[Dazzler]

So on one of my many walks I came across this new Maazda 3 Hatch (as the yanks pronounce it)

Talking of butt ugly @Surferdude I'm not keen on the 3 quarter view, otherwise from other angles I think it kooks quite nice. By all accounts the sedan version looks more balanced. The light and the cars positions (one was in a closed showroom) wasn't ideal for photos.

First time I've seen it in the flesh. Couldn't get a decent photo of the interior.  I'll update this if I happen to go past when they are open.

Pretty good fuel figures for 2 5 litre engine and it's not even their new x technology yet.

I note the wheels are 18 inch with pretty good 45 series tyres. I don't think it was the top model the one in the showroom was probably higher? The picture of rear only.
 

[Surferdude]

Yeah Dazz.
The rear is terrible.

[Surferdude]

On another note  and obviously off topic,  a beautiful example of a roadgoing replica of Dick Johnson's "Tru Blu", XD Rock car just drove past our place.

[Dazzler]

On another note  and obviously off topic,  a beautiful example of a roadgoing replica of Dick Johnson's "Tru Blu", XD Rock car just drove past our place.

Nice! 

[CraigB]

I quite like the look of the new 3 the base models get LED front and rear as well

[Paolo5]

It is all very personal. I quite like the look from the front and the rear...but from the side it looks awful!

[beerman]

Has gone up in price a bit too, from what I read.

[Surferdude]

Has gone up in price a bit too, from what I read.

Corolla and i30 did the same over the last couple of years.

[Dazzler]

It is all very personal. I quite like the look from the front and the rear...but from the side it looks awful!

Same as me. Have to be a big over shoulder blind spot.

[beerman]

Has gone up in price a bit too, from what I read.

Corolla and i30 did the same over the last couple of years.

True but you can still get an i30 go quite cheap.

[Surferdude]

Has gone up in price a bit too, from what I read.

Corolla and i30 did the same over the last couple of years.

True but you can still get an i30 go quite cheap.

Yes. But they  introduced that quite some time after the i30 PD launch.

[Pappy]

I'll definitely take a serious look at the Mazda 3 if they release a 2.5 Turbo version with potentially AWD.

[Dazzler]

I'll definitely take a serious look at the Mazda 3 if they release a 2.5 Turbo version with potentially AWD.

They will be better when they release them with their new Sky-Active-X engines..

https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/leaked-document-confirms-mazda-skyactiv-x-power-figures

[CraigB]

A quick view of the new tech https://www.mazda.com.au/beyond-the-drive/mazda-reveals-skyactiv-x-technology/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=178&v=N_No3KSaTrM

[Pappy]

I'll definitely take a serious look at the Mazda 3 if they release a 2.5 Turbo version with potentially AWD.

They will be better when they release them with their new Sky-Active-X engines..

http://www.whichcar.com.au/news/leaked-document-confirms-mazda-skyactiv-x-power-figures

I'm hoping for the 180kw 2.5T, the EU Sky-Active-X has only 133kw - it's possible AU Sky-Active-X may have more power as our emission laws are not as strict.

[missymoo]

I test drove the new Mazda 3 GT before purchasing my NLine premium. I hated the look of it and despite the amount of tech I really wasn't impressed with it.

[Dazzler]

I test drove the new Mazda 3 GT before purchasing my NLine premium. I hated the look of it and despite the amount of tech I really wasn't impressed with it.

Thanks for that. I expected quite a bit from the new Corolla too, which does actually look pretty good, but that was a disappointing drive too. 

[CraigB]

The ride is supposed to be very good going by reviews Mazda 3 2019 review | CarsGuide I'll have to go and test one myself soon just to check it out, though I'm keen for the new X engine.

Interior is very well sorted with the extra work Mazda has put into the ergonomics and finish and I love the sleek looking exterior, I cant see out the back of my 3dr either so the C pillar blind spot is of little concern...that's what mirrors are for   the GD's have a massive A pillar blind spot as well as poor rear vision

[Dazzler]

Thanks for the review link Craig. I don't know what i think of that reviewer. I've seen a few reviews he's done. I find his style wearing a bit thin on me. He seems like he'd be a nice guy, but he reviews a car like someone that knows nothing about cars and is doing a review for a bunch of Primary School kids. 

