mazda cx 3

[killerbichon]

so I was at the dealership and Mazda Brampton has lots in stock. I was thinking I may buy one but they look like crap. 32K for a small mazda 3 with 4 wheel drive
....Disappointed

[SomeGuy]

They don't look like crap but they are definitely over priced. There's no reason they should be any more expensive than a 3 seeing as how they're based on the 2 and smaller. An equally equipped cx-3 looks to be about $2000 more than a similar mazda 3 and nearly $4000 more if you get it with AWD.

[killerbichon]

they look like crap

[killerbichon]

looks like a Honda fit mADE for woman

[SomeGuy]

Uh, grow up?

[Thrizzl3]

looks like a Honda fit mADE for woman

Lmao

[Hotsky]

I don't think $2000 more than Mazda 3 is unreasonable. Its a bigger car with what i imagine stronger suspension. I work for one of major banks auto finance department and I already funded a number of these.

[SomeGuy]

I don't think $2000 more than Mazda 3 is unreasonable. Its a bigger car with what i imagine stronger suspension. I work for one of major banks auto finance department and I already funded a number of these.

It is not bigger though. Outside dimensions are smaller, the trunk is smaller and the back seats are smaller. The front seats are somewhat similar but it's even missing a center console (like the storage bin).

[killerbichon]

just saying I was very disappointed and no man should be seen in such a dinky suv.....too small....good for the wife going to the mall in the winter!

[Aitch]

If you want to do stream-of-consciousness posts, there's always Facebook or the Twitter.

[Cab0oze]

I haven't seen one in person, but my mom was looking at getting a mazda3 and I told her she should look at these too. She doesn't like big cars, we live on a dirt road so the plastic fender guards should be very helpful, and 4wd is a major plus because our roads don't get plowed. And from the pictures I've seen, they look fantastic. Where's the issue?

[Johns 08 3 GT]

Trolllololo.

But anyway, there is a market for this size of car. The Honda HRV, Jeep Renegade, Subaru Cross Trek, Buick Encore.

The Honda will be Mazda's biggest competitor. But IMO the only thing the HRV has on Mazda is cargo space. $32K gets you all the toys. You can get one for under 30K nicely appointed no problem.

Here a side by side by side.

[SomeGuy]

I haven't seen one in person, but my mom was looking at getting a mazda3 and I told her she should look at these too. She doesn't like big cars, we live on a dirt road so the plastic fender guards should be very helpful, and 4wd is a major plus because our roads don't get plowed. And from the pictures I've seen, they look fantastic. Where's the issue?

They're just smaller than the MZ3, more expensive and fuel economy is a bit worse. The only reason to buy one over the MZ3 is because of the AWD and higher seating position, that's it's only advantages.

[Superchargedx]

I actually think they look and drive quite nice for the size! Sure they can get pricey if you go all out but any Mosel is like that! I'm just a tech and not a salesman but I would always go with the middle line GS!

[CarLadyLisa]

The CX3 is a great car. Albeit if you are a tall person...perhaps not quite as roomy. It's not as wide and approx. 7 inches shorter in cabin space than the 3. Surprisingly we are having a wide variety of clients looking at this car from retirees to young professionals both male and female. It's great for the AWD system and the height. It's not made for a family of 4. Unless you are all tiny. A great commuter car if you already have a SUV in the household for that job.

If you drive it an like it...that's cool. If you don't...that is also cool. We have other cars to fit the bill.

[doughboyr6]

I brought my cx5 in for service and they had a cx3 loaded gt I think right next to the counter. It's a bit pricey IMO but I could not believe the finish. I took two pics and sent to my friend and he thought it was a German car interior.

[greaves82]

I really liked the interior finishing's on the CX3 however it was the interior room that made me purchase the cx5

[gta_driver]

Frankly, i think they look great. Additional clearance is good for winters, although I'm not sure how good the AWD system is, as it's a FWD vehicle with rear wheels kicking in when needed.

Would be good if manufacturers actually released specs on their AWD systems, instead of just slapping a 4-wheel-drive label. Full-time AWD systems are superior in every way except fuel economy.

I digress - the CX-3 looks great. I like.

[Johns 08 3 GT]

Frankly, i think they look great. Additional clearance is good for winters, although I'm not sure how good the AWD system is, as it's a FWD vehicle with rear wheels kicking in when needed.

Would be good if manufacturers actually released specs on their AWD systems, instead of just slapping a 4-wheel-drive label. Full-time AWD systems are superior in every way except fuel economy.

I digress - the CX-3 looks great. I like.

[CarLadyLisa]

Did someone say facts?


When Mazda designed the i-Activ AWD they set out to challenge the idea of inferior fuel consumption attached to AWD systems. To ensure the benefits of AWD out weigh the negatives Mazda designed a light weight system with minimal engagement to the rear wheels (Never more than 50% torque to rear wheels).

The i-Activ AWD system is predictive, rather than reactive like other inferior systems.

In addition to monitoring the front wheel slippage it also monitors:
SENSOR | What is sensed?
- Throttle pedal position | Degree of acceleration desired
- Steering angle | Intention to turn
- Brake fluid pressure | Intention to brake
- Road Conditions Front/rear wiper operation | Rain/Snow
- Ambient temperature | Temperature near the road surface
- Engine air intake volume/rpm | Power generated by the engine
- Steering column torque / Power steering motor current | Degree of traction at the road (force required to turn the wheels increases with available traction)
- Longitudinal acceleration | Road gradient (is the vehicle on a hill?)
- Slip Prediction Slip ratio/front-rear wheel rotational speed difference | Amount of slip on four wheels

*Note: A small amount of torque is always applied to the rear wheels. (approx. 10%) This eliminates lag and heightens the response time of the system. There is a video out there that shows this. Here: https://youtu.be/kBYrowCZXoE

[gta_driver]

Interesting video, but it is only set up for one scenario - getting out of a snowed-in parking spot with wheels turned. The advantage of the CX-3? It can do it nearly at idle, whereas the Subaru requires revving up to 2K RPMs to do the same.

However, there are many other scenarios where comparison is a lot more tricky. Climbing uphill, at 5 mph, or from a stand-still, entering slippery corners, etc... It's nice to see the CX-3 is using a predictive AWD system, which can compensate for it's part-time nature, but it is still no full-time AWD

[gta_driver]

Did someone say facts?

Thanks, that is actually quite informative. Sounds like a system that is similar to Golf R / Audi A3 / S3, a large improvement over earlier haldex systems.