Can anybody tell me whats the lowdown of the Mazda3 (1.6 L).

1.) How is the consumption?
2.) How is the suspension?
3.) Is it true that the philippine model is different from the US/Euro Models?

I already reserved a unit, but am having second thoughts.

Thanks!

Its SLOW!!   hahaha jk!

Havn't heard complaints from any of my friends who got them, they sure do look cool!

I just spoke with a Mazda 3 1.6 owner earlier and he said gets 8-9 kilometers per liter. Why should you not get this? Get the 2.0.  

Quote from: Deckard on March 05, 2005, 08:30:58 PM
Can anybody tell me whats the lowdown of the Mazda3 (1.6 L).

1.) How is the consumption?
2.) How is the suspension?
3.) Is it true that the philippine model is different from the US/Euro Models?

I already reserved a unit, but am having second thoughts.

Thanks!

1) Average consumption for the 2.0L is around 8km/L. I personally feel that the Mazda3 is much more fuel efficient as compared to our 97 Automatic Lancer GLXi and 1.8 RAV4SV
2) Suspension is a bit harsh but I don't really have any complaints with it especially if you consider the stock 17" that come with the 2.0L. For me, smooth pa rin yung suspension yung sa Mazda3. But that's my point of view. Of course don't expect the Mazda3 to have a similar suspension feel as compared to a, say, Camry or BMW. As you may very well know, Mazda3's suspension is really "sport-tuned" which essentially means expect a "harsher" ride as compared to your average sedan (civic or altis or sentra or lancer). Mazda3 was designed that way to improve handling
3) How different? Syempre meron mga differences yung Mazda3 depending on the market. The mazda3 being sold here is completely assembled in Sta.Rosa, Laguna but the major components (i.e. engine) are sourced directly from Hiroshima, Japan -- which is the case as other Mazda3s sold worldwide

Side note, in terms of speed and performance, don't expect much from the 1.6L variant. But the 2.0L variant is a completely different story. The 2.0L, for me, has decent power to match even Honda's 2.0L civic (if we can use this a benchmark). Believe me, Mazda3 2.0L has more than enough power already if you're mainly after city/daily driving.

Why not? Well if you only reserved now for a 1.6L then you'll get a unit...say mid April at most.  If you reserved only now for a 2.0L then you'll get a unit...say mid May  at most.  This only holds true for black, silver and blue... minus 2 weeks max kung white or green...add 1 month kung grey... kung Hatch...asa pa, siguradong over a month intayan doon.  

At nagtaas na ng base price due to the demand.

What about resale value?

Althgouh from how this car is making an impact on the market, this will definitely have a pretty high one once people start selling it for 2nd hand

You only need to check Edmunds.com to see the resale value of the 3... and over there, the lowest end year old model is still $13k resale...  that's within a few hundred dollars of what you'll actually pay for a 2005 model...

wait for the all new civic?  I've got a feeling its coming out this year, well if you can wait that is

or Ford Focus!

yup yup the new civic and ford focus is sure to bring up heavy competition. the focus looks nice

It would seem that there appears to be no serious downside to the M3.

Thanks guys.

Few more question....if you dont mind.

1. If looks is taken out as a consideration...would the M3 hold its own as say against a Honda VTI-S or Altis 1.6 E? (yeah , i know guys, this is yet another subjective question that will see no end.)

2. How is the NVH?

3. about the 1.6, how nimble is it? They say its kinda slow? What is the top speed.

Thanks for the time. The responses are pretty helpful.

1) If you're basing from looks and aesthetics alone, no doubt the Mazda3 looks much better as compared to the Altis or Civic. Well I guess it's mainly because bago yung styling ng Mazda compared to the altis and civic which were released a few years back. But even if the new civic will be released soon, I'm quite sure the Mazda3 can still hold its own against the new civic.

2) NVH, as I mentioned, is more on the harsh side. Altis and Civc would definitely rank better than the Mazda3.

3) How nimble is the 1.6? I really can't tell...they say it's pretty nimble for an automatic. "Kind slow" is a perception so it would be better if you quantify "What is slow" for you. Claimed top speed of the 1.6 is 180km/h. According to C! magazine, 0-100km/h acceleration for the 1.6L Mazda3 is ~11 seconds for the hatch and S variants.

Kuffs,

Thanks alot.

I should make a decision soon. Guess M3 is it then.

11 sec is fast enough. 95% of the time, it will be used to thread the parking lot otherwise known as EDSA. So i guess when everything stops, it boils down to good looks hehehe.

I agree with the Altis. But its as omnipresent as potholes in edsa. I dont like the interiors too, except maybe for the 1.8 G variant. The Civic looks dated, very dated and is priced higher.

Thanks.

NO problem man.
Btw, i suggest that you make your reservation soon because they say the waiting period is longer these days (1-3 months). I've heard a lot of people complain who reserved their Mazda3's as early as January yet still not having their units till now.

Lastly, I would also recommend that you test drive the Mazda3 first before making your final decision. Reviews and comments about the car would of course need to be validated in the real-world scenario and that's where the test-drive definitely comes in.

Good luck!

Quote from: Deckard on March 07, 2005, 10:31:46 AM
Kuffs,


11 sec is fast enough. 95% of the time, it will be used to thread the parking lot otherwise known as EDSA. So i guess when everything stops, it boils down to good looks hehehe.

hmm...if that's what you're gonna use it for, you're definitely better off with the 1.6 variant. it will give you satisfactory fuel mileage. for city driving, i get an average of 10kms/liter on my mz3.

i hope you reserved the 1.6V.