If the 3 didn't exist

[CanadaGTO]

Simple question.

If the 3 didn't exist, what would you own instead? (limited to similar category/price)

edit: I'd probably go for the Golf GTI.

[Wild Weasel]

Sunfire!!! ;)

[SpeedBaby]

:getout


Sunfire!!! ;)

[CanadaGTO]

Sunfire!!! ;)

New cars only there Weasel. Besides, you've got the only one I would want to own if I absolutely had to :)

[Broli]

golf, or gti,

i looked at the golf when i purchased my 3

[Wild Weasel]

:getout

http://www.michelleandkevin.ca/forum/images/smiles/rollin.gif



New cars only there Weasel. Besides, you've got the only one I would want to own if I absolutely had to :)

Hmph... didn't even make the poll, eh? :chuckle

I voted for the Matrix/Vibe. If they still made the one with the Celica GTS drivetrain, I may well have been buying one now. It's a great car, but is also at the end of it's life, being replaced soon.

[S.F.W.]

when I bought my 3, the other car I was considering was the Lancer. However, if I was purchasing right now, I'd be looking up a couple levels.

[3GFX]

I was considering a Sentra SE-R when I was looking at my 3. You have to admit, with the same amount of power, 6 spds and brembo brakes standard, its pretty impressive. I have faith for the next SER.

My actual dream was to get a 1997 BMW 328i, but the parts and insurance would have killed me. I just got a different 3 ;)

When I was in the last 2 months of final decisions, it was down to a Tiburon GT and the 3GFX

[MazdaTree]

My choice was between the Lancer Ralliart and The 3!
But I had to go for the hatch :P

[azn_outlaw]

Well I wanted something different and out of the box...

a lot of my friends, pictured me in some a mid class quick import, which included IS300 & S2K which kinda sorta I wanted or well the top two were actually the 06 Civic SI or 05 RSX Type S.

but I like being different and out of the box, so this lead me to getting a wagon....

I was very close to gettin a Mazda Protege5 or for something newer the Mitsubishi Lance Ralli Art Wagon

but like the fact that I got the Mazda3 hatch, it sorta like a wagon but not typical asian gangster (thanks majic) ride

at least I can say this to my honda hommies, I got on thing that yall n***a dont got, Torque...

[bubba1983]

of the poll u posted, the only thing in that list i was checking was the sentra se-r spec-v

i was having a bitch of a time trying to find somethign i could FIT into. i was also looking at the corolla xrs...but again, i coudln't fit into the damn thing!!

i was really lookign for a mustang (i woudda made myself fit in it)

then i sutmbled apon this...and whamo, here i am todya!

[SpeedBaby]

i wouldn't pick anything out of that list..

before i got our first 3, i just wrote off (semi-intentionally) an impreza 7 days old. But after the big loss of the first zoomy i was briefly thinking of getting an A3. God am i ever happy that we got our MS3 instead!!!

[webb70]

I was considering a Lexus IS300 or an Acura TL (2004+) or TSX.

[CanadaGTO]

When we (CTA, Chris and I) were discussing what car we wanted next for the business (even though it's my daily driver, it's also a business car) we thought of a few.

1) Civic SI: Though I like it, way to big of a market already out for it.
2) WRX or STI: I also like this, but besides being a mature market, I was a little concerned about technical issues they have.
3) Colbalt SS Supercharged: Chris likes this one more than me, and since it was my turn for a new vehicle, he lost out :)
4) Caliber SRT-4: Not out yet, but doesn't matter. As much as I loved my Neon SRT-4 (yeah, go ahead and laugh) this thing is just too ugly.

We're currently thinking 2 cars ahead now. Chris is seriously looking at either the Cobalt SS and the new Sentra SE-R. He's leaning towards the Sentra at the moment. After that, depending on price, my next one may be an Evo X. That's probably 2 years away though.

[mazidane]

I'd go with the Cobalt but only with the Colbalt SS Supercharged model, I like how it looks, its decent for a GM car!

