Mazda 3 antenna options [Archive]

CanSpeed 3

01-04-2010, 02:54 AM

I may be posting this in the wrong section but dont start yelling at me for it:blah

So I go through the carwash and it rips off my antenna. Pulled the antenna right out of the stubby rubber base. So as it looks right now, i have a nice lil stubby, but dont get some of my radio stations i like (102.1)
Id like to know what my options are as for replacements. im guessing OEM mazda 3 antenna, cx7 stubby and after market sharkfins are my only option but if anyone knows of others please let me know. Would like to buy something soon.:winner

Thrizzl3

01-04-2010, 02:56 AM

quick and cheap..id choose the cx7 stubby

blankets3

01-04-2010, 02:56 AM

shave it and get a invisible one or just don't use the radio n e more

distr0

01-04-2010, 11:50 AM

vg sharkfin would be another option

mazdabetty

01-04-2010, 12:32 PM

I actually saw a mazda3 the other day with one of these for an antenna:

http://pleatedjeans.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/tin-foil-hat.jpg

If that fails you can't go wrong with this :chuckle:
http://www.hamsexy.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/radio11.jpg

Seriously though, the stubby gets my vote. Looks great on both sedan and hatch. :)

mazdaskit

01-04-2010, 02:13 PM

id go with the shark fin... nice and stylish looking if its a sedan

stevenma188

01-04-2010, 02:30 PM

For you I would vote sharkfin. I think the stubby looks better than a fin on the hatch though.

urbanjoe

01-09-2010, 10:31 PM

I vote fin. I have one on my 05 mazda 3 gt and I love it. Gives it a classy look. Similar to the BMW fin

CFX

01-10-2010, 08:49 AM

CX7 stubby.

Kappa

01-10-2010, 09:03 AM

sedan = sharkfin hatch = stubby :)

Zoom Zoom Boy

01-10-2010, 11:31 AM

To each their own, but IMO sedans look good with Sharkfins. The same on a hatch looks mildly retarded. Stick with a 3 stubby, or CX7 stubby.

towelsnap

01-11-2010, 01:41 PM

only issue I find with the cx7 stubby ..... LACK OF SIGNAL!!! it's crap never had a sharkfin nor do I listen to too much radio but still.... I'd rather get reception.

mazdabetty

01-11-2010, 01:47 PM

only issue I find with the cx7 stubby ..... LACK OF SIGNAL!!! it's crap never had a sharkfin nor do I listen to too much radio but still.... I'd rather get reception.

That's cuz you probably live in the sticks, towel. :chuckle

towelsnap

01-11-2010, 02:30 PM

lol no live in the city but I can sit in my car not get our local station sit in my friends civic and he get's it clear.... as soon as I can I'm getting rid of the cx7

mazdabetty

01-11-2010, 02:38 PM

lol no live in the city but I can sit in my car not get our local station sit in my friends civic and he get's it clear.... as soon as I can I'm getting rid of the cx7

hater :complain

josh160

01-11-2010, 02:47 PM

Does anyone have pics of the shark fin on a hatch? I was about to purchase one but after reading this thread I don't know if I should.

mazdabetty

01-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Does anyone have pics of the shark fin on a hatch? I was about to purchase one but after reading this thread I don't know if I should.

Type in "sharkfin" and "hatch" and a few come up. jonjon and flippy have one looks like.

I think they look great! Not sure why so many people seem to hate it :\

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/jonjon72/IMG_3082.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/AJBOY_99/DSC00623.jpg

stevenma188

01-11-2010, 03:10 PM

I dun think the fin looks bad on the hatch, just that the stubby looks better. Anything beats the whip though.

josh160

01-11-2010, 03:10 PM

^Thanks!

b.rabbit

01-11-2010, 03:10 PM

sedan = sharkfin hatch = stubby :)

+1 on this.

I have a stubby on my hatch. Never thought the sharkfin looked right on a hatch.

Stubby is cheaper than a sharkfin too..if money is an issue.

mazdilla

01-11-2010, 03:40 PM

If that fails you can't go wrong with this :chuckle:
http://www.hamsexy.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/radio11.jpg

That's just silly. We all know that set-up only works on a Dodge!

