The new generation Mazda 3 MPS – technical review

[Wardski]

Great review, but its still just not my cup o tea.

Must have been interesting getting out of a 6MPS and driving the new 3MPS. Cant wait for a review from a long term 3MPS driver though.

Rowie, hows your review coming along?

---------- Post added at 02:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

Manufacturers list price is $39,690, roughly. $43,290 for the luxo.

before onroads

Lux pack will have approx $1298.70 stamp duty, then add ~$500 for rego + 3rd party insurance

So drive away you might as well say $45k

[Street Road Laino]

i should be test driving one of these this week so we will see how they perform. Interested to see how much stiffer the car feels and how the new steering system is.

A bonus with the engine staying the same. All the aftermarket go fast bits should all bolt up as with previous versions

[Wardski]

A bonus with the engine staying the same. All the aftermarket go fast bits should all bolt up as with previous versions

Depends on how you look at it. the 2.3ltr isnt one that we should be modding while wanting longevity and warranty... Looking back at all the blown motors, this is one best left stock - bar cutting out one of the cats for a little more noise.

[LYNCHY]

wardski Mod away people

[nickows]

Great write-up Mal. I'll reserve final judgement about the styling until i see one in the flesh, but that 'smiley' grille is certainly gonna take a while to grow on me. The new model certainly looks more animated and in your face, but to my eye the original still looks more 'muscular' yet understated.

And it'd be cool to see those headlights on the luxury model in action - do they swivel depending on the steering angle?

[kmh001]

Great write-up Mal. I'll reserve final judgement about the styling until i see one in the flesh, but that 'smiley' grille is certainly gonna take a while to grow on me. The new model certainly looks more animated and in your face, but to my eye the original still looks more 'muscular' yet understated.

And it'd be cool to see those headlights on the luxury model in action - do they swivel depending on the steering angle?

That's right, the headlights pivot to look into the corner.

I think the photo's we've previously seen are mostly taken from a low angle, which tends to make the smiley face dominate. But in reality we don't normally see the car from such a low angle. Combined with the bonnet scoop that tends to influence the frontal view I think you'll find that in the flesh the smiley face doesn't dominate nearly as much as you might think.

Interestingly, two days ago I preferred the look of the original car. But after spending a day with the new car I prefer it now.

[CharlieBrown]

Interestingly, two days ago I preferred the look of the original car. But after spending a day with the new car I prefer it now.

Converted!

[Street Road Laino]

Depends on how you look at it. the 2.3ltr isnt one that we should be modding while wanting longevity and warranty... Looking back at all the blown motors, this is one best left stock - bar cutting out one of the cats for a little more noise.

[Nirvandan]

I'll reserve final judgement about the styling until i see one in the flesh, but that 'smiley' grille is certainly gonna take a while to grow on me. The new model certainly looks more animated and in your face, but to my eye the original still looks more 'muscular' yet understated.

+1 .

---------- Post added at 03:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 PM ----------

Interestingly, two days ago I preferred the look of the original car. But after spending a day with the new car I prefer it now.

Cool!!!

[Taz]

Awesome write up, Mal!!!