Mazda3

[miaerr]

hi,

we are planning to buy a new Mazda 3 in a month or so, i want to ask kung malakas ba gumamit ng gasolina ang mazda3? kasi according doon sa review mukang malakas 7km/l (malakas yata yan..)
has the engine improved?
is the aircon good? kahit medyo luma na ang car(3-4years)?

[ragsak]

I'm a Mazda 3 2005 owner. Hindi ako contented with performance including the services of the dealer (Quezon Ave.) The fuel consumption is really at 7k to a liter in the city and can even get worse in stop and go traffic in Manila. It has a very bumpy ride and worst is the very expensive maintenance even during warranty period.

By the way, there was a very recent recall for a poorly positioned electrical wiring. They have been very quiet about it but there nothing wrong in asking if this has been corrected.

[ragsak]

By the way for the aircon, there is a microfilter that needs to be changed regularly and will cost you about 3T pesos to have it replaced, it is not as cold as the Honda's or the Nissans

[tidus1203]

hi,

we are planning to buy a new Mazda 3 in a month or so, i want to ask kung malakas ba gumamit ng gasolina ang mazda3? kasi according doon sa review mukang malakas 7km/l (malakas yata yan..)
has the engine improved?
is the aircon good? kahit medyo luma na ang car(3-4years)?

Sold ka na ba talaga sa Mazda 3? Baka naman you are open to other options like the Honda Civic or Mitsubishi Lancer which IMO are two of the best in the compact sedan class. The Lancer isn't out yet but for sure it will give the Civic (the current compact sedan king) a run for its money. The Mazda 3 used to be king, but when the Civic was released it was sidelined

[s_quilicot]

sir mazda 3 ka parin ba? all other brands of sedans is nagbabago na ng generation .. i dont think na best choice pa as of now ang mazda 3 ..
if ever maglalabas sila ng new generation ng mazda 3 baka mas ok pa po ..

:peace: po sa mazda 3 owners

[miaerr]

*ragsak i didn't expect na madami pala problema ng mazda 3 ngayon. we can probably check the car before getting the car.
hindi din naman yata ganoon kalamig ang aircon ng honda kumpara sa nissan hehe, we are finding the best aircon kasi (init init kasi sa manila)

*tidus1203 other sedans? probably sentra but it is quite expensive, for me i don't like honda because of its service (its kind of insulting when we went to their showroom)
lancer? after 2 years sira na ang aircon nila eh... mabilis mawala ang lamig ng mga mitsubishi cars

*s_quilicot maghihintay ako? :sleep1: baka naman ang next generation ng mazda 3 is 2010, i don't see any other better sedan cars kasi

thanks for your replies

[tidus1203]

Forget the Sentra, the most boring in the class. Siguro nga kung ayaw mo ng Civic, ayaw mo rin ng Lancer eh di Mazda 3 ka na nga pero wala lang siguro in this day and age nakakahinayang na bumili ng Mazda 3 (its old, and its specs are not up to the competition) maybe back in 2005 or 2006 it was a very good choice...

[miaerr]

meaning hindi na uso ang mazda3 these days?
city driving lang naman hehe kaya ok lang kahit mabagal ang car hehe

[tidus1203]

Di naman sa hindi uso, maybe what I was trying to say is for the same amount of money there are better choices which I have discussed above. Kung baga, the MZ3 is not the best value for the money in its class. But again, I will leave this upon you to decide as I have already stated my piece...

[parakitoJDM]

if u want the best balance of Comfort / Sporty Handling and style - Mazda3 still wins hands down.... eventhough it may have come out last 2004 it still wins comparos.... after all Mazda wants to be known as the BMW counter-part of Japan.


just read around among the US internet mag sites, they still pick the Mazda 3 (with the 2.3 li engine though) beating newly launched vehicles like the 2009 Toyota Corolla , and 2008 Mitsu Lancer. as well as 207 Honda Civic and Hyundai's Elantra

just make sure you don't race other cars in a straightline you should be okay (as the 1.6 clearly doesn't have enough horses to win Traffic light races) and remind yourself that it shares the same Platform as the WRC winning Ford Focus and with Volvo's S40 which is a car that's alot more expensive. so it really has good DNA so to speak :-)


the link on the whole article it goes as
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html


3's Good Company
Significantly freshened for 2007, the Mazda3 has been a staff favorite since it hit the scene back in 2004. Sure, we adore this little 3, but would its good graces be enough to top this list? Of course not-it would once again have to prove it was worthy of the crown. To the test sheets and notebooks!

