Topic: First Drive: 2014 Mazda3

[mixmanmash]

Mazda has a winner on its hands, best in class for sure.

When it comes to rust it does look like mazda has taken many steps to correct the issue , from what i have seen they redesigned the wheel well and are now using better metals on their cars.

My Protege5 performed flawlessly until i traded it in after 180k km, never had any problems with the car. Minor rust in the wheel well area but after 10 years thats expected.
My current 2008 Mazda 5 has no rust .

Every car will rust after many years, sure Mazda did have a problem but i dont think thats the case anymore.  if you live an a area where they spray salt in winter then you need to  rustproof your car

Honestly, I don't believe rust proofing is necessary in my area if the manufacturer has built the car well.  My dad's 83 LeSabre was fine after 17 years and 350k kms, desire having a huge paint chip. My moms 97 Taurus is fine too, 16 years and 200k kms later.

Why can BMW, VW, Audi, Porsche offer a 12 year rust warranty?

How come I can see 10 year old Corollas, Civics and Sentras with no rust, yet most of the 3s and Protégés you see have varying degrees of rust.

[Solstice2006]

My 2002 Sentra has rust at the bottom of the doors.  My friends 2004 Corolla has some where the trunk is, and my Aunt's 2003 Civic has some near the mirrors, and the rear wheel wells.  But  this is the same with Focus, and Cobalts.

Maybe people in your area rust proof more?  Maybe it's an Ontario, and more eastern thing...

[mixmanmash]

My 2002 Sentra has rust at the bottom of the doors.  My friends 2004 Corolla has some where the trunk is, and my Aunt's 2003 Civic has some near the mirrors, and the rear wheel wells.  But  this is the same with Focus, and Cobalts.

Maybe people in your area rust proof more?  Maybe it's an Ontario, and more eastern thing...

Hardly anyone rust proofs in Alberta.  I'm willing to bet it's more of an Ontario / Eastern Canada thing.  When a car is out of province, us Albertans typically get nervous if we hear that it's from the east (Ontario / Quebec).

[Rupert]

Yeah, I suppose speedo's go places where engines can't live even. Or should not according to the bill. Anyway the design concept is an interesting one. Afterthought rev counter for just autmatics and analogue rev counter for gear heads. Decent size...could be bigger...still ok. Looks like parts are interchangeable to some extent. The more I look and think about it, the more I like it.

[Noto]

The license plate on the front doesn't detract from the looks as I thought it might.

Are you kidding?  It's effing awful.  Sad, since the Mazda6 has the plate placement right:
http://media.wheels.ca/vehicles/1280/942169/2014-Mazda-MAZDA6-942169-1-sm.jpg

I think it looks like a CRZ.
http://media.wheels.ca/vehicles/1188/835340/2011-Honda-CR-Z-835340-1-sm.jpg

Any good reason why a 155hp GX/GS needs to have a 260 KPH speedometer thus rendering HALF the available speedo real estate USELESS?

Agreed - this doesn't make it sportier, it makes it really difficult to read in the lower speed range.  It should max out at 200km/h.  Even cars that can go up to (and above) 260km/h should have their speedos limited to something that more reasonable (supercars exempted).

The only plus side is that the speedo will be more accurate for highway cruising...or something.

Personally, I like the new interior better but-for the pop-on screen - that looks awful.  I'd also likely break off the HUD screen quickly.

Also, I'm going to hate on the HVAC controls - those basic knobs look like a Corolla from 3 generations ago:
http://www.carid.com/dash-kit-gallery/images/dash-kits/TOYOTA_COROLLA_S_2003_STAINLESS_BW.jpg

__________________________________________________________

Boo me all you want, but I think they priced this a bit too high.  It's similar, but always above the Corolla feature-to-feature.  Toyota can put a premium on their resale and perceived quality reputation; Mazda has fun-to-drive, but rust-too-soon as a reputation that simply doesn't add to the price.  I have friends that recently purchased C-segments:  A Ford Focus SE, a Honda Civic EX, a '13 Toyota Corolla on pricing clear-out, etc...not a single one of them even considered the Mazda because it was always about a grand higher than the others, but didn't offer anything they (the average consumer that cares little about fun-to-drive) cared about.  They also all noted concerns over Mazda3 rusting issues - interesting since they know nearly nothing about cars.

