I'm contemplating replacing our 2016 Honda Fit LX with a new 2017 Mazda3 Touring 2.5 Hatchback, and am wondering if there are any insider tips I should know about the Mazda. I know there are a lot of Mazda3 fans on the forum, so I wanted to tap your knowledge and experience.

The Fit is great around town but quite noisy and harsh-riding on trips, plus it doesn't have much driver legroom. It's primarily my wife's car, so we have no burning need to replace it, I'm just being a selfish jerk that wants a more powerful and fun-to-drive car for the times when I'm behind the wheel. She likes the more luxurious interior of the Mazda, so she's fine with getting it.

Thoughts/opinions/advice?

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My wife has a Mazda 3 that is about ten years old. She and I are both quite happy with it. At the time it was a given that the Mazda 3 consumed a bit more gas than comparable models from Toyota, Honda, and others. A local Mazda dealer was interviewed on a television station at that time and was asked about the lack of competitiveness in fuel mileage. On camera he laughed and said something like, "Oh, that's okay. The Mazda 3 makes up for that lack in how much more fun it is to drive."

We have also both remarked at how frequently we see Mazda 3s in Canada (British Columbia) compared to the west coast of the US.

One caveat, a few years back I inherited a Toyota Yaris from my father-in-law. My wife prefers to drive the Yaris to her Mazda 3. I think part of that is the Yaris is parked on the street, and she does not have to deal with opening a garage door, pulling the Mazda out, parking, getting out of the car, closing the garage door, and driving off. The smaller Yaris is also easier to drive on crowded, Vancouver streets.

Todd's zoom-zoom keyboard

I don't have a 3, but we did have a Protege and loved it. We have a 6 and a brand-new CX-9, love them both. I have recently driven rental a Malibu and a Camry, enjoyed the 6 more. Since we have the 9 we will probably replace the 6 with a 3 when the time comes. I actually enjoy my 9-5 the best, but I can't get a new one. I find Mazda is the less boring alternative in the segment.
I guess I prefer cars with # names...

If you want to stick with one made in Japan check the VIN #. The one's made in Mexico will start with a 3 and the one's made in Japan start with a J. My wife and I recently looked at them and I done a little do research. Most of them with the larger engine are from Japan but not all. Personally I'd stick with a Japanese model.

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Grateful11

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Grateful11
If you want to stick with one made in Japan check the VIN #. The one's made in Mexico will start with a 3 and the one's made in Japan start with a J. My wife and I recently looked at them and I done a little do research. Most of them with the larger engine are from Japan but not all. Personally I'd stick with a Japanese model.

Yep, the specific one I'm eyeing (Titanium Flash Mica, no less) is a Japanese-made car. Mazda has a $2500 rebate going on now, it expires on July 5th. The sticker price on the car is $24,320 and the dealer already has the car marked down on its website by about $800. So I figure with some bargaining I could get it for a little over $20K plus tax and license.

FWIW, I really don't like turbo lag or CVTs, so the Honda Civic hatchback and VW GTI didn't really ring my bell. The 2.5 liter Mazda engine has some good punch, and I really like the six-speed conventional automatic. (If it were my car I'd get a manual but that isn't in the cards.)

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/2017 12:13PM by Yoyodyne ArtWorks.

Great driving, great mileage, well made. Stylish. A solid choice in the segment. You mention the GTI which is far sportier, more powerful. Much bigger difference then the HP numbers would suggest but the Mazda is acceptable.

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"No Comment"

I bought the same model (2.5 Titanium Flash) in May. I'm very satisfied. The ergonomics are just right - it drives like I expect it to. It hugs the road, and mirage is good. 33-34 on my daily commute, but lower if I turn on sport mode.

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Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

I have a 2016 3 HB 2L in the Touring trim. After ~17k miles, with a pretty even balance of in-town driving and and freeway commuting, i've averaged ~34mpg. The soundproofing/road noise could be a bit better, but it's not really that bad. If you are looking to carry people in the second row, it's decent but adults will find the legroom and headroom could be better. Up front, I find it very comfortable to drive even for long distances. I've done several 600-mile day trips in the 16 months I've had mine and been quite comfortable.

Wife has the 2010 3 with the 2.5 engine and 6 sp manual, its a fun car to drive. Also paid about 21K new.

We too have been thinking about replacing, but Im not spending 20K on another new Mazda. Going used.

Shes got her eye on a 2014 BMW 320i, 33K miles for $19000. Certified pre owned.

Far nicer than any Mazda 3.... 26/38, so figure 33, which I can live with.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/2017 09:17PM by jdc.

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jdc
Shes got her eye on a 2014 BMW 320i, 33K miles for $19000. Certified pre owned.

I'm probably in the minority, but given the choice between a three year old bmw and a new car (pick your model) I'd pick the new car.

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We've had an 07 Mazda3 since 2010. It had 15k miles on it at purchase and now has 103k. Very happy with the car. Only surprise was a new AC unit at 60k. The rest more recently has been suspension and motor mounts but those are not unexpected or unreasonable at 100k miles and potholes roads (IMHO).

I always check car model forums themselves to see if there any consistent issues to be VERY concerned with. Keep in mind that you're largely going to hear the gripes, so it's important to filter accordingly.

FWIW, I consider myself a car guy and don't ever recall hearing any deal-breaker issues with ANY recent Mazda. Buddy had a '78 RX-7 in high school. Man that was a fun car and he abused it daily.

