Do you guys think the Mazda3 is the poor man's 3 series? I like my car but its too big at times. I would love to own a 2010 3 with the 2.0 engine and in manual. I like smaller engines that rev quick.

 

i don't think the Mazda 3 is a poor mans 3-Series. maybe the 1-Series is

 

Right now I'm in a 328i Loaner which is pretty basic and I hate it! The car has power and is nimble, however it rattles, the audio system sucks, no HID's, no power seats, etc. How people justify 30+K for this astounds me. The mazda 2 is a great car. Compared to the 3 series some aspects may appear tacky, but for nearly 2/3rds the price I wouldn't care. If anything I'd suggest you look at 1st Gen TSX with 6sp Manual. It'll be an upgrade from the accord in terms of luxury and as well have power, 6MT and won't be huge.

 

This reminds me of the old saying "What type of sandwich isn't too fattening?" the answer "half of a sandwich" you want a poor mans 3 series buy a used one.

 

^+1 on the 1st Gen TSX 6MT. I'm not a fan of the Mazda 3 but it is a few $$$$ cheaper then the TSX.

 

I own one. No, it is not. Maybe the 2010s are closer but seriously there's no way in hell you could call the 1st-gen Mazda3 a poor-man's BMW.

 

That's EXACTLY what I thought after my first drive in the prior generation Mazda3: IT felt dynamically similar (to me) to the 3-series. (I sort of recall posting that a Mazdaspeed3 sedan would make for a great poor man's 335i.)

 

^+1

 

+1

 

never thought it.

 

I driven tons of cars and the Mazda3 is the closest thing to come close to the handling characteristics of a BMW in that price range. It has a comfortable drive but when you want to throw it into a corner then the handling is sharp.

TSX is just too bouncy when cruising. Handles well but isnt very comfortable. IMO

Never driven a mazdaspeed3 but im sure it would be fantastic.

 

+1

trust the mods

 

I think he meant the driving dynamics of the car. I had an '06 Mazda 3 HB 5 sp, I let my boss(who was a huge BMW zealot) drive it and he said the steering response and the reflexes was very much like his 3 series BMW.

My wife wanted a 3 series and we test drove a 2008 328i and IMO, my Mazda drove a lot better.

 

And just so as to not upset BMW purists with the comparison, 99.9% of us would probably take the 3-series (any trim) over the Mazda3 without even blinking. So don't get upset about the beloved 3 Series being compared to a Japanese compact sedan. We're not recommending that people cross shop a 335i and a Mazda3 sedan. (Even if the MS3 did come in sedan form, it would be an odd xshop with the 335i.)

The original Mazda3 was developed in Europe and likely used the E46 as a benchmark in its development which would explain this 3 series-like dynamic to which we're referring.

 

Speaking of European driving dynamics, the upcoming Ford Focus will probably have great sporting dynamics since it's pretty much the same as the European version now. OP maybe you should wait to test drive that car before making your decision

 

I know the Focus had European Sports car handling. I had a 2001 ZX3 Hatch and the steering sharpness was awesome. I just didnt care for the lame 2.0 Zetc engine and the stiff clutch. They revised it with a new 2.0 and clutch years ago, I should have bought that one.

 

How about a Mini Cooper S?

 

^^^^ NOT enough cash, even if i was rich I would never spend more than 22k for a new car anymore.

 

He has an Accord 6mt. 40 more hp than the 1st Gen TSX and probably not very many less luxury options than it either.

 

Calgary, I really think you should look into some simple mods for your Accord. You already have a great start by it being a 6mt. Small things on our cars can make a huge difference. For around 3 bills you can get an AEM V2 and a TL rear sway and it'll be a whole different car. Just a suggestion. I know you've mentioned a few times about getting something new, so just something to throw out there.

 

x2 on making a car how u want it to be

 

X2 from another (former) owner.

My '04 Mazda 3 hatch was a terrific car, but it was a front wheel driver with OK steering feel and a decently developed chassis...no more, no less. It handled well, but it had none of the "secret sauce" that makes the RWD BMW platforms so special.

 

I couldnt agree more! I have done a good amount of work on my buddies 03 Cooper S...It is a sick little car. Wicked quick, handles amazing, and it is quite sturdy as well...Not "tinny" at all....And I personally cant stand the look of the front facia of the new mazdas.

 

OP, I paid $23.5K for my 2010 MS3. You won't find a better performance hatch in that price range. I did so much research prior to my purchase. You should go for it. I went MS3 from 3G TL. I love it everything about it.

BUT, keep in mind that it's a FWD, so I think you are better off concentrating on upgrading suspension mods than performance mods. It has enough punch in a stock form anyway.

 

Mini S becomes very pricey if you put some options, that's the only downside. The car itself is fantastic though.

 

+1 My co-worker bought a 09 Clubman. Not even an S model and paid 33 sticker. Amazing that Mini dealers always say the car sells itself and they see no reason to wiggle more than $500 off sticker price.

I thought about the MS3 before I bought my CL if I was going to get another new car but premium fuel and under 25 mpg told me not again. Then I remember as much as I love turbo, my old Audi with turbo upgrade registered 11 mpg at times and averaged 18 mpg. Hell, I even saw 9.6 mpg once granted I was really getting on it.

I can squeeze around 380 miles on a full tank in my CLS6 and when I go to fill it up, pump always says I'm putting 14 gallons in it so I know I can break 400 miles just scared to run out of fuel lol

 

wtf? I thought the 3 series was the poor man's bmw? no offense.

 

^ true

 

The thread title is Poor man's 3 series not 'Poor man's BMW'. If it were the latter then I'm certain the 128i would come into play.

 

The 1 series isn't even much cheaper than the 3.

 

According to BMW, the 128i starts @ $4k less than the 328i. Hence, $4,000 is a make or break deal for us poorer folk.

 

Okay, I'm one of the few people that's actually owned a Mazda3 and a Mazdaspeed3 on this board so I'll keep chiming in ...

The regular Mazda 3S with the 2.3L NA 4-cylinder is not a BMW. It may handle great for a FWD econobox but having driven something much better the Mazda is probably way ahead of the curve because everything else in that price range is a piece of shit as a driver's car.

The Mazdaspeed3 on the other hand? That is much closer IMO. Yeah it still has issues with putting down power around turns and such but as a car the extra 100hp the MS3 has over the MZ3 makes a huge difference. It's fast as shit, handles really well laterally (lane changes, etc), and feels better built than the car it's based upon if that makes sense.

Plus the MS3 had stability and traction control that my 2008 doesn't. I think that helps.

But, IMO, if you wanted to say "X" is a poor man's BMW, then I think it has to be the MS3.

The regular Mazda is just a better-than-average cheap-ish car.

 

G35

 

No longer in production BUT, an argument could be made that the G37 can be considered a 'poor man's 3-series'....especially as it's designed specifically to compete with it and comes in at thousands less when similarly equipped.

 

The price isn't stopping people from buying these little cars. I think Mini opened up even more dealerships around the country in 2009 and have a few planned for 2010.

 

i love your car so much...

and the thought that a mazda3 is a poor man's 3 series never crossed my mind.

 

Answer to the OP's question:

 

+1 for G37

I'm surprised no one said it earlier

 

I see the G37 much more as a "slightly less wealthy man's" 3-series than a "poor man's" 3-series.

 

doesn't a G37 cost even more than a 328i with similar options?