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Old 10-15-2008, 12:53 PM   #1
AVANTI R5
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Default 2009 Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 - Review




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Introduction

The smallest car that Mazda sells in the U.S. is the front-wheel-drive 3. Launched in 2004 and available as a sedan or a five-door hatchback, the Mazda 3 is built on the second-generation European Ford Focus platform; the U.S. Ford Focus uses the first Focus platform. In addition to the 3, the Euro Focus platform also underpins the Volvo C30, S40, and V50. In all iterations, the platform is solid, offers good interior space, and features a relatively sophisticated suspension.



Sportier and more fun to drive than most of its competition, the Mazda 3 is also practical and refined. The interior design, materials, and appointments are a cut above its segment. Similarly, the 3’s handling and ride are among the class leaders. Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 3 is a small car that wants to play.



Three engines are offered on the Mazda 3. The base i sedans come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower. Moving up to the sportier s model yields a larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 156 horsepower. At the very top of the lineup is the Mazdaspeed 3 that boasts a turbocharged direct-injection 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 263 horsepower.



Mazda 3 i sedans come in two flavors: Sport and Touring. Sport models are basic, with A/C being optional, but Touring models add such things as aluminum wheels and fog lights. All 3’s have six airbags and anti-lock brakes.



Aside from the larger engine, the s models get more standard equipment. Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three trim levels. Touring and Sport come well equipped with power windows and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Touring gets standard stability control and traction control. Grand Touring is the top of the line and gets all the equipment from the Touring trim level and adds a power driver’s seat, xenon headlights, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery.



In a comparison test of six compact cars, the Mazda 3 s Touring finished well, coming in second place behind the Volkswagen Rabbit and ahead of the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and the Nissan Sentra. The Mazda was praised for its superb interior, its powerful engine, and for being the most sporting of the bunch.


When we last pitted a Mazdaspeed 3 against its competition, the Mazdaspeed triumphed over the Subaru WRX, Volvo C30 T5, and Dodge Caliber SRT4. The result came as no surprise, as the Mazdaspeed 3 is one of our absolute favorites, and a multiple 10Best Cars winner. In an earlier comparison test, the Mazdaspeed 3 vanquished another 10Best winner, the Volkswagen GTI. The Mazdaspeed 3 won kudos for its powerful turbo four-cylinder, willing chassis, and hard-driving character. We did criticize it for excessive torque steer, a product of sending 263 horsepower through the front wheels.



Verdict

The Mazda 3 is a refined small car with a rich interior that behaves like a well-tuned sports sedan. Some of the sportier versions, like the s and the Mazdaspeed 3, may prove to be too extreme for some, but for enthusiasts they will prove satisfying. The 3 offers decent space, plus a fun-to-drive attitude that’s missing from most other cars at its $15K base price. The Mazdaspeed 3 is a staff favorite, having won multiple 10Best awards, and is a performance bargain with a starting point under $24,000.



Click here to read our full review of the Mazda 3.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Mazda 3.
Click here to read our full review of the Mazdaspeed 3.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Mazdaspeed 3.




What’s New for 2009

For 2009, the Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 are largely unchanged except for the extension of standard anti-lock brakes and side- and side-curtain airbags to the entry-level i Sport model.



Highlights and Recommendations

For most buyers, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine of the Mazda 3 i models will provide enough power. For those seeking an excellent balance of fuel economy and speed, the sportier s versions will fit the bill. We particularly like the styling and practicality of the five-door version, which only comes as an s model. We’d go for a five-door s Touring because of its higher level of standard equipment, its relatively affordable price, and its practical packaging.



For all-out performance with a dose of wagon-like practicality, we say opt for the Mazdaspeed 3. Although it isn’t as refined as the Volkswagen GTI, the Mazdaspeed 3 appeals to the 17-year-old hooligan that lives inside all car enthusiasts.



Safety

Dual front airbags, tire-pressure monitoring, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, and ABS are standard on all Mazda 3’s. Stability control and traction control is standard on s Touring, Grand Touring, and Mazdaspeed 3 models.




























http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...speed_3_review
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Old 10-15-2008, 03:27 PM   #2
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I have a 2008.5 Speed3, and I have to say its the only car I have ever driven that does this much so well. Its quick, very quick. Its comfortable, and its by far the most undertired car in history. It could really use some 225's or 235's to keep all 285 ft lbs of torque glued to the pavement. In my case, it was the perfect STI replacement. I will go on record as saying the STI is a better car, but its not 13000 dollars better.
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Old 10-15-2008, 04:32 PM   #3
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Agreed, my only quibble with the car is the wheels should be an inch shorter in diameter and an inch greater in width. I had my heart set on an STI, since they come in 5-door form now, but I can't pull the trigger on $30+ large when I can (and did) grab a lightly used speed3 for less than $20K.
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Old 10-15-2008, 04:49 PM   #4
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Quote:
What's New for 2009

For 2009, the Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 are largely unchanged except for the extension of standard anti-lock brakes and side- and side-curtain airbags to the entry-level i Sport model.
No offense but i don't get what's newsworthy about this review for the 09 if, as the review states, it's basically the same car as the one we're already familiar with. Before i clicked i thought this was going to be the one based on the new body styling and engine.
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Old 10-15-2008, 05:57 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edkwon View Post
No offense but i don't get what's newsworthy about this review for the 09 if, as the review states, it's basically the same car as the one we're already familiar with. Before i clicked i thought this was going to be the one based on the new body styling and engine.
yeah i was confused looking at the pix..
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Old 10-15-2008, 06:12 PM   #6
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I think most people will say that Mazda did a great job with the 3, but I for one am much more interested in the next-gen model coming out next year.
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Old 10-15-2008, 06:18 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edkwon View Post
No offense but i don't get what's newsworthy about this review for the 09 if, as the review states, it's basically the same car as the one we're already familiar with. Before i clicked i thought this was going to be the one based on the new body styling and engine.
Same. O well It's still a good car for what it is.
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Old 10-16-2008, 01:04 AM   #8
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who cares about the mazdaspeed3...bring back the mazdaspeed6...now that is a good car
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Old 10-16-2008, 01:09 AM   #9
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speed3 just doesnt impress me at all i drive them at work all the time i just dont think they are well rounded
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:46 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Morgan1 View Post
speed3 just doesnt impress me at all i drive them at work all the time i just dont think they are well rounded


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Old 10-16-2008, 08:13 AM   #11
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I have to agree, the MS3 is a great car. I tried to talk my wife into getting one when she was looking. My only hope is that Mazda can stay focused.
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Old 10-16-2008, 08:17 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Morgan1 View Post
speed3 just doesnt impress me at all i drive them at work all the time i just dont think they are well rounded
What? They aren't well rounded? They are one of the best handling and fastest FWD cars ever. It's only competition is the Cobalt SS. Until the '09 WRX, it bested that in everything but driving in adverse weather conditions. To top it off it's a wagon that haul a bunch of crap. I don't care if people don't like the Speed 3 for some reasons. Maybe you just don't like the way it looks inside or out and you really prefer AWD. Those are valid reasons, but to say it isn't well rounded is a little crazy.
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Old 10-16-2008, 08:30 AM   #13
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maybe i should post my list of 'why the ms3 sucks', collected from actual posts by nasioc'ers.

morgan1's "not well rounded" sounds like a keeper quote.
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