RE-Jo

Hi all,

I just purchased a 2007 Mazda 3 GT (I am from Canada), and will be picking it up on Thursday~ I currently drive a FD, but due to many reasons (Gas, Practicality, and Weather, and the fact that I am always mentally stressed over possible engine problems!), I have decided to get a M3 (no~ I didn't trade in the RX-7 :P). It is an Automatic tho, since my fiancee will be driving it as well~

I am very nervous and excited at the same time... because it is the first new car I have ever own~ Any suggestions for first time M3 owner? Things to do or not do in the beginning?

Thanks~

Jo

RE-Jo

I got the car last Thursday, and it started snowing on Friday! Man that was close~ Wouldn't dare to drive the RX-7 in the snow~

I like the Mazda 3 sport very much. It comes with heated seats~ very nice for the cold winter. Don't like the wheels, but no money to get new wheels so i will have to live with them for now :P

Anyway, thanks for reading!

hichrishigh

Congrats!

i got my '06 Mazda3 s GT in August of this year and have been loving it from the start! The only thing I would recommend that you keep in mind is that it takes the engine a few thousand miles to break-in. You'll probably get a lower MPG than you would expect for the first couple of months. I found that a lot of consumer reviews complained about the MPG, but I have absolutely no complaints. Oh - and my air conditioner works great - another thing that reviews seemed to comment on.

Anyway, congrats again - you've got yourself a great car, IMO!

Chris

Olestra

Congrats on your car. I'm sure you are just as excited as I was when I first got mine. I purchased an 06 GT at the end of Sept, only 3000 kms on it now.

I'm from Canada too and the first thing I thought about to get for my car is winter tires. You can probably get by with a different set of all seasons but in the summer you might want switch from winters back to the stock tires. It's probably what I'm doing b/c I have no way of getting rid of the tires the car came with, so I might as well drive them still they are worn. The reason why I mention getting different tires is because the stock tires (Eagle RS-A 205/50-R17s) are a really bad tire, especially in the winter. So if you're gonna do this winter in them, be especially careful. The ABS sys helps alot with it b/c they are basically slip and slide. These tires are "good enough" on dry pavement in the summer, but you basically don't want to have anything to do with them. =)
Next thing is winter mats. You may have been able to get a good deal on Mazda ones with your purchase. If you ask the dealer, they'll probably still give you 15% off them or something like that. They are pricey though, just over $100 bucks. I got some bulky Michelin ones at Cdn Tire for $60, set of 4. Pedals are sometimes getting stuck on them b/c they are big, but it's not that bad.

Other than that, the car is so well equipped, you don't really need anything. PS don't get any of that rust protection crap from the dealership, they charge you 3-4 times more than it costs at a car detailing shop and all they end up doing is contracting it to that same detailing shop and taking the %400 markup for themselves.

RE-Jo

Yes, the dealer offered me the rust protection thingy, and I just refused them. They even tried to convince me after I said no the first time :P...

Thanks for the advice~ I am going to check out Costco for some winter mats... about the tires tho, I think I will stay with the Eagle RSA for now. We don't get That much snow here in Vancouver BC (Eventho we just had a huge snow storm!).

I've been noticing a really loud high pitched squeaking noise when I move the car after it's been parked for a long time. Is that something I should be concerned about?

Olestra

Go to the dealer and ask them to check it out especially since you've had the car for a week and it shouldn't squeak.

I've heard that happen with the brakes when they are wet, it happens to my sister-in-law's 06. I luckily dont' have that problem. I sometimes get a loud snapping noise like something's breaking (sounds like ice is breaking) after I move the car from being parked. Since I said ice, it's probably b/c something is frozen (-28C in Edmonton), just don't know what.

kargoboy

Welcome to the forum. You 3 folks need to post more pics.

DaleK

Do you set the parking brake? With the friggin cold you are getting, it may be the e-brake (operates on one of the back brakes only) freezing to the wrme disk and then breaking loose. I have had this happen many times with my P5, which has rear disks. You don't get freeze up on the e-brake as much with drums in the back, in my experience.

Enjoy your cars!
Dale.

RE-Jo

Hey Kargoboy~ the car is completely stock~ Pearl White 07 Mazda 3 GT with no sunroof hehe... The car is really dirty now thanks to the snow... so it wouldn't look pretty on Camera :|

Olestra

Yes I have the E-Brake on when parked, always b/c it's MT. I figured it might be the disc brakes freezing and breaking loose. If that's all it is, then I'm not too worried. Nothing else seems to make loud noises or snaps once that initial snap happens. No squeaks or squeals either.

As for pics, I should have taken some pics after I got the car detailing + interior protection + rust protection package. My car was so shiny! After one week, it's getting pretty dirty driving it in the snow.

06M3Stouring

I have an 06 that i purchased back in august, Ive also experienced the squeaking breaks after parking the car for a few days, and when its cold outside. I do use the e-brake, so it seems we have the same problem. Although last night it wasnt too cold and the car hadnt been parked very long, and when i backed out of my spot there was a loud squeaking noise....maybe i should get that checked out.

Roddimus Prime

rear brakes on the 3's are known to squeak. There is a TSB on this issue but it's nothing more than pulling off the wheels and using brake cleaner to knock off the dust. I had the same issue on my rx8

djs2571

If you want a set of tires / rims, I got a set of sport edition F10's from the tirerack along with a set of winter tires, and TPMS from Ebay all for under $1000. The painted rims top finish layer in the lugnut holes scraped off in the cold when I was swapping tires around (some places can't balance tires right the first time). But I think they look close to stock and cheap for keeping a decent look on the car.
As for MPG, even during breakin I was about 28MPG for the first tank, and it has been pretty steady at ~30-31MPG since 1500 miles. Better than my GSL-SE that I did sell once I got the new 3.
I also get squeaking brakes, only in reverse though when there's some surface rust on the discs from sitting for a few hours.