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Today I had a drive of the new Mazda 3 as we are looking to replace our old Series 1 model. Drives really nicely and has a smart looking and comfortable interior. The integrated active display is excellent and a snack to use but not available on the Neo. I-stop worked perfectly. It was an auto and came with paddle shifters. Although the first release cars are 2013 build you pay full retail so that's not so good. Also, for older drivers (60+) vision to the three quarters and the rear is pretty terrible. Think I'll wait.

So was this an early release or are they in the showrooms?

Cheers
Dale

Yep, early release. In showrooms this weekend I believe. Mind you, there was no trouble looking them over. We were just given the "key" and told to go for a drive. This was Tom Kerr Mazda in West Ryde NSW.

Nothing out of the ordinary being able to drive a new car when there is less than 2 weeks before the release date. Some dealership just do what they want. Pretty cool they just handed you the keys and let you go.

What model/varient did you drive?

The 'CarAdvice' site seemed impressed with it although it thought the Golf was still the class leader.
By the time you option up the 2.5 it will be worth GTI money as well.
I'm still thinking about a 'retirement car' and the idea of a Hatch is very appealing as I am always wanting to move something that won't fit in a sedan of any kind.
Last week I moved a single-bed mattress and it damn near fitted completely into my Son's Mazda 3 Hatch.

Blesif wrote:... Also, for older drivers (60+) vision to the three quarters and the rear is pretty terrible...

Sorry don't quite follow, why is the vision only an issue for people 60+?

oh yes it is very impressive especially when you step to the 2.5

Rocky wrote:The 'CarAdvice' site seemed impressed with it although it thought the Golf was still the class leader.
By the time you option up the 2.5 it will be worth GTI money as well.
I'm still thinking about a 'retirement car' and the idea of a Hatch is very appealing as I am always wanting to move something that won't fit in a sedan of any kind.
Last week I moved a single-bed mattress and it damn near fitted completely into my Son's Mazda 3 Hatch.

Wagon with roof racks. I just moved house and we've been able to move most things in the wagon with the seats dropped. Entire rooms worth of rolled up carpet, furniture etc. Handy.

Out of interest, what were you quoted for the Neo or Maxx, Auto driveaway?

Trackphotos wrote:Wagon with roof racks. I just moved house and we've been able to move most things in the wagon with the seats dropped. Entire rooms worth of rolled up carpet, furniture etc. Handy.

Yeah, I'm just greedy, I want the "family car" to be fun to drive as well. Wagons are an excellent solution to moving stuff but I don't see too many wagons that look good and are fun to drive - hence the interest in Hatches. I thought the first Subaru Liberty wagon was a fantastic looking wagon but they have just successively buggered it up more and more in the later models.

The new Mazda 3 doesn't do much for me looks-wise.

The dealer had four cars on show: an SP25 sedan, a Maxx hatch, a Touring hatch and a Touring sedan. We drove the Touring hatch. The Touring is the next step up from the Maxx. They said they had a Neo but where was a mystery. Given it lacks the tricky new features of the other models it might have been purposely not on show. I' m very unimpressed that the Neo doesn't come with a reversing camera as standard given the very poor rearward vision. Quoted prices drive away were: Neo 25K, Maxx 27.5K and Touring 30K. I take your point Okibi, re vision. That said, it can be bloody difficult seeing out tiny windows when you have deteriorating neck mobility which commonly arises as people age.

Thanks for that. I was interested as my mother is considering downsizing from her IX35.

I assume those prices were for the auto?

The 2.5k difference between each model is less than the outgoing model differences, which is ~5k (maybe less now on run out).

Once the new model establishes itself and old stock has been sold, i expect prices to be ~2-2.5k less.

Yeah, auto. Ditto to comment re where prices should settle given time.

BK Neos were $24K 5MT and $26K 4AT when they first showed up. This new model will drop in price like the BK and BLs did.

Blesif wrote:Yeah, auto. Ditto to comment re where prices should settle given time.

If the neo auto is 25K drive away I'll eat my hat. A basic corolla auto is 25.8K drive away.
A current Neo auto in full runout mode is $22K driveaway.

If they are lucky it will be 25K on road for a manual neo.