Thread: Mazda 3 or Mazda CX3?

Any thoughts on which one of these to buy?

I think the CX3 is much better looking, higher up but the back seats have less room.

My wife drives a Mazda 2 in Oz, and it's a great little car, going strong for six years now without even a niggle. I'd get her a CX-3 in Thailand - based on the 2 - if they weren't so expensive. Top of the line CX-3 sells for $26K AUD in Oz, and sells for the equivalent of around $36K AUD in Thailand. Because they are manufactured in Japan, and you're paying around 30% (?) tax on an imported car.

The Mazda 3 is also built in Japan. So a locally built car should be a better bang for you buck, but my experience in Oz is when there is high import duty, the locally manufactured cars are sold at a large markup, selling for just under the price of an equivalent imported vehicle. Don't know if that is true in Thailand, have not done that comparison yet.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by bindog

My wife drives a Mazda 2 in Oz, and it's a great little car, going strong for six years now without even a niggle. I'd get her a CX-3 in Thailand - based on the 2 - if they weren't so expensive. Top of the line CX-3 sells for $26K AUD in Oz, and sells for the equivalent of around $36K AUD in Thailand. Because they are manufactured in Japan, and you're paying around 30% (?) tax on an imported car.

The Mazda 3 is also built in Japan. So a locally built car should be a better bang for you buck, but my experience in Oz is when there is high import duty, the locally manufactured cars are sold at a large markup, selling for just under the price of an equivalent imported vehicle. Don't know if that is true in Thailand, have not done that comparison yet.

Mazda 2, Mazda 3 and (AFAIK) CX-3 are all assembled in Thailand.

Good luck getting a top spec CX3 for 36k here.

2.0 (petrol) HighLine = Bt.1,045,000
1.5 (diesel) HighLine = Bt. 1,155,000

Your wife's 3rd gen mazda 2 (based of the Ford Fiesta platform) is a terrible car compared to the 4th gen mazda 2 which is 100% mazda.

I was offered the CX3 SP for $27k hre in Thailand.

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

I was offered the CX3 SP for $27k hre in Thailand.

You should have jumped on it, $13000.00 AUD below current Retail price is a bargain.

or is your 27k in USD ? if thats the case a Bt.70,000 discount is still decent.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

I was offered the CX3 SP for $27k hre in Thailand.

You should have jumped on it, $13000.00 AUD below current Retail price is a bargain.

US$27k

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

I was offered the CX3 SP for $27k hre in Thailand.

You should have jumped on it, $13000.00 AUD below current Retail price is a bargain.

US$27k

Yeah just checked my emails. with my staff discount I can buy it for 27k USD as well.

Or the 3 (top spec) @ 22.5k USD for the sedan and 26.5k USD for the hatch.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

I was offered the CX3 SP for $27k hre in Thailand.

You should have jumped on it, $13000.00 AUD below current Retail price is a bargain.

US$27k

Yeah just checked my emails. with my staff discount I can buy it for 27k USD as well.

Or the 3 (top spec) @ 22.5k USD for the sedan and 26.5k USD for the hatch.

That's my decision - the hatch or the CX3, they are both nice looking. I think it has to be the CX3. Only the kids in the back even though one is 180cm.

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

That's my decision - the hatch or the CX3, they are both nice looking. I think it has to be the CX3. Only the kids in the back even though one is 180cm.

If there is a chance of driving in flood water the CX3 is the better choice.

Saying that I killed my lifted Ranger in 300mm of water but have driven my 3 where the water is over the bonnet.... go figure !!

if you can stretch to the 1.5 diesel CX3 they respond real well to some tuning and you will love the torque (the 2.0 petrol engines have none and you need to rev the piss outta them !).

Originally Posted by Fondles

Mazda 2, Mazda 3 and (AFAIK) CX-3 are all assembled in Thailand.

<snip>

Your wife's 3rd gen mazda 2 (based of the Ford Fiesta platform) is a terrible car compared to the 4th gen mazda 2 which is 100% mazda.

I was going by Wikipedia and some other online source, so if they are building the Mazda 3 and / or the CX3 in Thailand that is very good news. For my wallet, not necessarily for the build quality.

And that's good to hear the current gen Mazda 2 is an improvement on our Fiesta-based one, coz we're happy with the one we have, a better one would be even betterer!

I guess the one shortcoming is the seat reach - I have the driver's seat all the way back when I drive it, if I was any taller it would be awkward.

New Mazda 3 will be annonced end of January. Might be worth waiting.

Good point re the floods.

What do you think of the Mazda CX5? Is it worth the extra?

The new one is really nice.