The RX-8 of the early to mid '00s I think had some issues (mainly really poor mpg IIRC) but that was the rotary engine that they didn't get quite right for whatever reason.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2017 12:19AM by SteveO.

My '04 Hatch made in Hiroshima and has vin "J" has been very good. Had a bad brake pad that grooved the rotor and dealer replaced both pads and rotors in front. The titanium gray paint is like new except for the wing over the rear window. I did see another car with the same problem. Probably third party paint job. Setting in the hot SoCal sun probably doesn't help. It's a keeper with 43550 miles on it.

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mattkime

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jdc
Shes got her eye on a 2014 BMW 320i, 33K miles for $19000. Certified pre owned.

I'm probably in the minority, but given the choice between a three year old bmw and a new car (pick your model) I'd pick the new car.

Mazdas "meh" 3 year 36000 mile warranty just bites.

BMW with a same warranty nicer. =)

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

BMW nicer car but the 320i is basically a cheap car they put together to sell to people who only care that the can tell people they drive a BMW. It's underpowered and still has the maintaince costs and poor reliability of a BMW

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"No Comment"

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raz
...and mirage is good.

Don't be fooled; that's just an illusion.

Mr645,

This is why people including mechanics told me if you buy a BMW - any model - buy the extended warranty and prepare for seriously expensive maintenance.

Robert

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raz
I bought the same model (2.5 Titanium Flash) in May. I'm very satisfied. The ergonomics are just right - it drives like I expect it to. It hugs the road, and mirage is good. 33-34 on my daily commute, but lower if I turn on sport mode.

You must have purchased the "made in Japan" variant?

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It is what it is.

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jdc

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mattkime

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jdc
Shes got her eye on a 2014 BMW 320i, 33K miles for $19000. Certified pre owned.

I'm probably in the minority, but given the choice between a three year old bmw and a new car (pick your model) I'd pick the new car.

Mazdas "meh" 3 year 36000 mile warranty just bites.

BMW with a same warranty nicer. =)

I know a few people that have owned BMW's and they're fine until you have to pay for that first repair when it's out of warranty. I'd go new Mazda.

The Most and Least Expensive Cars to Maintain
[www.yourmechanic.com]

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Grateful11

ZOOM ZOOM!!!!!

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It is what it is.

ahh, the German road roach, BMW aka Bust My Wallet

Best thing Mazda* did was breaking bonds with Ford.
Checked out several CX-5's lately, built better than any Ford I've seen.
(*along w/ several other mfrs.)

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Update: My interactions and/or research with local Mazda dealers have led me to bail on the Mazda3 Touring 2.5 Hatchback. Too many dubious statements made to me, or tons of negative comments from local drivers.

My wife and I were both very impressed by our salesman at the nearby VW dealer, so we're going to battle our doubts about VW reliability and buy a Golf Wolfsburg Edition tomorrow. We had test driven one a few weeks ago and liked it very much, it has a senae of solidity and smoothness that the Mazda lacks. The turbo lag is less obvious than on the GTI, and the purchase price will be almost as low as the Mazda3. We're very excited, it has a bunch of cool features in addition to driving like a much more expensive car. Wish us luck!

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VW makes a really nice driving car, I leased a 2017 GTI late last year. So far it's been totally trouble free, not a single repair after 8 months and 7000 miles. However I also had a 2008 VW R32 and that car had so many repairs, major comments that VW covered 8 lease payments and gave me a lifetime warranty (non transferable) on the car. Rack and pinion failure, gas tank failure, 2 Haldex AWD failures, 6 DSG transmission repairs including one complete rebuild.
Great driving car but like any German car, own it only as long as it's under warranty.

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"No Comment"

Yoyo,

Wow! The local Mazda dealership I use here on Long Island is excellent! The service department is respectful and doesn't push unnecessary work. The few warranty repairs were covered without questions. The salespeople very nice and, dare I say, fair and honest at least with me. Best price for the extended warranty and they only sell the real thing. The one competitor in the area was just the opposite in many respects. I won't go back to them. Ever.

Robert

Yeah, Im a 2 Mazda owner, 2010 and 2012, so twice the zoom zoom. (and had a 626 back in the 90s, although not new)

Never again. =(

The 3 already set us back more than I care to even remember, a couple of axles, motor mounts (twice!) and a $3000 clutch. For a car that just broke 80K. Wife drives it to work, parks it, comes home, parks it... and thats about it. Seat is ripping, dome lights are busted, gone thru 4 (?) batteries, left headlight is fogging over, right one perfect, spoiler paint is wearing off, needs new rear stablizer mounts. Dash is being replace under warranty, hoping that it goes back together correctly... no more.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Just looked the Golf Wolfsburg Edition online and all the ones I saw were built in Mexico. I'd move up to
the Tiguan it'll getcha something built in Germany.

VW often has attractive lease offers.

I wouldn't want to own Audi/BMW/MB/VW out-of-warranty...

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Yoyodyne ArtWorks
Update: My interactions and/or research with local Mazda dealers have led me to bail on the Mazda3 Touring 2.5 Hatchback. Too many dubious statements made to me, or tons of negative comments from local drivers.

My wife and I were both very impressed by our salesman at the nearby VW dealer, so we're going to battle our doubts about VW reliability and buy a Golf Wolfsburg Edition tomorrow. We had test driven one a few weeks ago and liked it very much, it has a senae of solidity and smoothness that the Mazda lacks. The turbo lag is less obvious than on the GTI, and the purchase price will be almost as low as the Mazda3. We're very excited, it has a bunch of cool features in addition to driving like a much more expensive car. Wish us luck!