Touring or GT 5 Door

[AJsMSP]

Thinking about getting back into a Mazda and was just wondering is the $1371 difference between the Touring and the GT worth it for the the extras? The only thing that I am not too keen on is the leather seats. I have leather in the car I am currently in now but the back seat where my daughters car seat is has left some nasty crease marks in the leather. I like the HIDs but I know I can upgrade later with an aftermarket. Just looking for opinions.

 

[IrishMidak]

Regular 3 or Speed3?

 

[AJsMSP]

Regular 3 5 door w/ 5 speed manual

 

[AJsMSP]

Hmm....maybe if I was considering a Speed3 I would get some responses?

 

[jbiird317]

I would go with the GT. There is somethign about having all those little upgrades come with the car. Yes you can add those things like HID's later on, but now if somethign goes wrong, its all covered. I do not regret getting the GT package on my car, however my sister has the very very basic 3 sedan and loves it just as much, so i guess everyone is different

 

[SharkDiver]

I have a sport and the only thing I wish I had is the HIDs in front and LEDs in the rear.I dont like the leather seats mazda uses,They are always hard.

 

[phuufme]

I had the same decision to make. I ended up with the Touring 3 5 door (non speed) 5-speed manual. I didn't think, in my opinion, that the cost was worth the feature differences. Also, you can get the trip computer for free by unlocking it (see other thread).

 

[AJsMSP]

How is the resposiveness of the automatic. I have a subaru legacy with auto/manumatic and it is very slow to respond.

 

[Nomad]

I think the auto makes it feel like a turd. But then again, I hate auto and would not buy one.

I'm picking up an '06 3 GT hatch in an hour. The auto climate control, leather and bose will make my wife happy. Maybe I'll get it in another 3-4 years, until then I think I'll put a few mor mods on the P5 which will now be my daily driver.

 

[Raymo853]

According to Mazda's website, the Grand Touring 5 Door has the following over the S Touring 5 Door.

* Xenon HID automatic headlights
* LED rear taillights
* Rain sensing front windshield wipers
* Leather trim interior w/heated front seats
* Automatic climate control system
* Driving information system (trip computer)
* Theft-deterrent security system

It then allows the selection of the Bose Audio system with the moonroof package. On the S touring the moonroof package just contains a 6 CD player over the stock single player.

Is it worth it? I am not sure it is.

 

[andrew.savage]

I did not get the GT and i have an '06. I am in love with the car, but i do wish that i got the upgrade. It is not that expensive and you do get a lot for the money as well as being covered by the warranty. I would do it.

 

[AJsMSP]

Will have to of course go a drive each to see what I think. And I heard that the a 5 speed is very hard to get.

 

[andrew.savage]

Will have to of course go a drive each to see what I think. And I heard that the a 5 speed is very hard to get.

I don't think that is true. At the dealership i went to that was basically all they had on the lot were 5 spds. Most of the 4-doors were Auto but i believe all of the 5-doors were standard.

 

[Nomad]

I just bought a loaded '06 GT hatch manual.
I bought it used but got a decent deal because around here they have a hard time moving manuals.

If you can spring for the loaded car, you have a much better ability to sell it in the future, or get a decent trade in. When folks are looking for used cars, why settle for cloth and rollup windows when you can get into a loaded car for a fraction of new cost.

 

[AJsMSP]

OK, update. I am going for a test drive for a regular 3. They don't have any GT 5 speeds in stock just touring. But they say there are two GT 5 speeds in Red in the region.