The car does not upshift, I have redlined it at 7000rpm in first gear before. It does not really bother me that it will downshift, as long as it is not hurtig the engine internals, it should not be a problem.

 

That is normal.

 

I bought my new 2006 mazda 3 hatchback GT model with the intent of it just being my little commuter car, to replace my saturn,...when it comes to "sport" cars,..i have also been a high horsepower kinda guy,..not a little 2.3L kinda guy,..i have had corvettes, mustang cobras, and even played around with a 1997 dodge viper briefly,..but i have to say,...ii think this little mazda 3 might just be the funnest darn car i have ever owned,..the more i drive it the more i like it..it is fun and fast, at a whole different level. I have already ordered rims, exhaust, tint, intake, and currenetly seeking other performance mods, and the car only has 2,112 miles on it! PLUS, i'm 6'3" and i FIT in the back seat!!!! (when my 5'2" wife is in the front seat driving that is....you know..leg room wise) plenty of head room in the back for me as well. I am blown away by the cars handling...i have yet to push the front end or aggrivate the tires thru a turn,..and trust me,..i've been pushing it....and thats with stock tires...i'll be putting Nitto NT-555 in a 225-40-18 on the car in a few days sicne my new rims just arrived today,..i can only imagine how the car will perform then. Anyways,...can't say enough good things about the car. period.

 

Hi Madza3 brothers,

I am also into the consideration of this car. Can you all tell me what is the FC for Mazda3 car? For me, it is basically for me to drive from my house to office and sometimes pick my partner up. My house to office is highway driving. How much is it roughly must I pay for per month for fuel? Fuel costs is getting higher nowadays and that is my only concern for this car as I heard that the FC is not v good.

Can you guys also educate me about the "downshifting gear"? I thought that in manual gear if you are slowing down then the car wil shift to a lower gear? I test drive this car before and really like the "continental feel" and the sporty look and really wish to own this car and make the right choice.

Appreciate if anyone of you guys can help to answer my queries.

Thanks,
Ben

 

Well your fuel costs will be different than mine, depending on where you live. But i have an '06 3i 2.0L. I fill my tank normally once a week and it costs me $25-$26 each time. So i am paying around $100 a month for gas, not to bad I guess. I get over 300 miles on a tank sometimes, depending on when i want to fill up.

 

i don't think the hatchback looks anything like a pt cruiser

 

[sm=icon_ladiesman.gif] PT Cruiser is one of the ugliest automobiles ever built, right along with the Pontiac Aztek.

 

i have a 2006 mazda 3 2.3 liter. i can squeeze 400 miles out of a tank of regular gas...maybe more, but 400 is the highest ive gotten when ive decided to fill up. i do this on a regular basis.

 

my driving is alot of city driving., stop and go, not alot of highway. If i get 30mpg, I am happy with it. i live far from the city and my job, so i cant chance it by trying to go 400 miles on a tank.

 

Well i drive around a lot just ridin around racing, mild drifting, yeah i work my car a lot