Zoom Zoom Boy

01-11-2010, 03:41 PM

That's cuz you probably live in the sticks, towel. :chuckle

Nah, it's probably the metal plate in his head that interfere's with the signal.

towelsnap

01-12-2010, 11:58 AM

its true lol

Woodman316

01-18-2010, 12:55 PM

CX 7 Stubby is like 2" longer than a Mz3 stubby? I was thinking of getting the whip for the Edge 102.1. Reciption not the greatest on the 3!

bman13

01-21-2010, 09:29 AM

Type in "sharkfin" and "hatch" and a few come up. jonjon and flippy have one looks like.

I think they look great! Not sure why so many people seem to hate it :\

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/jonjon72/IMG_3082.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/AJBOY_99/DSC00623.jpg

I got the sharkfin on the hatch and cause of the wider look to the hatch, IMO looks better than on a sedan...just my opinion of course.

kramr

01-21-2010, 09:34 AM

I like the sharkfin!! My antenna on my 2010 M3 GS is in the back window. All good!

kramr

01-21-2010, 09:35 AM

Nah, it's probably the metal plate in his head that interfere's with the signal.

LOL
I have a two metal plates in my jaw, one is coming out on Monday....Interfers with cordless phones so I guess it's good that I have a loose plate and three loose screws...

gretzky

01-31-2010, 10:03 PM

since your car is modded
i would go with the shark fin
it makes it look alot cleaner
and i think im getting one so its just my personal choice too

W_L89

02-01-2010, 11:28 AM

+1 on this.

I have a stubby on my hatch. Never thought the sharkfin looked right on a hatch.

Stubby is cheaper than a sharkfin too..if money is an issue.

+2

Rob23

02-01-2010, 11:44 AM

i tried going to the mazda dealership to buy a stubby off a cx7 and they told me just for the stubby antenna not even incluting the base it was like 250$!! its a joke, like i wanted to slap the guy.

W_L89

02-01-2010, 12:17 PM

sure they didn't say $25? :P

prob thought you said something else

Rob23

02-01-2010, 12:30 PM

well i made it pretty clear as he showed me a diagram of the cx7 antenna and i pointed it out to him, hes like "yeeaa those are like 250+" he could have been a moron and mixed up the cost with somthing else, ill check again when i go for my oil change. he deffinatly said 250 tho.

W_L89

02-01-2010, 12:41 PM

it should be around $22 or something like that

Rob23

02-01-2010, 12:45 PM

you bought one before? wow thats a bitch. well theres a reason i stopped going to the Gyro Mazda dealership, THEY ARE PATHETIC, pathetic.

mazdabetty

02-01-2010, 01:39 PM

i tried going to the mazda dealership to buy a stubby off a cx7 and they told me just for the stubby antenna not even incluting the base it was like 250$!! its a joke, like i wanted to slap the guy.

AHAHAHA, WHAT??! $250??? Maybe he thinks you want to have the base installed too or something? What an idiot. They're like $20. Got to Joe at MOT, that's where I got mine. Cheapest mod ever.

Rob23

02-01-2010, 01:44 PM

yea im going there this week for an oil change ill check it out, thanks!

W_L89

02-01-2010, 01:49 PM

lol did he say $250 cash and no invoice/ receipt required as well? :D

marvin24k

02-01-2010, 02:03 PM

lol did he say $250 cash and no invoice/ receipt required as well? :D

+1

redsnoopy04

02-01-2010, 04:37 PM

sedan = sharkfin hatch = stubby :)

I agree with Kappa.

Rob23

02-01-2010, 05:24 PM

again, have you even bought a cx7 stubby before?

mazdabetty

02-01-2010, 05:29 PM

Who are you asking?? lol... lots of people have....

W_L89

02-01-2010, 05:32 PM

again, have you even bought a cx7 stubby before?

yep a month or 2 ago

1nmhbacky

03-31-2010, 01:37 AM

anyone know where to buy a sharkfin
and the price of it?
thanks

Type in "sharkfin" and "hatch" and a few come up. jonjon and flippy have one looks like.

I think they look great! Not sure why so many people seem to hate it :\

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/jonjon72/IMG_3082.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/AJBOY_99/DSC00623.jpg

mazdaskit

03-31-2010, 10:25 AM

i got mine in a group buy last month from peter (NextMod) for $75 its a VG
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv337/mazdaskit/e9a354c9-4550-4beb-88ef-dcf9adc0525.jpg?t=1269015266

JSI

03-31-2010, 10:43 AM

What's with all the hatch hating?? I think people have hatch envy or something.

I love the VG fin on my hatch, wife does too and she doesn't care much about car stuff.

