's sales and profits there concerned about it's also long term brand image. I could see Ford or Mazda maybe wanting to have some awd vehicles in this segment. Maybe, maybe not. If they did who knows if it would be a Focus, Mazda3 or something else. If you're not an exectutive for one of these companies, face it, you really not on the inside track with these decisions and really don't know what's going to happen.

 

[gregmav]

I'm thinking you don't know the history of Subaru too well. Not every auto manufacturer is looking to go high volume like Toyota, Honda or GM. Subaru tried this during the early '90s and nearly went under. They learned that they offer niche products to niche customers and make their money by staying smaller and delivering products that few other companies have.

As for your question of how many sales Mazda loses for every Subaru that is sold, hell, you can make that case for any car company. Even high-end exotics like Ferrari, Lambo, Aston Martin and Porsche face fierce competition for the available customer base. Honda doesn't offer AWD on any of their vehicles that is not an SUV, and they lose a potential sale just like Mazda does for every Subaru that sells.

Kain,

I NEVER professed to be an expert with regards to the history of Subaru. I simply asked some questions and tried to get some positive feedback on them. Using your comment about staying small and offering unique products, wouldn't it possibly be interesting to see what might happen if Mazda was to offer AWD. Of course, those descisions are apparently made by people who know FAR more about their company then you or I do. Yes, you are right, Honda doesn't offer AWD in their passenger cars, but apparently, even their luxury division is going to offer it now. Of cousre that is another discussion for another time.

And, please correct me if I am wrong (and you may anyway), but the exotics you mentioned above, build no where near the numbers of automobiles the ones we are talking about do. They (as you say) have their niche, and they all seem to do fairly well.

Now, if you wish to appear to keep coming across as an antagonist....so be it.

 

[Airman Jack]

about awd being an option on subaru vehicles: it's not an option!! subaru is now rather famous for building only awd cars. and their drive systems are rumoured to be practically bulletproof! (drive)

 

[dulog]

Yep any current Subaru is awd. I said offer earlier and yeah that wasn't the best choice of words. No question this is Subaru's focus and they do it well. This is one business strategy that seems to be succesful, it's not the only succesful business strategy though.

 

[Kain]

gregmav, if you are looking for a bunch of Yes Men who only agree with you, then don't post your opinions on a forum. I'm giving you feedback on your idea, and nowhere does it say (nor did you say in your first post) that anyone who doesn't agree should keep their mouths shut. You threw out an idea, and I'm giving you my opinion based on it, for better or for worse. I speak what I feel, but I would never call someone names or belittle them for their opinion (unless they state something so enormously stupid, like "all imports are driven by azns" <--- yes, I did read that on another forum once *cough Spec V forums cough*).

As for the exotics, sure, Ferrari doesn't produce as many cars as Honda, but there are many more people who could afford a $16,000 Civic than a $200,000 360 Modena. Their market dictates their production, and Ferrari's pool of buyers is significantly smaller. And I'm not sure if you keep up those companies' financial statements when you say they are doing well, when in fact only several auto manufacturers make decent profit. That is why there is so much consolidation these days (Ford buying Aston Martin, Land Rover, Mazda, Volvo, etc etc). Hell, recently GM opted not to dump more money into the sinking ship known as Mitsubishi, even though the Lancer Evolution is highly regarded as one of the best performance cars around. Mitsubishi is in big, BIG trouble as an effect.

Anyway, I'm getting off track. I don't think Mazda should make the regular 3 with AWD because there isn't as big a market for a $21,000 AWD car compared to a $17,000 FWD econobox. 99% of Mazda 3 buyers will never mod their car or take it auto x'ing or give two s**** about slalom numbers. The market for an inexpensive, compact car is huge, and it's in Mazda's best interest to cater to that market. You start adding stuff to the 3 that jacks up its price and before you know it it will be in Mazda 6 price territory. Mazda doesn't have a huge line-up of models, so their best bet is to differentiate their products as much as possible.

 

[dulog]

Anyway, I'm getting off track. I don't think Mazda should make the regular 3 with AWD because there isn't as big a market for a $21,000 AWD car compared to a $17,000 FWD econobox. 99% of Mazda 3 buyers will never mod their car or take it auto x'ing or give two s**** about slalom numbers. The market for an inexpensive, compact car is huge, and it's in Mazda's best interest to cater to that market. You start adding stuff to the 3 that jacks up its price and before you know it it will be in Mazda 6 price territory. Mazda doesn't have a huge line-up of models, so their best bet is to differentiate their products as much as possible.

Could you please do another survey to find find out how many awd owners opted for it because they gave two s**** about slalom numbers.

Missing what boat? FWD keeps manufacturing costs down, not to mention is cheaper to insure. By your rationale Mazda is missing the boat by not offering 700hp, 4-row seating and lifetime lap dances at Club Platinum.

Mazda not only has to think about catering to the largest demographics but also how much they can invest.

I understand the point you're trying to make. Yes I understand that I can't have everything I ever wished for for around 18k. It's funny though that Mazda's blitz of ads for the 3 uses phrases such as "rethink what's possible", "the Mazda3 is everything you never thought possible for a compact car" or my favorite "there's this car with all this stuff". Of course when push comes to shove they have to say no that's not possible you can't have everything because we just couldn't fit it in this price point or the logistics were to hard. I don't think awd is out of line for a car in this price range but that's just my opinion. If Mazda never came out with the nav option for this car we could all be sitting around chatting about if a $1500 nav option belongs in a car like this and maybe there'd be someone who would pretend to be industry insiders and act like just the suggestion of such an option is rediculous. What could have been...

 

[sunlight_guy]

too bad subaru's look like ass though....