[Blueprint]

Just saw the latest US sales figures, and Mazda is down 7% despite the intro of the new Mazda6 and the high-demand CX-5. Mazda has (mostly) great cars, but they really need to address the rust issue to regain traction with the general public. Maybe they did, but they need to climb on that soapbox and yell it to the world.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Just saw the latest US sales figures, and Mazda is down 7% despite the intro of the new Mazda6 and the high-demand CX-5. Mazda has (mostly) great cars, but they really need to address the rust issue to regain traction with the general public. Maybe they did, but they need to climb on that soapbox and yell it to the world.

When you get outsold by an odd duck like Subaru by 100k units YTD, you know you have a problem.

[OliverD]

Just saw the latest US sales figures, and Mazda is down 7% despite the intro of the new Mazda6 and the high-demand CX-5. Mazda has (mostly) great cars, but they really need to address the rust issue to regain traction with the general public. Maybe they did, but they need to climb on that soapbox and yell it to the world.

When you get outsold by an odd duck like Subaru by 100k units YTD, you know you have a problem.

I'd argue that Subaru is no longer an odd duck.

Also, September was a tough month for Mazda because the new 3 was not widely available.

[SaskSpecV]

When you get outsold by an odd duck like Subaru by 100k units YTD, you know you have a problem.

I'd argue that Subaru is no longer an odd duck.
Also, September was a tough month for Mazda because the new 3 was not widely available.
[/quote]

I'd agree with that - Subaru may still be slightly quirky compared to some other MNFRs, but they're certainly a lot less odd than they used to be.  They've been "mainstream" for quite a while now IMO.  Of course, bring back the Baja, and their "weird" cred will be fully restored!

As for Mazda's claims that their lacklustre sales are due to production shortages, and not lack of demand for their product - I guess we'll find out once the 3 and 6 production is at full capacity...

[KD]

My 2002 Sentra has rust at the bottom of the doors.  My friends 2004 Corolla has some where the trunk is, and my Aunt's 2003 Civic has some near the mirrors, and the rear wheel wells.  But  this is the same with Focus, and Cobalts.

Maybe people in your area rust proof more?  Maybe it's an Ontario, and more eastern thing...

Hardly anyone rust proofs in Alberta.  I'm willing to bet it's more of an Ontario / Eastern Canada thing.  When a car is out of province, us Albertans typically get nervous if we hear that it's from the east (Ontario / Quebec).

The salty Atlantic climate is definitly hard on vehicles...and people!  I have arthritis and sometimes wonder if it would help living in a drier environment.  My 2001 focus wagon almost disintegrated in the 11 years i owned it.  Too bad cause it still ran like a clock!

[mixmanmash]

My 2002 Sentra has rust at the bottom of the doors.  My friends 2004 Corolla has some where the trunk is, and my Aunt's 2003 Civic has some near the mirrors, and the rear wheel wells.  But  this is the same with Focus, and Cobalts.

Maybe people in your area rust proof more?  Maybe it's an Ontario, and more eastern thing...

Hardly anyone rust proofs in Alberta.  I'm willing to bet it's more of an Ontario / Eastern Canada thing.  When a car is out of province, us Albertans typically get nervous if we hear that it's from the east (Ontario / Quebec).

The salty Atlantic climate is definitly hard on vehicles...and people!  I have arthritis and sometimes wonder if it would help living in a drier environment.  My 2001 focus wagon almost disintegrated in the 11 years i owned it.  Too bad cause it still ran like a clock!

Same situation I am in.  Car runs top notch, just the rust killing it.  I'm basically waiting till it's no longer safe and then off she goes to the parts recyclers.

[Solstice2006]

Just saw the latest US sales figures, and Mazda is down 7% despite the intro of the new Mazda6 and the high-demand CX-5. Mazda has (mostly) great cars, but they really need to address the rust issue to regain traction with the general public. Maybe they did, but they need to climb on that soapbox and yell it to the world.

