The M6 seems to be getting a lot of great reviews, so I went to check one out the other day and saw the new 3 sitting on the show room floor. Was informed they'll be hitting lots in a month or so and I'm pretty interested in driving a 2.5. Wonder if anyone else out there had any thoughts on it?

I'm looking for a new vehicle with good gas mileage and that "fun" factor and some practicality. I'd really like a V6 mustang or something more fun like that but at 22, I don't think i'd be doing my wallet any favors in the insurance department, 6 cylinders or not.


http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...view/index.htm

 

Let them tell you no. Contact insurance companies and get quotes on Mustang. No clue on the Mazda.

 

I drove the 6 a few months ago & it's, as mentioned, quite impressive. The new 3 looks nice as well, haven't seen one in person yet. Being a little lighter & smaller than the 6, with the 2.5 it should be a fun little car with a 6MT.

 

What's your budget?

Otherwise I'd say Mazdaspeed 3 or Focus ST.

 

From what I've read about them, they sound pretty nice. I'm a big fan of the 6, and like what I've seen of the 3. I'd think the 2.5 will give it a nice balance of performance and fuel economy, and it should be a fun car to drive. I'd certainly take one out for a test drive if you're in the market for a car in this class/price range.

 

I'd say give or take 25k. The Speed3's are definitely more fun but I really only like the new updated 2014 Mazda's. Older generations do nothing for me in looks department. And the 6 is real nice as I've driven it several times and while it's not what I'd consider fun, it's definitely a great ride and sweet interior. For the same price, I figured the 3 (still roomy though obviously not as big) with the 2.5 would give that fun factor knob a little extra turn.

I haven't considered the Focus ST yet. I've been all over the place from Mustang/Camaro V6 to genesis coupe 2.0t to the 6. The 3 happened by accident and what I've read makes it sound a little more appealing than the 6. I'm definitely interested in any other ideas, like the Focus ST. I'll have to go test drive one, thanks for the tip

 

Forgot to mention I can't drive stick (I know, lame lol). I'll learn one day but I'm not worrying about it with this ride.

 

I hated my Mazda and so did the other 2 guys that had Mazda's on here. I drove the new 6 and my new accord blows that shit out of the water IMO.

I had a Mz6
Another had a MS6
Another had MS3

 

I definitely hear a lot of mixed reviews. Some hated, some loved. And believe me if the 2013 Accord coupe v6 wasn't 31k it'd definitely be on the list. I really like the updates they made to it

 

I thought SuperTrooper had a MS6 and was pretty happy with it? Why did you hate your Mazda? Did it have reliability issues? Also, how exactly does the new Accord blow the 6 out of the water? The only selling point of the Accord for me is the availability of a V6. Other than that, I'd easily take the 6 over the Accord.

What mixed reviews of the 6 have you read? And which ones hated it? I've read quite a few professional reviews and they all liked the 6. The only real complaint I've read is some feel it's under-powered.

 

Hmmm dont like it, has a crosstour look to it....

 

I haven't heard a single bad review on any of the new Mazda's, sans the lack of power (which I'm sure will come with later models via turbo and/or the Speed series). I was simply referring to previous owners of models. Reliability and whatnot being skeptic. Personally I love the look of the 6 and most reviews rate it best in class above Fusion and, wait for it, the Accord to. Alas, the lack of v6 keeps it from being the ultimate prize.

Personally, the 6 wasn't as "fun" to drive as I'd hoped it'd be, but maybe the diesel coming out later this year will help that. As of now, the 2.5L M3 is getting impressive review as the true "zoom zoom" experience. Having sat in the mach model at my local dealer (no test drive though as I have zero interest in the base 150hp model) it's almost as roomy and had plenty of room for my 6'2 frame in the back directly behind my comfortably seated front seat.

Has gobs of tech too (some the 6 doesn't even have), but the 2.5 can get a little pricey, about 28k for every bell and whistle and 25k for an entry level (grand touring still) 2.5L The 6 touring (leather and some goodies) is 25k as well. As opposed to the entry level price of the v6 accord coupe being 31k and topping out at almost 34k. Again, if the v6 was close in price, I'd take a good look.

 

Wait for the 2015 world class Mustang. You'll have a legend in it's own time !!!

 

I hear the same thing. Do we know a release date yet? If it's a 2015, could it be released mid 2014? If so, that MAY be worth the wait . I still haven't test driven a current model Mustang, been too busy.

I drive about 2000-2500 miles a month due to school, work, and other factors and was really looking forward to getting into something new while also saving gas. I usually drive my 2002 F-150 until the driving went up. Swapped my dad for his 2006 ford fusion v6 which is "decent" on gas at 23mpg highway. Still better then the 12mpg I was getting on the truck.

 

Are these overall numbers or solely highway numbers? If solely highway, they both seem low, especially the truck. 12 mpg highway is horrendous.

 

Tested the Mazda6 a few months back and it is quite nice. My thoughts on it are here:
http://www.eastwestbrothersgarage.co...6-touring.html

I priced out a 2014 Mazda3 and honestly, I am a little disappointed at how expensive it gets. Plus, you cannot get the manual transmission with the larger 2.5L motor and the grand touring package. There are some features I would like to have in my next car that I just cannot seem to get in the combination that I want with any manufacturer unless I am willing to spend close to $50k.

