Well this weekend was a little slow and it was raining allot so I took a couple of cars out for extended test drives from our Mazda dealership. Friday I took an auto 6cyl M6 home so my father-in-law could drive it, (He is looking to buy soon...); nice car... Drove back Saturday morning and swapped it out for auto Rx8 to see how that compares to my 6sp and so that the wife could drive it. She got to drive it but I took it back the same day because a small piece of plastic took out the A/C condenser...



Read this: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=479256#post479256



So I swap out for a 5sp M3 and not even the 2.3 the regular engine car... What a nice car for the money, it has plenty of performance for what it is and handles very nicely. The interior quality is light years ahead of any other car in its category and nicer than many cars that are much more expensive. The engine is very smooth and the transmission nice and slick...



I was impressed...

 

...kicking major-a$$ in all the car mags during their "shoot-out" reviews...in fact,

Automobile Magazine just had a shoot out where it came out on top against the likes of the Corolla XRS and the vaunted Honda Civic!!!

Arvin

 

Actually the one I drove did have the 2.3 and the 17s...

 

It is great; I just ordered a Winning Blue 3s for my daughter!

 

i personally like the mazda 3
hatch and sedan.i wish i can get one for winter
we have to look out for our little brother 3

 

I would love to have this as a daily driver. Maybe consider it after the mazdaspeed version comes out.

 

It would make a great daily...

 

I love the hatchback Mazda 3 myself. Test drove one and really enjoyed the little bugger. Am convincing my woman that we should get rid of her G20 (talk about a bland car) and get her one of those.

 

I still kick myself everytime I see a Mazda3.

Here's why.
Back in October last year I went to buy a car at a local dealership that does all GM, Mazda, and Subaru. I like all of these brands, and keep in mind the 3 wasn't out yet. Looking for a daily driver that I would keep for a year or so, I bought an 04 model Sunfire, it gets 140hp, looks nice, has stock 400watt mp3 8spkr stereo, many goodies, sunroof, automatic (gag, never again), and 35mpg. I got 1.5% apr on it, and hell of a good deal (I know the guy in charge of financing there).

Three months later the 3 came out, and I test drove the first one and fell in love. I like it better than the 6 even. You can get it with just about every imaginable luxury down to HIDs...I just sold the Sunfire this month and soon as my need arises again for a fuel economy car, I want one. Hopefully by then they will have a 4wd Mazdaspeed version out cus I would really prefer one of those, and from what I hear...one's in the works.

My Sunfire ain't a bad car, but compared to the Mazda 3...there's no comparison cus it blows away all the compact cars in its class, and then some above it too.

 

Looks like the MS 3 will be based on the 2.0 liter engine but with a turbo... It will have upgraded suspension, brakes, body kit & trim and all the usual MS specific stuff...

 

My girlfriend just bought a 3 sedan (Red) and she loves it. I drive it from time to time and I think it has a lot of spunk and very comfortable ride, perfect for a daily driver. And for some reason the stereo acoustics sounds better in her car then my 8. She has the automatic with the step-tronic shift (that’s what I call it anyway) I panted the calipers, installed 20% tint and got her a dash mat. The only thing I hate is now I have to share my garage with her after work. That was my last retreat, she is using up all my towels, detailing products, **** it even uses the same oil. I don’t see how this relationship will last.

 

Due to a lower back and left leg sciatica injury I am contemplating trading in my 6 speed RX8. Although I didn't try the M3 I looked at and sat in the car for a while. I liked it and thought the interior quality was very good. I test drove the loaded M6s auto and thought the car was fantastic, although I hate to say it but the car felt just as quick as my RX8. I also had a very hard time believing that this was a front drive car. I need more room for comfort as well as auto so I don't have to use my left leg and the Mazda 6s seems like a hard car to pass up. Did they under rate this car or something because it felt much quicker than the mid 7 sec 0-60 mph times that the reviews give. Either that or the dealership put some extra get up and go in the test drive model!