Thinking about getting a MZ3

[RedPro5808]

Hey everyone, I am a former MP5 owner and am looking on getting a new car. So I am strongly coonsidering of getting a Mazda3 either the base model or the touring model, but it will be a 5spd automatic and not a manual Well on to the questions.

First off I have no intention of getting a MS3. I am considering getting a Mazda3 hatchback in either winning blue, silver, or rally white. I am also gonna get a 5spd automatic and not a manual. Well on with the questions.

How's the handling of this car? Does it take corners well?

Since the MZ3 has a ford engine, has anyone come across any problems at all with the engine?

Does the MZ3 have excellent standard safety features?

When changing oil what exact tools would I need to use to change the oil and oil filter? When changing the oil and oil filter do I change oil in front of the engine or behind the engine? I know that for my P5 all I did was take out the drain plug.

I have to admit that my P5 had a rather fragile body. Is the MZ3's body fairly strong or stronger than a P5 or do they both feel the same way?

Performance and safety wise is the mazda 3 a great bang for your buck kind of car?

What made you choose the MZ3 against other cars?

To former P5 owners: What made you get an MZ3 and trade in your P5?

Is the MZ3 a fun to drive car?

When huge big rig or lifted truck are behind you on the road can your clearly see them in your rear view mirrors?

Is their any downside on the MZ3 that you wish to change safety and performance wise?

What NA aftermarket parts are their for an MZ3? is the I/H/E fairly easy to install?

Does the MZ3 have a tendency to oversteer?

Thanks In advance everyone. Keep in mind I would like every question answererd. So please when you have sometime on your hands please answer them. Thanks in advance MZ3 owners.

 

[ZoomVT]

damn those are very good questions and right to the point. i cant answer right now, but i will come back in a little while to answer them. im subscribing to read responses as well.

 

[Bill#2]

Get the Winning blue hatch for the win!! Make sure you get one with ABS/SRS. That's the safest car. Also, try to find an '06, the warranty changes on the '07. (Someone confirm that please)....
As far as handling, yeah it's tight. Almost to the point of being twitchy. I was used to driving around an old-ass 14 year old Toyota truck and a '93 Protege, so this was an eye opener. It's definately good.
No engine problems whatsoever. I've had to have the computer re-flashed because of wierd (automatic) shifting problems. That's it. The dealer changes the oil, so I can't answer that question.
Oh yeah, the Blue hatch is my wife's car. I liked it so much that I bought one for myself 2 weeks ago. It's a late '04 Titanium Gray 5 speed hatch with ABS/SRS sunroof/6 CD. Already got springs for it too.

 

[RHAGEL]

Hey everyone, I am a former MP5 owner and am looking on getting a new car. So I am strongly coonsidering of getting a Mazda3 either the base model or the touring model, but it will be a 5spd automatic and not a manual Well on to the questions.

First off I have no intention of getting a MS3. I am considering getting a Mazda3 hatchback in either winning blue, silver, or rally white. I am also gonna get a 5spd automatic and not a manual. Well on with the questions.

How's the handling of this car? Does it take corners well?

Since the MZ3 has a ford engine, has anyone come across any problems at all with the engine?

Does the MZ3 have excellent standard safety features?

When changing oil what exact tools would I need to use to change the oil and oil filter? When changing the oil and oil filter do I change oil in front of the engine or behind the engine? I know that for my P5 all I did was take out the drain plug.

I have to admit that my P5 had a rather fragile body. Is the MZ3's body fairly strong or stronger than a P5 or do they both feel the same way?

Performance and safety wise is the mazda 3 a great bang for your buck kind of car?

What made you choose the MZ3 against other cars?

To former P5 owners: What made you get an MZ3 and trade in your P5?

Is the MZ3 a fun to drive car?

When huge big rig or lifted truck are behind you on the road can your clearly see them in your rear view mirrors?

Is their any downside on the MZ3 that you wish to change safety and performance wise?

What NA aftermarket parts are their for an MZ3? is the I/H/E fairly easy to install?

Does the MZ3 have a tendency to oversteer?

Thanks In advance everyone. Keep in mind I would like every question answererd. So please when you have sometime on your hands please answer them. Thanks in advance MZ3 owners.

- I traded in my Protege sedan for my MZ3 with no regrets.
- It handles well but feels a little heavier.
- It rides better than the Pros due to a more rigid body.
- Saftey; it built on a Volvo platform, so that should be self explanitory.
- It's not a Ford engine, don't worry. The block and some of the electrical components are similar but that is all. And what is wrong with Ford anyway? Everyone thinks they are junk. If anything, there transmissions were the cause of many problems not the engines.
- I love Mazdas that is why I chose it. The only other car I seriously considered was a VW GLI.
- Front drive cars don't oversteer, they understeer and it is very slight.
- As far as aftermarket, there are enough parts. The intake was a little difficult to install but not bad. The exhaust doesn't bolt on, you have to cut and weld. Except the Vibrant exhaust has a bolt on but it replaces the stock cat. (ie: technically illegal in many states.)

