rochrunner
Member
Originally posted on another Mazda3 site, but maybe good to get some comments here:
I finally made it to the dealer to test drive a 2014 S GT and compare it to our 2008 GT and came away with a few comments and concerns that I'd like to share. The '08 has been my wife's primary car; she picked it out and has liked it better than any car she's ever driven. This time, however, she's going to take over my Outback and I'll be the primary buyer and driver of the new one, but I'm still going to give her veto power since she's put up with having to drive a lot of cars of mine that she didn't really like that much (stick-shift BMW, Audi, etc.).
So a lot has changed in the 6 years since we bought our current Mazda and here are some things that I'd like to comment on after a fairly short test-drive yesterday:
THINGS I LIKED: The styling (although it has its disadvantages as detailed below); the infotainment system; multi-level heated seats; full power seat adjustability; smooth ride, even on our winter-ravaged streets; keyless entry and starting; Soul Red paint; an interior color other than black(!); still comes with a spare tire. Also, this car in S trim is definitely detailed and equipped as well as cars considered to be a class up, such as the Audi A3, etc. You do pay for it (probably $30K with accessories, taxes, etc.), but still well worth the money IMO.
CABIN TECH. I spent my career in software development in and around the auto industry here in Detroit, so I actually like all the new stuff and spent some time playing around with the infotainment system, trying voice commands, etc. My wife is less of a techie, but I'm sure she can get used to it. The HUD will take some getting used to. It's cool how it has a 3D effect that makes it appear to be floating somewhere out by the windshield.
INTERIOR STORAGE. Definitely a loss here compared to the '08, and this was one of the reasons why my wife picked the 3 over the other cars we looked at. There are no door pockets (other than the semi-useful bottle holders) and the glove box is smaller. Not as much console space either. The '08 had a sort of two-level storage with the top part being great for pens and other small, flat items. That removable tray in the '14 is a dim substitute. Is the console storage at least sized right for keeping a few CDs in there?
HATCH STORAGE. Again lacking a feature we really like on the '08, which has a removable floor panel that you can fix in an upright position to divide the storage area up really good for things like grocery bags so they won't tip over. And the more sloping roofline that is now standard on the current generation of hatchbacks cuts down on the rear opening and might affect what can be carried there. I really have to be able to carry my bikes (one at at time!) in back, which I assume is still possible with the seats folded down and the front wheel removed. Anyone tried this?
VIEW FROM INSIDE. Just a first impression, but I definitely felt more closed-in than I do in our '08, which has boxier styling and a lot of glass all the way around. It's probably a good thing it has blind-spot detectors, because it seems like the blind spots are pretty significant, especially when turning around to the right to look out the right-rear corner! The combination of rising beltline and sloping roofline really pinch down the rear windows. I think the B-pillar might be thicker too. This is probably something to just get used to, but it might concern my wife a bit since she's shorter and also tends to look over her shoulder more than I do (I use the mirrors).
So there you have it. My main issues: interior storage and outward visibility. Assuming that this will be more my car, neither should be a big deal, but it will definitely be a change in the practicality department.
Comments, anyone?
I finally made it to the dealer to test drive a 2014 S GT and compare it to our 2008 GT and came away with a few comments and concerns that I'd like to share. The '08 has been my wife's primary car; she picked it out and has liked it better than any car she's ever driven. This time, however, she's going to take over my Outback and I'll be the primary buyer and driver of the new one, but I'm still going to give her veto power since she's put up with having to drive a lot of cars of mine that she didn't really like that much (stick-shift BMW, Audi, etc.).
So a lot has changed in the 6 years since we bought our current Mazda and here are some things that I'd like to comment on after a fairly short test-drive yesterday:
THINGS I LIKED: The styling (although it has its disadvantages as detailed below); the infotainment system; multi-level heated seats; full power seat adjustability; smooth ride, even on our winter-ravaged streets; keyless entry and starting; Soul Red paint; an interior color other than black(!); still comes with a spare tire. Also, this car in S trim is definitely detailed and equipped as well as cars considered to be a class up, such as the Audi A3, etc. You do pay for it (probably $30K with accessories, taxes, etc.), but still well worth the money IMO.
CABIN TECH. I spent my career in software development in and around the auto industry here in Detroit, so I actually like all the new stuff and spent some time playing around with the infotainment system, trying voice commands, etc. My wife is less of a techie, but I'm sure she can get used to it. The HUD will take some getting used to. It's cool how it has a 3D effect that makes it appear to be floating somewhere out by the windshield.
INTERIOR STORAGE. Definitely a loss here compared to the '08, and this was one of the reasons why my wife picked the 3 over the other cars we looked at. There are no door pockets (other than the semi-useful bottle holders) and the glove box is smaller. Not as much console space either. The '08 had a sort of two-level storage with the top part being great for pens and other small, flat items. That removable tray in the '14 is a dim substitute. Is the console storage at least sized right for keeping a few CDs in there?
HATCH STORAGE. Again lacking a feature we really like on the '08, which has a removable floor panel that you can fix in an upright position to divide the storage area up really good for things like grocery bags so they won't tip over. And the more sloping roofline that is now standard on the current generation of hatchbacks cuts down on the rear opening and might affect what can be carried there. I really have to be able to carry my bikes (one at at time!) in back, which I assume is still possible with the seats folded down and the front wheel removed. Anyone tried this?
VIEW FROM INSIDE. Just a first impression, but I definitely felt more closed-in than I do in our '08, which has boxier styling and a lot of glass all the way around. It's probably a good thing it has blind-spot detectors, because it seems like the blind spots are pretty significant, especially when turning around to the right to look out the right-rear corner! The combination of rising beltline and sloping roofline really pinch down the rear windows. I think the B-pillar might be thicker too. This is probably something to just get used to, but it might concern my wife a bit since she's shorter and also tends to look over her shoulder more than I do (I use the mirrors).
So there you have it. My main issues: interior storage and outward visibility. Assuming that this will be more my car, neither should be a big deal, but it will definitely be a change in the practicality department.
Comments, anyone?
I think they should have left the CD player out to provide extra storage. All of my music is on USB sticks.
Oh, and Sport mode seems to hold higher RPMs longer as well. 
