NEW 2014 Mazda 3

[lambada]

Koolkatz, thanks again for the valuable information you're giving me.

I'm sure the Mazda 120 PS engine performs well if revved enough. I am more concerned about the noise that revving the engine will cause. My 1997 Civic VTi goes like a rocket when revved (158 BHP @ 7600 RPM & 151 Nm @ 7000 RPM!) but it's not exactly quiet.

I've never owned a turbo engined car but must admit I quite like the Seat Leon 1.4 TSi which I test drove recently. Although I did notice some turbo lag.

Anyway, if you happen to ride in a 1.4 TSi powered car in the next few weeks tell me how it compares to yours

[Steve MPS]

Don't know if anyone has seen this article in carmagazine but if it's true then there will be no MPS version of the new Mazda 3

Bad news: Mazda says it won’t build a GTI-rivalling hot ‘MPS’ version of the fine new 3. That means that this 163bhp-tune 2.0-litre model (notably free of forced induction) is the performance flagship.

A real shame and I believe a mistake.  A flagship model should be something to look up to and that spec won't do it.

[ajb231]

Since buying our 3 Sport 10 plate just over 4 years ago, I've been absent from the forum....but would like to acknowledge the info given when I was asking all the questions about the change in spec at that time.  So, I'm checking back in because we've just ordered a 2.0 120ps Sport Nav in Soul Red with leather seats...  Not sure of delivery date - I've been told it's "in transit", so could be a week or so yet.  We were going to part-ex our old 3 but now a family member wants to buy it privately from us and who could blame him...not even 15,500 miles on the clock and it's four year old!!  I'll be sad to see it go, but the new 3 is much better on road tax, insurance and fuel costs (even though we don't do much mileage, it's still a good selling point).  We did test drive a 2.0 demo car and it felt like I'd always been driving it... though I'm a bit concerned about the ride on new 18s on the Sport Nav, compared to the very comfortable 17s on our old 3...hope there's not much difference...

[ajb231]

Since buying our 3 Sport 10 plate just over 4 years ago, I've been absent from the forum....but would like to acknowledge the info given when I was asking all the questions about the change in spec at that time.  So, I'm checking back in because we've just ordered a 2.0 120ps Sport Nav in Soul Red with leather seats...  Not sure of delivery date - I've been told it's "in transit", so could be a week or so yet.  We were going to part-ex our old 3 but now a family member wants to buy it privately from us and who could blame him...not even 15,500 miles on the clock and it's four year old!!  I'll be sad to see it go, but the new 3 is much better on road tax, insurance and fuel costs (even though we don't do much mileage, it's still a good selling point).  We did test drive a 2.0 demo car and it felt like I'd always been driving it... though I'm a bit concerned about the ride on new 18s on the Sport Nav, compared to the very comfortable 17s on our old 3...hope there's not much difference...

Spoke to the dealership on Monday and it turns out, there's no red 2.0 Sport Nav's with leather interior anywhere in this country and it's being shipped from Japan!!  We are to expect delivery somewhere around the end of May...ugh, wanted it now 

[UraniumSnake82]

Just ordered a 120ps Sport in Deep Crystal Blue. Can't wait for it to be delivered in one months time!
After owning a Mazda 3 from 2010 until last year where I had a short break in an RX8 R3, I am looking forward to getting back into something a bit softer and fuel economic.
Just wondering if anyone in here has had the airdam skirts fitted? They look nice on the white car but am yet to see on a darker paint colour.

[koolkatz]

Don't know if anyone has seen this article in carmagazine but if it's true then there will be no MPS version of the new Mazda 3

Bad news: Mazda says it won’t build a GTI-rivalling hot ‘MPS’ version of the fine new 3. That means that this 163bhp-tune 2.0-litre model (notably free of forced induction) is the performance flagship.

A real shame and I believe a mistake.  A flagship model should be something to look up to and that spec won't do it.

I would imagine that for the number of MPS models they sell, it is not worth the tooling costs, even though these may seem minimal. It is probably cheaper in the long run to lose the few MPS sales to the likes of the Focus ST etc. They appear to have dropped the Mazda 2 1.5 Sport as well.

[lambada]

Do any UK-based 2014 Mazda3 saloon owners have the rust problem mentioned here?: http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-mazda-3-skyactiv-appearance-interior/58489-rust.html

There's a picture indicating the exact location of the problematic spots on the 2nd page of the thread. The posters on that thread are all based in the USA/Canada it seems. Although that shouldn't make much of a difference because their cars are built at the same Japanese factory as the ones sold in the UK afaik.

[Willpower]

Rust  ?? ?? ?? Already ?? ??   

