what did you pay for your Mazda3 in the USA?
- Thread starter TinLemon
- Start date
tuckerware
Member
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- 2004 Mazda 3 5-door (for sale)
To answer a few questions....
Toeknee:
I bought my 3 at Hine Mazda. Kurt Miller was my salesman and he was really cool.
OmegaRoach:
I don't have a digital camera but I am borrowing one to take pictures of my Camry I'm selling and will take a few shots for you. I'll have them today or tomorrow.
To everyone arguing about prices, class, and essentially value:
I am a Lexus salesman, and absolute car nut. Not to be boastful, but I have driven more cars of every make and model than nearly all of you. I have worked at 4 dealerships and have driven anything from Civics and Focus' to NSX's and a 360 Spider. When I drove the Mazda 3 for the first time I was more impressed than when I drove a Jaguar XKR convertible the same week! Why? Because for 22 grand, I have a loaded car (leather, nav, Xenon) with terrific handling, low insurance rates, great gas mileage, and tons of space. In 3 years, I'll buy an M3 and spend 3 times the money when you consider insurance and gas. It'l be faster and handle better, but that's it.
For the money, it is hard to beat a Mazda 3 (that is, until the MazdaSpeed 3 comes out)
Toeknee:
I bought my 3 at Hine Mazda. Kurt Miller was my salesman and he was really cool.
OmegaRoach:
I don't have a digital camera but I am borrowing one to take pictures of my Camry I'm selling and will take a few shots for you. I'll have them today or tomorrow.
To everyone arguing about prices, class, and essentially value:
I am a Lexus salesman, and absolute car nut. Not to be boastful, but I have driven more cars of every make and model than nearly all of you. I have worked at 4 dealerships and have driven anything from Civics and Focus' to NSX's and a 360 Spider. When I drove the Mazda 3 for the first time I was more impressed than when I drove a Jaguar XKR convertible the same week! Why? Because for 22 grand, I have a loaded car (leather, nav, Xenon) with terrific handling, low insurance rates, great gas mileage, and tons of space. In 3 years, I'll buy an M3 and spend 3 times the money when you consider insurance and gas. It'l be faster and handle better, but that's it.
For the money, it is hard to beat a Mazda 3 (that is, until the MazdaSpeed 3 comes out)
Re: To answer a few questions....
The Mazda 3 is a Mazda. Any Lexus is a Lexus. A Lexus will hold value better, and is all around a better car. This is why it is called a luxury car. Mazda doesn't make luxury cars, they make economy cars, from the RX8 (it's most prestegious model), to the Mazda 3 (it's lowest economy model). It might have leather (I'm sure it's nowhere near the quality of the leather in a Lexus), Xenon headlights (starting to become standard in many cars), and navigation (again, an option in many new cars now). I don't really see the $22,000 is coming from. It's still Mazda's lowest economy class car. Are people going to start paying $22,000 for a Ford Focus? I think not.
Lots of money for little car.
That is a blind statement you really have no clue that it is true. It is a best guess by you. These two things add up to be an opinion only. Therefore, you have just given us your opinion only and there is absolutely no fact behind it.tuckerware said:
The Mazda 3 is a Mazda. Any Lexus is a Lexus. A Lexus will hold value better, and is all around a better car. This is why it is called a luxury car. Mazda doesn't make luxury cars, they make economy cars, from the RX8 (it's most prestegious model), to the Mazda 3 (it's lowest economy model). It might have leather (I'm sure it's nowhere near the quality of the leather in a Lexus), Xenon headlights (starting to become standard in many cars), and navigation (again, an option in many new cars now). I don't really see the $22,000 is coming from. It's still Mazda's lowest economy class car. Are people going to start paying $22,000 for a Ford Focus? I think not.
Lots of money for little car.