 

That was an average with about 70% highway driving cruising at about 80 or so and very mild "city" driving that hardly qualifies due to the lack of true stop and go traffic (anyone who's been to Ocala florida knows what I mean). In strictly city I get about 19 and 100% highway is about 25 on a good day.

The truck itself is just falling apart and could probably do better had I learned to take care of it early on with proper oil changes and whatnot, but alas it's more of a cargo vehicle than one used for fuel efficiency.

 

I know what you mean. As I said, for every single option the 3 comes out to 28k, but in retrospect comparing it to other vehicles, it's not horrendous. Personally I think the 2.5L should come with the bare minimum options like the base engine does to lower cost. I could care less about most of the features it comes with as I've never had a vehicle to have any of it. Blind spot, rain sensing wipers, etc etc. The majority of my driving experience has been in a base 2002 Ford truck that doesn't even have a cruise control option that I've ever found.

Thus, the cheapest 2.5L M3 I can get is around 25k before any dealer incentives. My local dealer is typically around 1-1.5k below MSRP so I'm sure before tax tag and title and other fees I can get it close to 23 which I don't find bad. And that's assuming I like the drive of it. I checked out the Focus ST and was not at all impressed by it's looks. I'm not trying to go hardcore with a murdered out Mustang but if I'm going to drive a more economical car, I'd like for it to at least look attractive and sporty-ish.

And I considered the new Fusion with ecoboost but it's efficiency doesn't match even the 6, which by everyones review is better than the Fusion in other categories anyways (styling being subjective of course).

 

I had the 07 Speed3. It was a fun car, but towards the end of its ownership, it turned into a rattle box with several issues.

I love the new Mazda 3 and 6. Hopefully they are more reliable than mine was.

 

It certainly comes well equipped, but I agree, some of it is stuff I would not really use. My annoyance is that fully loaded, it coasts almost as much as the much larger Mazda6, which incidentally also does not have the manual transmission with the the Grand Touring trim level.

As for the Fusion, I like it, but I like the Mazda6 more.

http://www.eastwestbrothersgarage.co...fusion-se.html

 

I agree, I really started this thread for not only opinions on the 3 (and mazda in general) but for other things I hadn't thought of as well. The fusion is indeed gorgeous. Some hate on the interior which is rather nice to me, but one that I built on Ford the way I like it is easily 28k, and same goes for the Kia Optima. I know both are more or less competing with the 6, not the 3, but still the 6 that I've priced is 25k as well. Lucky for me I don't care about manual as of now. I HAVE begun taking an interest in the Gen Coupe 2.0.

 

Drove the Genesis coupe 2.0t yesterday. The 2013. Man was it fun. Incredibly small, probably too small as I need something resembling a back seat and decent truck but definitely put a smile on my face. Anyone know if the same engine in that is in the Kia Optima SX?

 

I believe it is. I cant wait for the rumored 3.3l turbo....

 

The new Mustang debuts in NY in April. Don't know when it goes on sale.

 

enjoy your new Camry

 

That's a problem with all newer cars, after a few years, everything just goes

I currently have a Mazda CX9 and its a pretty nice car, I like it. No issues so far, but it only has 16k so time will tell.

At least it wasnt like my TL, where it was a rattle box from day 3...

 

When I mentioned that I might trade my old SUV for an MS3 to my mechanic friend, I got yelled at...

 

Never test driven the new ones, but I have some ownership experience with my 2010 Mazdaspeed3.

I bought it new and this is my 5th year with it. Still only have about 25,000 miles on it.

Love everything about it. Had zero problem so far. No sign of rattles. My mod list is on my sig, I have had these mods on my car for about 3 years now.

 

^ yea and he still has yet to lower it!

 

Nope, nope, nope!

 

obviously you wouldn't have problems with it since you don't drive it I joke I joke

25000 miles in 5 years, that's a brand new car still

 

He will get rid of the car before it gives him any problems. I predict by 2023 he will have 51000 miles on the car.

 

Do you even maths?

 

haha true

That's why I wanted to state my mileage. I know crazyasiantl drove A LOT before he sold it.

But I did definitely have more small problems with my brand new 3G TL under 25k miles.

Yeah, it's just not a good idea for me to drop the car. The road that I drive everyday for my work commute is pretty crappy.

Why, what's wrong now

 

3 years? Was there even any 2010 models for sale 5 years ago?

 

This month is actually my 49th month of the ownership.

Like this is a huge issue in the topic, right?

 

I had the 2007 6 for a few months.. had 30k miles when I got it, no issues, loved that car. Drove the new 6.. Absolutely LOVED it.. No question, IMO the best sedan for 25k.. e46 m3 or genesis would by my choice, but then again I don't like Mustangs/Camaros.

 

Dealer got a 2.5L in recently. Stoked to give it a shot. I still need to get out there and try out an Accord Sport. School and work have just been riding me lately. Thanks for all the input guys

 

Update? Got a little brother who is looking at Civic's/Mazda 3s/Corolla's. His budget is under $20k, he just needs it to get around med school and not have to worry about anything breaking down for the next 3-4 years.

 

Civic/Mazda3/Corolla are all nice little reliable cars.