Found this today: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/10/m...-mazda3-sedan/



Anyone else think the new Mazda 3 is absolutely gorgeous?

With a kid on the way, it is really looking like a nice choice for me. Never since the the R53 was introduced have I spent so much time looking at photos of a single car.

What do NAMers think?

 

The lines kinda resemble this.

 

My wife drives a 2011 Mazda 3 Hatchback it's a great car no problems with it. The new one looks even better. Look at the Mazdaspeed if they are going to make it for the 14. We drove one before we bought ours and it has a lot of power. just could not justifiy the price at the time now i wish i would have.

 

All the new Mazdas are coming out really nice. Sure makes the first 3 look really old.

 

I do. If I were in the market for a new car, I would have a hard time choosing between another Mini and the 3. Or maybe the new 6...

 

Yep. The new 3 will get the 2.5L four cylinder with 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. AND it is rated at 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway.

The styling kind of reminds me of the new jags.

Can't wait to see what the new MX-5 looks like!

 

The problem with a lot of Mazdas IMHO is older generations really look dated, but they look really good when they come out. Their styling really pushes the limits, but doesn't stand the test of time. If you trade every 3 years, then it doesn't matter, but how many here look back on a 2006 Mazda and go "wow, that still looks amazing?"

But I will admit, I do miss that fun little V6 in my old MX-3.

 

hubby is looking for a new car as his lease is up in january, and this is on the short list. it's just unfortunate that it's, well, a mazda. it looks great and has great options, but he's looking to buy and neither one of us believe this car will last longer than 3 years. every single person that we know that's ever bought a mazda has had serious problems with it (one 3, one 6, and about 10 speed3's - what a pos that thing is). maybe they'll fix the issues with this gen, i hope so, but i don't really want to be the guinea pig.

 

I must respectfully disagree! Many of the older Miatas and RX8s have looks that can only be described as classic.

Do you think anyone is going to look back at the clownish speedometer of a MINI twenty years from now and say "Wow! What an amazing example of good taste and classic design"?

 

I bought a Mazda B2200 pickup truck brand new in 1990. When I sold it in 2010 (that's 20 years later), I can honestly say the vehicle required exactly *one* repair. I replaced the resistor that controls the heater fan speed for less than $50. Sure, I replaced tires, brakes, batteries, belts, and mufflers - normal wear items - but excepting the heater fan, nothing that could be called a repair. Even the factory clutch was still going strong at 140k.

OK, so it didn't have enough power to get out of it's own way, but reliability was *not* a problem.

 

You mean like they do today with Mini's from 20 years ago? It is classic and distinctive Mini. I'll be sorry to see it go, but I understand why.

The Miata is nice. I liked the Rx8 when it came out, but now it just looks to me like another Japanese sports car. Nothing daring like the Nissan 300z when it came out in 1989. More like it belongs on the set of a Transformers movie. Oh, wait...

It is to each his own. The Mini doesn't appeal to anyone, but IMHO, it ages at least as well as BMW's and Audi's when it comes to design.