I have to agree with you on this one, and hey, I am getting a
red one by the end of this year too! will yours be the sedan or the
hatch? mine will a hatch.
btw, I have test driven the car with my friend recently, and I have
to say It's one of the better cars I have driven, at least
imo...
I used to look forward to owns a Ford Focus manual hatch, but after
test driven it again last week, I was even more convinced that the
M3 is a better bet. Compared with the focus, it may not be able to
keep up, in terms of 0-60 times, but the engine note sure sounds
more sporty and enthusiastic; the Yamaha tuned Zetec SE engine of
the Focus is too smooth for my liking (funny, cos that the Auto
Version sounds better), so as in the over light clutch pedal and
shift, not much robust feel. As the Focus looks became dated
gracefully (it's still a great car to own nonetheless, since it was
launched first back in 199
, the M3 oozes much more styles, inside and outside.
The M3 has the same or better handling capability as the current
Focus, since it's adopting the new 2nd generation Focus C1
Platform, whch will be in the New Focus (launching end of this
year), as well as in the new Volvo S40 and V50. However, the
Suspension settings are done in Mazda's Hiroshima Testing Facility
by Japanese Engineers, nothing wrong with that, I threw it into a
third gear bend, and does not even understeers (just like the
Focus), so not really necessarily that we need to have AWD as in
the Impreza. High speed stabilty is another strong point for this
car, as it obsorbs most of the bumps that we found on our roads. I
tried doing hard braking on both the sedan and the hatch, and found
that the hatch, with it's Front and Rear Disc Brakes really
provides excellent stopping, it's not to say that the Sedan brakes
will not that good, just that the hatch is better.
I was quite amazed by the just nice level of insulation of this
car, not too quiet as the Peugeot 307 (can doze off while driving),
and not as noisy as the Koreans, Altis (no offence).
Anyway, I have done a review of the M3 when it was launched here
previously and it goes like this: ( no offence to anyone here, but
just my own opinion 
)
Mazda Axela as called in Japan, 1.5VVT with 115ps.
Mazda3 as called in Singapore (and the rest of the
countries, including Europe and US), 1.6VVT with 105ps
(euro4 emission type)
Other versions include 2.0 & 2.3 versions, which is
not available here of course. US don't get 1.6 version
as petrol to them is not a concern, US fuel prices:
around S$0.27 per litre!
Official Information:
Official Mazda Axela Special Site
http://special.axela.mazda.co.jp/
Homepages
www.mazda.co.jp
www.mazda.com
www.mazda.com.sg
In my opinion:
"A great Compact Car, which offers Japanese Reliabilty
and European Looks and Feel"
"Handles almost like the Alfa 147, and steers sharper
than the Focus and Impreza, makes you wonder why you
need AWD (as in the Impreza)"
Looks aside as they can be very subjective.
Pros:-
Good implementation of Ford Focus/Mazda Axela/Volvo
S40 & V50 C1 Platform, strong chassis.
Solid and reassuring doors closing, even better than
Honda Civic. Worst example: Corolla (improves
marginally on the new Corolla Altis).
Superb suspension setup (which is already a forte on
the six years old Focus), inspires confidence even
under hard cornering, superb handling with 16" sport
rims/tyres. Stays firmly to the ground even during
high-speed sections, superb dampening on uneven roads
as well as humps (like the focus). Another good
example: Impreza 1.6TS, worst example: Corolla
(improves marginally on the new Corolla Altis, but
still feels bouncy and floaty, as compared to the
european suspensions setup. This type of soft
suspension setups still appeals to the Americans, as
they have quite badly cut-up roads).
Minimal body roll, very well controlled even under
hard cornering. Worst example: Corolla (improves
marginally on the new Corolla Altis).
Quick 2.2 turns lock-to-lock Steering (same as Alfa
147, and sharper than Focus and Impreza), great for
quick maneuverability and overtaking, also useful for
parking (unlike the Corolla/Corolla Altis, which you
always have to be busy turning the wheel, during
turning and parking)
well-weighted steering wheel (better on the hatch),
pretty communicative, good road feedback information.
Another good example: Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec, worst
example: Corolla/Corolla Altis (lightly-weighted
passive driving and minimal feedback)
Activematic (Auto and Sports) Shifting is very slick.
Auto Mode offers smooth shifting and good laidback
cruising capability (that's how we normally drive).
Sports Mode shifts eagerly to 7000rpm (when we want to
have some fun), shift up beautifully with no jerking
(unlike the Alfa 147 Selespeed, but then again the
alfa is a proper 5-speed manual with automatic clutch
actuators)
Engine note sounds much like the Yamaha designed Ford
Focus Zetec SE Engine, very sporty yet composed.
Another good example: Engine still a forte with the
Corollas VVTi, but does not sounds so inspiring
through.
Cons:-
Acceleration sufficient on the sedan, but suffers
fairly on the hatch, which is slightly heavier. Due to
the heavier weight, offers better stability on High
Speed Sections.
Rear-door Roofline and headroom too low on the sedan,
needs to be extra cautious getting in and out, tall
passengers suffers at the back. No problem with the
hatch.
Engine note sounds a tad harsh upon reaching the max
7000rpm revs, but then again we don't always push it
so hard.
Emergency Brakes on the sedan is a little not so
effective as the hatch, as the rear are drum brakes.
For cars with rear drum brakes, the Subaru Impreza
1.6TS still tops.
Reviews:
2004 Mazda 3 By Tony Whitney
http://www.richmondautomall.com/reviews_columns/reviews/2004_Mazda_3.htm
Most Wanted Sedan Under $15,000
http://applications.edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2004/100662/article.html
First Drive: 2004 Mazda 3
Looking Good on a Budget
http://applications.edmunds.com/new/2004/mazda/3/100364219/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=100599&tid=edmunds.e.roadtests.content...Mazda*
Mazda 3: The Protegé pays the price of growing up.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7566
Zoom-zoom-zoom?
http://www.channel4.com/apps26/4car/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=231_2&page=2&reviewid=821
2004 Mazda 3: Reviews
http://applications.edmunds.com/new/2004/mazda/3/100364219/review.html?tid=edmunds.h..reviews.reviews.1g.*
Mazda 3 / Axela Review by Autozine (Mark Wan from HK)
http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Mazda1.htm#3
2004 Mazda 3
All-new compact is fun, versatile, and affordable.
http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?ReviewID=1507
Mazda 3 1.6
Is Mazda trying just a little too hard?
http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/motoring/tests/story.jsp?story=448836
Awards:
http://www.mazda3.com.sg/3rd/reputation.html
UK Car Magazine, Best Family Car: Highly Recommended
