reallly considering getting an 07 mazda3.  i want the ST version i think.   i need a moon roof and a spoiler.  white of course. 2.3L mtx.  just like THIS one. 


does anyone here own one? tell me what you like/dislike about it.

Test drive one before you buy.   Road noise can be an issue.   Otherwise, great cars, highly reliable, and the 2.3 liter engine will get you going.

Maybe some kind moderator can send you a giant GSTWINS.COM sticker for it.   

road noise wont be an issue. my current car (civic) is hella loud and i also ride a motorcycle.  dont get more windy than that! haha

My team manager has one in a hatchback. Great car, seems to be pretty fast and have good handling and brakes. He drives the hell out of it. Spent three hours on the highway with him bouncing off the speed limiter at 189 km/h . I am only fifteen so I don't have my licence but I have driven it on the race track where we work and it's an extremely fun car to drive. Make sure you get a manual trans! Just wouldn't be as fun without.

Yeah I like the 3 and the 6...I think I'd rather have the 6 but the NY weather means I have to get a dykemobile...aka 4x4 something...

My wife has a 2004 5-door with the 2.3L engine.   

Pros:  It's a blast to drive (5-speed) and handles very well.  Good styling, decent stock stereo.  Good creature comforts for a bottom-line vehicle (cruise control, etc.)

Cons:  Road noise is pretty high.   Tires (195/50-17) are very expensive when they need replacing.  Do NOT buy Riken Raptor tires.  I literally thought I had a rear wheel bearing out they were so noisy.  I have since read other reviews saying the same thing.  Last but not least, A/C can be marginal at least in the early models.

I got a '05....love it, very good for the price.  Good millage too, test drive one before you buy and also look at other cars in the same class, you could find one better suited for you.

meh nice cars but highly impractical for me

Quote from: anthonyd5189 on April 07, 2007, 11:55:17 PM
I got a '05....love it, very good for the price.  Good millage too, test drive one before you buy and also look at other cars in the same class, you could find one better suited for you.

the prob is i really dislike almost any car on the market in this class these days.  i'd drive a subby imprezza but cant afford the insurance on an AWD.   hows the insurance btw for the m3? 

and this is why god created the HOOPTEE
bare min ins is cheap on a world class P.O.S.

if ya wreck it the deductable is more than the car.
if someone else wrecks it....KEWL


my weekend car cost less than most pay a month.....
and still gets 45MPG!!!!!!!!!

and what is it? a ford fiesta? haha

Im not sure on the insurence since my dad pays it.  I have the smaller engine of the two options though so it's prob not as much as the one with the bigger engine.

Just buy the WRX... you know you wanna!

Quote from: weaselnoze on April 08, 2007, 01:01:30 PM
and what is it? a ford fiesta? haha

Geo Metro, IIRC.

the wagon is waaaaay seck-say-er.

some folks put blowers on em, and really have fun.

nah sedan all the way. its gonna look exactly like this!!

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283/nathan482/DSCN0877.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283/nathan482/DSCN0886.jpg

i do want a WRX.  it'd have to be an 02 or 03.  the new ones are slightly less sexy. the 04s and 05s and anything pre 02 are butt ass ugly.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 08, 2007, 01:12:25 PM

Quote from: weaselnoze on April 08, 2007, 01:01:30 PM
and what is it? a ford fiesta? haha

Geo Metro, IIRC.

yup, suzuki powered baby, all 1000cc 3cyl and 55 HP

and also have recaro seats in it and painted to look like a mini clone

when I bought it from under the tree.....
friend said a 100,000 mile P.O.S.
and my reply was well I guess I got 90,000 miles to prove ya right.

26k and counting
I fill it up every 2-3 weeks for under 20 bucks

My gf bought a 3 sedan about 6 months ago, with the 2.3L engine.  Great car, really fun.  Definitely the most fun out of the Civic/Corolla/Sentra/3 lineup.  The engine can be a little thrashy, but still a blast.  She got an automatic  but it's still good.  Great ergonomics and build quality too.  My only issue is road noise, as many others mention, but the ride quality is surprisingly good.  I also happen to think it's the best looking of those cars, but that's just my opinion.

I love the WRX , but it makes me vomit a little in my mouth everytime I see one.  The '02-'03 are bearable, but just.  What a blast to drive, though.

Lissa, you could get an 4x4 Mazdaspeed6, you know...

im just worried about its ties with ford.  i dont like that at all. 

why do u say u love the rex but it makes u vomit? the 02-03 are the sexiest by far!!!!

the msp6 isnt that fun. a friend of mine has one.  its hard as hell to drive until u get used to the stage 2 (or w/e) clutch.  i've had 6 plus years of driving an mtx and never have i stalled so many times in one drive around town! haha. 

The ties with Ford don't bother me too much, given they started 25 years ago and that current reliability is still superb. 

I was a big fan of rally cars before they came stateside.  The new stuff just looks too playstation to me.  But it sells well.  The 02-03 are the sexiest, and I wouldn't mind one at all, but they had to go and ruin it again with their "airplane-inspired" front grill. 

You're absolutely right about the msp6 clutch - not much fun.  But that was just in regards to Lissa saying she had to buy a SUV.