April
30
Tags
It Happened – a Reasonably Priced Car Caught My Eye
I know I’m always swooning over Aston Martins, Loti and the like, but let’s face it: for the most part, the cars that you and I can afford are kind of boring (note I said for the most part). It’s a rare car that I can afford that catches my eye.
So I was surprised to look up from my desk the other day and see this lovely little number:
I had to go outside to investigate further.
Turns out this is the new Mazda3, the smaller of Mazda’s two available sedans (the 6 being the other sedan; the 3 is also available as a five-door hatchback). Base price ranges from about $17,000 to $27,000, depending on your trim level and whether you select the sedan or hatchback. Available engines are either a 155-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder, or a 184-hp 2.5L four. Sadly, only an automatic transmission is available with the larger engine.
I have not driven the 3 (yet) and know little about it, except this: it catches my eye and, when I see it, I want to drive it. And that, to me, is a well-designed car. At the end of the day, it’s not about the nameplate or the price tag as much as it is about this question: does it move me?
The Mazda3 does.
You can find photos of the Mazda3 here (sedan) and here (hatchback). If anyone has driven the new 3 or owned a 3 in the past, chime in! What do you think?
MOTORista 
The Mazda3 feels in a much higher class than the typical Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla! What I love about the Mazda3 is that when you get out of the car, you are left wanting to drive it again.
That’s my kind of car! Looking forward to driving it.