Power for our 3s Grand Touring comes from a 2.3-liter twin-cam four, good for 156 horsepower and 150 pound-feet, numbers that place it midpack. As expected, acceleration times-0-to-60 in 8.5 and the quarter mile in 16.6 at 84.1-aligned accordingly, placing it second out of four. In objective handling and braking tests, though, the 3 "drinks the others' chocolate milk," as technical editor Reynolds puts it. Around the skidpad, the 3 runs circles around its competitors, gripping for 0.86 g, which equals the lateral acceleration of a Mini Cooper S. Figure eight? Posting a time of 27.5 seconds at 0.61 g, figure it the best here, not to mention superior to the Hemi-powered Dodge Charger R/T that dispatched 27.8 at 0.63 in last month's comparison. Perhaps most impressive is the Mazda's 60-to-0, which, at 112 feet, matches that of the all-new Pontiac G8 GT.

Out on the drive loop, our notes mirror these fantastic stats. "Always impressed by the dynamics," claims Loh, adding, "Steering feel is best of the group." Harwood opines, "This is the sportiest of the four, and the one I want." St. Antoine says, "Nothing else in this field feels so lively and well-planted-you can feel the racing DNA in the 3's bones."




Speaking of racing, Mazda sets up the 3's manual mode right-forward for downshifts, back for upshifts-giving it a feel befitting a racetrack. Alas, the tranny did occasionally suffer from "erratic gear tenacity," in which it refused to engage a higher or lower cog upon input. Besides that one niggle, there's little to carp about with the 3, particularly with its interior. The seating position is excellent and especially driver-focused, as all the controls have seemingly graduated from ergonomics school with honors. Further, interior detailing is posh and stylish, and such details as electroluminescent gauges and automatic climate control are uncommon features at this price point.

And what about that price point? Our topline GT starts at $20,830 and, with an auto-dimming mirror and a moonroof/Bose package, lists for $23,315. Keep in mind that includes leather, heated seats, and Xenon headlamps. We should also note that the slightly decontented Touring trim retails for $19,060.

Regardless of trim, the 3 manages to deliver the ultimate small-car driving experience. As St. Antoine states, "It feels an awful lot like another '3'-one that stickers for about twice the price." Not only did it win this test, but it did so with flying colors.

[jun_mazda]

as far as i know honda was once a bullet proof car in terms of build quality but ill give some list of its "common flaws" http://z4.invisionfree.com/teamFD/in...p?showtopic=92

1. RIGHT ENGINE SUPPORT
Signs: Unusual vibration especially for automatic cars when shifted at drive and brakes are applied.
Solution: Replace Engine support.

2. WHEEL ALIGNMENT ISSUE
Signs: Car was pulling to the right at 6K on the odometer.
Solution: They aligned 3 times before it was fixed.

3. PAINT FLAW
Signs: Runny paint below the chrome moulding on the rear right door.
Solution: Repaired by casa free of charge.

4. SOCKET FOR A/C FAN
Signs: fd shakes badly when a/c is triggered; rough idling when a/c is activated (usually drops to a low rpm).
Solution: Replace Socket.

5. KNOCKING SOUND
Signs: Unusual sound upon full steer at full stop.
Solution: Checked by the casa, re-lubricated and tightened bolts.

6. POPPING DASH TRIANGULAR PANEL
Signs: Triangular panel on the right side of the dashboard pops out.
Solution: Casa tried to fix using black goo used for A/C but it still popped out. Used clear silicon sealant and problem solved.

7. FLICKERING HEADLIGHT/INTERIOR LIGHTS
Signs: When the a/c compressor turns off/on the headlight will slightly flicker and at the same time the lights on the instrument panel and integrated radio display will also slightly flicker.
Solution: Add grounding wires.

8. PINCH-FREE POWERWINDOWS MALFUNCTIONING
Signs: Driver's side window would not close using the one touch feature.
Solution: Casa does some lubricating and cleaning.

9. ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT IN DASH BOARD
Signs: Engine indicator light always on even if the engine is already running.
Solution: Casa fixed indicator panel/light.

10. FOUL ODOR COMING OUT FROM AIRVENTS.
Signs: Foul odor, almost smells like chemical/wet paint, coming out of the airvents when aircon is turned on (600kms odometer reading).
Solution: Casa Replaced aircon filter.

11. DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER
Signs: Whining sound when engine is running at any speed.
Solution: Casa replaces the tensioner for free.

12. DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS ALIGNMENT PROBLEM
Signs: Window does not close.
Solution: Casa replaced the whole assembly.

13. WATERMARK PROBLEM
Signs: Watermark on the front doors due to dripping water from the side mirror assembly.
Solution: Casa did a strip on both left and right doors and replaced the rubbers and seals with a thicker one.