When you get outsold by an odd duck like Subaru by 100k units YTD, you know you have a problem.

You think having a partnership with Toyota doesn't help Subaru?  I don't see the Legacy, Tribeca, or much of the Outback.  Its mostly the Forester, and the Impreza, I have seen two Crossteks...

[Solstice2006]

Boo me all you want, but I think they priced this a bit too high.  It's similar, but always above the Corolla feature-to-feature.  Toyota can put a premium on their resale and perceived quality reputation; Mazda has fun-to-drive, but rust-too-soon as a reputation that simply doesn't add to the price.  I have friends that recently purchased C-segments:  A Ford Focus SE, a Honda Civic EX, a '13 Toyota Corolla on pricing clear-out, etc...not a single one of them even considered the Mazda because it was always about a grand higher than the others, but didn't offer anything they (the average consumer that cares little about fun-to-drive) cared about.  They also all noted concerns over Mazda3 rusting issues - interesting since they know nearly nothing about cars.

Keep in mind that all of Mazdas vehicles are made in Japan, this affects the pricing somewhat, with the value of the yen.  And the volume is much less than giants like Toyota, Ford, Nissan, etc.  So they can afford to price more aggressively.  It's the same pricing as the previous generation, which sold well.

I still think the VW Golf is a little over priced, and that Subaru Outback is outrageously priced....but there has been a thread dedicated to that I am sure...

[Noto]

The salty Atlantic climate is definitly hard on vehicles...and people!  I have arthritis and sometimes wonder if it would help living in a drier environment. 

+1 - I have autoimmune arthritis (at the ripe ol' age of 27).  Still, our 1992 Previa (RIP) had the smallest drop of rust on the left rear-wheel well, nowhere else, was stock (with barely a car wash and no paint work) when it was taken from us too soon in 2007.  At 15 years, that thing still stands as the best car I've ever had the pleasure to drive - just not for driving enjoyment (unless it's fishtailing in the winter).

Still, the first Mazda 3 to hit our shores was a 2004 - assuming it arrived late 2003, that means 10 years on the road, and they look like this:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?sa=X&es_sm=122&biw=1097&bih=545&tbm=isch&tbnid=ESi2co7b3Vj12M:&imgrefurl=http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php%3F53218-2004-2004-Mazda-3-corrosion-problems/page2&docid=WIrp5RoAux8RcM&imgurl=http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5373/20120406123513.jpg&w=800&h=600&ei=l3dNUp3mDIPiyAGi5YCACQ&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:3,s:0,i:88&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=253&start=0&ndsp=8&tx=115&ty=109

With the number of 2007s (6 year old cars?!) with rust, it really is a shame.

I agree that it's time Mazda advertises about how they've changed their rusting ways...and maybe it's time to start offering a longer rustproofing warranty (they'll just BS with the 'perforation' any way so it won't cost them anything )

[LoveToDrive]

The salty Atlantic climate is definitly hard on vehicles...and people!  I have arthritis and sometimes wonder if it would help living in a drier environment. 

+1 - I have autoimmune arthritis (at the ripe ol' age of 27).  Still, our 1992 Previa (RIP) had the smallest drop of rust on the left rear-wheel well, nowhere else, was stock (with barely a car wash and no paint work) when it was taken from us too soon in 2007.  At 15 years, that thing still stands as the best car I've ever had the pleasure to drive - just not for driving enjoyment (unless it's fishtailing in the winter).

Still, the first Mazda 3 to hit our shores was a 2004 - assuming it arrived late 2003, that means 10 years on the road, and they look like this:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?sa=X&es_sm=122&biw=1097&bih=545&tbm=isch&tbnid=ESi2co7b3Vj12M:&imgrefurl=http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php%3F53218-2004-2004-Mazda-3-corrosion-problems/page2&docid=WIrp5RoAux8RcM&imgurl=http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5373/20120406123513.jpg&w=800&h=600&ei=l3dNUp3mDIPiyAGi5YCACQ&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:3,s:0,i:88&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=253&start=0&ndsp=8&tx=115&ty=109

With the number of 2007s (6 year old cars?!) with rust, it really is a shame.

