Whats up folks!

Ok, I'm looking to buy my first car, I have been drooling for the Mazda3 for about six months. I just want to be sure I'm making the right decision.

I've test driven the 2008 S GT, and I was blown away. My local dealer only has one on the lot, pricing at $23k, and its an automatic with the auto-manual option. Seems to be the good package, leather seats, power driver's seat, moonroof, bose system. I wanna know if this is a good deal, am I getting shanked here, and is the auto-manual transmission a good idea? Or should I just go for the manual. Keep in mind, I'm 24 (fairly responsible, aggressive but safe driver) and I've never driven a manual long-term before. Thanks for any feedback, and forgive a newbie for being dumb...I'm not a "car" guy but I'm learning to be, and I think I'm in love with this vehicle.

 

Since our local dealer is selling the Mazda3 5 doorfor around 23800 the price is about right. If you know anyone that can get a Ford X-Plan pin you can use that at Mazda also.
As for the auto trans, I miss mine some times but the MPG are better on the Manual.

 

Welcome to the forum, Paul! For someone who's not a "car" guy, you sure picked a winner for your first car. The Mazda3 is currently Mazda's bread& butter and deservingly so.What would your daily driving commute be like in NY? If it involves a lot of stop & go trafficor gridlocks, an automatic may be the way to go (a manual can be torturously frustratingunder these driving situations, especially on a daily basis). Otherwise, a carwith manual transmission would cost less,is more fuel efficient and provides a rewardingly involving drive (you'll appreciate this more as you evolve into a true car guy!). Also, I'm not sure if you were interested in the 4-Door or 5-Door/Hatchback, but I highly recommend the latter.

I think that the Mazda3 is unquestionably a great car, but I also have to play devil's advocate and recommend that you look into the Mazdaspeed3 (MS3), if you hadn't already considered it. Mazdaspeed is Mazda's inhouse performance segment. Hence, the MS3 is a high performance version of the Mazda3 (5-Door/Hatchback platform)and for not much more money, I might add. It's available with manual transmission onlyandin 2 trim choices: Sport and Grand Touring. Currently, the MSRP for the MS3 Sport and GT trims, are $23,310 and$25,025 respectively (note that these prices have increasedapprox. $1Kfrom last year).

For pricing comparison, I purchased my 2007 Mazdaspeed3 GTinApril last year,for $23,732 (including destination charge) and the dealership included free wheel locks and complimentary oil/filter change for the first 12 months. I think that I found what I consider arelatively great deal due to careful research and patient comparativeshopping. Don't rush your purchase and tryto utilizeauto buying servicesthat might be available to you (AAA, Costco, through your bank/credit , etc.) as it can sometimes help you with bottom line pricing. If you'd rather shop independently, don't settle for or limit your options to what is simply on your local dealership's lot. If you are willing to wait, most dealerships will order a car for you with your exact specifications (though a deposit will most likely be involved). Dealerships also commonly "trade" inventory with one another to help "push" units off their lots, so be sure to inquire with your local dealer to see if they employ this arrangement. Mazdausa.com has a convenient dealer inventory search feature to help you easily see what's out there.

To supplement theinput you'll get from this forum, check out reviewsfor the 3 and MS3on edmunds.com, autos.yahoo.com, etc.

If you haven't already looked into financing(assuming you're not independentlywealthy and paying with cash), you should probably take care of that early on, so that car buying fever doesn't get the best of you with haphazard financing (the bane of unprepared buyers).

My final $.02: if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a while and it is within your budget, consider looking into purchasing an extended warranty. This may be available through the dealership or your financial institution(carefully weigh the pros and cons from eachwhen selecting; there can be significant differences in their terms/conditions)and the cost can be factored into your loan/financing. It's insurance (condonable gambling, in myopinion)that you'll be glad to have, should youhavethe misfortune of having to rely on it. Sometimes, "stuff just happens" to even the most reliable vehicles.

I hope this information is helpful with your purchase. Best of luck!

 

Well, first of all, you are posting on a Mazda forum so I'd say we all think you'd be making the right decision. (<<< 'Just a lil' biased here....) But, welcome to the club, Mortal Sword!!(A gamer, I'd guess?)

For 23k though, and I've seen some w/window stickers that high too, I'd opt for the MS3 Sport (MazdaSpeed3) which is the turbocharged rocket of the group. The downside(s) of that are: 1) Premium fuel required (91+ oct) 2) Premium insurance required 3) Lower fuel mileage 4) Only comes as a 6-sp manual 5) Higher modding costs.
The upsides though are: 1) 263hp/280lb.ft torque vs. 156/1602) Limited slip final drive 3) Only available in 6-sp Manual 4) 18" wheels/tires. It's about the performance in a stylish and fairly comfortableride... if that's what you want.

Now some personal opinions concerning your OP: 1) 23k is too much for a 3, even if it is the going rate. 2) After borrowing an auto-stick from my dealer for a coupla' days I wouldn't go there. I really didn't like how slow it was, how quickly it shifted to the next gear, how slow it was to shift in manual mode, and it has no throttle "blip" mode for downshifting. Plus it hurts mileage (I averaged 21.4 over the 4 days I had it vs. the 26-28 I get with mine, also heavy right-footed) and fun factor... especially the fun factor of the car. 3) If you plan to modify the stock stereo system as so many do these days, the Bose is probably not for you.I understand it's quite a chore and does not take to changes very well. Better the reg stock HU w/upgraded door speakers, imo. And the single Disc unit has fewer problems. If you need a changer, put an AM multi-unit under a seat. 4) I am not a fan of (the) leather seats myself. Too hot in the summer/too cold in winter, slippery around the turnsand a chore to take care of properly. Plus Mazda does not use the best grade of leather either (it IS considered an economy car after all.)
On the other hand, I LOVE: 1) The HID's andLED tails of the GT, but could very much live w/o the afore mentioned leather seats andBose stereo, as well as the rain-sensing wipers, auto climate and auto headlamps.
As Siber Express mentions, Mazda qualifies for the "X" Plan and if you can find a way to access it, that alone could save you a bunch o' money.