14. ONE OF THE DOORS DOES NOT CLOSE SMOOTHLY/PROPERLY
Signs: When the three other doors are closed and you try to close the last door, it will not close properly. you will have to apply a greater force to close it smoothly/properly.
Solution: Casa fixed it by adjusting something in that problematic door.

15. OFF-CENTERED/MISALIGNED STEERING WHEEL
Sign: Steering wheel leans towards the left side.
Solution: Casa performed re-alignment.

16. WATERMARK/STAIN IN HEADLAMPS
Signs: You will see a mist-like dot with the size of a 1-peso coin on the top-part of the headlamps.
Solution: Casa replaced the headlamp c/o warranty.

17. WATERMARKS ON FRONT DOORS DUE TO WATER TRAPPED IN THE SIDE MIRROR
Sign: watermarks on doors, after carwash under the side mirrors.
Solution: Casa trimmed down the rubber gasket inside the side mirror to avoid water being trapped inside, rebuffed the door panels to remove the water stains.

18. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK MECHANISM
Sign: Can't shift from "Park" to any gear, Manual override is required in order to shift the lever to D, or R position.
Solution: Casa replaced the brake light switch and wiring harness connecting the switch to the interlock relay.

19. SUSPENSION SUPPORT
Sign: Metallic clicking sounds on both
Solution: Replace Suspension Support (both left and right)

20. WIPER COWL
Sign: Wiper cowl has an unusual gap with the windshield.
Solution: Casa reattached the cowl.

21. DRIVER SEAT
Sign: A clip in the rear plastic part broke for no apparent reason (never had seat covers installed/removed) so there was a gap between the gray plastic panel and the blue seat foam.
Solution: Brought it back to casa 3x and they finally replaced the whole seat c/o warranty


as one of my experience with honda's service ( it took me more than 1 1/2 hour for my sisters car to be released due to some minor repair)

[jun_mazda]

as far as i know honda was once a bullet proof car in terms of build quality but ill give some list of its "common flaws" http://z4.invisionfree.com/teamFD/in...p?showtopic=92

1. RIGHT ENGINE SUPPORT
Signs: Unusual vibration especially for automatic cars when shifted at drive and brakes are applied.
Solution: Replace Engine support.

2. WHEEL ALIGNMENT ISSUE
Signs: Car was pulling to the right at 6K on the odometer.
Solution: They aligned 3 times before it was fixed.

3. PAINT FLAW
Signs: Runny paint below the chrome moulding on the rear right door.
Solution: Repaired by casa free of charge.

4. SOCKET FOR A/C FAN
Signs: fd shakes badly when a/c is triggered; rough idling when a/c is activated (usually drops to a low rpm).
Solution: Replace Socket.

5. KNOCKING SOUND
Signs: Unusual sound upon full steer at full stop.
Solution: Checked by the casa, re-lubricated and tightened bolts.

6. POPPING DASH TRIANGULAR PANEL
Signs: Triangular panel on the right side of the dashboard pops out.
Solution: Casa tried to fix using black goo used for A/C but it still popped out. Used clear silicon sealant and problem solved.

7. FLICKERING HEADLIGHT/INTERIOR LIGHTS
Signs: When the a/c compressor turns off/on the headlight will slightly flicker and at the same time the lights on the instrument panel and integrated radio display will also slightly flicker.
Solution: Add grounding wires.

8. PINCH-FREE POWERWINDOWS MALFUNCTIONING
Signs: Driver's side window would not close using the one touch feature.
Solution: Casa does some lubricating and cleaning.

9. ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT IN DASH BOARD
Signs: Engine indicator light always on even if the engine is already running.
Solution: Casa fixed indicator panel/light.

10. FOUL ODOR COMING OUT FROM AIRVENTS.
Signs: Foul odor, almost smells like chemical/wet paint, coming out of the airvents when aircon is turned on (600kms odometer reading).
Solution: Casa Replaced aircon filter.

11. DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER
Signs: Whining sound when engine is running at any speed.
Solution: Casa replaces the tensioner for free.

12. DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS ALIGNMENT PROBLEM
Signs: Window does not close.
Solution: Casa replaced the whole assembly.

13. WATERMARK PROBLEM
Signs: Watermark on the front doors due to dripping water from the side mirror assembly.
Solution: Casa did a strip on both left and right doors and replaced the rubbers and seals with a thicker one.

14. ONE OF THE DOORS DOES NOT CLOSE SMOOTHLY/PROPERLY
Signs: When the three other doors are closed and you try to close the last door, it will not close properly. you will have to apply a greater force to close it smoothly/properly.
Solution: Casa fixed it by adjusting something in that problematic door.

