Why does everybody want a hatchback instead of a sedan? I thought maybe it had to do with performance, but the only difference is that the hatchback is actually 64 pounds heavier. It seems that it's all about style. I've even read on this forum that some people think the sedan is a "chick car." Does this disproportionate favortism have any sort of logical explaination?

 

64 lbs? IIRC, and w/o looking it up in the manual,in '04 the difference was only 28lbs.
Well, for me it was a number of things. I looked @ the sedans, but ultimately went for the hatch.
My reasons:
1) More cargo room
2) MUCH easier access to that cargo room.
3) Muscular styling (as you had suggested)
4) 6x previous hatch driver (Honda, Nissan and4 VW's)

The biggest turn-off of the sedan for me was thevery shorttrunk opening, but also the high trunk lid that blocked rear vision more than I would've liked.
I really need a truck for doing things around the home,but neither I, nor my wife are truck ppl. I like my lil' sporty cars, so the hatch was something of a compromise. I have a hitch on it already and plan to get a small trailer for those weekend Home-Depot runs.

 

Hatches are super sleek and hot....btw I'm a girl and would never get a sedan.....(a lot of girls always seem to have the white sedans and can't drive them worth ****) but I think it's a personal choice-but then again there's a reason why MAZDA made the speed3 a 5 door.....It's functional too unless you gotta big subwoofer back there

 

Reasons for buying a hatchback:

1. I need the cargo room. I am a drummer and a member of the band, so sometimes i need to be able to fit two drumsets in the back, and other times i need to fit my drumset, bass, guitar, and two huge amps.

2. I find the styling to be so much more appealing over that of the sedan's. i like the hood better on the five door (the creases in the hood on the five door are lower on the outside than the center, but the sedan is lower in the middle of the hood than the outside). and also i find that the lines flow much better all over the car in hatchback as opposed to sedan. ps ive always been a fan of the hatchbacks. before i bought my '04 3s, i was looking into vw gti's and honda civic si's.

 

i bought the sedan cuz it was cheaper...
and my trunk space is all but gone due to my subs... meh

 

About 2/3 of Mazda3 sales are sedans.

I personally have the sedan. I didn't need the extra cargo space, and didn't like the idea of driving a station wagon(if its got four doors, is car sized, and has an opening back, its a station wagon - a sporty station wagon, but still a station wagon). Froma security standpoint, I like a trunk. What thieves can't see, they are less likely to break in and try to steal.

 

I can't seem too see the contents of my Speed3's rear area. Might have cocaine, maybe just some marbles. Most likely a Carhartt covey set, duffle, and a stereo/radiobox, but still, cna't see it.

The hatches have more line to them, more style. THe Sedan carries just as much style as the Protege did, hence my having been an 03 Protege5 owner. It's style for the most part, function is not the selling point but certainly a fact. It's all in your mind really. If i wanted and STI i'd get the sedan, cause that's what i am used to seeing STI's as and the subie wgon bodies kinda blow. This Speed3 is divine to wash and touch and stare at and oooh la la.

Set them side by side and tell me which you think has style and which is makes a bold statment.

 

security is not a problem at all with the hatchbacks. they come with a rear shelf, which can be removed if needed, that blocks the view from outside the car or inside the cabin into the trunk. and personally, i have a 15% tint which blocks out wandering eyes fairly well during the day, and at night it looks opaque black. the only id like to change about the wagon portion of the car is that it does not have a automatic hatch release, but oh well.

 

Like someone else said the bottom line is PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I bought the 4 door Gt because I think it has a nicer line. I think its sporty with a touch of that BMW typeelegance. Its what I liked when comparing cars. That hatchbacks are nice but for me the 4 door had the look I wanted. Although if I was going to buy a hatchback siding on the sporty side I would have gone withScion Tc (well actually Porsche or Ferrari would be preferable but my wallet isn't quite that thick). But that is my opnion,not trying to start a bar room brawl.

 

I got the sedan simply because the hatch wasn't available in the i-model. I was looking for nice cheap transportation. I like the styling of the hatch better, but I like my sedan just fine for the $1800 price difference between a base 3i 4-door and a base 3s 5-door.