Mazda 3 Sedan

[Nizzan]

Very nice if you ask me.

http://free.inkfrog.com/pix/drewsrx/mazda3a.jpg

http://free.inkfrog.com/pix/drewsrx/mazda3b.jpg

http://free.inkfrog.com/pix/drewsrx/mazda3c.jpg

http://free.inkfrog.com/pix/drewsrx/mazda3d.jpg

[limits_at_infiniti]

very nice its almost 3 series looking

[FanaticZ]

looks great, could almost pass off as is300 comp.

[CoCo_PuFf]

Holy #$%& http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif

this is definately going to be the new benchmark http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif

[jedmonds]

D@MN that is one sweet looking ride. Needs leather seats though. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Hotsauce]

D@MN that is one sweet looking ride. Needs leather seats though. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif



A Pro with leather? I'm surprised with the Navi.

[222Max]

Most compacts are cars you buy because you don't need or can't afford the bigger model. That 3 looks like a small car you would actually WANT. Somehow the interior looks even better than big brother 6 and at first glance puts the Altima and Camry cockpits to shame.

[nayR]

Price it at 18k to start, 20k loaded..
give it the 2.0 from the tribute/Protoge standard, with either the 2.3 from the 6 as an option, or a tweaked version of the 2.0t from the Mazdaspeed tuned to around 200Hp.
Youd be eating TSXs left and right all across the performance page.

[Deadpool]

I like the front end, but side reminds me a little of new Corolla.

[Vans]

Wow - very very nice. This thing is replacing the protege right??

[limits_at_infiniti]

see now this is what the rx-8 should be like
ground breaking class leading before it even comes out

[bto]

see now this is what the rx-8 should be like
ground breaking class leading before it even comes out



...and powered by Rotary power. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

['87 Sentra]

I would get exited about this car if it wasn't for the fact that it will share platforms with the Focus.

[Nissan_Admirer]

I would get exited about this car if it wasn't for the fact that it will share platforms with the Focus.



Who cares what platform it shares with. If it is tuned right and priced right, it will sell like hot cakes! It's got the style right, that's for sure!! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[BrianS]

I would get exited about this car if it wasn't for the fact that it will share platforms with the Focus.



so what if it shares platforms with the focus, granted nobody will argue that the focus is a desirable car in terms of styling or trim, but at the same time, nobody will argue that the focus is an inferior platform, the european marketed RS focus is an absolutely amazing automobile which IMHO shows how well built and how much potential the platform has, and im sure the mazda 3 will be as different from the crappy ford USDM version of the focus as the RS was

(holy crap, i never thought id find myself defending the focus)

[Zed]

http://free.inkfrog.com/pix/drewsrx/mazda3b.jpg
Looks kinda ungainly here. Bulbous hood, stubby unproportioned tail. Interior looks like a Pontiac. But it does smell like benchmark for the class otherwise. New Sentra should be a killer.

[M_TYPE_X]

http://free.inkfrog.com/pix/drewsrx/mazda3b.jpg
Looks kinda ungainly here. Bulbous hood, stubby unproportioned tail. Interior looks like a Pontiac. But it does smell like benchmark for the class otherwise. New Sentra should be a killer.



Yeah, that side profile isn't flattering.

[222Max]

Looks kinda ungainly here. Bulbous hood, stubby unproportioned tail. Interior looks like a Pontiac.



Pontiac should wish it could do an interior this nice. This has some of the Pontiac themes but not done as cheesily as Plastiac... um, Pontiac.

[Nismo]

I don't understand all the bragging about this interior. The layout is unique, but the finish says cheap. It's not down at GM's level, but it's still nothing to write home about. If you want to brag about a vehicle's interior, go check out VW.

I'm sure this will be a fine little car, but I wouldn't predict any homeruns.

['87 Sentra]

I would get exited about this car if it wasn't for the fact that it will share platforms with the Focus.



so what if it shares platforms with the focus, granted nobody will argue that the focus is a desirable car in terms of styling or trim, but at the same time, nobody will argue that the focus is an inferior platform, the european marketed RS focus is an absolutely amazing automobile which IMHO shows how well built and how much potential the platform has, and im sure the mazda 3 will be as different from the crappy ford USDM version of the focus as the RS was

(holy crap, i never thought id find myself defending the focus)



Since when is the focus desirable in term of styling and trim? who are these blind people who find that car even remotely appealing?

One of the reasons the current Protege is doing so well, is because it is a great car. It's built with quality and solidity laking in the competition, not to mention that it is priced very well. And let's not forget that it handles very well for a cheap car.

The focus on the other hand is sloppy inside and out, so if Mazda is using the platform from the focus on the 3, to me that is moving in the wrong direction. Mazda will be using the platform of a vehicle that is currently extremely unreliable, and with more recalls that anyone here can remember. I mean, you can't build something solid when the foundation is weak, and the focus is a weak foundation for what used to be a solid car.

[joeB]

I don't understand all the bragging about this interior. The layout is unique, but the finish says cheap. It's not down at GM's level, but it's still nothing to write home about. If you want to brag about a vehicle's interior, go check out VW.

I'm sure this will be a fine little car, but I wouldn't predict any homeruns.



What part of the finish looks cheap?

[joeB]

The base engine will be a 2.0-liter four producing 150
hp. An opional 2.3-liter four should generate around
180 horses, we'd guess.

Motor Trend.

