I've had a drive of the new Mazda 3

Blesif · Postby **Blesif** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:03 pm

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.

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:34 pm

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

Cheers
Dale

Blesif · Postby **Blesif** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:36 pm

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.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:45 pm

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?

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:26 pm

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.

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:32 am

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+?

chops · Postby **chops** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:59 am

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

Trackphotos · Postby **Trackphotos** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:26 am

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.

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:56 pm

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

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:31 pm

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.

Blesif · Postby **Blesif** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:36 pm

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.

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:42 pm

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.

Blesif · Postby **Blesif** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:47 pm

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

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:53 pm

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.

rjastra2 · Postby **rjastra2** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:20 pm

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.