Hopefully that answers most of your questions.

 

[tsunami]

the 3 with the safety package as already stated is probably your best bet. it is a bit heaveir to toss around then the 5. but still very well handling and the ride and solidness of the car is that much more appearant. the block was designed by cosworth not ford... and as rhagel said ford really isn't that bad (i mean look at gm for chrissakes)

i haven't had time due to work to take my car to the autocross yet... can't really tell you which way it lies... i do knowwith wider wheels, rear sway and eibach springs my car has more balls then i do... i take it around corners at speeds that are ridiculous and all it does is go where i point it without issue.

 

[icspots]

Hey everyone, I am a former MP5 owner and am looking on getting a new car. So I am strongly coonsidering of getting a Mazda3 either the base model or the touring model, but it will be a 5spd automatic and not a manual Well on to the questions.

First off I have no intention of getting a MS3. I am considering getting a Mazda3 hatchback in either winning blue, silver, or rally white. I am also gonna get a 5spd automatic and not a manual. Well on with the questions.

Welcome. First off I'll say go ahead and take a test drive in one. We're more than happy to answer your questions, but nothing will give you a better picture of the car than driving it yourself.

How's the handling of this car? Does it take corners well?

The handling is excellent. The electro-hydraulic power steering is very tight and precise with almost no wiggle, even on the highway. It's very easy to just throw yourself into the twisties and have fun. The test drive is what sold this car for me... I was actually planning on buying a forester before I drove the 3. The brakes are big for a car this size, and very grabby. makes our other car feel like mush.

You can always improve the handling by adding sway bars, a drop, better tires/wheels, etc.

Since the MZ3 has a ford engine, has anyone come across any problems at all with the engine?

It's not a Ford engine, it was designed by mazda, and then ford started using it in some of their cars. Yes Ford owns 33% of mazda, but mazda is starting to do much better in differentiating themselves from Ford. Incidentally FoMoCo has few problems, it's FordNA that's the problem.

Does the MZ3 have excellent standard safety features?

I think ABS is now standard on i-touring and above (don't quote me on that) with side airbags being optional, and ABS/SAB/SAC are standard on s-touring and above.

Front and offset ratings were good-excellent, side were poor. That being said the tests were done without the optional side and side curtain airbags. IIHS doesn't test vehicles with optional equipment, and if the manufacturer pays for a second test vehicle with the options then they'll retest it. As far as I know that hasn't happened yet. All the other cars in the compact segment that were tested with side airbags (either initially or the second time around) rated at least a good, and some of those didn't have the side curtains.

Being that the Mz3 has been Mazda's bread and butter for four years I doubt they'll drop the money on the second test vehicle as they obviously sell enough cars without it.

When changing oil what exact tools would I need to use to change the oil and oil filter? When changing the oil and oil filter do I change oil in front of the engine or behind the engine? I know that for my P5 all I did was take out the drain plug.

Oooooo. Haven't done that yet to mine, just had other people do it. I'm going to say you need a screwdriver (or ratchet) to remove the plastic shield on the bottom, and beyond that I'm not sure. The 2.0 engine does have a spinon filter, vs. the drop in filter on the 2.3.

I have to admit that my P5 had a rather fragile body. Is the MZ3's body fairly strong or stronger than a P5 or do they both feel the same way?

Can't rate the p5. I've only driven a '94 protege sedan to compare, but the 3 feels very solid.

Performance and safety wise is the mazda 3 a great bang for your buck kind of car?

definitely. Our '02 Elantra sedan cost much less and still got great safety ratings, but the 3 will drive circles around it.

What made you choose the MZ3 against other cars?

First off the test drive...... zoom zoom. The design, standard features, and all the usuals, but like I said, the test drive sold the car.

To former P5 owners: What made you get an MZ3 and trade in your P5?

Is the MZ3 a fun to drive car?

When huge big rig or lifted truck are behind you on the road can your clearly see them in your rear view mirrors?

Is their any downside on the MZ3 that you wish to change safety and performance wise?

What NA aftermarket parts are their for an MZ3? is the I/H/E fairly easy to install?

Does the MZ3 have a tendency to oversteer?

Thanks In advance everyone. Keep in mind I would like every question answererd. So please when you have sometime on your hands please answer them. Thanks in advance MZ3 owners.

Not a former p5 owner, so I'll just make one comment. I can see fine out of the mirrors. The D-post on the 5-door is a little large, but once you're used to it you can compensate pretty easily.

Again, go for a ride. then let us know what you think. At least maybe you'll know where we're coming from, and perhaps some more questions.

 

[Rotary_Powered]

MZ3 is that the 2.0? How does the 2.0 engine feel I've only driven the 2.3, sorry to go slightly off topic. Which is more fun to drive? The power difference between both engines has never struck me as very large...