I agree that it's time Mazda advertises about how they've changed their rusting ways...and maybe it's time to start offering a longer rustproofing warranty (they'll just BS with the 'perforation' any way so it won't cost them anything )

As was already mentioned in this forum, they already do offer a longer warranty.  Their rust perforation warranty is now 8 years on every 2013 model and up (you can see this on the Mazda Canada web site).

I do agree that they should have better advertised the steps they have taken to fix the problem.

[KD]

The salty Atlantic climate is definitly hard on vehicles...and people!  I have arthritis and sometimes wonder if it would help living in a drier environment. 

+1 - I have autoimmune arthritis (at the ripe ol' age of 27).  Still, our 1992 Previa (RIP) had the smallest drop of rust on the left rear-wheel well, nowhere else, was stock (with barely a car wash and no paint work) when it was taken from us too soon in 2007.  At 15 years, that thing still stands as the best car I've ever had the pleasure to drive - just not for driving enjoyment (unless it's fishtailing in the winter).

Still, the first Mazda 3 to hit our shores was a 2004 - assuming it arrived late 2003, that means 10 years on the road, and they look like this:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?sa=X&es_sm=122&biw=1097&bih=545&tbm=isch&tbnid=ESi2co7b3Vj12M:&imgrefurl=http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php%3F53218-2004-2004-Mazda-3-corrosion-problems/page2&docid=WIrp5RoAux8RcM&imgurl=http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5373/20120406123513.jpg&w=800&h=600&ei=l3dNUp3mDIPiyAGi5YCACQ&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:3,s:0,i:88&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=253&start=0&ndsp=8&tx=115&ty=109

With the number of 2007s (6 year old cars?!) with rust, it really is a shame.

I agree that it's time Mazda advertises about how they've changed their rusting ways...and maybe it's time to start offering a longer rustproofing warranty (they'll just BS with the 'perforation' any way so it won't cost them anything )

As was already mentioned in this forum, they already do offer a longer warranty.  Their rust perforation warranty is now 8 years on every 2013 model and up (you can see this on the Mazda Canada web site).

I do agree that they should have better advertised the steps they have taken to fix the problem.

Have they actually made significant changes to address the rust issue?  Perhaps that could be the reason for lack of avertisement.  Either that, or they simply don't want to admit there was an issue for liability reasons?  Whatever the case, I am sure this has as much to do with the dwindling sales figures for the last several months as being "outdated".  Shame too, because it's probably the only reservation I have with any Mazda product.  I'm sure most Miata's are put away in the winter, so probably the reason for their continued success.

[Noto]

Have they actually made significant changes to address the rust issue?  Perhaps that could be the reason for lack of avertisement.  Either that, or they simply don't want to admit there was an issue for liability reasons?  Whatever the case, I am sure this has as much to do with the dwindling sales figures for the last several months as being "outdated".  Shame too, because it's probably the only reservation I have with any Mazda product.  I'm sure most Miata's are put away in the winter, so probably the reason for their continued success.

From a legal perspective, it's not admitting liability to extend the duration of a warranty - it would be to market and say "We had a problem, but we fixed it."

Simply stating "Now with 12 year Rust Perforation Warranty" does not admit any liability - in fact, matching competitors' warranties is a very, very good idea.  You want to show your product is reliable?  Target the competitors with the better warranties.  Until your reputation is one of bulletproof reliability, shorter warranties will scare off would-be buyers.  That's how Toyota gets away with only 6 years.

It seems to me that the rust issue was band-aided.  Wherein there was an issue about moisture getting into a crease in the rear wheel well, they installed foam to seal it - they didn't galvanize, they didn't laser weld, etc.  VW does both of those things, and that's why their products don't rust after 3-6 years.  Still, ze Germans need to swap their sensor suppliers before I'd ever drop my cash into one - oxygen sensors seem to always be culprit and about $1,000+ to repair/replace...but this isn't a German quality bashing thread).

The Mazda 3 looks the part (front license plate placement exempted) on the outside, the interior is following Merc and BMW (but that's not a bad thing, whether I like the pop-on screen or not), and their products are fun to drive and fuel efficient.  I think better marketing will go a long, long way to growing the brand and its reputation.

