I've been looking for a new car for a while and have test driven the Toyota Matrix XRS, the Corolla XRS, the Honda Civic SI, the Ford Focus SVT and now a Mazda 3 S Hatch. The Mazda 3 I test drove was an automatic but that's not an option, I won't buy one... I finally found a dealer in NJ with plenty of cars with 5 speeds, most dealers here are void of them? Go figure. Anyway, looking forward to testing but I know I'm going to love it. Even with the automatic it was leaps and bounds better then the rest with the expcetion of the Focus SVT. Although I'm worried about the long term ability of the Focus to hold up. And yes, I know that they're now on the same chassis but still, I did some research on the Mazda and it's built in Japan out of the Mazda factory...

Anyway, any tips on what options to go for and what to skip? Looking to buy in the next week. For the past 8 1/2 years I've been driving a '97 Honda Civic DX so as my daily driver. As you can imagine, I'm ready for something with a little pep.

Talk to you soon as I'll be looking to add some additional performace to the new ride!

Be Good, JP

 

skip Navigation
skip xenon headlights
skip tire pressure monitors

get leather
get sunroof
get 6disk changer
get the 2.3L engine


you'll enjoy it a lot. I've got one and they are VERY upscale from anything else in its class

 

I got the xenons. Had 'em on my S2000 and swore I'd never buy a new car without them. There is a button to adjust the height of the car from the dashboard for when the back end is loaded. The only problem is it is a stand alone option with the tire pressure monitors which I did not want.

When I picked up my car ( had not test driven this one ) it had been sitting a while and the tire pressure monitor went off. Looking at the tires, it was impossible to tell which was low. I was told that once I drove it, the tires would heat up and the air pressure would increase which should turn off the light. The first thing I noticed was the car pulled to the left, which was horrible. I took the car back the next day and they put air in the tire. That totally solved the pull to the left! Now I'm glad I have them.

 

Hi JP:

I'll second Roddimus Prime's list, but I'd add ABS to the get list, too.

I thought the leather was kind of cheesey for the price (jmho). It's the perforated leather that lets puffs of stuffing escape. Kind of reminded me of my friend's ancient Taurus SHO.

But whatever options you get....you'll love it!!

 

abs is standard in the S models with 2.3L engine.

 

Really? Im pretty sure it was listed as an option on my window sticker...ive still got it, ill have to see if i can find it.

 

Just checked the brochure and sticker for my 5 door M3s.

The ABS was part of a safety option package that also included the side impact air bags and curtains ($800). It's worth it for the ABS alone, but considering how poorly the car performed in a side impact, the air bags are a nice touch.

Also sprung for the Moonroof (poor man's convertible) and 6-CD changer package ($890).

Hope this helps!
Pickle

 

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it... Since I'm getting the Hatchback version the 2.3 is standard, I wouldn't even consider one without the 2.3, same goes with a 5 speed. Unfortunately here in NJ very few of the 5 Door S models on the lot have a 5 speed. Here in NJ it doesn't seem like ABS is standard, at least not with regards to being part of the price. With that said, I haven't seen a single car without the ABS in the 5 Door S version? Anyway, thanks and I'm sure I'll be in touch once I purchase with additional questions. Thanks again.

Best, JP

 

Check out wayne mazda in NJ
They have great incentives and a ton of mazda 3's.
I got mine there for below the msrp, because it was a 2004 and the 2005 models were already out.
They are willing to give good deals because they have so many cars
I paid 17,800 for a 3S sedan with moonroof package, abs package and sport package, usually sells for 19,300. Its also a 5-speed.
They also gave me an amazing deal on my trade in offering me 10,000 when other dealerships only offered 8,000.

 

i sit corrected!

 

I just purchased a 2004 MZ3 hatchback and just love it! There were essentially no changes between 2004 and 2005, and the price was more than $2,000 below market (paid $18,275 for a car with an MSRP of $20,900). My dealer had mostly manual trannies left in the 2004s (but that's in Minnesota, so is a little far to go from NJ . . . )

The packages do tend to be standard - - ABS and moonroof tend to go together, for example -- and I wanted both, so that suited my needs well. I highly recommend both, especially if you are getting a good deal on a 2004 - - ABS because of the driving safety, and also because that package has side airbags and air curtains (the compact side impact crash tests that came out this week would highly suggest getting these - - the MZ3 structural integrity was pretty good with the side impact, but the model tested had no side bags. Might come out much better with side airbags and the curtain).

The moonroof is simply a way to make a compact car a lot more fun