Every time I'm at a party or any kind of get-together with friends or family, I'm inevitably asked a bunch of car-related questions. After all, if someone you know is a doctor, wouldn't you always be asking him or her for free medical advice instead of wasting a day at the clinic?
Anyway, I'm often asked what the best compact car is for their spouse, their mom or dad, their brother-in-law or their German shepherd. That's kinda hard to answer, you see, as I don't necessarily know the person, I don't know what their needs are and I've no idea what their budget is. The best car for a potential stranger might not be the same one for me or anybody else.
As a result, I suggest a "safe" choice; safe for me, that is. A choice that will please a wide range of people, that is reliable and whose quality reflects the paid price. At the next get-together, I want to be told: "Thanks for the suggestion, he/she took your advice and loves the car". You're welcome.
That safe choice, in my humble opinion, used to be the Honda Civic because it's comfortable, fuel efficient, pleasant to drive and bulletproof. It still is. However, Mazda's constant small improvements and equipment list shuffling also make the 3 a choice that can't be denied.
Great-looking cockpit
The 2011 Mazda3 GX sedan, despite being the base trim level, doesn't feel like a stripped car. It includes 16" alloy wheels, body-coloured mirrors and door handles, variable intermittent wipers, a tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows as well as traction and stability control systems. We assume the majority of buyers also go for the Comfort Package, which adds A/C, keyless entry and an alarm system.
When you sit inside and look around, the feeling that you're getting more than what you paid for will start to soak in. The dashboard, the seat material, the switchgear; everything is smartly designed and neatly assembled.
OK, I'm still twisting the giant tuning knob to tune the radio when what I really want to do is adjust the volume. That might be the only ergonomic flaw to the Mazda3's dashboard, and you'll probably get used to it after a while.
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| The Mazda3 benefits from constant improvements and equipment-list shuffling every year. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Anyway, I'm often asked what the best compact car is for their spouse, their mom or dad, their brother-in-law or their German shepherd. That's kinda hard to answer, you see, as I don't necessarily know the person, I don't know what their needs are and I've no idea what their budget is. The best car for a potential stranger might not be the same one for me or anybody else.
As a result, I suggest a "safe" choice; safe for me, that is. A choice that will please a wide range of people, that is reliable and whose quality reflects the paid price. At the next get-together, I want to be told: "Thanks for the suggestion, he/she took your advice and loves the car". You're welcome.
That safe choice, in my humble opinion, used to be the Honda Civic because it's comfortable, fuel efficient, pleasant to drive and bulletproof. It still is. However, Mazda's constant small improvements and equipment list shuffling also make the 3 a choice that can't be denied.
Great-looking cockpit
The 2011 Mazda3 GX sedan, despite being the base trim level, doesn't feel like a stripped car. It includes 16" alloy wheels, body-coloured mirrors and door handles, variable intermittent wipers, a tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows as well as traction and stability control systems. We assume the majority of buyers also go for the Comfort Package, which adds A/C, keyless entry and an alarm system.
When you sit inside and look around, the feeling that you're getting more than what you paid for will start to soak in. The dashboard, the seat material, the switchgear; everything is smartly designed and neatly assembled.
OK, I'm still twisting the giant tuning knob to tune the radio when what I really want to do is adjust the volume. That might be the only ergonomic flaw to the Mazda3's dashboard, and you'll probably get used to it after a while.