"Reputation takes a lifetime [or in this case decades of corporate actions] to build, but only seconds to destroy."

[KD]

Have they actually made significant changes to address the rust issue?  Perhaps that could be the reason for lack of avertisement.  Either that, or they simply don't want to admit there was an issue for liability reasons?  Whatever the case, I am sure this has as much to do with the dwindling sales figures for the last several months as being "outdated".  Shame too, because it's probably the only reservation I have with any Mazda product.  I'm sure most Miata's are put away in the winter, so probably the reason for their continued success.

From a legal perspective, it's not admitting liability to extend the duration of a warranty - it would be to market and say "We had a problem, but we fixed it."

Simply stating "Now with 12 year Rust Perforation Warranty" does not admit any liability - in fact, matching competitors' warranties is a very, very good idea.  You want to show your product is reliable?  Target the competitors with the better warranties.  Until your reputation is one of bulletproof reliability, shorter warranties will scare off would-be buyers.  That's how Toyota gets away with only 6 years.

It seems to me that the rust issue was band-aided.  Wherein there was an issue about moisture getting into a crease in the rear wheel well, they installed foam to seal it - they didn't galvanize, they didn't laser weld, etc. VW does both of those things, and that's why their products don't rust after 3-6 years.  Still, ze Germans need to swap their sensor suppliers before I'd ever drop my cash into one - oxygen sensors seem to always be culprit and about $1,000+ to repair/replace...but this isn't a German quality bashing thread).

The Mazda 3 looks the part (front license plate placement exempted) on the outside, the interior is following Merc and BMW (but that's not a bad thing, whether I like the pop-on screen or not), and their products are fun to drive and fuel efficient.  I think better marketing will go a long, long way to growing the brand and its reputation.

"Reputation takes a lifetime [or in this case decades of corporate actions] to build, but only seconds to destroy."

Perhaps Mazda should jump into bed with VW instead of Alf.  Have VW build the bodies/chassis/interior and have mazda add the drivetrain/electrics, kodo them up and bolt them all together.  Then call it SkyActung! 

But seriously, the new 3 is a really nice looking design as I saw one today for the first time.
 

[Noto]

Perhaps Mazda should jump into bed with VW instead of Alf.  Have VW build the bodies/chassis/interior and have mazda add the drivetrain/electrics, kodo them up and bolt them all together.  Then call it SkyActung! 

But seriously, the new 3 is a really nice looking design as I saw one today for the first time.

Thank you for the SkyActung chuckle.

Agreed - the 3 looks nice (placement of front license plate aside), has some good options, but still doesn't sing to me.  Haven't seen one in person yet to really decide on the look, but if I'm going economy car, I'm not sure which I'd pick...I'll tell you one thing though - if the 2014 Mazda 3 came with the diesel sold elsewhere in the world, I 100% would have purchased it above any others so long as in GS trim it came in under $24k pre-tax.

I think the diesel offering would have been marketing in and of itself (even if only few diesels were sold, it'd increase brand awareness and variety).  Bad omission, Mazda.

[KD]

Perhaps Mazda should jump into bed with VW instead of Alf.  Have VW build the bodies/chassis/interior and have mazda add the drivetrain/electrics, kodo them up and bolt them all together.  Then call it SkyActung! 

But seriously, the new 3 is a really nice looking design as I saw one today for the first time.

Thank you for the SkyActung chuckle.

Agreed - the 3 looks nice (placement of front license plate aside), has some good options, but still doesn't sing to me.  Haven't seen one in person yet to really decide on the look, but if I'm going economy car, I'm not sure which I'd pick...I'll tell you one thing though - if the 2014 Mazda 3 came with the diesel sold elsewhere in the world, I 100% would have purchased it above any others so long as in GS trim it came in under $24k pre-tax.

I think the diesel offering would have been marketing in and of itself (even if only few diesels were sold, it'd increase brand awareness and variety).  Bad omission, Mazda.

I hope the diesel is available next year when i go kicking tires!