Potential mazda3 buyer with a few questions.

[ru03j89]

hey
I am interested in getting a mazda3 black or white i-touring. I want the Abs package and leather seats. However, my dealer told me that I cant get leather seats for the i-touring. Is there anything I can do? I have considered after market leather but is worried about the airbags in the seats? or should I get the s-touring? (I would rather not because its more expensive and also gas)

Also, I have seen dash with silver color or black color. Do you get to choose? or is there a specific color for the the s model and a specific color for the i model.

Lastly, if I pick black interrior will the trim lines be grey or red? i have seen both so was wondering about it
thanks

 

[ru03j89]

Also, what is the difference between the rally white and pearl white? thanks

 

[Scott]

According to the official Mazda sales material for the Mazda3 I-Touring model...

If you choose Black Mica exterior, you can get either black or beige interior. On Rally White, you can only get the beige interior. Leather is not an option on the I-Touring trim. It looks like the piping on the black interior is also black, and the trim pieces are silver.

You CAN order a set of Leather seats from Mazda. But be prepared to pay a boatload for them. A better option would be to be patient and find someone on here who wants cloth and is willing to work out some sort of trade.


As for Rally White vs Pearl White. Rally white is just a straight up white color. Pearl White has a metallic pearl effect in the paint. It gives a deeper look, but is also harder to have matched if anything needs to be repainted as well as more expensive (since it is a tri-coat). But on the '08 I-Touring, it looks like only Rally White is an option.

 

[ru03j89]

thanks for the reply
which one would you reconmand? Do you think the s touring is worth it for the leather?
thanks

 

[Scott]

Well, it's different for every person. Would I pay extra for leather? No. I don't think it's all that great. But that's because I live in Florida, where leather can get hot enough to actually burn you if you leave your car outside during the summer. Both of my cars have leather and sometimes I wish they didn't.

So, I guess it's up to you.

 

[ru03j89]

how is the leather quality?
also for the S model does it drink alot of gas compared to the I model?
thanks

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

I opted to add leather seats from mazda, that tacked on 1500. =\

You can get the catzskins seat covers that are damn near identicle to what I got for ~500 dollars.

 

[Scott]

I've not had leather seats in any Mazda I've owned. I've sat in some, but I can't recall exactly how good of quality they are.

The other downfall of leather seats is that they crack and fall apart with age, and they aren't as easy to sew up like cloth.

 

[jamalunas]

The S touring is very worth it. I know it seems like between a 2.0 and a 2.3 is a big differance but trust me the major diff is in the tranny. the i series has a 4 speed auto and the s has a 5 speed. but if your going with a manual theres no problem, theyre both 5 speeds. fuel consumption isnt very different between them maybe one or two MPG but nothing major. Good news is that you cant really decide on the color. The only white you can get for an i series is the rally white and on the s series you can only get the crystal white pearl mica.

 

[Loose]

The S touring is very worth it. I know it seems like between a 2.0 and a 2.3 is a big differance but trust me the major diff is in the tranny. the i series has a 4 speed auto and the s has a 5 speed. but if your going with a manual theres no problem, theyre both 5 speeds. fuel consumption isnt very different between them maybe one or two MPG but nothing major. Good news is that you cant really decide on the color. The only white you can get for an i series is the rally white and on the s series you can only get the crystal white pearl mica.

You sound like a Mazda salesperson....