VikingDJ

Just wondering if anyone on here owns one of these, to compliment their RX8. Due to my new job and travel commute, and also to save some money, I'm considering parting with my STI. I thought about it, and decided I simply like the RX8 more overall, and it makes a better summer car. I'm looking to a Legacy GT, but now I have my eyes set on possibly buying a Mazda 3 5 door. I can get one with lots of goodies, and still save money. I'd be getting an auto, due to my recent traffic jams on way home from work. The problem is, there are currently no deals on the Mazda 3, but incredible deals on the Mazda 6. I'm gonna check out the 6 just for the sake of the bargain. What do you guys think. I realize this sounds absurd to actually consider trading in an STI for a Mazda 3, but I realiszed I already have a wonderful sports car in RX8, and don't really need all this power and performance out of a car I drive to work. What are your thoughts on the 3, or even the 6? Thanks!!

snap-on

I'm thinking they just released some deals on the Mz3. I don't work on that end of the building (because I need to sleep at night) so I can't give you the details.

czr

iTrader: (3)

On a leftover 2004 Mazda3s sedan, I talked the dealer into $19k including all fees for one with moonroof, sab, abs, auto, 6-disc, xenons. We are still deciding between that or a tc for my sister. So that would be $17k for the car that is invoiced at $19300(with the gerber and college grad rebate). The Tc we also looked at is at $18k, but that is a no haggle. How much did the dealer quote you?

I noticed there were more leftover 04' 3 hatchbacks on the lot so there might be more play. Personally, I think they are a little weird looking in the rear. Very tossable on the test drive. One bad thing is you can feel the shifts on the auto but still nice. Look at the tc too if you don't really need the trunk. Either car would comliment the 8 nicely.

9100RPM

I have a Mazda3 SP23 Red 5door as well as the 8! It is a great little car. Added K&N Filter, and 98RON Unleaded fuel runs superbly. Actually (secret) I like it better to drive around town than the 8!!!! (stand back we may have a stoning!) as it has so much torque down low and it gets remarkable fuel economy (42mpg on a 800mile trip) we are now paying $1.20/litre so fuel costs are a worry. It's a great car. 9100RPM...by the way I'm thinking about the new Mazda6 MPS (allwheel drive turbo) it's coming out to OZ very soon!????

VikingDJ

I should be getting a quote for an 05 Mazda 3.5 really soon. I saw a grey one listed that is auto, including Navigation, appearance package, auto dim mirror, and abs zenon package. Invoice is $20864, so I'll see what price they give me. The website lists 4.9apr on 04 models, but 2.9 apr on 05 mazda 6. The 04 Mazda 6 has same blowout cash back deal as the RX8, so that could be a real bargain. I guess they did a bit of overproduction on that car as well. We'll see how the prices go. I'm trying to get myself to go to dealer to get a trade in assessment, but I'm unsure about what I want to do, so I'm holding off. Believe me, this STI is a tough car to get rid of. It's a heart vs mind battle, because I know I do not need STI, and going more practical is a smart move overall. However, if you drove this thing, you'd see why it's simply hard to downgrade, even if you don't need it, and are paying a lot for it. I'm trying to get myself to save money. I think once winter is over, and I can drive my RX8 again, it's gonna let me know why I chose it over STI to begin with. Thanks for your input.

truemagellen

are you a Costco member???

My girlfriend picked up a brand new 2004 last year (obviously) by using the Costco discount...she was able to get 400 over invoice minus 500 for out of college discount plus she worked in a free stock spoiler (only thing it didn't have)

she bought a Mazda3 S fully fully loaded (even NAV) for 20K

but one thing to note...she bought the 5sp...so that does bring the price down a bit.

Ike

The Mazda 3 is a nice car as is the 6, but if you're going to go the 5 door route I think you should check out the Saabaru like I suggested a week or so ago. It'll be more fun than the 3 or the 6, you get 2 years free maintenance, AWD for winter, Subaru reliability, more creature comforts than the WRX wagon, and they're practically giving them away.

Swagman

I have an 04 8, an 05 6s 5 door, and an 05 SP3 sedan. They are all great in their own way, but the 3 is my choice for city traffic. Local dealers are discounting all models, even the SP3 which is new and scarce.

DreRX8

The SP3s have really nice interiors--the brown leather with piano black is really really classy. The girl who I'm talkin to is looking at a Mazda 3 5-door.

Kart Racer

Ive got a Mazda 3 5dr as well as my 04 RX-8. I love the 3. I used to own a P5 and a 2000 celica. and i can truly say it offers more comfort then both of those, with the acceleration my celica GT had. I really enjoy my 3!

Gambit

A girl I know was looking at 5-doors, and checked out the 3 among others. She eventually ended up getttin a Pontiac Vibe, because it's the mechanical twin of the toyota matrix, but toyota wouldn't give her any money off, nor would Mazda on the 3. Pontiac was more than happy to sell it for 15K and give her like 4000 for the trade (Mazda and toyota offered about 1500)

jenkins-crew

I had a 3 5 door and liked it alot, I traded it back in for the 8 after I cleaned up my credit and had a friend working at the dealer. I would probably buy another for vehicle replacement but my wife likes the 6. So we will probably get the 6 :D

EXILE

I also have a Mazda 3 5-door. It's a great car to drive, and the steering wheel is almost the same at the 8. More practical for cargo, and the fuel economy is nice too. Also, it's safety features are just about the same at the RX-8 (front & side airbags, ABS, 4x disc brakes). I got my loaded except the TPMS for $18,500 (2005) model. I paid $5 over invoice. Find the right dealer, and they can set you up with a great price too.

Hercules

Believe it or not, I'm buying my Mazda3 5 Door next week or so. As soon as my tax return comes in, I'll be at the dealership

jlapp9

I was just at the Mazda6 forums the other day. I believe the 6 is assembled in the US, while the 3 and the 8 are made in Japan. Also, I think the 6s engine is a Ford (???), but the 6i engine is Mazda, but you should double check that as I'm going from memory.
Don't know if any of that matters to you....

Swagman

The 6 is built at Ford's Flat Rock Plant in Michigan, and the 6s engine is Ford's 3.0 V6 Duratec, but with Mazda tuning. The 2.3 I4 in the 3 and the 6 is the same engine - essentially Mazda's but used in other C1 Ford platforms.

jlapp9

Thanks for the clarification Swagman