Mazda3 crowned Australia's most popular

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by stevz

....Yes, people do buy them because they are sheep. Ask the average Mazda 3 owner about their cars and very few of them have any sort of clue about the factors you mention. They simply bought one "because everyone else is buying them".

Umm going back a few years ago now, wasn't that basically the same argument you would use against Commodore and Falcon?

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

I'd suggest this is more on the money than any of the more sophisticated reasons being proposed here; eg running costs, fuel economy, resale, servicing, etc. These other things might have triggered more savvy purchasers to get the ball rolling, but I'd be interested to hear more from "average Joes" why they purchased these?

My gut reaction is that they believe that as its Japanese it will be reliable and good quality, they are happy with the purchase price, they like the looks and features ... And they are more comfortable buying a popular car. I doubt it's any more technical than that ..

It worked as a formula for the Ford Laser for many years.

[prydey]

popular doesn't equal best. anna kournikova could fill the stands but couldn't play tennis to save her life.

[dimka100]

Here is another quality comment (from Drive) by a Mazda3 owner about the Falcon:

"“2 months ago I drove a pretty new (15K km) XR6 from newcastle to Nowra. My god what a piece of aweful engineering that thing is. Heavy, gutless, fuel guzzling, uncomfortable. It is no surprise the only people who are buying these a die hard fans, as anyone who goes inrto buying a car with their eyes open would run from this horrible hirrble piece of rubbish. The whole time I was driving it I was kicking myself for taking my own Mazda 3 or Toyota Rukus. Both cars make the XR6 seem like a time capsule back to the 70's. Even the Rukus' "unconventional" looks are better than the plain white vanilla styling of the Ford (although anyone who buys solely based on looks has more serious issues going on). I realy feel for the Ford employees, its not their fault their management has foisted some of the worst cars ever designed on them.
CommentermikLocationnewcastleDate and timeJanuary 03, 2013, 10:52PM"

Seriously I nearly felt of my chair when I read that crap!!!

[Ducati888]

Well, you just know that the comment above is crap, because each of the bad points can easily be dissected and analysed as such. Heavy? I don't know for sure, but the Falcon would only be about 200kg more than a 3. Fuel guzzling? On a highway run? Wrong again. Gutless? Really? Falcons have never been accused of being gutless, especially against a four cylinder car. Uncomfortable? That's a matter of personal opinion.

I have nothing against the Mazda 3. Mazda did a brilliant job of marketing a good car and they capitalised on Toyota's lack of ability to supply early in 2012, as well as the end of model run, for the old Corolla. having said that, I reckon the new Corolla will be back to number one in 2013, with the new Mazda 3 in second or third place (depends how Hilux goes). Toyota marketing against Mazda marketing. Ford - take note about how the big boys play. Watch and learn.

[Wretched]

love it, Mazda deliver a car that is well equipped, a quality build, sharp dynamics (shares the platform with Focus) and competitively priced and the people that buy it are labeled sheep?
I've heard everything now.

[Joe5619]

It will be very interesting to see of the new Corolla & 3 go next year. The 3 is starting to become one of the oldest models on the market. When is the next 3 due?

[Nic85]

Mazdas are certainly not without their issues. Mazda 6 MPS was riddled with turbo and diff problems, Mazda 3 MPS had the same turbo problems.

[jmac]

Originally Posted by Nic85

Mazdas are certainly not without their issues. Mazda 6 MPS was riddled with turbo and diff problems, Mazda 3 MPS had the same turbo problems.

As i mentioned before, it's the pcv system..
Its been rectified.
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[medz84]

i just think that mazda 3 is more appealing to people that dont care too much about cars but care about self image, sure someone can buy a white corolla or something similar but why buy a corolla when you can buy a mazda that has nice metalic paints etc

i think mazda have done a great job with marketing!!! zoom zoom zoom

[DFB FGXR6]

I remember a few years ago, everyone wondered why the Corolla was such a sales success and how the then excellent first gen. Mazda 3 was a far better car and that it should be out selling selling the Toyota. Well, the tables have turned in the 3's favour. In general, people always seem to slag out something popular, just human nature.

