Nice little car, not 'horrid' at all, either inside or outside.
I agree with you. I love Japanese cars myself. I was being quite sarcastic in my posting, as it probably is lack of image that's putting Focus,Golf and Astra drivers off buying these cars!
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Cause there's so much image with a Focus?
I LOVE the red lights that are with the stereo - such a boon, but like the Focus II, I find the Mazda is hard-riding and not much fun, though eminently capable and very well equipped for the ££. Budget winner? Oh yes...
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Most people are convservative. They like buying from firms that they perceive to be well established. They are also slow to take on-board new information. Hence, Mazda seems a bit racy and daring, despite having produced good, reliable cars for many years and being controlled by Ford. Another example is the low brand recognition stats for Lexus.
In our market, it's also an advantage if the company is at least pseudo-British (Ford, Vauxhall).
I suspect that if the Mazda3 was completely identical to the Focus but priced £1,500 lower, it would still undersell it massively.
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The four door saloon is a very handsome car and far better looking that the Focus or S40 equivalent on the same floorpan.
However, interior design and ride leave a little to be desired and there is no auotmatic option with the top engine/specification, so people like my father who would downsize from a larger car (e.g. Merc) cannot buy. Pity...
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I've been looking at one of these but I am yet to drive one. Is the ride really that bad? Also whats the diesel like and who's it made by? Not sure if its mazda's own or not. I personally like the hatchback model. There arnt too many about privately, will have to see what the dealers have got in...
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It has to be said that all of the reasoning given above gives me a certain sense of smug superiority when driving around in Japanese (or even Korean) cars.
More reliable, more toys, more exclusivity, and less money.
And you get to have a snigger under your shirt-sleeves as the less educated around you sneer.
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They would have sold one more to me 2 years ago if they offered a 2.0 diesel engine - the only reason I can think they don't is to protect sales of the Focus. I really liked the 3 but the 1.6d was a bit flat for my liking, but the 4 door is a very attactive car.
The diesel is the 1.6 110ps Ford/Peugeot-Citroen shared unit.
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Being effectively the same car underneath Mazda 3 got right what Focus II got so wrong:
First - it's more interesting. Where Focus played safe, Mazda went beserk. And it works - 3 is much nicer car to look at and harder to loose on Tescos parking (I'm sure future generations will "needle in a hay stack" proverb as "silver Ford Focus left in Blue Water parking lot").
Second - it has better trim levels, nicer interior (anyone who sat in Focus LX will know what I'm talking about, one would think 12 grand would buy you something better than interior of Lada Samara) and it costs less.
Third - and many of you won't believe me - it's bigger. It doesn't look it, but it is - with rear seats down the space is considerably longer than in new Focus. Not exactly a sales pitch, but trust me - queuing with flatpack under your arm at IKEA Mazda will be the one you will love more.
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No idea why, the 3 is quite a looker, makes the Focus look and smell like my granny.
Perhaps thats why, the market segment expects that focus type of car. Few buyers in that market go for looks.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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drivethedeal quote for a Mazda 3 1.6 TS is £11.5 - about £3k less than the new Civic 1.8 S. The Civic would have to be out of this world to be worth 25% more than the Mazda.
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"drivethedeal quote for a Mazda 3 1.6 TS is £11.5"
Sounds like a good buy to me. IIRC a well specc'd new Yaris costs more than that...
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I paid less than 12k for my new unregistered mazda 6 (from a Mazda dealer).
Great car for the money - the VW Golf 1.6 Sport was about 5K more !
I'm delighted with it and would certainly look to Mazda for another car.
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Has anyone got any experience of the 1.6 Diesel, and what other vehicles does it feature in?
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Has anyone got any experience of the 1.6 Diesel, and what other vehicles does it feature in?
A friend of mine has the 3 with the 1.6 diesel. It seems to be quite refined and a surprising amount of poke at town speeds when needed. The car is almost silent at 90mph and seems to have no trouble getting there.
I believe this engine is a PSA unit, and is used in the Focus and 307 IIRC.
I guess this car would be a great way of getting a well-regarded Pug diesel engine in a car that's been built properly.....
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Whats the mazda6 got to do with a golf!
You have lost me here?
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"Whats the mazda6 got to do with a golf!"
The Golf is slower, smaller, worse equipped and considerably more explensive
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"Whats the mazda6 got to do with a golf!" The Golf is slower, smaller, worse equipped and considerably more explensive
And to give the knife a final twist, the Golf is probably less reliable too.
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Whats the mazda6 got to do with a golf!
You have lost me here?<<
I was looking for a 1.6 hatchback for about 250 pounds/month
The Honda Civic was my initial choice - but they just couldn't be bothered. I saw a few others, but the Mazda6 was the outstanding choice. The Golf was probably my least favourite.
Although I went to Mazda to look at the 3, I didn't drive it once I found I could have a 6 for similar money.
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peterb
The mazda is slower, smaller, worse equipped than my bentley?
Compare like for like will you?
Golf small hatch,Mazda6 midrange family car!!
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peterb The mazda is slower, smaller, worse equipped than my bentley? Compare like for like will you? Golf small hatch,Mazda6 midrange family car!!
so surely in theory a "small hatch" should be cheaper than a "midrange family car" sure there is logic in there somewhere?
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The mazda is slower, smaller, worse equipped than my bentley? Compare like for like will you? Golf small hatch,Mazda6 midrange family car!!
I have friends who buy a new car every 8 year or so. Same approach each time: set a budget, and see how much car they can get for heir money.
It's an intersting exercise: any given price band includes cars of very diffrent sizes.
If the Golf costs as much as a bigger car, then it's a fair comparison.
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Having driven a number of Mazda 3's,IMHO it is a pretty good car.£11500 is not a bad price either BUT considering I paid less than £13k for my new Mazda 6 its not such a bargain.The 6 beats it on every aspect, ie comfort,space,ride,handling etc.
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Also as no wheels states,i choose my cars on a set budget.We wanted the new golf,but it was way too expensive.In addition the golf has less kit,more expensive servicing and less reliability,in the Mazda i also got the bonus of a bigger car.
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Went down to my local mazda dealer today to look at a hatchback. The interior is really nice,as is the exterior... but, what the hell is with red lights at the back?! The sportier versions get the really nice looking back lights. Its minor i no, but when you've seen it, it makes the others look rubbish!
Oh and.... Is there any performance enhancers to the 1.6 diesel engine?
Looked on ebay and theres nothin, any ideas folks?
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