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Compact sporty Mazda
The Mazda3 is really one of the finest cars in its class. Why? Well it has a cool looking exterior design that is not frumpy like most of its competition.
Combine this with excellent sporty handling and a great cabin.
If you like to drive hard and need a sporty sedan that still seats four in comfort -stop here.
The Mazda3 has won plenty of awards since its launch and is a very strong selling vehicle.
Sales rep Dean Earle of Signature Mazda Dealers at Richmond Auto Mall says: "The fact that the Mazda3 has won major awards is a big plus.
"People see the zoom zoom adverts on TV, read the reviews and see the car on the street.
| "It looks good, drives good, it’s very different from all the other cars in its class and they like the price." |
He adds: "Don’t forget that the Mazda3 is built in Japan and shipped here. It’s not like some other Japanese cars that are actually built in the US or Canada. For some people it’s an important fact."
Mikai Kawasuga, 44, a shipping manager originally from Yokohama but now living in Richmond, recently bought a Mazda3 for his wife and says that for one coming from Japan it was important where the car was made.
"I still think Japanese cars are better built than anywhere else," he says.
He adds, "We live in a new town house complex and so space for parking is tight, the Mazda is nice and compact. We really like the car. It’s very stylish and fun to drive - not boring at all."
| "It's very stylish and fun to drive." |
Mazda3 Hatchbacks come standard with the sport appearance package that adds 17-inch wheels and additional bodywork.
Base sedans use a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine rated to produce 148 horsepower.
An upgraded model uses a 2.3-litre four-cylinder that bumps the horsepower number to 160.
Both engines can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.
ON THE ROAD
Space wise, the front cabin is very roomy with enough room for taller drivers to get very comfortable.
Space wise, the front cabin is very roomy with enough room for taller drivers to get very comfortable.
The rear seats are also surprisingly spacious, but legroom is a little tight.
Trunk space is decent on the sedan models, but the hatchback is smaller on cargo space unless you fold the rear seats.
On the road the Mazda3 delivers a very sporty, but not unduly harsh ride.
Turn it up a notch in the speed department, find a few twisting roads and the tuned suspension lets you really push the car hard without any drama.
PROS
Cool styling. Fine quality, available both as a sedan and hatchback. Good sporty handling and steering.
CONS
Rear legroom is cramped, suspension may be too sporty and firm for some people.
2006 MAZDA 3 SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE FROM: $16,295 - $21,445
TYPE: 4-door, 5-pass. compact sedan or Hatchback
TYPE: 4-door, 5-pass. compact sedan or Hatchback
LAYOUT: Transverse front engine/front-wheel-drive
ENGINE: 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder, DOHC,16 valves
HORSEPOWER: 148
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual or automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 1223 kg (2,696 lbs.)
WHEELBASE: 2640 mm (103.9 in.)
LENGTH: 4530 mm (178.3 in.)
WIDTH: 1755 mm (69.1 in.)
HEIGHT: 1465 mm (57.7 in.)
CARGO SPACE: 323 litres (11.4 cu. ft.)
FUEL CONSUMPTION CITY: 8.5 L/100 km (33 mpg Imperial) Hwy: 6.2 L/100 km (46 mpg Imperial)
FUEL TYPE: Regular unleaded
WARRANTY: 3 yrs/80,000 km
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY: 5 yrs/100,000 km
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