Some of the equipment on the vehicle may not apply. Customer must check all equipment and option of the vehicle in person as the Dealer is not responsible for any items that are not in the vehicle. Dealer reserve the right to change the price of the vehicle at any time without notice.
Price excludes tax, tags & plates.
Xenon Headlamps
2007 MAZDA MAZDA3I
JM1BK32GX71695221
SEDAN 4 DR 2.0L I4 F DOHC 16V
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
Not long ago, I wrote about the Mazdaspeed3, Mazda's 263-horsepower hot-rod version of its entry-level car. A reader e-mailed, wondering if it was really worth the price premium over a regular Mazda3 S model: The Mazda- speed3 I tested listed for almost $25,000, and they've been so scarce this year that some dealers have added their own markups to the car.
I told the reader that for me, a regular midlevel version of the Mazda3 was so entertaining that I'd be hard-pressed to justify the extra money, especially since the best you could likely hope for with the Mazdaspeed3 is to pay list price, while you can expect a healthy discount on the regular version.
After a week with a Mazda3 S Touring, I'm pretty comfortable with that answer. While this car isn't the athlete the Mazdaspeed3 is, or even the Honda Civic Si, it's a blast to drive for what it costs. I'm not sure there's a better sub-$20,000 value for those who insist on having fun behind the wheel.
The test car was a sedan version, as opposed to Mazda's wagon like hatchback, which I like just as well. The engine is a willing, eager 2.3-literfour-cylinder with 156 horsepower, and the transmission is an exceptionally smooth five-speed manual. You can get an automatic transmission, but the manual is so good that I'd stick with it and save $950.
As it is, the test car started at $18,425, and that gets you a lot of equipment, including stability control, traction control, anti-lock disc brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, fog lights, power windows and locks and a good six-speaker stereo. Options on the test car were a package that adds a power sunroof and a six-disc CD changer ($890), and Sirius satellite radio ($430). With shipping, list price was $20,340.
If you are slightly less interested in performance, the Mazda3 I starts at less than $15,000, and has a 2.0-liter, 148-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It isn't as sporty as the S -- different suspension, 15-inch tires and wheels, instead of the 17-inchers on the test car -- but for the money, it's a lot of car, though beware that air conditioning is an option.
On the road, the test car is taut and nimble -- it's really surprising that this car has been around in the same basic form since 2004 but still feels fresh. Handling is quite European -- this platform was, after all, developed there -- with a nice mixture of comfort and road feel. Inside, the sound system -- typical for Mazda -- is not particularly intuitive, but other instruments and controls are fine. The cloth-covered bucket seats are supportive and firm. Rear-seat room is acceptable for a car this size, as is trunk space.
There are newer models on the market, and even at list price, the Mazda3 S Touring is exceptionally appealing. But figuring in a nice discount given the age of the model, it goes from being a good buy to one of the best bargains out there.