Mazda3 sells like mad, production to be boosted
The rumor that Mazda is giving away free cocaine to raise sales of its Mazda3 is officially untrue. (Seriously, I just made it up.) Turns out the car doesn't need narcotics to sell, it's just that damn good. So good, in fact, that the company is boosting production to meet overseas demand, mainly that of the European, U.S. and Australian markets. Mazda's Ujina No. 2 plant will begin pumping out an extra 2,000 units per month, which should help Mazda meet the car's projected annual sales of 350,000 units. And remember, that's without free cocaine.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sid Ghosh 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
NO surprise. You sit inside the GT sedan and it feels like an Audi. And that 160 I4 engine is awesome!
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Tom Morgan 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I was shopping for an Audi A3. I kept going back to the Mazda3 wondering why pay $10,000 more for the Audi. It was very hard for the dealer to find a top line model with most of the trimmings. I would have paid more for other options if they had been available.
Compare an A3 with leather & foglights to a Mazda3 with those items and you'll see a HUGE price gap.
I'm hoping we see a Mazdaspeed3 next year, with turbo and the full kit. You'll have something better than the A3 for thousands less.
I have a Mazda3 5-door. My 4th Mazda and the most fun I've had in many a year. Love that A3 but I'm glad I didn't spend the extra 10 large.
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avixe 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
It's great to see the magazines and public agree every once in awhile. This is a great car -- and kudos to Mazda for providing a hatchback as well as a sedan. (Anybody know how the hatch is selling as compared to predictions?)
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Steve 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
When I spied a Mazda3 in the church parking lot a couple months ago, I thought it looked like an updated Jetta. I own a 2000 Jetta and am really disappointed with the new design, which has lost the "cool" factor.
The Mazda3, however, has cool written all over it. I bought my Jetta because I like German design, but now, five years later, I may have to buy a Mazda, because, well, it looks more German than the new Jetta. Go figure.
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JayP 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I finally sat in a base model A3 last weekend. For $25k, the interior was not impressive. The cloth material seats are OK (dimpled for traction) but the steering wheel looked like it was out of a GM product.
The Mazda3 5 door was on my shortlist for cars last year. Good HP, good styling, nice interior... The only negative was the dealers are too far away to be practical. (Ended up with an SVT Focus w/ $$$ of discounts.)
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Ben 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I love the Mazda3 hatch, but I'm looking for awd and a little more oomph. If I were forced to buy new the Mazda3 would be at the very top of my list. As it stands, though, I'll be looking at used WRX wagons instead. I'm hoping that the MazdaSpeed3 will be awd and not too "boy-racer". They were tasteful with the MazdaSpeed6, so I'm hopeful about the 3 too.
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matth 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I borrowed a mazda3 to get to work while my car got some work done. I haven't actually taken the car to the shop yet because I'm enjoying it so much. I'll hopefully get a hatchback version in the next few months as the rear visibility with a spoiler is a bit limited.
And I like the little volume lights, however cheesy they may be.
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Joel A 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
That's great news for Mazda. I wonder why the Mazda6 is not doing nearly as well.
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Dave Hogue 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I test drove a Mazda3 hatch a few weeks ago, and the sales guy told me that 7 out of 10 3's he had coming in the next week were already sold. There were about 5 or 6 3's on the lot, compared to probably 30 6's. He said you can get certain 6's for less than 3's now, in part because they aren't discounting the 3 because sales are so hot.
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Bigel 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I just wish the instrument lights weren't red and the gauge needles didn't hang down. Otherwise very nice.
Anyone know how well used ones are holding up? Long-term tests of the 6 haven't been all that great. I tested a used 2003 Protege and it was falling apart--terribly noisy, shaking, and wobbly shifter.
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Tony 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I guess this helps Ford's bottom line?
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risingsonn 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
to compare mazda3 with A3 is simply ridiculous
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Otto Paans 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Hello. I'm a Dutch Mazda3 owner since march 2004. And really, I love it. I'm not surprised with the succes in America. However, here the Mazda6 sells better. And I don't understand it. OP300605
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Ben 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
risingsonn - Have you driven both? Other than brand snobbery, the two feel very similar. The A3 is quicker, but the Mazda3 handles much better.
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iQuack 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Having owned and very much liked a Mazda Protege, I thought my next car to be purchased in late 2003, would be the Mazda 6i. The 6i handled and braked superbly, but there was an odd lag on acceleration that killed it for me. And the 6i's A/T seemed clunky and old Ford-like, too.
The Mazda 3 hadn't been introduced yet, but if it had been, it's a sure thing I'd have considered it. At the moment the Mazda 3 seems to be the best of the compacts--at least until the '06 Honda Civic appears.
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DT 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Ben & Tom,
I'm driving an A3 right now. there is no way you can compare the two. The a3 has a 200 hp turbo engine with DSG and shift paddles. Mine is also decked with leather etc. It is $30K. The Mazda 3 while a great car doesn't have the handling, power or level of trim inside and is over $10K less. Although it is tops in its class for sure the Mazda 3 isn't up to the Jetta or A3 yet. But if you have $18K you can get a very nice Mazda3 and drive happy while you still couldn't afford a Jetta with A/c or an A3.
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Joe 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I test drove a Mazda 3, no power. No back seat leg room. Over-rated. Bought a 2004 Chevy Mailibu, lots of power and 34 mpg to date.
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WolfgangNC 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
DT,
I agree with you slightly; but you can not justify $10K+ for paddles and a turbo. Granted the Mazda3 is slower; but I will have to argue on the handling. And I personally didn't see much difference in the trim levels, just different designs. I bought my 2.3 Mazda3 5-door not because I couldn't afford a A3 or Jetta; but because the Mazda was the best bag for the buck. Why pay more for something just to say you paid more for it?
Joe,
You must of looked at the 2.0 Mazda3; but the 2.3 Mazda3 seemed faster in my test drives. And as far as room...I'm 6'5" 300 lbs. and I fit fine in the front and okay in the back and that is with 4 people in the car. Now it's not as roomy as a Crown Vic or XJ8L; but it's better than most.
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Sid Ghosh 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Sorry iQuack, but the Mazda3 will continue it's success inspite of the new Civic. Can't touch the 3's looks and package.
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TGM3 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I just purchased a 05 Mazda3 Hatchback last wednesday... I looked a quite a few different cars b4 making my purchace and for the money the 3 won hands dow. At 6ft4in tall and 250 I fit in the car with no problems.
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