"mazda616" (mazda616)
03/12/2015 at 23:25 • Filed to: Mazda3, Oppositelock Review
7
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"mazda616" (mazda616)
03/12/2015 at 23:25 • Filed to: Mazda3, Oppositelock Review | 7
| 8 |
August 2009: I was beginning my second (and last) year at community college. The following year was my first at WKU (Western Kentucky University), about an hour or so from home. My vehicle at the time was a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 coupe. It was in great condition with me being only the third owner (and I was very meticulous to say the least). However, with 131,000 miles, and being a lackluster platform in the first place, the Grand Am was aging. It needed a new transmission rather soon and the catalytic converter had somehow become clogged. I began the search for a new(er) car and stumbled upon this lonesome little Mazda3 sitting at a local dealer that normally specializes in exotic cars. The 3 was literally sitting amongst Porsches and Corvettes. And, yes, both of those are considered “exotic” here in Kentucky. After some negotiation, I traded the Grand Am in and took the Mazda home.
It went to college with me and was my personal moving van three separate times. It’s astounding how much crap you can fit in a hatchback. Anyway, I’ve learned a lot about it over the last five-and-a-half years. So, here’s my review!
(Full Disclosure: Mazda wanted me to drive this Mazda3 so badly that they built it in September 2007, shipped it to a Mazda dealer, and sold it to that dealer as a courtesy car for the service department. After roughly a year, the dealer sent it to auction and it eventually made it from Macon, Georgia to Owensboro, Kentucky.)
The first picture I ever took of it in August of 2009, the day before I brought it home. Excuse the equality. My circa-2008 cell phone wasn’t the pinnacle of mobile photography by any means.
Exterior: 8/10
Hoenstly, I love the way my car looks. In 2008, the only way to get a hatchback 3 was to also get an “S” model with the sport appearance package that included 17-inch wheels, low profile tires, and modest ground effects in addition to a rear spoiler on the hatch. My particular car has also had its windows tinted and Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs during the course of its time with me. The Pro-Kit lowered it 1.5 inches in the front and 1.3 in the rear - enough of a drop to change the look, but not too much so that the car is impractical to drive. It is a daily driver, after all. I also added a rear lower valence from a MazdaSpeed 3 and color-matched headlight eyelids. Overall, I think the car looks sporty without looking tacky or like a poser. I also think the design has aged well, thanks in part to the 2010+ Mazda3s having that goofy smile.
Interior: 8/10
Okay, I’ve added red vinyl to the dash. I catch hell for it a lot, but I like it. I always have. That’s why I did it. So, before you bitch about that, remember that opinions are like assholes (you know, everyone has them, they all stink).
For an economy car, I think the 3’s interior has always been a step above average. Even after seven years, all materials in mine are holding up extremely well. There is one spot of wear on the passenger side carpet, but that’s all. No broken plastic, no loose trim. The radio design is very sleek, integrating itself into the dashboard (but making aftermarket head-unit installation a pain). All controls are logical, easy to read, and well placed. The gauges also add a bit of sporty flair, with their red lighting and blue LED surround lights.
I especially like the standard steering wheel audio controls, a fairly rare feature on economy cars of the mid-2000s.
Acceleration: 7/10
This thing is pretty quick for a compact. It has the 2.3 liter DOHC four-cylinder attached to a five-speed automatic. The five-speed was introduced in 2007. Before that, the only auto offered in the Mazda3 was a four-speed. The five-speed greatly improved highway fuel economy, as it allowed lower RPMs at cruising speed.
I have also found that if you floor it from a dead stop, the car won’t shift into fifth until 100. It pulls hard all the way to its electronically limited top speed of 119. For a four banger auto, the car really is quick.
That being said, it’s not a performance car, even though it does have more “zoom” than its competitors. It suits me just fine. Acceleration, passing, and merging onto the interstate are all done with moderate ease.
Braking: 7/10
The brakes work. They work well. Stopping distances under full braking are super short, sometimes surprisingly so. The ABS does its job well, aided by electronic stability control (or “Dynamic Skid Control” as Mazda calls it).
Ride: 6/10
The ride is firm, thanks in part to the springs, but not overly so. That being said, it’s no Buick. You feel the bumps in the road. But, you also have a ton of fun in the twisties...
Handling: 7/10
For the money, I can’t imagine having more fun in a relatively stock car. The car is sure footed and planted throughout the corners all the way up to its limit. Understeer is present, thanks to its FWD layout, but it is manageable. The electronic nanny only seems to step in during adverse weather conditions, so sunny backroad drives are tons of fun. I’ve had a lot of experience with the car over the years, and I can manage to get the rear to swing out a bit in turns. It is a lot of fun, and it will always brings a smile on your face to be able to take this car down a favorite backroad.
