Frost

Hi all...I'm interested in purchasing the mazda3 soon...but have a couple questions before i make the final decision...hope you guys can help me out

well...first of all...how do you like the mazda3? I'm thinking of just getting the base 2.0 GS model...i know that the 2007 comes with standard side bags and ABS as compared to the 2006...should I splurge and get the 2.3 GT? Is it that big of a difference? (I'm talking about the sedan)

second...i've heard horror stories about the mazda3 tranny and gearbox...are there any known problems or recall that I should know about?

third...should i get the 2006 if it's $2000 CDN cheaper? aside from the ABS and side bags...what other changes did mazda make this year? both models are GS...

forth...what's a "good" price for a base GS or GT...only answer if you're in ONTARIO

fifth...what's the fastest color...

Thanks...

Olestra

Lol I'm not sure about the fastest colour. But you can see my car in my signature.

I'm from Edmonton. Got mine for 22.5k after some nice rebates and haggling. Only been driving it for less than 3 months so I can't confirm any tranny horror stories. I hope they are not true or at least I get lucky! So far I haven't had the brake squeeling or clutch clicking noise issue some other ppl have had.

Fun factor - VERY HIGH! This car is great, with it's awesome handling and it's "punch" in acceleration.

For me - 06 was much cheaper than 07. Saved about 3k+, I think, over an 07, so that made it worth it. I got the GT so I think I got side curtain air bags anyways and also ABS for sure (works wonders in this year's brutal winter). Only great features that 07 has over 06 is heated seats and aux input jack for your music. There are smaller differences but these are the things that would stand out the most for daily use.

IMO, GT has a lot of features over the GS that make it worth it. And I like having a spoiler... however I'm the type of person that likes to have all the features and have the best (if I had the money, I woulda gotten MS3)...

Good luck in your purchase - GT has more power, so if you're looking for that zoom zoom, that's what you want. I heard auto is sluggish vs manual.

icspots

Hey, and you can always add both an aux. input or heated seats, and get both for way less than $3k.

Olestra

Aux is especially easy - it is plug and play and it lets you use the steering wheel controls too.

Frost

wow...22.5k out the door? after tax and PDI and all that BS?...that's a GOOD price...

I drove the manual GS...it didn't really impress me...gotta test drive the GT soon...before all the 06's are sold out...

Olestra

Yeah can't complain about what I payed. I'm liking the car more and more everyday.

Frost

I'm guessing that's a CASH deal?

I went back to my dealer and he said that he can't even come close to that price after tax (14%)...

I'm gonna shop around...till I can come close to 22.5G...

I want the GT more and more...haha...power is so addictive

Olestra

we have 6% tax (no provincial) and yes, cash deal on an 06 (got $1500 off the MSRP)