Welterweights, Pt 6

Well, here we are. 1st place. I'll bet you're dying to know what it is.

1st Place: Mazda3


I know what you're thinking. "WHY SO SERIOUS?" Joker grin aside, this little car has enough going for it to put a grin on your face.

For starters, let's talk about this car's pedigree. Mazda is one of the few car companies out there that makes its mission to have every car it makes be fun to drive. Not just the sport models. Every.
Car.
This is where their "Zoom Zoom" philosophy comes from, and if you make that big of a claim, you better be able to back it up. And this little car is key to doing that.

First, let's talk engines: buyers have a choice of a 2.0 I4 with 148 horsepower, their new 2.0 liter Skyactiv system (more on that later) with 155 horsepower, a 2.5Liter I4 at 164 horsepower, and for the crazies, you have the Mazdaspeed3,with a turbocharged 2.3 liter I4 good for a whopping 263 horsepower. Transmissions are also varied, with five speed autos and manuals for the regular 2.0 liter and 2.5, while the Skyactiv engines and the supercharged 2.3 come with a six speeds.
In all versions, the suspension is firm without being harsh, and cornering offers very little body roll. At all speeds the car feels planted, with no dead spot on steering. Turn in can be aggressive for those not used to it, but that's good for a pocket sized driver's car.

Pricing is right on the money too. You can have one for as little as $15,200, which is spartan, but comes with plenty of spunk. At the high end, you'll run about $25,000, and there you have the choice of either the high end trim (Grand Touring) or you can get yourself a Mazdaspeed3. Both levels are nicely appointed.

You can have the car as either a sedan or a hatchback (though the Mazdaspeed3 is hatchback only). It should be noted that the hatchback starts off at about $19k, although at that level the base engine is the Skyactiv or the 2.5 liter. Plus it has more starting features, such as Bluetooth.

By now, you're probably wondering what this Skyactiv stuff is all about.

Essentially, it's Mazda's new approach to having not only fuel efficient cars, but fun ones as well. The 2012 Mazda3 is the first of Mazda's cars to implement these initiatives in a mid cycle refresh. (The first full Skyactiv Mazda is their brand new CX-5, which you can see photos of in my earlier post at the Silicon Valley Auto Show). What does this mean for the Mazda3?
40 mpg, ladies and gentlemen. Now you can have your cake and eat it too.


The weak points? Well, the interior is plastic-y, and while the steering wheel buttons are easy to get to, they are a little small. At some of the lower trims, the materials feel a little cheap. Plus, the rear passenger leg-room isn't much unless you're a kid.

And a lot of you are probably still staring in disbelief at that goofy grin on the front.

But when you're talking about entertainment value for your money, and having a car that will last you a long while, look no further.

Driver's Pick: Any of them, really, but if you can, shell out the extra cash for one of the Skyactiv engines.

Drive in, Pt 4

Commenter Garthor sends in his daily driver. In his own words:

 Let me tell you about what I believe to be the best of the daily drivers so far.  This is the 2010 Mazda 3 hatchback from the hertz fleet.  This means it has a very sporty 2.5L dohc I4.  Doesn't sound like much, sure but at almost 170 base hp it will top most cars in its class without turbo superchargers, blowers, or other heavy modifications.  And the suspension is tuned just right for taking corners at top speed.  In fact the differences between this and the mazda speed 3 are few and far between, and I believe mazda has outdone themselves with their motto "if its not worth driving, its not worth building".  The 2.5L is no gas guzzler either, I have a meter on my dash which reads out regularly at between 23 and 24 miles per, which means not only is it sporty, but also affordable to drive on a regular basis.

You will notice the interior is not half bad either.  Bucket seats hug your posterior, even when you are sitting in good old California's bumper to bumper.  The tech savy will also notice blue tooth, a very important feature here in California (a no talking while driving state).  This also means that with my android, I can pick what I listen to when I'm sitting in traffic be it Pandora or radio.  The version I have came with some additional readouts as well, which will help you keep track of nice things like gas milage, and when the car needs its next maintenance.  The car weighs the perfect balance between zippy and practical.  With 5 seat-belts in the cabin area, and a roomy hatchback trunk (plus 60/40 rear split seats) its the perfect size for just about any occasion.  Back to performance... The triptonic sport shift goes up to 5, plus overdrive, and traction control is as easy to turn off as a single button press.  When looking between this car, and its big brother the speed 3, the only real difference I can tell is the speed three has a 2.3L (slightly smaller) T4, which adds about 100hp on my standard hatch.  Meaning my 2.5L, once I tune it up a little (ie add a turbo supercharger, and maybe a cold air intake) should get almost 300hp at my best estimate... not bad for such a little car.