I'm not a huge fan of the 3, but of the cars in its class, its probably amounst the top 3, no pun intended. Mazda know who their customer base are, equip it accordingly and price it right. It dosnt matter if the cabin is drab, the fuel ecomomy the worst in class.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by XWGT

No it actually only got blueetooth in Q3 2012. Up until then it was a full cost option.

I think you will find that was only the base model Neo, but I could be wrong.

[jmac]

Originally Posted by naddis01

I think you will find that was only the base model Neo, but I could be wrong.

Was always standard on the BL MPS :p
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[naddis01]

What about the rest of the range? I thought they all had it except for the Neo.

Edit: Nevermind. A quick google search came up with this...

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/550...ew-connections
Sep 26, 2012

Mazda Australia has added Bluetooth and USB connectivity to the entry-level Mazda3 Neo, making both technologies standard across the range.

[DoreSlamR]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Focus outsold Cruze.

Not for the year it didn't, it came 5th overall

1st: Mazda 3
2nd: Hilux
3rd: Corolla
4th: Commodore
5th: Cruze

It does surprise me a bit how well the Cruze sold, more surprising is how well the Hilux sold!

Way overpriced and half a generation behind Ranger, BT50, Amarok and Navara.

[Bossxr8]

Navara is just as far behind as Hilux is. Only good point is the TD V6.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Nic85

Mazdas are certainly not without their issues. Mazda 6 MPS was riddled with turbo and diff problems, Mazda 3 MPS had the same turbo problems.

Riddled? Nothing has ever gone wrong with my Mazda 6 MPS. Thats not to say there wasn't problems for some traffic light warriors, but riddled? A tad exaggerated.

[Ducati888]

Every make has its problems. The true test is how the respective company looks after it's customers when something goes wrong, not just when they purchase a car. Toyota do. Mazda do. People will keep going back to them.

It's not just about an obligation to repair under warranty, it's an attitude and a feeling of wellbeing by the customer, having been looked after happily, not grudgingly.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by medz84

i just think that mazda 3 is more appealing to people that dont care too much about cars but care about self image, sure someone can buy a white corolla or something similar but why buy a corolla when you can buy a mazda that has nice metalic paints etc

i think mazda have done a great job with marketing!!! zoom zoom zoom

The Mazda is in every way a better steer then a Corolla and always has been- going back to the 323 Astina days. If you enjoy driving at all, a Mazda 3 will always win over a Corolla, marketing be dammed.

When Mazda Australia went through their dark days with decontenting, high prices and some dud plain jane models (the 626 that Mazda NEVER show in any history of the company to this day). The then CEO in Australia focused on improving the dealer network and making sure the customer experience was good, because with cars like the 98 626, plainer, uglier and less well equipped then its earlier models - well that's all they had to sell on. The late 323's were also hit with the ugly stick and were not an upgrade over the more attractive (but decontented) Astina coupe and hatch of 94/96 mechanically or styling wise.

While they aren't perfect as a brand, they learn't some lessons and I think some of their current success is attributable to the fact that they improved things back when they had to and didn't forget the lessons learnt the hard way. When they have started enjoying some success with their approach after a decade (yes it takes time to build reputation) they also made sure Mazda Japan didn't forget what worked in our market as well.

Fords position in the market is basically at that same crossroad Mazda was, just twenty odd years later.

Unfortunately the new 6 is the first car Mazda Japan ignored the Australian operation over, because they are obsessed with the US market. Time will tell if that was a wise choice.

[Nic85]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Riddled? Nothing has ever gone wrong with my Mazda 6 MPS. Thats not to say there wasn't problems for some traffic light warriors, but riddled? A tad exaggerated.

Maybe riddled was a strong word . I did some research a while ago because I want a mid-large sedan with AWD and some proper shove. I read the Mazda forums and a bunch of other online discussion groups, and the amount of people with diff and turbo problems was unfortunately enough to turn me off. I know you usually only read the bad stories online, but still. I mean, we bought a Polo GTi and only a year or so ago I swore black and blue I'd never own a VW because they were lemons, DSG gearboxes blow up all the time, the 1.4L twin charged engine uses oil like a rotary etc. Fact is we're 9,000kms into ownership now and the only issue we've had has been a creaky door seal which I fixed with some silicone spray. It's used about 200ml of oil in the time too, so I do get what you're saying. I was just making the point that not all Mazdas are bullet proof with no problems like some people were intimating...