15. OFF-CENTERED/MISALIGNED STEERING WHEEL
Sign: Steering wheel leans towards the left side.
Solution: Casa performed re-alignment.

16. WATERMARK/STAIN IN HEADLAMPS
Signs: You will see a mist-like dot with the size of a 1-peso coin on the top-part of the headlamps.
Solution: Casa replaced the headlamp c/o warranty.

17. WATERMARKS ON FRONT DOORS DUE TO WATER TRAPPED IN THE SIDE MIRROR
Sign: watermarks on doors, after carwash under the side mirrors.
Solution: Casa trimmed down the rubber gasket inside the side mirror to avoid water being trapped inside, rebuffed the door panels to remove the water stains.

18. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK MECHANISM
Sign: Can't shift from "Park" to any gear, Manual override is required in order to shift the lever to D, or R position.
Solution: Casa replaced the brake light switch and wiring harness connecting the switch to the interlock relay.

19. SUSPENSION SUPPORT
Sign: Metallic clicking sounds on both
Solution: Replace Suspension Support (both left and right)

20. WIPER COWL
Sign: Wiper cowl has an unusual gap with the windshield.
Solution: Casa reattached the cowl.

21. DRIVER SEAT
Sign: A clip in the rear plastic part broke for no apparent reason (never had seat covers installed/removed) so there was a gap between the gray plastic panel and the blue seat foam.
Solution: Brought it back to casa 3x and they finally replaced the whole seat c/o warranty


as one of my experience with honda's service ( it took me more than 1 1/2 hour for my sisters car to be released due to some minor repair)

[Lucius]

If you have the money go for the top of the line, either Mazda or Honda.

Kung Civic ka, look around halos lahat naka 1.8s/v. Civic's look can be easily modified palitan lang ng badge side mirror covers, etc. With the 2.0 of Mazda3, you get the sunroof which will automatically shout at everyone 2.0

But if you're not after looks, go for the low end models. Pero pag low end lang, Civic ka na lang mabilis nga. But then again, do you really need to speed up sa daan? At the end of the day, Mazda3 pa din hahaha

[miaerr]

*tidus1203 thanks for your opinion, i will think over the Lancer vs Mazda but for Civic its definitely a NO(no offense)

*Lucius there's no need for speed naman sa city driving, trafic trafic ng mga pinupuntahan ko araw araw, but then again i will think over the Lancer and Mazda :D

[tidus1203]

No problem dude, I don't take offense I am just a Civic owner who loves his car I am not Honda

*Lucius
Actually if you have the 2.0 Civic madali rin madistinguish from the 1.8. The mags, the side mirrors and yes the white/carbon bronze color exclusive to the 2.0. Also yung pinaka malaking contention naman ng Civic against the 3 is not the engine or the tranny (although they are also above the 3 in those aspects) but the fuel economy. Sama ng FC ng Mazda 3 especially on stop-and-go traffic.

[jun_mazda]

ano ba F.C ng honda civic? yung F.C ng mazd3 2.0 ko ay nsa 7km/liter (city) pero naka 18 inch wheel and 225 tires ako , which really affects fuel consumption

[tidus1203]

Although mahirap mag generalize since FC is so dependent on the driver, for me the max I got from my Civic was 11.2km/L (stock tires and mags) that was just me alone and my suit case trying to get from QC to Makati where I work (16.8 km total distance) with aircon only at one on a windy day trying my best to rev the engine only at 2500rpm at most. I say on average 9km/L can be expected of the Civic on a normal day in the Metro...

Guys, di naman ako pro-Civic or something I also went into this process myself when I bought my car back in February this year. Pinagpilian ko din naman ang Mazda 3, Ford Focus, and Toyota Altis. Pero in the end Civic kinuha ko so let us just enjoy our cars I stated my case why I got the Civic and I am sure you also have your case why you chose your respective cars. Like they say we can't all vote for FPJ or GMA

[jonus]

I just checked with Mazda, nagtaas na sila. So from the 854k na V model, 864k na sya.

[tidus1203]

Any improvement or just pure price increase? Well not to bash the Mazda 3 but their car is already disadvantaged compared to the competitors namely the Civic and Lancer and this is the last thing they need...

[miLes]

there's not much diff in the FC of both mazda and civic. i get around 8.3 to 8.6 km/li depending on traffic, on terrible traffic i get around low to mid 7. of course we all drive in diff conditions so it's really hard to compare. all i can say is after 3 years im happy with my choice, still looks great, no prob whatsoever, but the aircon's not as cold as honda. only complaint-i have a hard time fitting my board and bike inside