[TheProfessor]

I wouldn't pick any of the cars on the list. I likely would've tried to go one level up to a TSX or Audi A3 (where I am currently looking).

[webb70]

I really liked that new 3 from Volvo. I saw it for the first time at the Auto Show, and was really impressed. It may be my next car.....

[Zaku_4]

hmm

the only SE-R that i ever liked was the 02-04 (i think). they looked like mini skylines. the newer ones, and the latest models are just ugly. how can u slap an SE-R badge on something so round (05-06). and how is it even possible to put a SE-R badge on the current one?

the ralliart came sometime in late 04, so i wouldnt have even thought of that. didnt evne bother with VW cause of what might happen to it down the road (look at what happened to my 3). civic is just a boring car with astronomical insurance premiums.

i also dont like american cars nor will i or my family even give me a chance ot buy one lol. i also think the vibe and matrix arent the best looking cars out there. in fact a very embarassing thing happened to me not to long ago: cousin came over and heard they were talking about cars, said soemthing about a matrix, i jumped into the convo and continued on wiht how much i think its an ugly car. after i was done wiht that, one of my own family members suggested we go out and check out his new matrix. lol needless to say, i never say anything in personw ithout thinking about it now lol.

most likely speaking, i would probably get an altima lol, the one before the new ones.

[aznkid.com]

looked at many hondas before i found my 3.. couldn't pass it up..

2004 mazda 3 for $8500! (paid tax on $7000 though)... it was my old neighbour's car.. it got in a minor accident.. he replaced door and fender and it was back to tip top shape!

[Steven]

was looking at the dodge SRT4....but got a deal i couldnt pass up for the 3

[b]

I put down the civic as it was the closest to the Accord 2 dr v6. That is the other car I was looking at when I picked this up.

[SoopaBanana]

I wouldn't pick any of the cars on the list. I likely would've tried to go one level up to a TSX or Audi A3 (where I am currently looking).

What happened to the Volvo?

I was looking at TL / Legacy GT prior to settling with the 3. There's something about the 3 that feels more expensive than the price tag...

[chinsterr]

Before i got my 3, my dad was looking a car for himself. So we test drove the following cars: cadillac cts, legacy gt, nissan maxima, acura tl , acura tsx

After driving all those cars there was nothing that really impressed my dad, so i got a little pocket rocket for myself ! Mazda3 - Honada civic - Mitsu Lancer Ralliart Of course i picked the one with the most standard options and MORE HP!!!

Now if the 3 didnt exist, i think i would pick up a vw golf.

[TheProfessor]

What happened to the Volvo?

I was looking at TL / Legacy GT prior to settling with the 3. There's something about the 3 that feels more expensive than the price tag...

It's still up there, I'm just struggling with it being a three door. I should also add that the BMW 1 series may also be on our list.

[Wild Weasel]

I find it interesting that not a single person has yet picked the Caliber.

I really wanted to see the new SRT4 before deciding to buy the Speed3. Looking at the regular Caliber though, even the top trim model, just left me wondering how they couldn't measure up to the 3's quality feel even though the 3 had already been on the market for a few years.

When the guys in Detroit told me that news of the new SRT4 was being kept real quiet because they couldn't seem to get the 300 hp they wanted, that pretty much sealed the deal and I lost interest altogether.

[b]

I find the Caliber to be butt ugly IMO. I am guessing that more people think that too since it hasn't been picked yet.

[mazidane]

I find the Caliber to be butt ugly IMO. I am guessing that more people think that too since it hasn't been picked yet.

THE SRT version actually looks decent from the front and side, but the rear is literally "butt ugly"!

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/08/aye-carumba-dodge-unloads-the-300-hp-caliber-srt-4/

[TheProfessor]

I find both the regular and SRT4 versions of the Caliber 'butt ugly'. WW, you made the right choice, no questions about it.

[firstmazda]

I still remember the first time I saw the 3, One night in Nov. 2003.
Right that second I decided I was gonna get it.

If the 3 wasn't around, I would have looked at the TL or the TSX.