[jmac]

Originally Posted by Nic85

Maybe riddled was a strong word . I did some research a while ago because I want a mid-large sedan with AWD and some proper shove. I read the Mazda forums and a bunch of other online discussion groups, and the amount of people with diff and turbo problems was unfortunately enough to turn me off. I know you usually only read the bad stories online, but still. I mean, we bought a Polo GTi and only a year or so ago I swore black and blue I'd never own a VW because they were lemons, DSG gearboxes blow up all the time, the 1.4L twin charged engine uses oil like a rotary etc. Fact is we're 9,000kms into ownership now and the only issue we've had has been a creaky door seal which I fixed with some silicone spray. It's used about 200ml of oil in the time too, so I do get what you're saying. I was just making the point that not all Mazdas are bullet proof with no problems like some people were intimating...

Nothing is. Every forum is full of reports of things breaking. I currently own a 3 and 6 mps. The three has had pcv system and a wheel bearing done under warranty. The 6 has had the transfer case seal replaced to fix a leak. That's it. Both are pre 2007 models.

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[BadMax]

Originally Posted by Nic85

we bought a Polo GTi and only a year or so ago I swore black and blue I'd never own a VW because they were lemons, DSG gearboxes blow up all the time, the 1.4L twin charged engine uses oil like a rotary etc. Fact is we're 9,000kms into ownership...

Lets us know how you're getting on in a few years. We got laughed at when we went and test drove a Golf Gti and requested a real manual. Too bad I know all the stories as a mate was a service manager for VW/Skoda.
BTW, you'll probably blow a turbo, hole a piston, burn oil, destroy the mechatronics before you wreck the box itslef.

And nobody said the Mazda is bullet proof, but there is a fair bit of positives even in this thread about it's reliability. Sure, maybe the full hypo models aren't, neither are FPV's.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Riddled? Nothing has ever gone wrong with my Mazda 6 MPS. Thats not to say there wasn't problems for some traffic light warriors, but riddled? A tad exaggerated.

Fuel pumps, VCT actuators, front suspension bushes and noisy steering columns were quite common problems with the GG 6 along with the things already mentioned. They were considered a bit of a bunky amongst the Mazda staff I worked with compared to other models along with the Tribute. The later 6 seemed to be a lot better.


As for the Hilux sales, they have a very strong following in the 4wd crowd. Same as Cruisers/Patrols. Its still on a solid front axle I'm pretty sure. Would take a lot to hurt its rep.

[flooded one]

I personally think the mazda 3 is a bit heavy on fuel compared too other modern 4 cylinders. that would be the only thing I have against it really. each too their own. I've heard about paint issues with mazdas but I haven't seen any with them yet. I have seen pictures of poor paint jobs on mazdas on the net so might have a bit of truth in it. I'd rather buy a corolla myself personally as sad as that is

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Unfortunately the new 6 is the first car Mazda Japan ignored the Australian operation over, because they are obsessed with the US market. Time will tell if that was a wise choice.

Could you please explain what you mean by this comment?

[jpd80]

Instead of moping over the Mazda 3, we should be pleased with the way the Focus responded
to the recent advertising campaign, given December is notoriously hard for Ford car sales,
it's refreshing to see Focus go over 1900 sales.

Hopefully, Ford keeps up the good work with advertising and lets the dealerships get on with growing sales.

Also look at setting up 1.6 Ecoboost Mondeo hatch production here, 6.8 l/100 km to go against Camry.

[JoshXR]

Next model mazda 3 pics don't look too bad







Understand it's probably concept stage

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by JoshXR

Next model mazda 3 pics don't look too bad

image
image
image

image

Understand it's probably concept stage

I think they need to tweak some of the proportions slightly but that is gonna be a great seller. What a great looking car, who'd chose a bland and poorly built Cruze over something like that.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I think they need to tweak some of the proportions slightly but that is gonna be a great seller. What a great looking car, who'd chose a bland and poorly built Cruze over something like that.

The same person who'd choose a bland and poorly built thai ford perhaps..

[jmac]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Could you please explain what you mean by this comment?

I think he means the 6 mps (190kw awd 2.3ltr turbo) was dropped because the USDM preferred a V6, even though it produces less kw and nm than the turbo 4.

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