My dad is thinking about getting the new 3 (well 2015) with the GT package, 2.5, 6 speed Auto. I know the magazine didn't seem to like it too much, but does anyone have any experience with it? He's also considering the new 6 with the same engine/trans. I would get the manual but my mom will also be driving this car and she doesn't want the manual.
He wants something that is practical, good MPG, but is still fun to drive. It seems like the best option to me. The dealership is trying to get rid of their last '15 and are asking around 22k. It's silver, has nice looking 18" wheels. I haven't driven one yet though.
I'd love to hear some real world experiences with either car. Thanks!
My Dad has a 2014 Mazda3 manual with the 2.0. I like it a lot. I'm sure I would like it more with the 2.5 for the extra torque, but I'm not sure if I would want to pay extra ($2,000 IIRC) and get worse gas mileage.
We have a '14 Mazda 6 - same engine and trans, though. We've got 50k miles on it and it's been fantastic. Mileage in mixed driving averages around 32MPG, and it's one of the most comfortable cars I've driven. It handles well for what it is. It's fun to drive but feels its size in hurried maneuvers. It could use a little more power, but the trans is one of the best autos I've driven. It likes to be a gear too high in hilly terrain or on corner exit, but that seems to be the curse of high MPG programming. It's easily handled with a preemptive flip of a paddle shifter once you get a feel for the car. All in all, we're very happy with it and I enjoy driving it, even coming from my GT mustang.
My fiancee bought a new 2015 Mazda 3 S GT. She loves it. 185 hp is enough to give it decent performance, paddle shifters are entertaining, and there are enough gadgets to keep you entertained (heads up display, adaptive HID headlights, NAV, etc..).
Her previous car was a silver base model 2008 Corolla so anything would have been an upgrade. In addition to the Mazda, we also looked at used Mercedes C class, Lexus IS, and Infiniti G37. The Benz was her 2nd choice but she was scared of maintenance. The Benz had a lot less road noise. Neither of us liked the Lexus or Infiniti at all.
I have previously owned 2 Mazdaspeed 3s and both were great cars. Never any issue with any of them.
My wife has the 2014 Mazda3 Auto, it is fully loaded and by far the best car we looked at in the genre. Fits a bigger driver like myself 6'2" 230lbs. Easily can fit 4 adults comfortably. We have the hatchback version, so there is a good amount of room. Get's good MPG, we drove 300 miles to Pittsburgh through the hills and some city and got 37MPGs. Very comfortable drive has some pep, but it is by no means a race car. Not bad in the snow, would be better with snow tires, but it's a lease and we are not trying to spend any money on it.
In reply to Devilsolsi:
That's the exact car he is looking at, thanks for the info.
Seems like a good option then, thanks guys.
In reply to ultraclyde:
Good to know about the auto, that was one of my concerns but it sounds like the paddle shifter can improve the situation.
Mazda has one of the better automatic sport shift transmissions out there.
In reply to CyberEric:
It's good enough that I rarely use the paddles, honestly. Unless you are really trying to hustle out of a corner or in the steep-and-winding mountain roads, it's fine doing what it does on its own. Without that good of a trans I think the engine would be less than pleasant in the bigger car, but the trans is so good that you never notice the engine's shortcomings. In a smaller 3 it would probably be a hoot.
ultraclyde wrote:
In reply to CyberEric:
It's good enough that I rarely use the paddles, honestly. Unless you are really trying to hustle out of a corner or in the steep-and-winding mountain roads, it's fine doing what it does on its own. Without that good of a trans I think the engine would be less than pleasant in the bigger car, but the trans is so good that you never notice the engine's shortcomings. In a smaller 3 it would probably be a hoot.
Very good to know, thanks.
He ended up getting the 3 sedan with the auto and the 2.5 motor. It seems like a great deal for a new car, as it comes with xenons, head's up display, back up camera, 18 inch wheels and leather with red stitching (might actually be leatherette). I look forward to driving it!
"Entry level" cars have gotten so advanced!
That's what I'd like to trade my wife's CX-7 in on. The CX is a perfectly acceptable vehicle, but the Mazda3 is better in every way except cargo area (not by a lot) and my wife likes the higher viewpoint.
We have a 2016 6 GT, love it. Comfortable, great mileage, looks cool, has LED lights, all the gizmos. Local dealer has been awesome too. Very happy with our new Mazda experience.
Too bad no 6 wagon and no skyactiv 5 update...You kinda hit a dead end for capacity beyond the 3 hatch unless you want am SUV. I'm not sure where we'll go from our 3 hatch once there are a few kiddos in the picture.
Ex wife has a '15 6, GT with all the options.
Damn fine car, comfortable, quick enough, and knocks down great mileage for a such a sizeable vehicle.
