2006 Mazda 3 Sport

[mathemagic9]

Hello everyone,

I am thinking of purchasing the 2006 Mazda 3 Sport. This is going to be my first car, so I am doing some more research.

Any comments on this car?

Is there still a problem on the brakes when it is wet or in the winter? Are the parts expensive for Mazdas? Is the Tiptronic reliable? And is the Mazda 3 sport built in Japan?

Thanks! :D

[Leowin]

Hi,

I have driven my Mazda 3 sport GS for a little over 14000 kms since buying last July and I have more good things to say than negative comments. The car has been very good and reliable so far and totally enjoyabale. I would give the car thumbs up on Sporty driving, Styling, Interior, Fit & finish, Utility but I have reservations against Auto transmission and in the initial months found it irritating that the car was perennially attracted to the curb.

I have driven this car in the last winter with the winter tires on and had no problems of braking. So far I have not spent any money on the car other than the regular service so I would not comment on spares.

When I was shopping for this car, I had Toyota Matrix, Hyundai Tucson and Honda Civic in my mind and I am happy for leaning towards Mazda. This car offered the most bang for my buck ( Standard Alloy wheels, Sportronic gears, Auto Head lights, Auto Wipers, Nice seats with standard lumber adjustment, Audio controls on the steering wheel etc.) but the best thing about this car is the way it drives. Even today, I enjoy the handling of the car and love to go to shopping malls only to go in circles around other cars going forward and backward trying to fit in!

Mazda 3 sport is available as GS & GT. GT comes with 17"wheels and some extra goodies but the engine on both the cars are one and the same. And I believe the 2006 models have some extra standard features.

Go for it, thats what I would say!

Leowin

[Huggyd]

Just a fast reply

Mazda makes a good and reliable vehicle. Realy the only advice I can give you is from the perspective from a person who is doing there own research and looking into buying a Ford Ranger but have looked at other options as well Focus, Mazda cars and B3/B2 trucks etc.
Points to look into when doing your resarch.
-Parts
Go to the dealship and look at how much parts are. Make a list if general things that you will have to at one some point get done, how much are new Brakes, oil changes, Cats, wheel bearnings, tires, etc and write down the price
-Ground clearance
The roads you tipical drive on will your constantly bottom out the car


Things like these make a differece to every day driving

ALWAYS Do your Reseach!!!

[apl16]

as much as the mazda 3 is a fine driving car, it is attached to the ford family with their chronic transmission and electrical issues.
that said, the more reliable toyota and honda cars aren't nearly as much fun or as good looking. it sucks that you can't ever get the whole package.
blow the wad and buy a lotus elise! woohoo! :twisted:

[jww]

I like the good driving dynamics and overall performance. I dislike the torque steer that comes through in some driving situations as well as the cramped drivers' quarters (I am 6' and have a hard time getting in and out of the front and rear as well as find insufficient leg room in the rear). I have no experience or data on reliability, etc., but that's already been covered by Leowin.

The 3 sport is a good first vehicle, one that I am sure you will enjoy immensely.

Are you considering other vehicles?? It's always prudent to narrow down your choice to 2 or 3 vehicles that you feel are on equal footing with each other before you make your final decision. This will help reduce the emotive factor of buying a car, which can sometimes find you with buyer's remorse 2 or 3 years down the line.

Have fun and good luck with your quest.

jww

[mathemagic9]

Thanks everyone for your input and comments!

I have also compared with the Toyota Matrix. And yes, the Mazda 3 sport gives me better value for my money. They are similar in prices.

My friend also recommended me to look in to the Subaru Impreza 2.5 Wagon as well, as they have similar specs.

Does any one know when the 2007 Mazda 3 sport will come out this year?

Thanks! :D

[driftor]

:shock: Right away seeing your name I thought you'd probably go through the same rationale. The 3 has the numbers--I bought one and have 22,000 km on it. If you have long arms and short legs monkey style you must check out the Matrix/Corolla for a quality competitor. Sporty wise you have to chck out the new Honda Civic esp if you like sitting low to the ground.

I have the sedan version with the 2L engine which is better below the racing level engine speeds, especially for sound, torque--try the 2L before making you final decision unless you're really set on the hatchback.

The only car with better handling to my old Elantra is why I got it. Of course the looks and interior packaging and storage are hard to beat. Porsche level g-forces with all-season tires. The lower weight of the sedan contributes to the performance and the black grill looks better. I switched from the hatch and noticed on the road what most others already did.

Though it's the best sporty car bargain out there with fantastic brakes, I got delivery of a slightly defective version with a seat that pinched my left shoulderblade, and one slightly defective tire mixing with out wheel alignment that could not be adjusted--it was still within their specs--together producing slow right but amazingly fast left turns and feathering on the left side of all four tires. Mazda offered to give me 4 Michelin Harmony tires I refused becasue it would compromise the sporty grip of the Proxes needed to take advantage of the handling capabilities of the car.

I would demand a wheel alignment report and a half hour of in-seat time as a condition of purchase, but then I am fussy and I demand performance. You have your own personal must-have features that should determine your final choice.

And not the automatic despite the paddles. It does not go with the 2.3 L of the sport. With auto the 2L eould be a better choice--not availble in hatch. And the shifts are slow and cumbersone.

So the cheap car is better which is probably poor math marketing by Mazda.

[say]

i rather get the new golf, nice and solid.

[greengiant]

I was in a debacle last year between the 3 sport and the Impreza wagon, test drove both of them and went with the Impreza.
I personally find the 3's audio system looks cheap and ugly, and 20000 km later i still find the Impreza heck of alot of fun to drive, although it does not have the semi auto trans like the 3.
With that being said, the impreza's backseat is not very comfortable and fuel consumption is terrible especially if you drive it hard, but it is a heck of a lot of fun to drive all seasons and very sturdy in a blizzard.
Hope this helps.

[3MAE94]

Regarding the 2007 Mazda3... i think it's already out... but only very limited coz of the 4500 Mazda got flipped over @ Atlaska!!! well for the 2007 Mazda3 ... new bumpers and get an AUX for ur IPOD and rear seat armrest... if u go for the Fully loaded... u'll have auto climate control and HID lamp.... but i have been told that the price for the new MAZDA3 fully loaded will be roughly $1000 more than the 2006 Mazda 3 fully loaded!!! so...

[3MAE94]

O yes....

for the 2007 Mazda 3 it will have standard side airbag and side curtain airbag... so up from 2 to 6 airbags!!!! :D