Gearbox: 8/10
It’s an automatic, okay? I’ll allow you some healing time. If you’re having trouble accepting that, I suggest you seek counseling. It’s never good to keep these feelings bottled up.
The five-speed unit in this car is responsive. Quick to upshift in the interest of fuel economy, of course. But also eager to downshift and maximize all of the available 156 horsepower. There’s also the “manual” mode, where the car allows you to shift on your own. It will downshift to first if you stop and forget to, but it does not upshift on its own. Ever. It will let you bounce off the rev limiter all you want. Kudos to Mazda for not making the transmission all naggy and upshifting for you even when in manual mode.
Audio: 6/10
The car has six speakers, and they’re not bad. Not amazing, but not bad. Sound is clear, volume level is loud and predictable, and there is automatic volume control based on the speed of the car. That feature can also be adjusted through three levels based on user preference.
Toys: 5/10
In 2008, the 3 didn’t offer all that it does now. Current Mazda3s can be had with everything from radar cruise control to blind spot monitoring to Bluetooth. The Grand Touring models in 2008 did have Navigation, automatic climate control, and heated seats - again, all rarities for cars in this price range at the time. However, mine isn’t a Grand Touring. It’s a Touring.
I’ve got keyless entry, an auxiliary audio port, a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio (that I never hooked up), and the aforementioned steering wheel audio controls. There’s also power windows and mirrors. That’s about it. I also have a tire pressure monitoring system, which works great and has come in handy. But, to be honest, I don’t need much else. I miss my sunroof from the Grand Am, but I’ve seen this model car with a sunroof and it looked out of place.
Value: 8/10
In 2009, I paid $15,000 for the car. It was a year old and had 12,000 miles and originally sold for right around $20,000. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
70/100
Engine: 2.3L DOHC 16-Valve I-4 with Variable Valve Timing
Horsepower: 156
Torque: 150 lb./ft.
0-60: 8.0 seconds (estimated)
Top Speed: 119 MPH
Seating: It will hold five, but the fifth won’t be that comfortable. Short trips are fine, though. We managed to fit five people in it a lot during college, but all except the driver were drunk.
MSRP: $19,970
Depressoiscool
> mazda616
03/12/2015 at 23:42 |
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I have an 08 hatch almost exactly like yours but grey and with the manual. Absolutely love the car but Michigan roads are pummeling the poor thing. The manual is amazing in this car and makes it feel way faster than it is. My only question is what do you get for mileage? I'm always stuck around 25
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mazda616
> Depressoiscool
03/12/2015 at 23:44 |
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The 2.3 is not a gas mileage king. According to Fuelly, my average MPG is 25.5. That's over the last 40,000-ish miles and with my driving being about 70% city. I've seen as low as 19 (during this terrible winter where I let it idle a lot before I left for work) and as high as 35 (on a long highway trip with no A/C use).
valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
> mazda616
03/13/2015 at 00:40 |
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I like the tasteful enhancements you did. Looks good! You keeping it for a while longer?
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> mazda616
03/13/2015 at 00:49 |
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I have a 2006 Mazda 3 with a manual, absolutely the best car I have ever owned. Bought it used in 2009 for $12,500. It feels and drives like a much more expensive car. I love the orange dash lights at night and the little things like the steering wheel controls that I don't expect on an "economy" car. At the time I also looked at a 2007 Civic, there was no comparison the Mazda was way better in every way.
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mazda616
> valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
03/13/2015 at 08:13 |
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Yeah. Another two years, at least. I want a newer car but I cannot justify it financially at this time. However, my next vehicle will be a 2014 or newer Mazda6. :)
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> mazda616
03/15/2015 at 03:39 |
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Very nicely written review, balanced and articulate. Thanks for posting, really enjoyed it.
Also am a fan of the 3, and am always pulling for Mazda. :-)
greasemonkey235097
> mazda616
04/05/2015 at 08:07 |
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No oil consumption from the 2.3? I have an 06 Mazda3 that just swaped a 2.5 fusion into it. I love the way it looks, the way it drives, but the more I work on it, the less I like it, no more FOMOCO products in my house.
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mazda616
> greasemonkey235097
04/05/2015 at 10:04 |
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None at all. It's had synthetic oil since its second oil change with me, though (at around 14,000 miles). not sure if that makes a difference or not.