I know the emphasis is on the luxury sport/touring cars around here but I test drove the 2004 Mazda 3 today. I was actually surprised at how well put together the car is. I test drove the fully loaded, automatic, 2.3L, hatchback with NAV. This car retailed at this dealership at around $23K (with the stupid 'dealer markup'). First off this thing is so much nicer than the new Civic, Corolla, Cavalier and Focus. Fit and finish was surprising as was the power. I took it up a nasty hill near the dealership and it had power to spare and it handled turns better than any of the aforementioned vehicles.
The NAV system pops out of the dash and has a tilt control. The only downside was it seemed to be slow to respond to commands.
The auto tranny was okay but a bit jerky when a lead foot is applied.
The only cheap details were the slightly flimsy feeling steering wheel stalks for the headlights and windshield washer.
The built in 6 CD stereo was a bit weak but easy to use and even had the controls (with a mute button!) on the steering wheel.
All the controls were easy to use and reach. The lighting was done Audi style with the red. The headlights are HID.
The steering wheel tilts and telecopes and has a good feel.
Another minus - a bit too much road noise. But it had the 17" wheels.
I wish I could've tested the handling more but every road I tried had some slow SUV. It seemed to be very sure footed with flat handling. The steering felt direct and not too heavy or light. Another plus: 24mpg/29mpg.

 

yea, it looks like a great bargain for the features it has. The 5-speed should be even better

 

hot little car, lets hope it gets the callaway turbo.

 

Its definately a nice car but it price is getting up there.

 

Mazda 6 with the 6cyl is definately a nice car to drive against when there is a good looking woman driving it. She did a good job of keeping up, maybe I should have hit her and asked her out to make up for being a bad drive.

 

I sat in the Mazda 3 at the Detroit Auto show. Very solid and nice car for the price IMO

 

My gf has the Mazda Protege5 which was last year's model. It's a blast to drive. It's really "tossable" like a go-kart. Peppy and fun to drive quotient very high!

 

I am seriously considering getting the Mazda3 as my next car fully loaded but with a stick. I really like the extras that you can get for the price and the NAV is one the BIGGEST extras I am looking for. Rumor has it that a turbo charged version (Mazdaspeed3) will be available in a year two. I can hold off until then.

The mazda3 is built on the same chasis that the upcoming ford focus will be built on. And it is built in Japan (a big plus).

 

i can't wait to race it at this year's Mazda Rev It Up

 

I just wish it had a 5 -speed automatic. I really don't want a manual even though it's the best performance wise.

The pricing at the dealership was high. They added almost $2000 for their 'regional markup'. Edmunds and others put it at about $20,600 as I want it (everything but the moonroof and leather). The 3 is really getting some good reviews.

 

Boy, I am teling you, if the trunk was about 6 inches longer that car would be hot.

IMOP it looks like the car has down-syndrome from the rear....

 

Maybe you guys should buy it in canada, asking price on mazda canada's website is $21345 canadian, which is like $17000 US...

http://www.mazda.ca/root.asp

 

I can't believe they are putting a markup on it, it's a compact sedan! I say, just wait a while for the demand to die down and snag one below msrp

 

Most of the dealerships around here do this. Even the Cavalier had a $500 dealer markup. Toyotas usually have a $800 markup.
I would never pay it or have I.