In regards to the Caliber, I agree, it's not pretty to look at although it did peak my interest 'cause it just looks beefy/masculine.
I was given one as a rental on Maui and it just sucked ass!!
Interior was just soo cheaply done, it handled like a boat on dry land,
and the accelerated like a boat on dry land too!!
Mind you it was the base level but still...
Wasn't impressed at all.

[pahecko]

I find the Caliber to be butt ugly IMO. I am guessing that more people think that too since it hasn't been picked yet.

+1

though it's not a matter of opinion, it's fact. that this is UGLY. I can't even look at it. *shudder*

anyways, i would have picked up a gti.

[fourtrack78]

I would have gotten....................let me rephrase that, My wife have gotten a the 5. I would be looking for a used 2-door G35.

[Wild Weasel]

I still remember the first time I saw the 3, One night in Nov. 2003.
Right that second I decided I was gonna get it.


Reminds me of when I met my wife... :)

[silversurfer]

Looks like a lot of people were actually looking at more expensive cars. I was in the same boat. RSX type-S. I couldn't justify the additional cost for the slight increase in performance.

[wtom]

Majority of us have this mindset, WW;

Imports >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Domestic

[Wild Weasel]

Majority of us have this mindset, WW;

Imports >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Domestic

Can't say I disagree with this. :) When I bought my Sunfire, it had the most power for the best price.

Today, it's an entirely different marketplace.

[majic]

Can't say I disagree with this. :) When I bought my Sunfire, it had the most power for the best price.

Today, it's an entirely different marketplace.



don't try to justify owning a sunflower..

[Wild Weasel]

don't try to justify owning a sunflower..

Pfft. It's still quicker than your 3. ;)

[majic]

Pfft. It's still quicker than your 3. ;)

meh.. at least i'm not ashamed to drive/sit in one ;)

[SpeedBaby]

Pfft. It's still quicker than your 3. ;)

well it sure as hell is not quicker than mine, so...... STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY OWNING A SUNFLOWER!!! :D

[Wild Weasel]

meh.. at least i'm not ashamed to drive/sit in one ;)

Huh? Who's ashamed? Certainly not me!


well it sure as hell is not quicker than mine, so...... STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY OWNING A SUNFLOWER!!! :D

Hmm... the new guy's kinda uppity, eh? :chuckle

[3GFX]

Hmm... the new guy's kinda uppity, eh? :chuckle

She's been around longer than you actually :chuckle


Now, back:OT

[SpeedBaby]

Hmm... the new guy's kinda uppity, eh? :chuckle

Who are u calling a GUY?!!!
i think u should spend a little less time post whoring and a little more attention to what other ppl say :loco

[KenYork]

I was looking at the Mazda6 at the time. Then came my son. So to save a bit.. I got the 3.

[MAZDA Kitten]

Without a doubt a Jetta

Probably a 1.8T Wagon or something...
I was ready to put down a deposit down on a Wolfsburg Jetta

Still want one though

[Wild Weasel]

heh. My bad. Sorry girl. :)

It's Majic's fault we went OT though... :chuckle

[majic]

Huh? Who's ashamed? Certainly not me!



i would be if i had to drive a sunflower.. i mean look at that thing!!!! http://www.ladymajora.com/images/smilies/barf.gif

[TheProfessor]

The fact that many people here were considering higher end cars is a testament to the amazing value and overall package of the Mazda3. In fact, I'm still having a tough time justifying spending more money on cars like the A3.

[3GFX]

In fact, I'm still having a tough time justifying spending more money on cars like the A3.

Did somebody say Golf?

[-RJ3-]

I was going for the echo hatch (baby Matrix)... Seriously, i'm glad I didn't get it

[FLIPDADY]

Without a doubt a Jetta

Probably a 1.8T Wagon or something...
I was ready to put down a deposit down on a Wolfsburg Jetta

Still want one though
The Jetta was one of the cars I almost got. Had to be a 1.8T or the VR6.

Next car is gonna be boosted for sure!

[sp3GT]

For me it was either the Lancer or the 3, but I liked the hatch more and I didn't really like the interior of the Lancer. The 3 owns it.