The Mazda 3 will be featured on MotorWeek this week.

 

I'm starting to see these 3's all over socal

 

They're becoming very popular in Dallas too, second only to 6's. There are 6's everywhere these days.

 

I love the hatchback version

 

i just read recently that the mazda3 is selling as much as civics in canada. that's gotta be a good thing.

 

A dealership I was looking at the 8's at actually got me to make an extra trip to see him. "We just got in like 15 new RX-8's today!", he said. I show up, and he says, "they looked like 8's when I first saw them. Sorry. Would you be interested in one of them instead?" Right...

 

That's funny . I had a Titanium Gray Mazda 3 behind me and almost thought I was looking at an RX-8 . /rx8cited

 

The Mazda3 got a great review from MotorWeek. I was very surprised by the fact that it's even got a desirable standard feature that the RX-8 does not ........ telescopic/tilt steering.

On the same show it was mentioned that Toyota Prius drivers have been complaining that they're not getting the EPA 55-60mpg. MotorWeek said they've been getting 40mpg with their Prius under real world driving conditions vs the EPA non-real world driving conditions.

rx8cited

 

EPA ratings are a joke these days. Edmunds is having the issue with their long term Prius:

Best Fuel Economy: 48.6 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 28.1 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 40.4 mpg

 

They (3's) are all over the place up here and Toronto.
I went out last saturday and got boxed in by 2 blue sport models and then seen about 4 more on the road in the span of an hour.

 

i think the 3 looks like a jetta with a mazda styled front

 

Oh yea, the Mazda3 had just dethroned the long time champ Honda Civic as the best selling car in Canada. Mazda is definitely back on track, these are the models which a car company really make their money on. Hopefully with the success of the Mazda3 and the Mazda6, the company will get stronger and bigger, we'll see further development of the Rotary Engine !

 

The dash on the 3 is very similar to the 8 and nicer then the 6 including the controls on the steering wheel. Definitely looks like they offer a lot of features for the $$ and especially in the economy car class. And the handling is suppose to be great also. The hardest part would be to decide between the hatch and the sedan. I like the looks of the sedan better but the hatch offers more room if you go on a road trip or need to pick up the occasional fairly large item. And if anyone is thinking of buying I was quoted 100 over invoice when I looked at them for my GF not too long ago.

 

The Mazda3 was in fact the number one selling passenger vehicle in Canada for the month of February 2004! Outstanding car for the dollar.

 

Look for three rotary powered production models from Mazda over the next four years. I predict the Miata will be built on the RX-8 platform by 2006 model year and expect a new RX-7 by 2008. Here's hoping (my lease is up just in time to move to the new RX-7!):D

 

how would the 3 be the 8's cousin? wouldnt it be its little brother? A cousin of the 8 would be like the ford mustang? wouldnt it? i dont know

 

^Who knows. the 3 shares the engine with the Ford Focus except it has variable valve timing. The 2005 Focus and 3 will share their chassis.

 

oooooooooooooooooooo

 

they featured the 3 on the Car and Driver TV show anyone see it?

 

Pretty risky prediction there, Steve, since Mazda's been telling everyone for over a year that the NC Miata will be based on the RX-8 chassis! However, it will not be rotary powered, it'll use a variation of the 2.0 from the Mazda6/Mazda3, producing around 175 hp (not a prediction, but straight from Mazda).

Regards,
Gordon