Should I get a new Mazda3?

[John W]

So, I joined Mazdas247 about a month ago because I was considering buying a Mazda2. I like simple, light weight cars that handle well, so the Mazda2 seems to fit the bill. But there are also compromised: lifeless clutch pedal and potentially questionable reliability being among them. If I buy a new car, I also want something I can keep for 8-10 years and I don't know if I will want to keep a 2 that long.

So, that brings me to considering a Mazda3. I would get a SkyActiv with the 6-speed manual, probably in Dolphin grey. I would use this car primarily as a commuter, but I do autocross and track days occasionally.

So, is this the car for me? Let me know some pros and cons.

 

[MazdaEd80]

i love the 6spd in mine. i have approximatly 9k on my Mz3 sedan right now. They handle fairly well for a stock vehicle i believe. i think you would probably enjoy it a little more then the 2

 

[Suddueth13]

I think you'd be happy either way. I started with the Mazda 2 and absolutely loved it. I liked the way it drove and wouldn't have seen any reliability issues. Unfortunately I was rear ended and it was totaled. So I went to a Skyactiv 3 and absolutely love it as well. Handles amazing as you would expect from Mazda without being stiff. It's got plenty of pep to it as well and the 6-speed manual is the best FWD transmission I've ever felt. I also have a Corksport exhaust on mine which sounds amazing and really does seem to give the mid range a little more kick. So I think either way you'll be happy

 

[GoBackToSleep]

I came from a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 into a six-speed manual Skyactiv 3 hatch in graphite mica and I have no complaints. The clutch and shifter are very smooth and having decent driving dynamics in addition to excellent fuel economy is just awesome. Aside from wanting an aftermarket intake (all my previous cars had one installed early into ownership), I will let you know now these OEM Bridgestone Turanza tires flat out suck. I'm, of course, hanging on to them until they truly need to be replaced, but don't judge the driving experience too much since these stupid tires are like JELL-O and squeal in every slight maneuver (I believe these fall into the nonsense low-rolling-resistance tire segment). All in all, the car handles excellently and it is very communicative and fun to drive. Sure, it's down at least 100 horsepower from what I traded, but I honestly could never use all that power in real-world driving anyway. The SKYACTIV 3 (especially the manual one) is just right.

As for tires, I'll be looking into Continental ExtremeContact DWS for my replacement (I could live with the wheels because they're lightweight). Even Kumho Ecsta ASX tires will be MUCH better than these stupid Bridgestones since I've had pleasant experiences with them on the MS3.