I'm looking to buy a Mazda 3 5-door, and I have a few questions for those of you that have this car...

I was thinking I would get the speed version of the car, but I want to be sure that I don't get stuck with $90 oil changes because it takes synthetic oil (I have VW Passat with the turbo engine).
Also, for those that have had service issues, is it a hassle to get parts? I know going to the dealer is going to cost money anyway, but VW seemed to be more pricey than any other car I've had.
Do Ford employees get a discount?

What are the "downsides" to this car, if any?

 

i thought the speed3 required regular oil? altho i may be thinking about the rx8.

$90 oil changes?! HA! i have the 2.0L, and my oil changes cost me $60 or so. and its every 4 months or 8000 km's.

and does the speed3 suit you? whatis your reasoning to wanting it? everything about the car is amazing.
also, if your looking at getting a fully loaded GT, with luxury package, you might as wel get the speed3, as its only a couple grand more.

 

I have an '04 HB and to put it into words.... I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Most fun, exciting car I've owned in 20 years, since my 1980 Honda Civic LITERALLY rusted out from under me.... It killed me to sell that car for $100 as a parts car/junker, but all fun things come to an end too no matter how much you want to save them. That was the lesson I had learned w/that car.
If I had the financialopportunity to trade up to a Speed, or Turbo the one I had already (though not really financially practical) I would do it in a heartbeat.
If I were starting over... shopping for my perfect 3 HB, I'd would not hesitate to get a Speed3. The relatively small difference in price is worth the differences in performance ten fold.

Does that answer your question?

 

BTW: I run full synth (Castrol Syn-Tech 5w-20 is my latest) in my N/A 3. I replace the filter after every 5K miles and still it doesn't cost nearly that much. And ifdid, I'd pay it anyway.

 

And I know you get S-plan (I used an X-Plan Pin from Navistar to get mine) on a normal M3, don't know about the Speed3 though,

 

I was so naive when I purchased mine.I have the Ford S plan available from my work, but didn't think about it, or thatMazda's were eligible. (DUH!!)
Ah well, I got a good APR anyway (excellent credit.)

 

you also gotta think though. the regular h/b takes regular fuel... the speed3 takes premium which could kill you in the long run.. not to mention that yea im pretty sure because its got a turbo it needs more then just regular oil. i think it would need synthetic... not too sure but thats because i have a 2.0 and it takes regular oil and regular gas.. cost for me to get my oil done at mazda is 45 bucks haha.

 

Idon't think so, Tim. I could be wrong but am not aware that Mazdarecommends synths in any of it's current offerings. Plus, modern regular oils are fine in turbo cars, though most would recommend a turbo-timer in any case.

As far as fuel is concerned, I had a coworker who's wife bought an '07 HB. He swears the owners manual states premium fuel ONLY.
I've told him he's nuts, but he said they looked again.He's not a stupid guy, actually one of the smarter ppl I've worked withand I'm sure would not want to put in $3.26 gas over $2.96 gas if he didn't think they had to, but I've never heard of this before he said something about it.
Can anyone, with or w/o an '07+ n/a 2.3L, comment on this?
Could it be the DISI that requires Premium?'07's have the DISI, right?

 

all i gotta say is HURRAY FOR 2.0 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LOL. and i thought you had to put synthetic oil in a high performance engine like the mazdaspeed3? no? and consider this.. at least its not you putting premium. my mom and dad have 2 ACURA MDX's and sooo lets see its 1.00 a litre right now for regular... by summer it will be at 1.50 and thennnn thats like what 1.75 a litre or something. my parents are well not screwed but their gas will cost more then their insurance!! lucky my dads company pays for his gas lol.

 

After modding my Honda, especially re-curving the timing to advance much quicker, I also had to use premium in that car. But it had more power, was much more fun to drive and my mileage actually went up by 4 (28>32mpg @ 70mph, ~110kph,EVERYWHERE,) so I figured it costme about the same in fuel, allin all.I wasn't sorry at all.