Why not to buy a 3sT 5-door?

[wannazoomina3]

I'm looking to buy a 3 Sport Touring 5-door...

This may sound weird, but I have some logic in my question...Can anyone give me a reason why I shouldn't?

Nathan

 

[tsunami]

what year?

 

[wannazoomina3]

what year?

2006

 

[tsunami]

for an 06 i don't see many reasons not to... if you want more power there is the new si, wrx, lancer rs.... (i think those are the right leters for the intro evo?) if you want more refinement there is the acura rsx... lexus es and so forth, but if your choices are the 3 and the cars in its class ie focus, civic, corolla/matrix and the such i would deffinatly go with the 3. the matrix offers awd but its styling sucks i mean it was a joint effort with pontiac for crhis sakes. and new civics are alright, but for a hatch they don't offer one up. and until ford makes the change to the C1 platform for NA spec focus' i would stay away.

if you wanted more power then the 160 i would say get something else or get ready to mod
if you wanted more refinement then climate control/leather/heated seats/factory navigation then i am not sure where you can turn besides acura/lexus/infinity and the such
if you wanted better mpg get a civic or a corolla

otherwise for great handling/nice factory option packages and enough power to make you smile i would suggest a 3

 

[Mazda3Rookie]

I'm looking to buy a 3 Sport Touring 5-door...

This may sound weird, but I have some logic in my question...Can anyone give me a reason why I shouldn't?

Nathan

Only reason I can think of: Once you get one you'll be tempted to spend all of your money in mods..............

Seriously, I agree with Tsunami. Unless you want to jump to the next level and get a small/midsize car in the class of a Lexus or Acura, the 3 has no equals among its peers. If you really want a 5-door, there is basically nothing else that compares, unless maybe the Audi A3 or the Golf GTI (basically the same car, though....)

I got exactly the same car you are thinking to buy (last November), I couldn't be happier. It comes so loaded with standard features that I decided to get it with no options whatsover and at $17,100 (plus taxes) I believe I got a good deal.

Edit: Thought of a "serious" reason: if you want the automatic it is a $950 option. I got the manual, hate auto trannies............

 

[goldwing2000]

Can't think of a single reason.

Stealership service pretty much sucks but you'll get that no matter what you buy.

 

[wannazoomina3]

Can't think of a single reason.

Stealership service pretty much sucks but you'll get that no matter what you buy.

I'll be using an auto-buying service offered through my insurance company, so I won't have to hassle with the dealers that much...

I sit in too much traffic to really enjoy a manual, so I'm going with the 5-speed Auto sport trans...allows me to be in "manual" when I want to be.

I need the space of the 5-door, and I looked at the Matrix, Corolla and Civic...the Martix was clunky when I drove it...very little power, even in the top of the line model...Corolla was better, but not enough space...Civic was nice, but it didn't have the 5-door, so I'm going with the 3...

Nathan

 

[goldwing2000]

I'll be using an auto-buying service offered through my insurance company, so I won't have to hassle with the dealers that much...

I was more referring to service, as in repairs, than sales.

 

[wannazoomina3]

I was more referring to service, as in repairs, than sales.

I'm hoping I won't have to deal with the dealer's service department much...

GW - On the sticker, Mazda mentions a loaner car program...have you had to use their loaner car? If so, what did you get? Just curious.

Nathan

 

[goldwing2000]

I'm hoping I won't have to deal with the dealer's service department much...

GW - On the sticker, Mazda mentions a loaner car program...have you had to use their loaner car? If so, what did you get? Just curious.

Nathan

My dealer doesn't have an official "loaner" thing. They have a rental car agency in the showroom and you get whatever they have in. So far I've gotten a Windstar, a Grand Prix, an F-150 and an Explorer. Those last two really sucked in the fuel economy department.

 

[wannazoomina3]

My dealer doesn't have an official "loaner" thing. They have a rental car agency in the showroom and you get whatever they have in. So far I've gotten a Windstar, a Grand Prix, an F-150 and an Explorer. Those last two really sucked in the fuel economy department.

GW - Have you had problems with your 3? It sounds like you've had your car in at least 4 times...over what period? What problems have you had? Were the repairs covered under the warranty?

Thanks in advance.

Nathan

 

[Paradigm619]

I just bought a 2006 Mazda3 s Touring (last Saturday actually) and I'm in love with it. It would have been great to get the GT, but for my budget the Touring worked better. I am totally happy with everything. I got in stock and only opted to upgrade the stereo to the 6-CD changer with MP3. It's great, it really is. I couldn't give you a reason not to go for it.

 

[cbc]

I bought my 5 door the day after Xmas & could not be happier. The seats, the dash layout are head & shoulders above others in its class. Today I had to run to a few appointments around town & was running a bit late, so I had to "wick it up" a bit getting thru traffic. The 3 really sets it's feet down & HANGS ON to the road. Nimble & responsive steering & enough power when needed - it is a BLAST to drive. & mine is stone cold stock. (rockon)

 

[goldwing2000]

GW - Have you had problems with your 3? It sounds like you've had your car in at least 4 times...over what period? What problems have you had? Were the repairs covered under the warranty?

Thanks in advance.

Nathan

I've had a couple problems but most of it was covered by a TSB. I bought mine in Feb '04 and have 36,000 miles on it right now.
The first time in was for the air bag sensor recall and a pull to the left.
The second time was for electrical problems that may or may not have been my fault but either way, they didn't do anything for me. I had to call in some favors to get a new junction box (a $1200 part).
The third time in was at 30,000 miles and for the TSB for clunk in front end, engine vibration, sulphur-smelling exhaust and the clutch squeak. When they took apart the front end, they found broken stuff, so I was without the car for a couple weeks while they got parts. I assume they changed the motor mount for the vibration and, as far as I can tell, they didn't do squat about the exhaust. The clutch still squeaks sometimes.

And the car STILL pulls to the left. That's the problem with non-adjustable caster and camber.

Oh, and I just developed a click in the front end that I'm assuming is a sway bar link. I'm sure they won't warranty it, since I've put on Eibach springs.

 

[wannazoomina3]

GW - Thanks for all the advice and info...I [icked up my 3 last night...only had 8 miles on it and I put 4 of those on during the final test drive...

The morning commute was fun again...too bad I don't have more freeway to drive...I want to ZOOM-ZOOM...

Nathan

 

[txmazdaspeed]

Mine is an '04 and I have no real complaints other than a purge solenoid that keeps going bad on me.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

I'm hoping I won't have to deal with the dealer's service department much...

GW - On the sticker, Mazda mentions a loaner car program...have you had to use their loaner car? If so, what did you get? Just curious.

Nathan

I got a ford focus as my rental. (not a car problem, had leather installed by dealership)

as far as my decision w\ an 06, I am totally satisfied with my car. However I wouldnt mind more power. But then again my friends who have wrx's say the same thing, so I would assume no matter what car you have you always want more from it.... Its a vicious cycle. (first)