Wait for the new Mazda 3

[Raymo853]

I have decided to wait for the new 3 to come out and get a hatch version. I want to replace my beloved by old 00 Protege, but can wait. I consider the current 3 the bees knees of the market segment, but would be even happier with a slightly larger 3 with more power , better sound deadening and hopefully have better side crash results.

Would you wait?

 

[VermZ06]

Well the current 3 hatch is already safer than the car you already own, i can't imagine the safety features increasing all that much. The current car has front, side, curtain airbags, tpms, etc...etc... You'd probably be able to score a really good deal on an '09 once the new 2010 models start filtering in.

I just look at it this way. Mazda has had 6 years to perfect the current 3 while the new generation will only be on its first. I'd go for the one that's been tweaked over the years. Also the power won't be all that much different. Although i have been hearing reports that the next gen 3 will be 200lbs lighter. So it may 'feel' like it's a much quicker car.

It all comes down to what you want. Yes, you'll get a better deal on an '09 3 but you also have to enjoy how it looks, drives, and feels all around. I would test drive them both back to back once the new model arrives, then you can make a fair assessment.

 

[Cellerator]

I just look at it this way. Mazda has had 6 years to perfect the current 3 while the new generation will only be on its first. I'd go for the one that's been tweaked over the years. Also the power won't be all that much different. Although i have been hearing reports that the next gen 3 will be 200lbs lighter. So it may 'feel' like it's a much quicker car.

Sort of off topic:
I think the new 3 next year will feel like a stock MSP in terms of weight and power except bigger and nicer and N/A.

I just got the 09 and I'm loving it compared to my P5.

back on topic, I wouldn't get a first generation new 3 because it's the first of all the batches kind of like how when the MS3 came out, they had and may still be having issues with the motor mount.

 

[Akaveli]

Sort of off topic:
I think the new 3 next year will feel like a stock MSP in terms of weight and power except bigger and nicer and N/A.

Even the current 04 - 06 model 2.3l 3s isn't that far from a stock MSP. Stock for Stock. For the 2.3l 3 with I/H/E you will put down just as much whp as a stock MSP. 150whp - 160whp. n/a thats not bad. Weight wise they are about the same or slightly lesser. The new model 3s weigh a little bit more then the MSPs

I have decided to wait for the new 3 to come out and get a hatch version. I want to replace my beloved by old 00 Protege, but can wait. I consider the current 3 the bees knees of the market segment, but would be even happier with a slightly larger 3 with more power , better sound deadening and hopefully have better side crash results.

Would you wait?

How much more power are you looking for? In reguards to safety the current model 3s are excellent in that department.

 

[NCZ13]

i say wait... or upgrade to the mazda6...

 

[Raymo853]

How much more power are you looking for? In reguards to safety the current model 3s are excellent in that department.

Actually no. Their side crash head force numbers are not too grand.

 

[Akaveli]

Actually no. Their side crash head force numbers are not too grand.

So your saying the safety rating in the current 3s are not good or your referencing something specific?

 

[Chibana]

I don't know that I would recommend a Mazda6, unless you need a big car. All the reviews have said the same thing: that it has lost some of its zoom-zoom compared to the first gen. I suspect when they start doing the comparisons, it will still be more fun to drive than most, if not all, of its competitors, but if you want sporty, the Mazda3 is probably the better bet. And since Mazda has stated that all new generations will be lighter than current ones, I would expect the new Mazda3 to lose a little bit of weight. It looks like a very nice car to me. I just hope it doesn't also lose some of its zoom-zoom compared with the first gen 3.

 

[Raymo853]

So your saying the safety rating in the current 3s are not good or your referencing something specific?

I am not going to search it out, but the side crash tests on the Mazda 3 showed it did not have the best structure integrity. The 3 ended up deforming a bit causing high force numbers on the head impact sensors. The numbers were worse than most other cars in the same size class back. This was back in 2004 or so and without side curtain air bags.

The 3 has been retested since with with side curtain airbags and got much better numbers, however that is masking the underlying structural problems. All cars show dramatic improvements with side curtain bags but why not try to get a car with both a good structure and side curtain airbags.

 

[Raymo853]

i say wait... or upgrade to the mazda6...

I would consider getting a Mazda 6 a downgrade. Bigger for no reason and without a hatchback,. And without a hatchback to me means the car is pretty much worthless.

 

[skylar2ups]

I would consider getting a Mazda 6 a downgrade. Bigger for no reason and without a hatchback,. And without a hatchback to me means the car is pretty much worthless.

Get a Mazda 6 hatch then It's really not all that bigger then the Mazda3 and the power is amazing! I love driving the 6 and I love my 3.

I too am getting a new 3 GT but I think I am waiting till there second gen in the new style, but I might get the Mazda CX-7 before then though... it's so hard when all Mazda's are amazing minus that Ford Escape trying to pass as a Mazda. VOMIT!

 

[Raymo853]

Get a Mazda 6 hatch then It's really not all that bigger then the Mazda3 and the power is amazing! I love driving the 6 and I love my 3.

I too am getting a new 3 GT but I think I am waiting till there second gen in the new style, but I might get the Mazda CX-7 before then though... it's so hard when all Mazda's are amazing minus that Ford Escape trying to pass as a Mazda. VOMIT!

The 6 hatch is no longer offered in the US nor the fantastic wagon the rest of the World gets. The past Mazda 6 was not too grand IMHO. Either underpowered with the 2.3 or ok power but horrible mileage with the V6.

 

[skylar2ups]

I meant a used one and the hatch will most likely end up here but if you hate the MPG then don't.

 

[NCZ13]

i think mazda has stated the they will not be releasing the 6wagon here.

the new 6 is much larger, i consider it an upgrade from the 3, but if a hatch is necessary, than yeah, the 6 really can compare.

 

[skylar2ups]

i think mazda has stated the they will not be releasing the 6wagon here.

the new 6 is much larger, i consider it an upgrade from the 3, but if a hatch is necessary, than yeah, the 6 really can compare.

Ew the mazda6 wagon is UGLY but I love the hatch 6.

 

[Raymo853]

Ew the mazda6 wagon is UGLY but I love the hatch 6.

The new wagon, not offered in the US, is car beauty defined.

http://autoreview.belproject.com/media/1/20070907-2008-mazda6-wagon-front.jpg

 

[skylar2ups]

The new wagon, not offered in the US, is car beauty defined.

http://autoreview.belproject.com/media/1/20070907-2008-mazda6-wagon-front.jpg

Again I was talking about the OLDER model not the new model. The 09 Mazda Wagon is pretty attractive for being a wagon but the old wagons are just plan ugly and the hatch I am talking about is not the wagon it's just the sedan with the lift gate instead of a trunk.