Just my .02.

 

Wow thanks guys for the quick responses.

Ok so your advice is all helping alot. I'm just about certain now that I'm gonna go for a manual for the "fun" factor and better MPG.

As for the advice on the mazdaspeed, I love the concept but I'm not even remotely a fan of the hatchbacks, Maybe if I had a family etc, but I really like a sleek look to a vehicle.

I was gonna ask about the Bose system, because frankly it didn't sound good when we test drove it. I'm thinking I might have my dealer order me a package that matches what I want. I did really enjoy the perks of the GT, and I'm pretty sure its worth it for me, but I don't neccesarily need everything that was included on the one at the lot. It did change my color pref from grey mica/metallic grey to the red copper mica color. I was really impressed with how sharp and sophisticated that coloring is.

whats this "x" program some of you folks mentioned?

Virgin1 - yeah thats a gamertag for sure. good eye!

 

And as far as gas, if you're more conservative about gas than say, virgin1 is, lol... I get routinely 34-37 mpg COMBINED... but I do do a lot of highway driving so I'm sure that has some effect on it lol. I don't drive like a grandma but I don't beat the hell out of it, and I usually get optimal mileage cruising at 75ish mph. As far as lube... Mobil 1 5w20 with Mobil 1 filter.

edit: Whoops!! I'm such a NOOB!!!

 

ORIGINAL: Mortal Sword

Wow thanks guys for the quick responses.

OK so your advice is all helping a lot. I'm just about certain now that I'm gonna go for a manual for the "fun" factor and better MPG.
Good Man. Good choice.

As for the advice on the MazdaSpeed, I love the concept but I'm not even remotely a fan of the hatchbacks, Maybe if I had a family etc, but I really like a sleek look to a vehicle.
BOOOOO and WHAATTT????You're talking about a 23k SEDAN!!!???!!!!?????? No way, Man. WAAAYYY too much.
Ah well, at least you didn't call it a "WAGON." I hates "wagons."

I was gonna ask about the Bose system, because frankly it didn't sound good when we test drove it. I'm thinking I might have my dealer order me a package that matches what I want. I did really enjoy the perks of the GT, and I'm pretty sure its worth it for me, but I don't necessarily need everything that was included on the one at the lot. It did change my color pref from grey mica/metallic grey to the red copper mica color. I was really impressed with how sharp and sophisticated that color is.
As a former working amateur musician, I have been impressed by some of the Bose sound systems I've heard and used. Great power and sound froma system that doesn't look like it would fill a small living room.But the ones they put in cars (GM and now Mazda) are....too bassy and heavy handed, imo???
I think the copper is a much better color than an old gray any day. Another good choice. There's hope for you after all!!!

whats this "x" program some of you folks mentioned?
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...d+%22X%22+plan

Virgin1 - yeah thats a gamertag for sure. good eye!
One eye blind....

 

YOU, my friend, have a 2.0L w/5-sp and drive a lot of long highway distances by your own admission. I have a 2.3L 5-sp HB and deal w/idiotic Austin city traffic most of the time... especially the ride home... and I do have a heavy right foot on the thin pedal too, if only up to the speed limit... +/-5mph, traffic allowed.

Mobil 1 is using a cheaper base these days. I used it for around 20yrs, but stay away from it now. I'm currently using Castrol SynTec and am happy w/it. Royal Purple, and I've been familiar with them for years now too, and their prices ($7-$8/qt,) is also good and may/may not add to fuel mileage. For me the jury is still out on that one. 'Heard too many fairy tales over the years, especially when gas prices go through the roof. This is my 3rd gas crisis in 30yrs and when prices go up, everybody has a solution to better gas mileage. Fewdo anything, some reduce mileage but take your money anyway and some are actually more harmful than useful.

 

$23K is a bunch for any 3 except for the turbo. Frankly, just about anything and everything is standard on the 5 door S (except adequate horsepower) so I don't understand the draw of the "loaded" non-turbo models. As for the tranmission - I'm biased but I would avoid the autostick like the plague. If you have an ounce of sporting blood the automatic will frustrate the hell out of you (that's true with any normally aspirated four from any manufacturer tied to an automatic.) If you must have an slushbox............never mind, if that's the case just get a Camary. Otherwise get the 3 with the 2.3L engine and the manual trans. It's a little short on power but in every other respect it's a fun and suprisingly sophisticated ride, and a great bargain too at less than $19K.

 

Yeah, those station wagons, are not nearly as sleek as the sedan. Irrefutable fact.

Reerformance and power, biased as I am owning the 2.0, it stacks up nicely in the compact sedan universe. Does it bring as much as the 2.3? No. But you'll get better MPG.

And the 2.0 has anormal canister oil filter.

The 2.3has a goofy oil filter that requires you to take it apart and replace the filter media. Messages abound regarding what a pain in the buttocks it is. A lot of oil change places will be unable to do a change for you.

Manual versus Auto ... resale value, the auto will serve you well. About 2/3 of used car buyers are completely unwilling to accept a stick. I drove a stick for years, I really like the tiptronic (aka. sport shift auto).