Comments on: Mazda3 Review & Road Test

By: bryan

bryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 13:38:07 +0000

mate we are not comparing the ugliest cars on the planet here..

By: Al Juraj

Al Juraj — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:33:36 +0000

This car is really designed for the driver. They’ve carried on from the original to retain its sportiness. It turns almost like an expensive Euro yet with Japanese reliability. Interior quality has some plastics but not as bad as most of its rivals. The dash layout is also great, with mostly red backlight at night. They should start colour-coding the gear positions though. D should be green, R yellow or orange, then P and N red, something like that.

The biggest downside is at the back. The rear doors look like an afterthought, very small which makes getting in and out of the car such a pain. The legroom is also atrocious even for not-so-tall adults. Mazda are too scared to gamble on a good recipe, but I think a couple more inches in length would have solved the problem without affecting dynamics.

Other than this, it’s a great car. The smiling face isn’t to everyone’s liking, but it’s not SsangYong hideous. It would be interesting to see how the upcoming Ford Focus fares.

By: nickdl

nickdl — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:24:28 +0000

The 3′s as safe, more reliable, more powerful, better to drive and better looking IMO than the Cruze. It’s also on par with standard features and space.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:14:01 +0000

am looking at buying a new holden cruze, anyone have advice on why i should get a mazda 3 instead?

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:36:24 +0000

Mr Trith, nothing you have said is factually wrong, but consider this: depreciation on a used Korean car will still be less than on a new Japanese (in fact, as new Koreans depreciate faster from new, the first owner has already taken a big loss for you if you are buying 2nd hand).

Basically, I still have a problem with people going on about a new car as an investment. If depreciation is a big thing for you (i.e. you upgrade cars regularly) – then you have rocks in your head to buy a new one, regardless of make or origin.

By: mr.trith

mr.trith — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:50:11 +0000

NOT TRUE!!

Yes, they do all go down…….BUT!

By buying the *right* brand [ie keep away from the Koreans] you can in the same segement reduce your tear-up and by a good 25% too.

ie A 2nd hand Corolla and Lancer and VASTLY worth more than a i30, Cerato etc

Sure total life cost also incs. service, parts-prices, both the mentioned above Japanese have superior and also long warranty, so Lancer will win that

Cheers

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:26:29 +0000

One problem I have with a lot of comments here: if you are buying a car for resale value alone, then you are missing the point of buying a new car. If you want an investment, buy shares or property – cars do NOT make money; buy it, drive it, then sell it if you have to, but if and when you do you will always be taking a big hit if you bought new.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:23:44 +0000

I have to agree with you Andrew – letting your oil chug around for longer than 6 months is a recipe for disaster in most cars anyway, even with the better oils going around. Why not spend the extra cash on changing your oil more often if it saves your engine in the long run? Or would owners rather do a rebuild/junk it at 150,000kms? It’s a simple equation in my book.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:19:28 +0000

Hmmm – how do cars from Europe attract higher tariffs in Australia then cars from Japan?? They are both foreign built and both attract a 5% import tariff (previously 10%)… What you are arguing for is an UN-level playing field, such as that seen in Germany, where the Mazda attracts a tarriff and the Golf doesn’t. Sorry mate, but unless the Krauts set up a plant in Oz, it’s not going to happen.

By: franz chong

franz chong — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:58:22 +0000

Don’t get me started on how the models got bigger with every update.I had a 2002 Mazda 323 Astina from 2002 to 2006 and I went out the minute the warranty expired on her for a replacement.The 3 was essentially too large for a tight garage.I drove a Mazda 2 and a Nissan Tiida The latter one being the closest I could get to a 3/Focus Class Car I ended up driving and buying.Now to look for a replacement in 2011.