Thinking of getting a Mazda 3..Few Questions

[m1ndless]

Hey, Im new here, I am in the market for a mazda, but had a couple of questions..

I am looking to spend around 16-17k on a used/new car, maybe a little more, but im looking to put some money into the engine/appearence too.

I really like the Mazda 3 sedans, the black onyx colored ones mainly.

Here are my questions..

How do these compare with similar year honda civic?

What year/model trim should I get? Im looking for an automatic with the most power ( for an automatic )

Are mazdas reliable, and how costly are they to fix? I am a big fan of preventitive maintence, but I know all cars break down at some point.(boom07)

Do you think it will be hard to find a mazda with under 20k miles for around 16-17k ??

Do all the mazda 3s come with a strut bar in the front? I noticed alot of cars with the same one on here in the picture thread.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Hey, Im new here, I am in the market for a mazda, but had a couple of questions.. ...

Welcome to the forum..

My wife has a M3 Sport and she love is, she has a 7 Year warranty so I don;t think there will be any issues.

The strut bar is actually incorperated into the firewall. You just have to open the hood to see how it is made... There is no actual "Bar" but there is no need for one either, just dead weight.

 

[m1ndless]

So is it just for looks then? If you buy used from the dealer, is there any sort of warranty?

 

[Brian MP5T]

There will always be the residual of the original warranty... If you plan to get one with low miles... you should not have an issue with preserving the warranty.

 

[m1ndless]

I might just get a new one, I am looking at local dealers inventory, and I found a nice 2.3L 5-speed AT OD for 17,995, its a 2007 with >1k miles on it right now.

Can someone explain to me how you can have a 5-speed automatic od? Does that mean its an automatic, but I can still shift? I dont get it..

 

[Brian MP5T]

Semi Automatic..

You select the gear, but there is no clutch.

 

[m1ndless]

So wait, when I am driving, I still have to shift from first through fifth? Im confused ...

I know how to drive a stick, but perfer an automatic, since I dont race or anything, its going to be my daily driver car.

 

[Brian MP5T]

You won't have to, you can decide to if you like..

 

[m1ndless]

Ahh I see, okay, I think I got it down, Ill just have to see for myself when I go test drive.

 

[Brian MP5T]

It's nice for those of us who are used to downshifting before a corner..

 

[tsunami]

welcome to the forums... good luck with the purchase... i think you wil be very happy...

just a fyi a simple exhaust and intake, new wheels and lowering springs will probably get you what you want for perf and looks and you can get all for 2500+ as wheel prices are up to your budget cause you can spend 2500 on 1 wheel easy... lol have fun and good luck

 

[m1ndless]

welcome to the forums... good luck with the purchase... i think you wil be very happy...

just a fyi a simple exhaust and intake, new wheels and lowering springs will probably get you what you want for perf and looks and you can get all for 2500+ as wheel prices are up to your budget cause you can spend 2500 on 1 wheel easy... lol have fun and good luck

I planned on exhuast and intake, I live in AZ, it doesnt rain much, should I go with CAI? I dont want a ricey sounding exhaust either.

I want to drop it an inch or so, not too much, but a little.

2500 on one wheel?

 

[tsunami]

yeah a nice exhaust is probably at least 5bills yeah in arizona i would go with a cai for sure... probably 2 bills there... do some shopping around for wheels and see what you like remember you need a high offset to fit this car if you are going to drop it... a 1" drop or so would probably be the tein s techs or the eibach pro series...

and yeah you can spend 2500 on 1 wheel just start shopping around and you will be amazed... lol

 

[BKK Jack]

Tsunami, why are you scaring him? Sure you can spend that much for a one wheel, but you can also get a decent wheel for $150 or less. It depends on what you like and how weight conscious you are. Forged wheels are generally lighter, but more expensive.

Go to tirerack.com, or any other online tire dealer. Also check out ebay motors.

 

[tsunami]

i was just saying... not tryin to scare... i got my wheels and tires shipped from tire rack for 1600... not bad for 18" 16lb wheels

 

[markmomb]

No rice sound exhaust

I planned on exhuast and intake, I live in AZ, it doesnt rain much, should I go with CAI? I dont want a ricey sounding exhaust either.

I want to drop it an inch or so, not too much, but a little.

2500 on one wheel?

As far as exhaust goes, I put a magnaflow cat back on my '04 3 and really really like the growl from it. Definitely not a rice sound, and improved hp and torque and mpg.