Mazda3 Driving Impressions
 

Mazda3 First Drive by Edmunds.com

Check it out. A good review.

All the reports I've read say this car is a significant improvement over the current Pro, and prices with comparable existing models are suppose to be roughly the same.

Why then does it seems that not too many people on this board are very excited about it?

Cuz we're jealous......:p

I would say it's just a matter of taste. Some people still like the looks on the Protege5 vs the new mazda3 wagon. I would say the mazda3 sedan definitely looks sleeker though.

And the car audio freaks won't like the interior. It's gonna be a nightmare installing aftermarket headunits (I have NO idea how to start just from looking from the picture).

Besides, most of us are still trying to pay off our car loans on our current Proteges :D

You guys know that Xenon headlights are available for the mazda3???!!!!

you know, some cars cant ever have an aftermarket radio. they are usually upscale cars that offer great sounding setups from the factory, though. for an economy car to have no din slot for a radio sucks. as for the car... cool. Im envious of the extra power but like the current protege's looks more (so far, at least. maybe I'll grow to love it)

audio
 

I'm hoping that there are some din slots behind the covers, and the someone will make covers for aftermarket equipment as they have done for late model Fords.

The Crutchfields of the world have to think of something because Mazdas are a pretty big market to skip.

I'm pretty pumped about the car, but with brand new cars it usually takes a while for the aftermarket to kick in. Until then, every 3 on the road looks, sound and feels the same, and that's pretty blah. So for now, i'm still looking forward to a turbo kit for my P5 ;)

AWESOME!!!
 

Damnt that car looks GOOD !!!! I really want one!!

i want the new "mazda 3"'s HP, and keep the protege 5 styling
by the way, i just read yesterday, in car and driver: " The Volvo S40 shares architecture with the next Ford Focus and the upcoming Mazda 3 (see page 43) but not engines"

I have a 2002 P5 I just bought the end of last November, then got deployed in late Feb,... now I'm rather pissed I got it & didn't wait for the Mazda 3,... I DEFINATELY like the sleeker looks of the Mazda 3,.. DAMN the aftermarket stereo,.. that's just something for a crook to steal anyhow,..lol,... I'm SURE someone will make an adapter to fit sooner or later,.. the Ford Focus & a few other models had similar issues & they eventually got adapters.
My wife & I plan to get HER a Mazda 3 hopefully by next spring or early summer. After we sell her '93 Honda Prelude of course.