SkyActiv 2012 First Impressions

[georgem]

Purchase our 2012 SkyActiv Mazda3 I 5-Door Touring 10/27 and picked it up 11/3 (a long story for the week delay). The car was delivered 10/26 and this was the first sold in Durham, NC. Some impressions with 80 miles on the car, 60 ours.
(1) We like the interior changes from our 2007 5-door touring.
(2) The acceleration may be a little slower then our old 5-speed Auto 2007 BUT we are not pushing the pedal hard for the first few 100 miles.
(3) Find it interesting that the transmission must be a close system, although I've seen any info saying that. They is no dip stick to check the ShyActiv trans, only a dashboard "electric" malfunction light.

Last thought, based on a number of Mazda surveys sent to us as owners, I really think MAZDA is only focussed on the "young" drivers and don't understand that there may be older drivers that want a very responsive and good road feel vehicle. We had Saturn vehicles for the 10 year prior to our first 2007 Mazda (purchased in 2006). So at 71 we had no other car in mind when we went looking for a replacement. We agree with the MAZDA ads, "It's not the first 40-mpg sedan. It's just the first one worth driving" . I think Mazda should have some ads trying to get other older drivers in those over priced cars to take a look. We thought it was great that a 70's couple got the first SkyActiv in Durham, NC.

[Rimfire]

Glad to hear that you like your new Mazda. I'm looking at the same vehicle. Now that you've had it for several weeks, what further impressions can you pass on. What kind of mileage are you getting, have you had any issues with it? Would you buy the same vehicle again? How many miles so far?

Thanks, RFP