Originally Posted by bindog

I guess the one shortcoming is the seat reach - I have the driver's seat all the way back when I drive it, if I was any taller it would be awkward.

Dont buy a girly car then the seat reach wont be an issue.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

New Mazda 3 will be annonced end of January. Might be worth waiting.

update 3rd gen 3 is already on sale, there is nothing new coming in January.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by bindog

I guess the one shortcoming is the seat reach - I have the driver's seat all the way back when I drive it, if I was any taller it would be awkward.

Dont buy a girly car then the seat reach wont be an issue.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

New Mazda 3 will be annonced end of January. Might be worth waiting.

update 3rd gen 3 is already on sale, there is nothing new coming in January.

Not sure what my press launch invite is about then!

After the masterpiece All-New MAZDA3 SKYACTIV has achieved a tremendous success, be prepared for the new excitement; the innovation that break all boundaries in Thai automotive industry, New MAZDA3, “Beyond Imagination”. The model comes with the latest version of KODO Design, the world-renown SKYACTIV technology, MZD CONNECT connecting you to the online world and Mazda’s world-class proactive safety technology, i-ACTIVSENSE. Furthermore, the latest series under SKYACIV Technology, SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS providing integrated control to give out the best performance featuring G-Vectoring Control, the driving dynamics control technology will be featured in this update.
In this regard, you are cordially invited to witness and experience the new model from Mazda first hand as per the following time and date:
Date:
Tuesday, January 24, 2017

So, any idea when it is for sale? Any idea about any new CX3?

I wonder if the sensor auto-braking is worth it along with the beeping, flashing wing mirrors when something is near you(blind spot).
I suppose if spending 900k, an extra 70 or so is not a lot.

I'm going to wait anyway until January and see if the Mada CX3 gets 0% finance like the Mazda 3 has now.

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

I wonder if the sensor auto-braking is worth it along with the beeping, flashing wing mirrors when something is near you(blind spot).

The smart city brake support is freaky when it activates but has saved me a few times in traffic and the blinky beepy mirrors are a must on the hatch due to bad blindspots, they too have save me a few times.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

I wonder if the sensor auto-braking is worth it along with the beeping, flashing wing mirrors when something is near you(blind spot).

The smart city brake support is freaky when it activates but has saved me a few times in traffic and the blinky beepy mirrors are a must on the hatch due to bad blindspots, they too have save me a few times.

Thanks, I'll remember that when making my decision.

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by bindog

I guess the one shortcoming is the seat reach - I have the driver's seat all the way back when I drive it, if I was any taller it would be awkward.

Dont buy a girly car then the seat reach wont be an issue.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

New Mazda 3 will be annonced end of January. Might be worth waiting.

update 3rd gen 3 is already on sale, there is nothing new coming in January.

Not sure what my press launch invite is about then!

After the masterpiece All-New MAZDA3 SKYACTIV has achieved a tremendous success, be prepared for the new excitement; the innovation that break all boundaries in Thai automotive industry, New MAZDA3, “Beyond Imagination”. The model comes with the latest version of KODO Design, the world-renown SKYACTIV technology, MZD CONNECT connecting you to the online world and Mazda’s world-class proactive safety technology, i-ACTIVSENSE. Furthermore, the latest series under SKYACIV Technology, SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS providing integrated control to give out the best performance featuring G-Vectoring Control, the driving dynamics control technology will be featured in this update.
In this regard, you are cordially invited to witness and experience the new model from Mazda first hand as per the following time and date:
Date:
Tuesday, January 24, 2017

So, any idea when it is for sale? Any idea about any new CX3?

I wonder if the sensor auto-braking is worth it along with the beeping, flashing wing mirrors when something is near you(blind spot).
I suppose if spending 900k, an extra 70 or so is not a lot.

I'm going to wait anyway until January and see if the Mada CX3 gets 0% finance like the Mazda 3 has now.

I'm not sure of the detail regarding price. But if the same as last year they will announce at the press event.

If you're in the area of Queen Siri Kit I can get you in if you're keen to find out early.

Can anyone tell me if the Mazda 3 is front wheel drive?

Also, what about the CX3 standard models?

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

Can anyone tell me if the Mazda 3 is front wheel drive?

Also, what about the CX3 standard models?

yes..

I had mine tuned last week;

E85 only.
Throttle lag removed.
Rev limiter bumped from 6500 to 7500.
Speed limiter removed.

Much nicer to drive now.

Fondles, will the tuning void any warranties? I have a new CX3 1.5L turbo deisel that I am very happy with and will probably leave it alone until the warranty is up.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Fondles, will the tuning void any warranties?

Damn right it will

The dealer told me they knew someone who could turn that piece of shit infotainment system into a video player but just doing that would void the 3 year warranty