You guys need to look at one thing.....he is giving you a cost for a loaded Mazda3 in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!! This will be more then most places, I've seen someone else post on another board that he got a fully loaded MZ3 for just under $20k out the door....it's all about where and when you buy the car. Plus for the buyers that are just going for a cheap comuter car, they most likely would not be gettign the sport package with all the options. That drops the price down a lot!! I've seen pricing range on this car from $14k - $22k.....
tuckerware
Member
- :
- 2004 Mazda 3 5-door (for sale)
big_ben:
Without doing an emprical study, my claim is not factually valid, but calling it a blind statement is silly. Having worked in dealerships for the last 4 years, it is almost certain that I've had more experience than the average person. In any event I said "nearly all of you" which obviously leaves room for the exceptional Road and Track editor that could possibly be a member of our forum, so relax.
Furthermore, you missed my point. A Lexus will always be superior to a Mazda, and that is why a loaded IS300 stickers for $14,000 more. I still ask you, is that 14 grand worth it? I still ask that anyone offer comparable cars for the money. In the low 20K range, what else is there?
Without doing an emprical study, my claim is not factually valid, but calling it a blind statement is silly. Having worked in dealerships for the last 4 years, it is almost certain that I've had more experience than the average person. In any event I said "nearly all of you" which obviously leaves room for the exceptional Road and Track editor that could possibly be a member of our forum, so relax.
Furthermore, you missed my point. A Lexus will always be superior to a Mazda, and that is why a loaded IS300 stickers for $14,000 more. I still ask you, is that 14 grand worth it? I still ask that anyone offer comparable cars for the money. In the low 20K range, what else is there?
I'd say yes, that extra $14,000 is worth the higher quality car. And the fact that the car will hold it's value much better than a Mazda. But that $14,000 is only worth it if the person can afford it. If not, the Mazda is only a good choice if you just have to have a brand new car. Otherwise, you are better off buying a 1 to 2 year old car with less than 25,000 miles on it. That is what I'd do in a second. I'd much rather have a used Audi, Lexus, or an Accura than a new Mazda any day of the week. Especially if they are very close in price.
Eh... different strokes for different folks. Personally I'd consider a used car if it had under 5000 miles, or possibly 10k miles if the price was right. Having had other cars that have crapped out on me due to the normal wear and tear of higher milage I have opted to seek out new or slightly used cars from here on out. I choose this because I'd rather use a car for a few years, protected by warranty, and then unload it before the warranty goes up.
I disagree that any Audi on the road is better than say, a more economical Toyota Corolla. Price does NOT dictate quality. If that were the case, more people would be buying Jags, Saabs, Volvos, etc. I'll give you Lexus and Acura since they are obviously built by the leaders in quality vehicles.
I disagree that any Audi on the road is better than say, a more economical Toyota Corolla. Price does NOT dictate quality. If that were the case, more people would be buying Jags, Saabs, Volvos, etc. I'll give you Lexus and Acura since they are obviously built by the leaders in quality vehicles.
eting_pro5
Member
- :
- '03 Pro5
I saw my dream baby tonight... Titanium 5 spd hatchback with sidebags, curtains and abs. at $18,120 it was right on with the sticker for my '03 Pro5.
You guys can't let the dealer get the bucks because they cars are new. REMEMBER: HAGGLE THEM BEFORE THEY CAN HAGGLE YOU
You guys can't let the dealer get the bucks because they cars are new. REMEMBER: HAGGLE THEM BEFORE THEY CAN HAGGLE YOU
tuckerware
Member
- :
- 2004 Mazda 3 5-door (for sale)
Of course for everyone that can wait to get a 3, remember Mazda is owned by Ford, and By late spring I'm sure the 3 will have huge rebates and 0% financing. A loaded car will easily get out the door under 19-20K
Mazda Really isn't owned by Ford. Ford owns a majority of the stock, so they have a large influence on what Mazda does, but they don't own it. The sales arm of Mazda has nothing to do with Ford at all. This is why you can't use the same rebates on Mazdas that you can with Ford.
tuckerware
Member
- :
- 2004 Mazda 3 5-door (for sale)
Nav Pictures
OmegaRoach:
Here is a pic of the NAV unit in the glovebox.
OmegaRoach:
Here is a pic of the NAV unit in the glovebox.
tuckerware
Member
- :
- 2004 Mazda 3 5-door (for sale)
Eugeosyncline
Member
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- 2001 Protege ES
Little Information Thus Far
This has been a most interesting discussion, although it's unfortunately too early for us to yet have a good sampling of what people are paying for the 3. We have like 2 quotes thus far? Doh!!
