Mazda Miata: Mazda 3 - OT

Hugh wrote: 

I'm in the US but finding it absolutely impossible to find one with the
navigation system that Mazda pictures in nearly every ad for the car. The
last salesman I spoke with sheepishly told me that I'd probably have to
order one to the the nav, even though there was a 3-foot sign bragging about
its availability on the floor model.

Only a couple of the 20 or so 3s they had on the lot were sticks, either.
 

--
tooloud
Remove nothing to reply...

I've heard / read lots of good things about the '3' and I've been very
impressed with the general look / design / fit / finish. To me it has sort
of a 'classy suit' look not unlike an Audi A4, a bit more youthfull though.

Chris
92BB&T

"tooloud" <com> wrote in message
news:c6pfi0$evvk6$news.uni-berlin.de... 
about 

Hi Hugh;
I tried replying directly to save space on the ng but your address
didn't work.
We've owned an MX5 for almost six years here in France and have been
impressed with the quality and reliability of the car. When our seven
year old Renault 19 died last October (automatic transmission failed
at 75,000km), we looked at the Mazda3, which had just appeared on the
market here, the Mazda6 and the newish Renault Megane.
We had driven a friend's rented Megane last summer and found it a not
unpleasant experience except that the hatchback did not open high
enough and my wife hit her head on it.
We found the suspension of the Mazda6 too soft and bouncy for our
small country roads.
We bought the Mazda3, 1.6 litre, 5 door in late October and have been
very pleased with it. We've put over 7,000 km on it and have had no
problems at all.
Things we like about the car include; large, solid door handles, a
clean, clutter-free dash, comfortable, supportive seats,an automatic
heating/aircon system with large controls that are easy to use even
with gloves, the high-opening hachback, and lots of storage spaces.
A French car magazine did a head-to-head comparison with the Megane
and decided the Mazda was the better car. Unfortuneatly I can't find
the mag at the moment but a Google search will give you lots of other
reviews.
Mazda has sensibly stayed away from the electronic card/key system
that Renault use, which is reported to give lots of problems.
I don't know whether it's the FWD or the electro-hydraulic
rack-and-pinion steering, or the combination, but I find the 3 almost
as much fun to drive in the twisty bits as the MX5.
Even though it's only the 1.6L, it has plenty of pickup and on the
autoroute I find myself exceeding the speed limit with no difficulty.
!! At 160 kph the car feels solid and quiet enough we can carry on a
normal conversation.
I quite like the front and rear views of the 3 but wish the profile
was more like an Alfa.
I highly recommend the Mazda3 and hope this helps.
Cheers!
Harry

Howdy, Hugh:

If you own an MX-5 you have a home in this newsgroup and can pretty
much talk about whatever--check out the rest of the posts! I
bought my tires after finding a reference to them in a message thread
that had nothing to do with tires. Personally, I like most of the
Mazda line and am confident you'll have little or no trouble and loads
of fun with your new 3. Congrats!

DonB
'91 White

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:33:38 +0100, "Hugh" <x-directory> wrote:
 

Hugh - You will have to report back to us telling us how much you like the
"3" after you buy it!!
"DonB" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
MX5. 

Hugh - After you buy it, tell us how you like it!!
"DonB" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
MX5.