Sat in a CX-3. AMA!

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman) 06/05/2015 at 18:36 • Filed to: New Car AMA

1

36

So a couple of days ago, I went up to the local Mazda dealer, and there was a Dynamic Blue CX-3 GS in the showroom. I thoroughly explored it, and now I am ready to report back to you guys. Fire off your questions in the comments, and I’ll answer them.

Jedidiah > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 18:44

0

Is it any good?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jedidiah 06/05/2015 at 18:47

1

Very. Fit and finish is top notch, the interior materials are very nice, and the cargo bay is a nice size. Things I don’t like include the fact that the rear legroom is tight in the back with a full-size adult up front (though no tighter than in the Juke), and there’s no center armrest.

bob and john > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 18:51

0

get on facebook for a second.

AM > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 18:53

0

What’s interior headroom/legroom like? Also, the beltline looks very high, how did side visibility seem?

Jedidiah > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 18:53

0

Would you have one despite it being a small crossover?

I don’t normally pay attention to cars like this since I live in my Oldsmobile fantasy world

TheHondaBro > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 18:54

0

How cramped is it?

6speedmanual > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 18:57

0

Would my grandmother like it? She told me she likes the way it looks and I think she’d do just fine if she got one for her next car. (Which I’m also told is most likely not too far away.)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > AM 06/05/2015 at 18:59

2

Tons of headroom, front legroom is great, rear legroom is tight when an adult is up front. I’m 5’6, and I had trouble fitting in the back with a 6” guy up front. Visibility, however, is the best I’ve experienced in a small crossover in that segment.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jedidiah 06/05/2015 at 19:00

1

No. Mind you, there’s not a single new car I’d buy with my own money. I wait for someone else to take the depreciation hit.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 6speedmanual 06/05/2015 at 19:01

1

It’s the perfect size for her, visibility is great, and cargo space is good. However, if she wants a high-up driving position, this is not the cute ute for her.

Jedidiah > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 19:02

0

Pretty much my viewpoint as well

I can find awesome cars for less than 5k all day long on Craigslist, so I don’t see the point in spending a ton of money on cars

It doesn’t have to be a millionaire’s hobby even though it feels like it sometimes

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jedidiah 06/05/2015 at 19:04

1

Indeed. I’m trying to buy and restore my Cutlass for around $2k all-in, including purchase price.

Jedidiah > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 19:06

0

As long as you don’t buy expensive interior reproduction plastics or worry too much about paint/body that’s probably doable

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jedidiah 06/05/2015 at 19:08

0

Interior’s mint, thank god. As for the body, Bondo will do the trick. It’s not a show car, it’s a car that’s designed to be used.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > TheHondaBro 06/05/2015 at 19:09

0

I’m 5’6, and I can’t fit in the backseat with a 6’1” driver.

Jedidiah > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 19:14

0

I don’t know if you know this, but you can’t fill holes with bondo even if they are really small. It will blister up something ugly if you do.

It’s a mistake that I’ve made before

I’d almost go ahead and teach yourself how to use lead body solder/filler. It’s more versatile and will last longer unlike bondo where larger patches will crack if you use cheap primer/paint

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jedidiah 06/05/2015 at 19:20

1

I patch the holes with a self-adhesive body patch, then do a layer of fiberglass over that, then bondo to smooth everything out. Apparently it works fairly well.

The Real Dacia Sandero > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 19:23

0

Can you get three pedals?(I’m lazy and haven’t looked...)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > The Real Dacia Sandero 06/05/2015 at 19:26

0

Sadly, no.

Textured Soy Protein > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 19:54

0

Was going to ask about the armrest. That seemed to be the case from the pictures.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Textured Soy Protein 06/05/2015 at 20:04

0

Yes. However, most armrests in new cars are fairly useless anyways, so many people won’t miss it.

TheHondaBro > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 20:05

0

Seriously. I’m 6’ and I have more room in a Honda Fit than a Mazda3.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > TheHondaBro 06/05/2015 at 20:08

1

The extra headroom of the CX-3 helps a lot. If you liked the way the Protege 5 drove, but hated the rust, this is your cute ute.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 20:12

0

That’s actually pretty impressive.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 20:12

0

Hah, funny you mention that. I think every single Protege I’ve seen has had serious rust issues.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 06/05/2015 at 20:13

1

Yeah, thank god Mazda changed their steel suppliers in 06.

boxrocket > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/05/2015 at 22:10

0

How was shoulder room, and did the seats feel decently wide throughout? Anything seem overtly cost-cutting? I’m genuinely interested in the CX-3 seeing as Mazda isn’t bringing the 2 here to the U.S. anymore (dammit).

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > boxrocket 06/06/2015 at 11:08

0

The seats felt great. Shoulder room was better than a 2, on par with a 3. The only real compromise were the dash materials. The top of the dash is hard plastic, but the face of the dash is leatherette with padding, so it evens out.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/08/2015 at 16:14

0

How obnoxious is it that this won’t be offered with a manual? You’re MAZDA, fercryinoutloud!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/08/2015 at 16:16

0

I know, but sometimes there isn’t any budget left in a project to add more options. Besides, I’m sure you could lobby Mazda to offer a manual.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/08/2015 at 16:18

0

The sad thing is, the reason they didn’t offer it with this car is that very few are choosing it with the CX-5, and probably fewer and fewer are choosing it with the 3...

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/08/2015 at 16:29

0

I dunno. The local dealer tells me that there’s a surprising take rate for manual Mazda 3s, so who knows about the CX-3?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/08/2015 at 16:37

0

This is good to hear. It’s clearly the enthusiast’s choice of the bunch.

My ‘05 3s hatch was!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/08/2015 at 16:42

1

If you have the opportunity, I urge you to drive the new one. I hear it is the best-handling FWD car in ages.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/08/2015 at 17:06

0

I did drive the manual 6, but have yet to sample the new 3. Maybe I’ll drive both it and the new Miata when it lands.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/08/2015 at 17:12

1

Apparently they have some trick steering geometry that makes the thing feel like a Gen 1 Miata, but with FWD.