[AG-Spike]

I am new to the forum, but have had a 61 reg Mazda 3 TS2 for almost 3 years now. I have been tempted (managed to put it off for 6 months) by my dealership, and have gone and put a deposit down on a new 3 Sport Nav, due to arrive in a couple of weeks.
I have a few questions, that so far the web as not been helpful with, and before I ask my dealer, wondered if you lovely people could help me out
- I have enjoyed Thule wingbars on my 3 to carry my bikes, but I can't find out for sure if the new 3 has fixing points, but sure I have seen pics http://mazda-3.sgpetch.co.uk/pages/accessories/detail/model=515/category=ROOT-touring/accessory=Roof+Rack/id=15740 showing roofbars that mount not into the door. If I had to go that way, going by Thule's website, I would need all new roof bar bits, except for the bike carriers, quite apart from the extra possible damage and looks.
- Does the new 3 have electronically folding wing mirrors? I use these quite a bit on my current 3, and I am even thinking of getting this done http://mazda-3.sgpetch.co.uk/pages/accessories/detail/model=515/category=ROOT-exterior/accessory=Auto+Folding+Mirror+Kit/id=15770 as my mate's Mondeo does this, and would be great if my new 3 could.

[dtaylor928]

Hi,

I have a 3 2014 SportNav 2.2 Diesel… I know little about roof racks but there are tracks there for one and Mazda sell the fixings and rack so guess it is straight forward enough… http://www.mazda.co.uk/buying-owning/accessories/mazda3/2013-05/transport/BHR1V4701/

As for the folding mirrors… I owned previous Mazda 3’s too and they operate the same as before… a manual switch to fold them… this time it is on the rotary joystick you use to adjust them rather than a specific button.  The auto feature to fold and unfold when you stop and start the car is an extra.  Here’s the link on Mazda’s site (without discount)… http://www.mazda.co.uk/buying-owning/accessories/mazda3/2013-05/comfort-utility/C850V7650/... Not sure I could justify the extra cost as little inconvenience to do it by turning the switch.

Cheers,
David

[AG-Spike]

Thanks for the reply.
For the roof bars, seeing as all i should need to 'upgrade' my current roofbars for the new 3 is the right footpack, I can only assume that Thule have not got a set ready yet, so may hold on, otherwise I would be overpaying.
As for the wing mirrors, that is good news, and yes, I am not sure I can justify it yet anyway, maybe after a bit of overtime and if I feel the desire.

[lem]

Having crunched the number on the various hatchback out there, the 3 was looking strong - I'm looking for a fun to drive family car with leather, sat nav and under 120g Co2 (requirement from company even though I'm opting out of their scheme).

I've recently driven the 2.2D . The general feel of the car is great and the refinement is a pleasant surprise. Despite what reviews said I didn't find the motorway road noise that intrusive at all (although the demonstrator is an SE-L on smaller wheels rather than a Sport Nav). The engine is a peach.. torquey and swift and revs quite well - almost on par with the bmw units - and allied to a typically Mazda slick gearbox.

I think I may well sign on the dotted line..

[dtaylor928]

Having owned the Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel SportNav for ten weeks now and travelled around 5K I am very happy with it; I am sure you will have no regrets.

[lem]

Ordered   - 2.2 Sport Nav Titanium Flash and Leather.

[Steve MPS]

Don't know if anyone has seen this article in carmagazine but if it's true then there will be no MPS version of the new Mazda 3

Bad news: Mazda says it won’t build a GTI-rivalling hot ‘MPS’ version of the fine new 3. That means that this 163bhp-tune 2.0-litre model (notably free of forced induction) is the performance flagship.

A real shame and I believe a mistake.  A flagship model should be something to look up to and that spec won't do it.

I would imagine that for the number of MPS models they sell, it is not worth the tooling costs, even though these may seem minimal. It is probably cheaper in the long run to lose the few MPS sales to the likes of the Focus ST etc. They appear to have dropped the Mazda 2 1.5 Sport as well.

This recent article in Automotive News gives hope:

Mazda3: The Mazda3's next major change is a 2017 model year re-engineering that will give the sedan new sheet metal in the second half of 2016. The new metal will be underpinned by a revamped version of the car's existing Skyactiv platform.

The change is expected to coincide with the return of the Mazdaspeed3 high-performance version to the lineup. Under the hood of the go-fast Mazda3 will be a turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv engine -- also appearing in the redesigned CX-9 launching that year -- that will produce more than 300 hp in the Mazdaspeed3. The usual Mazdaspeed exterior touches -- such as a unique fascia, body kit and bigger wheels with low-profile, high-performance tires -- are expected to differentiate the car from mainstream Mazda3 models.

Mazda also may equip the Mazdaspeed3 with all-wheel drive, making it a worthy competitor to the Subaru WRX STI and filling a void in the fast-compact segment created by the impending cancellation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20140825/OEM04/308259975/mazda-making-big-changes-fast