Anyone have any experience with the Mazda3?

[merlin]

Might be looking at some of these...any ideas on reliability, repair-ability? Any good years/trim levels to seek out?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[p10det]

just the 3 not the speed 3?
I have had both 3 and speed 3 on the dyno. the 3 oesnt make much power but it does not share the problems i see on the speed 3. I really no little else than what power they make and that the speed 3 HP fuel pump is junk and the speed 3 can easly make 300whp in pretty much stock for but the engines are week. they get boost spike down low and the rods bend.

to be hounest im not a mazda fan the miata and rx7 are the only mazdas I se worth driveing

[merlin]

Thanks for the info, man! This would be a g replacement. The g (stock) is slow too at 145ish horsepower but it sufficient for it needs to do so I'm looking at just the 3, not the speed3.

Reliability and fuel economy are key (like the g)

[nismojunkie]

My buddy has an 07 speed3 with all the options. It lacks small things though such as vanity lights on the mirrors, the seats are uncomfortable, only thing power are the windows and it just feels cheap inside. Lots of plastic pieces. Its reliable so far at 80k.

[merlin]

Thanks Nismo!

It's such a challenge to find a decent smaller car these days like the g. I've searched for months for another g with a stick and have been pretty much unsuccessful. The mazda3 just seems like a decent option from a space perspective but it definitely seems to lack a lot of the "bells and whistles". Considering a TSX as well but for the same money you're looking at something with at least 80k miles on it. I know the TSX is in a different class but looking for something to last a while.

[Greenless]

my brother bought a mazda 3 right out of college in 04. he still has it with somewhere near 150k on it. he sits in bumper to bumper traffic alot and complains taht it doesnt really get as good of mpg as he had hoped for. he hasnt had much issue that i know of except that he has been rear ended twice while sitting in traffic. that can hardly be blamed on the car.

[merlin]

Thanks for all the input!

Am I missing any cars I should be considering? Mazda3, TSX, Impreza?? What is a suitable replacement for a stock g20t in terms of size, horsepower, fuel economy and reliability?

[Greenless]

just get a civic. =-) or have you considered: ford focus, toyota corolla, Lancer, there are a ton of small 4 door cars really just depends what you like.

[Robj80]

why replace the G20 at all? Is it falling apart, bored of it, too high miles?

[nismojunkie]

what about an early model G35? Comfortable, has all the nice creature comforts, power, ect. Ive had lots of experience with both the coupe and the sedan and I enjoy both of them to say the least. Maximas are decent as well.

[trbobrk]

My roommate bought an Mazda 3 in 2006. It is nice.

If I was looking to buy a new car in the 20k range, I'd look at the 2013 ford fusion. It is the US version of the Mondeo, and Mondeos are cool.

[Greenless]

too bad the US version of the mondeo isnt available with most of what makes it nice. cant get the awd version with a 6spd or anything other than a v6.

[merlin]

Hey guys, thanks for the heads up.

The g is getting up there in miles and has developed a noise that I'm trying to pinpoint but haven't been able to yet. I don't want to replace it but at some point it's time to move on. I'll check out the Ford Fusion and see what happens. I like g35's and I have a maxima as well but they are both BIG or at least feel big when compared to the g20t. The g20t is perfectly sized for I'm looking for but it seems they don't make much like that anymore. The turning radius on the maxima is terrible, lol.