What we must remember at this point is, as a brand new offering, sheer numbers in the market are still relatively low, and with standard supply and demand economic rules applying, lower numbers mean higher prices. That, coupled with the excitement created by a brand new car means people will have to pay more now than if they wait.
That's also a good observation pointed out by some of you guys regarding rebates and such-- We'll have more of them later on as soon as the frenzy of early sales die down.
As far as the current price goes, I think there's merit to what all of you are saying, but I personally feel a compact that costs over $20k is pretty expensive-- The Civic isn't that expensive; even for the most loaded trim line. Sentra? Less expensive. Corolla? Less expensive. In fact, the 3 appears to be the most expensive small car currently out there amongst non "Luxury" lines (i.e. the likes of Acura, Lexus, Infinity, etc.). That's not cool.
I know the 3 has more features than most of the other small cars out there, but I'm concerned about that price. Even if I could afford it, I just feel that a compact shouldn't cost more than $18,000 (U.S.). I mean, you can buy many mid-size cars for $20k!
Oh man, that price has got to come down...
Anyway, that's just my feeling on the subject. I'm eagerly awaiting the passage of another 6 months. THEN it'll be interesting to see how much the 3 costs. I'm sure it'll be considerably less, and I'd say it's worth exercising patience until then!
This has been a most interesting discussion, although it's unfortunately too early for us to yet have a good sampling of what people are paying for the 3. We have like 2 quotes thus far? Doh!!
What we must remember at this point is, as a brand new offering, sheer numbers in the market are still relatively low, and with standard supply and demand economic rules applying, lower numbers mean higher prices. That, coupled with the excitement created by a brand new car means people will have to pay more now than if they wait.
That's also a good observation pointed out by some of you guys regarding rebates and such-- We'll have more of them later on as soon as the frenzy of early sales die down.
As far as the current price goes, I think there's merit to what all of you are saying, but I personally feel a compact that costs over $20k is pretty expensive-- The Civic isn't that expensive; even for the most loaded trim line. Sentra? Less expensive. Corolla? Less expensive. In fact, the 3 appears to be the most expensive small car currently out there amongst non "Luxury" lines (i.e. the likes of Acura, Lexus, Infinity, etc.). That's not cool.
I know the 3 has more features than most of the other small cars out there, but I'm concerned about that price. Even if I could afford it, I just feel that a compact shouldn't cost more than $18,000 (U.S.). I mean, you can buy many mid-size cars for $20k!
Oh man, that price has got to come down...
Anyway, that's just my feeling on the subject. I'm eagerly awaiting the passage of another 6 months. THEN it'll be interesting to see how much the 3 costs. I'm sure it'll be considerably less, and I'd say it's worth exercising patience until then!
tuckerware
Member
- :
- 2004 Mazda 3 5-door (for sale)
Big_ben:
This is fully off topic, but since I've seen a few around now I wanted to ask.
Have you driven the new S2000 yet? Does the powerband feel that much different? As not to clog up this thread...go ahead and PM me if you want.
I like the new changes but I've only seen it drive by...I'll check it out at the auto show in a week.
This is fully off topic, but since I've seen a few around now I wanted to ask.
Have you driven the new S2000 yet? Does the powerband feel that much different? As not to clog up this thread...go ahead and PM me if you want.
I like the new changes but I've only seen it drive by...I'll check it out at the auto show in a week.
In looking at these cars, the price seems to be in line with the competition. Most of the M3's that I've seen are around $18k for the 2.3 hatch/sedan. The Corolla S is around $17k, Civic EX is $17k, Sunfire/Cavalier is $19k at the high end, and so on. The close competition of the Vibe/Matrix is around $21k and Impreza Wagon is $18k or 19k for the sedan. Now on the Mazda 3, you can add $5k in options like some of the others which can raise the price to $23k. Sadly, the small car is reaching $20k and the midsize are peaking close to $30k (loaded Altima). I think the price is outlandish, but this summer will offer another round of rebates which will drive prices down.
