Mazda 3 saloon

civic

Hi,

I am thinking of getting the Mazda 3 saloon (touring model). It costs around 23,000. Just wondering if anyone has one and has any opinions on it.
It is the petrol 1.6 model I will be getting.

Cheers.

Mailman

My Sister and Sister-in-Law have them.
Nice enough except the dashboard is a bit tacky.
Engine and Handling are OK.
Couldn't bring myself to buy one new when I know that I could get a '04 with 40K on the clock for maybe €12,000 from a private seller.

Biro

I'm only familiar with the 1.6 diesel in them, but they are a very good car. The handling is on par with the best in that class. (Read all reports on the focus handling, then apply to the 3 which has the same chassis and suspension).
I like the dash, some don't. Comfortable seats, plenty of space, good looking car. Get it!

Lex Luthor

Probably the worst combination of car you can buy. A car that has a hatchback equivalent and buying it in a 1.6 petrol engine.

Would you be better off with teh hatchback version at least? Trying to sell at a later date will seriously hurt you. The Focus would be a better choice, IMO.

Mitch Connor

I'm actually looking at the 1.6 petrol Touring hatchback. Looking at buying it new though, for the warranty really.

Would people suggest just going for a second hand one, 04 or so, and taking the hit of no warranty?

Mailman

Sister and Sister-in-law haven't used warranty so far. 04 and 06
Mazdas(rotarys excluded) are very reliable.

'04 private sale with low milage is the best bargain you'll get.
From what I've heard the '07 version handles slightly better(on an American website so perhaps European suspension was tweaked from day1) but the '04 was a good handling car to begin with.

Mitch Connor

cheers for the info.... now i just need someone to decide to sell their black 1.6 touring hatchback, with front fog lights, around August. Should be handy enough

Biro

To be honest, I reckon alright that the 1.6 petrol mightn't be the best option from a financial point of view. The 1.6 diesel came out mid way through 2005, and I do reckon that it would be a better purchase. Mazda have a 3 year warranty anyway, so buying an august 2005 mazda 3 1.6 diesel would leave you with over a year and a half warranty still and a good car! The diesel is more expensive as all diesels are though to buy, so a 05 one would be only about 4 grand less than a 07 petrol.
My mate has a diesel, he bought it in august 05 and the insurance company didn't know it existed at that point it was so new! He might be interested in changing if you would be interested in buying, I could see what price. He's very particular about his cars, so it would be a great buy.

Biro

Mailman wrote:

Sister and Sister-in-law haven't used warranty so far. 04 and 06
Mazdas(rotarys excluded) are very reliable.

I would say to include rotarys also, the RX8 is very reliable.

Lex Luthor

I agree with Biro, a 2yr old 1.6 diesel would be a better buy than a new 1.6 petrol

Mitch Connor

I have a mental block against getting a diesel....dunno why!

Biro

Tauren wrote:

I have a mental block against getting a diesel....dunno why!

I kind of see why alright, but seriously... go down to the local Mazda dealer and test drive both.

johnnyrotten

I bought a new Mazda 3 1.6 TD touring last May. Its a great car - the best of the 7 cars I've owned in the last 12 years. The Fuel economy in this Diesel is brilliant. The car has plenty of poke when the Turbo kicks in.
I don't understand the "tacky dash" that was mentioned - Personally I think the Dash looks great.
Its very comfortable and the handling and ride are excellent.
Bear in mind the 3 year warranty and the reliability.
I recommend it

Biro

johnnyrotten wrote:

I don't understand the "tacky dash" that was mentioned

I think if you sit in a golf for too long your brain begins to think that thats the way a dash is supposed to look!!

Go on Tauren, test drive the diesel... you know it makes sense!!

Mitch Connor

Biro wrote:

I think if you sit in a golf for too long your brain begins to think that thats the way a dash is supposed to look!!

Go on Tauren, test drive the diesel... you know it makes sense!!

i probably will, when i get the cash together.

As for the dash - i like the look of it. My mate has a 1.4 Touring hatchback, so i was having a look round it, and i did like the look, but then i suppose i do like to watch "Pimp my Ride" (not that i would turn my car into a speaker on wheels...)

Biro

Tauren wrote:

i probably will, when i get the cash together.

As for the dash - i like the look of it. My mate has a 1.4 Touring hatchback, so i was having a look round it, and i did like the look, but then i suppose i do like to watch "Pimp my Ride" (not that i would turn my car into a speaker on wheels...)

It's a very nice dash for sure. The dash in the mazda 6 is a big disappointment coming from the 3!

Old Jim

Would anyone know when the Mazda 3 diesel saloon was released? Mid 05 was mentioned. Would like one of these but a little too new. Were they available in the UK any earlier? Is the 1.6 TD the same engine that's in the Focus?

Biro

Old Jim wrote:

Would anyone know when the Mazda 3 diesel saloon was released? Mid 05 was mentioned. Would like one of these but a little too new. Were they available in the UK any earlier? Is the 1.6 TD the same engine that's in the Focus?

Mid '05 is correct, and same engine as in focus. When my mate bought his brand new one, it was the first that dealer got in, about August 05 I think. Quinn insurance didn't have it listed, so kept telling him that he must mean the 1.6 petrol!

bazz26

The Mazda 3 is fairly rare in the UK, the saloon version is more rare than the hatchback.