Anyway, back to the review. It was a very "airy fairy" not much substance. He did seem too like it though. Be very interesting to drive one. If you drive one I reckon you need to drive an N-line PD as well as a benchmark rather than just comparing it with your 6 year old previous generation model. 

[Dazzler]

Considering the price hike I'm surprised they've gone from independent rear suspension back to torsion beam and this guy reckons even the 2.5 isn't that impressive performance wise.

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/mazda3-2019-review-australia-117957/

[CraigB]

If you drive one I reckon you need to drive an N-line PD as well as a benchmark rather than just comparing it with your 6 year old previous generation model. 

Yeah I'd have to compare against some others, being I keep my vehicles for a longer time I prefer to keep away from the turbos but who knows what I'll want in a few years when I'm ready for the next one

[Dazzler]

They've got a white one in the showroom today. If I wasn't going to buy one I think white is the colour I wouldn't buy. Looks pretty good except for that C pillar.  I do like the SR and N/Line in white too..

[CraigB]

I test drove the new Mazda 3 GT before purchasing my NLine premium. I hated the look of it and despite the amount of tech I really wasn't impressed with it.

If you tested one before buying the N-Line back in February then that would have been the old shape still.

[CraigB]

They've got a white one in the showroom today. If I wasn't going to buy one I think white is the colour I wouldn't buy. Looks pretty good except for that C pillar.  I do like the SR and N/Line in white too..

I wouldn’t want white either, build quality on them is far above anything else in that class though and I love the look of them

[Dazzler]

They've got a white one in the showroom today. If I wasn't going to buy one I think white is the colour I wouldn't buy. Looks pretty good except for that C pillar.  I do like the SR and N/Line in white too..

I wouldn’t want white either, build quality on them is far above anything else in that class though and I love the look of them

I was being funny... I like the white... I just wouldn't buy a new Mazda 3.. Servicing costs, small boot, C pillar... LOL

[missymoo]

It was definitely the new Astina GT i year drove in April.  They had it less than a week when I took it for a spin.

[Surferdude]

They've got a white one in the showroom today. If I wasn't going to buy one I think white is the colour I wouldn't buy. Looks pretty good except for that C pillar.  I do like the SR and N/Line in white too..

I wouldn’t want white either, build quality on them is far above anything else in that class though and I love the look of them

I was being funny... I like the white... I just wouldn't buy a new Mazda 3.. Servicing costs, small boot, C pillar... LOL

Serious question.
If there's no pillar between the front and back seats, is the C pillar still the C pillar or the B pillar by default.
Asking because I can't tell from the photos if there is actually a B pillar on that car. (small screen tablet).

I don't like the rear three quarter view either, but it might grow on me.

[Dazzler]

They've got a white one in the showroom today. If I wasn't going to buy one I think white is the colour I wouldn't buy. Looks pretty good except for that C pillar.  I do like the SR and N/Line in white too..

I wouldn’t want white either, build quality on them is far above anything else in that class though and I love the look of them

I was being funny... I like the white... I just wouldn't buy a new Mazda 3.. Servicing costs, small boot, C pillar... LOL

Serious question.
If there's no pillar between the front and back seats, is the C pillar still the C pillar or the B pillar by default.
Asking because I can't tell from the photos if there is actually a B pillar on that car. (small screen tablet).

I don't like the rear three quarter view either, but it might grow on me.

They have a discreet black B pillar, but even if they didn't I think the C would still be the C..

I think it will grow on me too, like the PD i30 and Kona have, but think I'll always prefer the sedan style.

The massive blind spot will still be an issue. I'm kind of looking forward to having another sedan as most hatches are worse than sedans in that regard. Being slightly more upright I think the Kona is slightly better for all around vision than the SR, but both would be a lot better than the new mazda rear vision wise i suspect. 

[CraigB]

If you’ve driven many coupes the C pillar blind spot is quite familiar to that style.

[The Gonz]

Not a fan of C pillars?

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