looking to buy 4 dr sedan S model in states

[lcc27]

For anyone who curently owns the 4 dr sedan S model:

Have any of you had any major issues since buying the car. I have been reading alot of reviews on this car and it seems alot people are having problems with the brakes. Is this somethign that mazda is aware of and are going to fix for future M3's and is it more prevalent in the "i" then "s" model?

Also wanted to know what options are worth getting? I was looking to get a moonroof but do you have to have 6 cd changer? Is this a package deal? Also a spoiler...which one is nicer looking? I havent seen too many in my area as of yet with a spoiler so it kind of hard for me to judge.

I was looking to possibly buy at the end of this year, does any know if there will be deep discounts and/or rebates by then? Will I get a good deal if I wait til then?

Any input is appreciated

[jblmz3]

It is great that you are doing such responsible shopping. I have an 04 5door and I have experienced no real breaking issues. If these issues do become significant, Mazda is sure to find the permanent fix, and they are obligated to remedy the situation. As far as the spoilers are concerned, the lip psoilers maintain a certain level of classiness, but the wing type adds a sporty spice to the sedan. I saw a sweet looking lava orange sedan with the sport package and a wing type spoiler, but it was maybe a 19 year old kid driving it. The sunroof is offered as a factory installed option only with the 6disk and sunroof package. If your concern is to have the sunroof and not the 6disk, then I would suggest pricing a local installation fom someone. If you are in a region were cold weather is a concern, I would not recomend the factory leather option.

The rebates for the 3 will probably begin after the first string of recalls are relesed. Keep in mind that there is not a singel car on the market that has not had at least two recalls in its first year. I cannot remember how many I had to get serviced for my 2000 Focus, but there was a crap load!

[lcc27]

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. So how are you liking the car so far? I am really doing a lot of research because this will be my first HUGE purchase and my first time buying a brand new car not used so I like to know what I am buying if I am putting that much $ in a car. You seem like your very knowledgeable on the car...do u actually sell cars? or are you basing it are purchasing experience just curious. Well that really bums me out that you HAVE TO buy the moonroof package and you cant just buy the moonroof. That really sucks!

[jblmz3]

I actually do a great deal of research on new automotive technology advancements on my own. This car is the Third new vehicle purchase that I have made, but I honestly wish it were my first. The Mazda line of automobiles has steadily increased in popularity and Mazda has made many adjustments to do all that is in their power to suffice its customers, both loyal and new. The reason I chose the Mazda 3 for myself, is because I found it to suit my every want and need in an auto for under $20,000.

Before I test drove the 3, I had already driven a new Tiburon, the RSX, a Focus SVT, and a Pontiac G-AM. The 3 was last, but after drinving it for a day or so with the dealer's permission, I fell in love with its performance, handling, looks, and versatility.

I am sorry I am rambling, but my new Mazda3 has me acting like a kid again! :w00t!:
If there are any questions you have about the 3, and don't want to talk to a pushy sales-person, than feel free to ask! Good luck in your hunt for the right ride!

[beinkken]

yes, there are lots of people at MW willing to help you out before you buy

Originally posted by jblmz3@Mar 12 2004, 05:39 PM
*
If there are any questions you have about the 3, and don't want to talk to a pushy sales-person, than feel free to ask!* Good luck in your hunt for the right ride!

[Senna 27]

I bought theMazda 3 Sport GT! I love the car but... I think I got the "Lemon"! It's really pissing me off! I just wish I got to drive it before I bought it... I wouldn't have taken this one! See my posts on engine/air bag problems.

I seam to have the only one with an engine problem though! Had an air bag sensor problem too! Brought it in for service on Mar. 4th., won't get it back until Mar. 22nd., if I'm lucky! That makes 22 of the 47 days I've owned it in the shop!!!

[lcc27]

I have talk to alot of people that have sunroofs on their cars and the concensus seems to be not to get one b/c they hardly use it. Ive also heard that after awhile they may leak? So I dont know if I want to spend the addt $$ to get this option. As far as the spoilers, I think I will just wait til I actually see for myself what it looks like. Im trying to save $$ here not spend more...lol Hopefully by the time I do buy the car, i will have something to go by. I have only seen one Mazda 3 on the roads in my area, but I couldnt tell if it was an S or I model. Either way it looked nice. I did test drive one last week(S model) and I am very impressed so far. I went to the dealers to just pick up a brochure but I figured since I was there I figured..what the heck I might as well drive it since I was already there. The M3 is definitely at the top of my list. The only issue I have with it is the seating material...I drove a silver one with the red/black interior and the part that is black seems to be really cheap material..felt almost like pantyhose material. Like after a few times in the car..it could possibly rip? Does anyoneelse have the cloth interior? There is no way I am getting leather! too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter when u sit plus after a while like all leather it starts to crack. Being from Philly this would definitely be a problem for me-weather wise. NO THANKS! Also do any of you have the Mp3 player option..is it any good or would it be effective and cheaper to jus install my own? Thanks for the input so far...its been a GREAT HELP

[btacular]

i didn't get the moonroof because i thought i would never really use it (i like my a/c)... also, the moonroof package includes the 6disc cd changer which im not inclined to get (i want the mp3 player and you can't have both)...

i've had my 3S for 3 weeks (since 3/01/04) and it was built in 11/2003... so far no breaking issues after 600 miles

i did get the ABS package+sport package+automatic trans as options

[A Buckeye 3]

I bought a 3i on Feb 24th. The 25th, I took it in with an airbag light on and a bad fuel pump. Two weeks later and 1300 miles on my rental car, I got my mica black 3i back, and now it's all set. I went for the cheap-o, my only added option is A/C, but with this car, cheapskates like me can get into one with virtually no add-ons and still get lots of neat standard features, such as the radio controls on the wheel and the telescoping wheel (great for my 6'6" frame). I added 17 inch rims and tires just the other day and the car looks fabulous now. Since the i model's grill is not painted, the black still looks good since it all matches. I paid 14,100 for the car before tax and other fees. For that price, there is no other car on the market that can compare. Yeah, so maybe I have to crank my own windows, but oh well. I filled up with 11.5 gallons the other day and got 345 miles out of it. No complaints!