Jeremy

lancesir

04-03-2010, 10:43 AM

I went RDX stubby on my '07 and the base fits really flush, the only (and best) exterior mod I've done, LOL :)

Rob23

04-03-2010, 10:46 AM

hatches with shark fins look more like shamoo than a shark..

MAZDAROB

05-15-2010, 12:24 PM

Hello all, I didn't get a chance to read all the posts for this antenna issue...however, Mazda has a Bulletin out that outlines a static issue with the "Stubby" antenna when used on the Mazda3. Just thought I would let you guys know if you didn't already.

FLIPDADY

05-15-2010, 02:39 PM

I'm currently working on a 2010 Mazda 3 GT mini fin to fit on my 2008.5 sedan. It will only be for looks since I don't use the radio. Will post pics as soon as I'm done.

ZeroChalk

05-17-2010, 12:30 AM

I'm currently working on a 2010 Mazda 3 GT mini fin to fit on my 2008.5 sedan. It will only be for looks since I don't use the radio. Will post pics as soon as I'm done.

If I were to get an antenna other than a stubby version it would be that. I find the sharkfin looks 'misplaced' on both the hatch or sedan. Perhaps I just have poor taste. =p

pacmann33

05-26-2010, 10:32 PM

I just installed the VG fin on my 2010 graphite mica hatch...and I think I made a mistake. Not bad enough to warrant taking it off, but if I could go back in time I think maybe, just maybe I'd have opted for a stubby. The VG is just very large on the hatch. Make my GT spoiler look tiny lol.

I'll warm up to it I'm sure.

I must say, I'll have a complex if I ever muster up the courage to go to a TM3 meet now LOL!!!

drooberry

05-29-2010, 12:42 PM

pacmann plz post pics (front/side/back)

Roconne

05-29-2010, 01:03 PM

pacmann plz post pics (front/side/back)
I posted some last week

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2295/sharkfin02.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/920/sharkfin05.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6523/sharkfin06.jpg

TokyoKiller

05-29-2010, 02:21 PM

I like it personally. Sharkfin's work only on certain cars, and the 3 pulls it off really well.

pacmann33

05-29-2010, 03:38 PM

I'll post more pics monday night, but my car is the same color as the one that is posted in this thread. I have warmed up to it a lot, and really like it.

Thrice08

06-03-2010, 01:09 PM

Not sure if if this got cleared up but I purchased a CX7 antenna from Whitby Mazda and is wasn't more than $25. You literally only need the antenna it just screws in. Maybe the dude quoted you on the whole assembly or something ridiculous. Sadly I attempted to reverse slightly in the car was to maximize dryer time and it was one of the one with that set of panels with rollers that drops in front of the car on the way out and it tore it right off! I'm a moron...haha. Leave the shark fins for the beamers just get a stubby! LOL

Takumi616

06-03-2010, 01:33 PM

stubby FTW!

Rob23

06-03-2010, 01:40 PM

Elbow

07-14-2010, 12:10 PM

Sorry to revive an old thread but my question is an extension of "Mazda 3 antenna options?"

I'm in the minority here in that I want to get a better signal for my radio then better looks. From what I'm reading here any sort of stubby / fin option seems to either keep radio signal the same or make it worse? I have a 2006 with some type of stubby and noticed that the 2007+ cars have a longer wire type antenna. The sedans seem to have a 12" mildly bent one and the newer hatches have a straight 12" wire type antenna. I would assume that there was noted problems with reception and Mazda went with a slightly longer antenna to improve signal?

Is there a way to retro-fit these newer ones on? Is there a part number etc? Just looking at a cheap way to get better signal without going overboard with a 3' tall antenna.

stevenma188

07-14-2010, 12:13 PM

All the antennas are interchangeable. They all just twist off, and you can screw a new one on.

Elbow

07-14-2010, 12:40 PM

Good to know, looks like I need to find a "whip" to try out then.

bigmikey

09-26-2010, 03:31 PM

I'm in the process of choosing an aftermarket antenna for me 06 GT Sedan.
I like the Shark Fin but also don't mind the look of the stubby on a sedan.
Cost is also a factor and anything is a huge upgrade over the whip.
However for me, radio reception is key.
From the research I've done via not only this forum but others as well is the following:
(% are compared to the OEM whip)

VG Shark Fin - 60-80% reception varies by user
CX-7 Stubby - 60-70% reception
RDX Stubby - ??
2010 Mazda 3 - worse, due to static etc.

Would you say this is accurate?
I just think it'd be nice to see the options laid out