So...EV was right...

[Rockhound]

Well, sort of, at least. He's outspoken about his dislike of Honda products, which now I'm beginning to understand. Although my Element was the picture of reliability for the 7,000-some miles and 8 months I owned it, it was not put together with the standards I expect from any new car. The interior had developed rattles, pops, and a horrendous dash 'click' within a week of ownership, and after putting up with it for 8 long months, I decided to abandon ship. I know most folks will think I'm crazy for ditching a car due to rattles, but these weren't your run-of-the mill noises.

The rear hatch popped loudly, the driver's door shook against the body, and that aforementioned dash 'click' was so high-pitched and loud that even blasting the (nice) stereo couldn't drown it out. After some research on owner forums, I found that no one (!) had any success with a dealer fix to any of these all-too-well-known issues (and I sure couldn't source the noises, but I at least gave it the old college try). Also, I hadn't had the need to haul anything since about a month after I bought it. I just didn't need all that space.

How sad. But life's too short to stick with something you're not happy with, and thanks to Honda's great resale value, I was able to get into a new Mazda3 GT without too much of a loss.

I underestimated how much of a small-car guy I really am. I was blown away by how well appointed the Grand Touring model is, with heated leather, HIDs, LED-tails, and even rain-sensing wipers. And finally, I own a car with a fricken trip computer. Anyway, here's some pics...











Luckily the Versa keeps purring along for my wife - we've got just over 16,000 miles on it now, and the gas mileage is staying consistent at around 30 MPG on her commute.

[1_Sleek_Versa]

Ohhh what a nice buy!!!! The Mazda 3 GT's are awesome cars all around.

You bought the same car as my girlfriends except her's is white.

I love everything about the car. Have fun with it.

[Rockhound]

I am having fun with it...it's great to be back in a peppy, small car! I really underestimated how little fun I'd have in the Element, despite its relatively decent handling. Unfortunately, it was too heavy for the meager 2.4L, so even slight acceleration wasn't possible until 2500+ RPMs and the SC had an extremely punishing ride - not cool. I guess the Mazda3 is the car that should have replaced my G20 all along.

Any idea what kind of gas mileage your girlfriend gets? I haven't had to fill-up yet, but the computer is reading around 24.5 MPG average thus far - not too shabby considering the pickup and how I've been driving it. My brother has one and he gets 25-26 on his commute, calculated at the pump.

[Mubbly]

Geez... I'd get a Mazda3 Hatch over a Versa any day. They're just so sleek and sexy!

[Johniboi]

Same here.

I know a guy who has one in my school. He got the one with the turbo-not sure if yours the same?-but that thing is FAST and nice lookin. I think the color red looks nice with the car

[1_Sleek_Versa]

I am Any idea what kind of gas mileage your girlfriend gets?

7.6 L / 100 km to 8.7L/100km, depending how much city driving she does I guess. She always drives under 100km/h and no red lining.

[Rockhound]

I know a guy who has one in my school. He got the one with the turbo-not sure if yours the same?-but that thing is FAST and nice lookin. I think the color red looks nice with the car

No turbo here...that would be the Mazdaspeed3. That thing is crazy - probably some of the best performance for the money considering the escalating price of the Evo and WRX these days. Even so, this is still faster than anything else I've owned (not that that is saying much) so I'm happy with decent performance and decent mileage.

7.6 L / 100 km to 8.7L/100km, depending how much city driving she does I guess. She always drives under 100km/h and no red lining.

Gotcha. I'm looking forward to testing the accuracy of the trip computer.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Very nice. The 3 is a fantastic car and the 2.3 is a great motor. I like the color.

[AMD]

Very nice car. The interior of the Mazda 3 is awesome.

Only one thing wrong with your car though : it should have a manual transmission!

The 3's manual is really precise and fun to drive.

[Rockhound]

Very nice. The 3 is a fantastic car and the 2.3 is a great motor. I like the color.

Thanks! I am shocked by the refinement/sportiness of the 2.3 - probably one of the smoothest/quietest I4's I've experienced.

I've never owned a blue car, but this one jumped out at me, figure why not give something new a try.

Very nice car. The interior of the Mazda 3 is awesome.

Only one thing wrong with your car though : it should have a manual transmission!

The 3's manual is really precise and fun to drive.

Thanks, again! This is my kind of interior - I like how snug it is. I went back and forth on the transmission issue, since I drove a stick for the first 7 years I drove. But on the occasion that I drove a manual in recent years, it just hasn't quite had the appeal. I guess I'm getting old.

[Vahagn23]

Great car man. Congradz

[Gr8dave37]

When I was looking at cars I looked at the 3 as one of my options but I take passengers in my car alot and the back seat just sucked!! So, after test driving 5 other cars I found the Versa to have the most leg room out of them all....second was the Yaris sedan...but man the cruise they stick in that thing is like shoving a screwdriver in the steering column behind the wheel

[Rockhound]

When I was looking at cars I looked at the 3 as one of my options but I take passengers in my car alot and the back seat just sucked!! So, after test driving 5 other cars I found the Versa to have the most leg room out of them all....second was the Yaris sedan...but man the cruise they stick in that thing is like shoving a screwdriver in the steering column behind the wheel

Yeah, the backseat legroom is quite tight compared to the Versa. Since I'm the only one in my car for a great majority of the time, it just wasn't a major concern. It's nice to have the Versa as well, since it's nice and comfy in case we've got others riding with us.

I'm a little confused about the cruise comment, though, since the cruise control is laid out on the steering wheel in a similar manner to the Versa (as you can see in the last pic).

[Alphahawk]

The Mazda 3 was my first choice. No one was going to ride in the back seat....ever....so that was of no concern for me. All of my stuff I would carry fit in...even though the rear seats did not fold completely flat. My concern was MPG. It was not going to be what I was looking for....in the mid 30's. While the Mazda I had priced was 5 grand more than the Versa I bought...and yes I do realize that the Mazda has way many more features....I was only going to a new car to get a combination of comfort first, and second, the best MPG that I could get. I talked to many people who own the Mazda 3 and their MPG was never over 30 even on the interstate at 65 MPH. I can get 40MPG with the Versa at that speed. I put so many miles on a car every drop of gas I can save is important to me. But I have to admit everytime I see a Mazda 3 I am really envious....very nice ride. Oh by the way I test drove the Mazda 3 Speed. Takes premium gas but will surprise a lot of so called muscle cars. Great ride you have there. I hope their next version can get MPG in the mid to upper 30's and I will trade in a heart beat.

[Rockhound]

^ Thanks for the compliment. I hear you, completely, by the way. The relatively low efficiency is why I skimmed over the 3 in the first place (when I bought the Element). Sure, the Element has a lower EPA rating, but it also could haul twice the cargo of the 3.

My brother gets about 25 on his half-n-half commute with his Mazda3, which isn't impressive for a 2.3L with 156hp, but is right in line with my former G20, which had a 145hp 2.0L and was nearly 2 seconds slower to 60 MPH. Simply put, the 3 just isn't an economy car but it's not a performance car, either.

As for my wife's Versa, we've never seen MPGs over 34 (not to say you don't), and she averages 30 on her commute. So it would appear that I'll be taking about a 4-5 MPG hit in both city and highway driving. For the driving zen that this provides me, though, I think it's well worth it - but certainly others do not. If Mazda wants to take an even bigger share in car sales, though, I'd hope the next generation 3 has efficiency more in line with the car/engine's size.