Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2012 Mazda3 GS-Sky; Day 1

[aaronk]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the recent Impreza testing didn't the manual achieve around 9L/100Km vs 10L/100Km in the CVT? The CVT states better EPA, but the real world tends to change that - I find more cars with manuals coming out with better average numbers, even though they have lower EPA's. This surprises me, as a fan of manual transmissions I tend to drive more aggressively (because its more fun) than I do in auto cars.

Aside from that, I don't see too many gas powered compact cars that average much better than 9L/100Km on the open road. The new Elantra may be better, but most of the real-world numbers I hear are at best around 9. My 2003 Protege5 is between 10-11, although it isn't really relevant in the modern car comparison.

[dkaz]

Lol... I tend to drive like a grandma when I drive manual and I tend to floor it with automatics.

[ajay]

Got my wife to forget about AWD (just not needed in Victoria) and persuaded her to wait for the 2015 Mazda 3 .
Its compression will be higher, its suspension revised and will have a lighter body
so she can enjoy ZOOM ZOOM too .

   

[Ex-airbalancer]

I would think awd would be useful with all the rain in Victoria
Rain can be worst then snow

[Snowman]

I would think awd would be useful with all the rain in Victoria
Rain can be worst then snow

Well said, most people don't get that.

[libraman]

Actually the auto does offer better fuel economy.  7.6/5.1 for the manual and 7.1/5.0 auto

Good answer

I still don't think it's an upgrade (like the other poster), but you are completely right about stated fuel economy and you should be applauded for knowing your stuff

Auto sometimes have better "stated" fuel economy but the reality usually different. Especially with Mazdas.

[dkaz]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

[nlm]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

And drive like a grandma!

[quadzilla]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

I have problems with traction in first, second and third gear when the roads wet. I really think AWD could help that.

[bridgecity]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

Both my vehicles are AWD/4WD.  AWD/4WD gets used the most in urban driving.

[nlm]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

Both my vehicles are AWD/4WD.  AWD/4WD gets used the most in urban driving.

Yeah, funny how that works.

[libraman]

COnsumer Reports fuel economy numbers for the 6 speed auto are just in. It got 22 city, 43 highway, 40 in their 150 mile trip. These are in miles per US gallon. Impressive. The former 2,0 litre automatic got 18/40/35. For comparison sakes, the current Elantra got 20/39/35.

The case for a diesel is getting tougher and tougher to make.

[ajay]

I've been driving in the rain for 40 yrs . Not once did I say to myself OH MY GOD, I NEED AWD

[Ex-airbalancer]

I usually put my truck in awd in the rain just makes it a nicer drive
I have lost the rear end a couple of times with 2 wd  truck

[vdk]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

I have problems with traction in first, second and third gear when the roads wet. I really think AWD could help that.

Golf R in the future?

[quadzilla]

Don't need AWD if all you're doing is urban driving, just appropriate tires and driving know-how. Remember, the two key issues in the rain are hydroplaning and stopping. AWD will not help your vehicle not hydroplane and AWD will not stop faster than a FWD or RWD.

I have problems with traction in first, second and third gear when the roads wet. I really think AWD could help that.

Golf R in the future?

If the Mrs could drive a manual I would have already had my name on the list. 

[safristi]

Re_locate from Ms VICTORIA.......or buy new HYDRO_EDGES each FALL...... ..that'l be $100 and two follow up visits to get you ov'r the DENIAL STAGE.....

[Nuttygent]

  My 06 Mazda 3GT has been getting about 9L/100km and I love the handling. The reliability has been poor compared to my previous Mazda's. Both front struts, 02 sensors and park brake seized at 90K have me leaning toward leaving the Nazda camp.

[safristi]

Nazda!? CAMP walk this way......................

[theonlydt]

9.5 is surprisingly low - maybe it didn't come with a full-tank? I'd expect 8s out of it in this weather - new 2.0 sedan should make that no problem. Nice to hear it's now a decent highway cruiser. If anything happens to one of our current cars I think a hatch version of this car would be the replacement. Nothing goes wrong it'll probably/hopefully be the diesel/auto CX-5 when it finally comes here.