[Vans]

I would get exited about this car if it wasn't for the fact that it will share platforms with the Focus.



so what if it shares platforms with the focus, granted nobody will argue that the focus is a desirable car in terms of styling or trim, but at the same time, nobody will argue that the focus is an inferior platform, the european marketed RS focus is an absolutely amazing automobile which IMHO shows how well built and how much potential the platform has, and im sure the mazda 3 will be as different from the crappy ford USDM version of the focus as the RS was

(holy crap, i never thought id find myself defending the focus)



Since when is the focus desirable in term of styling and trim? who are these blind people who find that car even remotely appealing?

One of the reasons the current Protege is doing so well, is because it is a great car. It's built with quality and solidity laking in the competition, not to mention that it is priced very well. And let's not forget that it handles very well for a cheap car.

The focus on the other hand is sloppy inside and out, so if Mazda is using the platform from the focus on the 3, to me that is moving in the wrong direction. Mazda will be using the platform of a vehicle that is currently extremely unreliable, and with more recalls that anyone here can remember. I mean, you can't build something solid when the foundation is weak, and the focus is a weak foundation for what used to be a solid car.



The Focus doesn't have recalls because of it's platform....... It has recalls because everything that is built around the platform sucks. The platform itself is very good.

[Nizzan]

I agree. The Euro spec Focus (RS) gets great reviews. Not to mention the US spec Focus SVT. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't even rent a focus. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Andre]

Guys, the current Focus platform is dying with this generation of cars. The new platform was codeveloped within Ford Motor Company's subbrands and is being used as the underpinnings for a number of cars. The Mazda3, the Volvo S40, the Ford 06 Focus, and the new Lincoln coming out alongside it. So the 3 is not even related to the current generation Focus except in terms of the FoMoCo umbrella they are both under. This car is completely new.

[Nizzan]

Guys, the current Focus platform is dying with this generation of cars. The new platform was codeveloped within Ford Motor Company's subbrands and is being used as the underpinnings for a number of cars. The Mazda3, the Volvo S40, the Ford 06 Focus, and the new Lincoln coming out alongside it. So the 3 is not even related to the current generation Focus except in terms of the FoMoCo umbrella they are both under. This car is completely new.



By no means am I arguing with you, but where did you get that information? Is the Lincoln variant going to be a very small sedan or what? thanks!

['87 Sentra]

Guys, the current Focus platform is dying with this generation of cars. The new platform was codeveloped within Ford Motor Company's subbrands and is being used as the underpinnings for a number of cars. The Mazda3, the Volvo S40, the Ford 06 Focus, and the new Lincoln coming out alongside it. So the 3 is not even related to the current generation Focus except in terms of the FoMoCo umbrella they are both under. This car is completely new.



I guess the issue here is not whether the platform will be the focus platform, but who develops it. I don't care who's platform it is, the Mazda3's used on the focus or vice versa. The problem is that it is designed by ford, and ford isn't known for quality, so I don't care where it is made, who makes it or whatever you want. If it is designed by ford, it is likely to be crap.

BTW. The focus will be a focus (crap) whether you buy it here, europe, the moon, mars, etc. It is still a ford, and still a focus, and therefore it is crap. If anyone believes otherwise, then get one, and then you'll agree. I dare anyone to prove that the focus is a worthy vehicle.
Oh, and saying that the euro focus gets great reviews means nothing. The focus here in NA gets to be in the C&D 10best list, so hype does not equal quality.

If the platform was designed by say Volvo, then I would agree, but since it isn't...

[M_TYPE_X]

As far as I know, the smallest Lincoln coming down the pipeline will be based on a Mazda 6/Ford Futura platform.

They should rather spend time on developing a Mark IX coupe.

[FanaticZ]

well show me a tsb or recall on the focus that is specifically about the platform and then i'll start to care. it was codeveloped by all three companies because they all need it to work for their own particular car. the renault menage could be a pos, but nissan using the same platform has no bearing on whether the next sentra will be. its a way of saving money, not making 3 crappy cars.

[M_TYPE_X]

the renault menage



http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/laugh.gif HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

['87 Sentra]

well show me a tsb or recall on the focus that is specifically about the platform and then i'll start to care. it was codeveloped by all three companies because they all need it to work for their own particular car. the renault menage could be a pos, but nissan using the same platform has no bearing on whether the next sentra will be. its a way of saving money, not making 3 crappy cars.



Go here (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm) and go nuts.

Make : FORD Model : FOCUS Year : 2000
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 00V218000 Recall Date : AUG 04, 2000
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 276500
Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE RESULTANT HIC(D) VALUE AT ONE TARGET LOCATION AP1, LOCATED ON THE TRIM PANEL AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE A-PILLAR AND ROOF SIDE RAIL, MAY BE GREATER THAN DESIGN INTENT.
Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT CONTACTING THAT LOCATION MAY NOT BE PROVIDED THE INTERIOR IMPACT PROTECTION INTENDED.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE B-PILLAR AND A-PILLAR TRIM PANELS, REVISE THE HEADLINER EDGE NEAR THE TOPS OF THE A-PILLARS TO ACCEPT THE NEW A-PILLAR TRIM PANELS WITH THEIR ENERGY ABSORBING TUBES, AND INSTALL THE NEW A-PILLAR AND THE OLD B-PILLAR TRIM PANELS.
Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED. THE FIRST MAILING WILL BE FOR THE 3-DOOR SEDAN VEHICLES AND BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2000. THE SECOND PHASE IS FOR 4-DOOR SEDAN AND WAGON VEHICLES AND WILL BEGIN ON DECEMBER 29, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

['87 Sentra]

Here is some more focus fun: web page (http://404.978.org/fran/archives/001389.html)

Defending anything that has to do with the focus is just plain stupid. That car sucks at so many levels. Don't destroy your credibility, don't defend the focus. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tongue.gif