Went to drive a RX-8, but decided I probably won't buy one anyway so why waste my time. I have been looking at the Mazda 3's, so maybe when the Mazdaspeed version comes out I might get one.

The salesman was nice, but busy. He gave me the keys to a new Black Loaded 3 (2.3) 5spd, and told me to have fun. I took it on the highway and was really impressed at the smoothness the 2.3 had and the minimal road noise compared to my Protege. Got off the highway and came to a light.

I was in the right lane and it merged a little less than a .5 miles later. I was next to to 20 somthing kids in a mid-90s Chevy 1500 truck. It kept inching forward as it didn't want to me merge. When the light went green I heard him get on it and so did I. We were even in 1st. Got a little squeal into second and started to pass him. When I shifted to third I was 1.5 cars ahead. Not to bad if you ask me.

All and all I was pretty impressed with the car. Felt a little numb on the inside, and did not have as sporty of a feel as my protege, even though it had 17 inch wheels and more horsepower. It is definately faster and can probably outhandle my Protege, but just didn't feel as nimble. Felt much more refined then the Protege though.

What do these things run in the 1/4 mile?

 

i think they run a 15 summin in the 1/4 mile 16 for auto.
your in oklahoma? whats the dealership you went to

 

Don't tell anyone what dealership u went to, It could turn out bad. Jon

 

i just wanted to know so that i could drive up to tulsa this weekend and drive one too,its not that far.

 

I am not going to tell the which dealership. Even if I did the Salesman last time showed me how to slide the new 6s. He drove it much harder than I did. I let off as soon as I hit third. Yes I got on it, but come on it was a test drive. Its not like I did clutch drops and and power shifts.

Anyway. Any dealership should let you drive one. The best time is during lunch if you want to drive it yourself. They are busy with meeting and lunch. Tell them you would love to show it to you wife or husband, but they can't leave work. Stuff like that always works. I know the salesman, and have been on 4 test drives in the last 2 years. If I knew he was going to let me take it out by myself I would have asked for the RX-8.

 

so your just gonna make me wait another month to test drive one.....

dude i am not gonna rat on you i just want to test drive one before mine comes in.. its gonna be 2 weeks at the least before they hit dallas..

 

If it's Nelson Mazda in Broken Arrow which is the only certified mazda dealer within 93 miles of tulsa then i will be going up there saturday to test drive one.

 

All you have to do is look up in Tulsa. I was is the Chicago area for Thanksgiving though......

And Yes Nelson has 2 Mazda 3s's on the lot. I saw them when I was picking up parts for my protege

 

thank you

 

It's unfortunate that the 3 isn't as sharp as the Protege handling wise, but then again, ride quality was one of the biggest complaints with the Protege so it is nice to hear they fixed that. Can't wait until the local dealer gets a 2.3-liter five-speed in for me to drive.

 

It definatly handles better than the Protege, but just doesn't turn in quite as sharp and true. It rides so much smoother it like it is a different car..........IT IS!

 

why you gotta be a dick tell him the damn dealership, I know they dont have any by the mazda dealer by me, I would be pissed if there was someone by me that knew but wouldent tell me what a dick

and taking a 90's 1500 truck off the line really isnt that impressive

 

******* look in the phone book for the dealership, My dealership has like 20, if someone wanted to call and tell them he could get in major trouble

 

The ride is a lot quiter than my 98 Pro that's for sure. I drove both the sedan and 5 door and they wer both impressive. No complaints. Has anyone looked at the storage on the sedan. The glove compartment can fit a full size shoe box and th tuck is massive. Awesome oppertunities for customizers.

 

I already told him I saw 2 Mazda 3's at the Dealership in Tulsa/BA.

And I really can't get in trouble, I am just messing with PUNKprotege. He already knows were they are located so get off my back.

Jackass!