 

[RedPro5808]

Hey everyone, thanks a lot for answering my questions I really appreciate it. Well I got more questions though.

-Is the MZ3 sedan the same height as the MZ3 hatchback?
-Which MZ3 has the most cargo room to haul in boxes or luggages if traveling to the airport?
- Which MZ3 has the most leg and shoulder clearance and can fit more people in the backseat?
-Does the s touring package come standard with side and curtain airbags?

Thanks in advance everyone and hope to get more responses in this thread.

 

[icspots]

Hey everyone, thanks a lot for answering my questions I really appreciate it. Well I got more questions though.

-Is the MZ3 sedan the same height as the MZ3 hatchback?

The exterior height is the same between the sedan and 5-door, though the 5-door has about an inch of extra headroom in the rear seats. I imagine adding the moonroof would make the 5-door pretty much equal the 4-door without. Incidentally the 5-door is 2" shorter lengthwise.

If you're concerned because you're going to be parking somewhere with a low overhead then bear in mind that the hatch on the 5-door will go much higher when open than the trunk lid on the 4-door.

-Which MZ3 has the most cargo room to haul in boxes or luggages if traveling to the airport?

4-door luggage capacity 11.4 cu/ft
5-door luggage capacity 17.1 cu/ft (gotta be above the seat high cover)

4-door cargo capacity 11 cu/ft (I'm confused by this number, maybe that's the backseat? Perhaps 22 altogether?)
5-door cargo capacity (seats down) 31 cu/ft

I've filled my 5-door to the brim (imagine a little cubby for the driver to sit in, and everything else is filled) several times, and it can hands-down fit more stuff than the sedan. The reason is just because you can fit more stuff in through the larger opening than you can through the trunk opening, or the back doors.

- Which MZ3 has the most leg and shoulder clearance and can fit more people in the backseat?

Both the 4 and 5-doors have the same interior dimensions, except for the above noted headroom.

-Does the s touring package come standard with side and curtain airbags?

3i sport: ABS/SAB/SAC optional
3i touring: ABS/SAB/SAC optional
3s sport: ABS standard, SAB/SAC optional
3s touring: ABS/SAB/SAC standard
3s GT: same as 3s touring

Thanks in advance everyone and hope to get more responses in this thread.

No problem, happy to help

MZ3 is that the 2.0? How does the 2.0 engine feel I've only driven the 2.3, sorry to go slightly off topic. Which is more fun to drive? The power difference between both engines has never struck me as very large...

The Mz3 comes in two engines. The 3i has a 2.0 L, and the 3s gets a 2.3 L. Pre '06 the 2.0 didn't have VVT, and I'm told (haven't driven a 2.0) that the VVT makes the cars feel nearly identical in acceleration.

 

[RedPro5808]

Hey everyone, I got a couple more questions about the 07 MZ3.

Well I stated that I was getting a hatchback, but it turns out I might get an MZ3 sedan the S sport version.

Well my question is does the new 07 MZ3 come with a rear windshield wiper?

Since i'm getting the S sport version and not the S touring or the GT does the S sport version come with side impact and side curtain air bags?

Thanks a lot everyone.

 

[ZoomVT]

i believe the sedan does come with the safety features in the GT model. I dont think it comes with the rear wipers though; i didnt even know the soccer wagon came with it either.

 

[icspots]

Hey everyone, I got a couple more questions about the 07 MZ3.

Well I stated that I was getting a hatchback, but it turns out I might get an MZ3 sedan the S sport version.

Well my question is does the new 07 MZ3 come with a rear windshield wiper?

Since i'm getting the S sport version and not the S touring or the GT does the S sport version come with side impact and side curtain air bags?

Thanks a lot everyone.

The 4-door doesn't come with a rear wiper in any trim level. The 5-door has a rear wiper as standard in all trim levels.

The 3s Sport doesn't have the SAB/SAC standard, only the ABS is standard. You can add the SAB/SAC package for ~$245, which in my opinion is well worth it. fyi, I did answer this question several posts up.

 

[jhowey]

The warrenty did change from 4year 50k BUMPER TO BUMPER IN 06 to 3 year 36k bumper to bumper and 4 year 50k powertrain in 07 if I do remember correctly.

 

[dread]

I think the powertrain is 6 year 60k

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

I came from a p5 to a 3 5door. The 3 feels more stable around turns at high speed but in a slalom type it felt like the p5 had a quicker response to it. The 3s interior owns the p5's. The rear hatch was wider in the p5, could fit my 42.5" bodyboards w\ no room to spare, and the 3 its not possible. Its a inch narrower there I think. The extra power isnt that noticable really, but when I race my friends p5 its not much of a race.
I did like the shift feel better on the p5, and the fact it has a cable tb and not wired...