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Zoom Zoom We can all identify with the phrase and the meaning of the sound. The 2004 Mazda 3 lives up to the Zoom-Zoom advertising. Many 4-door compact sedans are bland uninspired econoboxes designed to bore you to tears while transporting you around town. Not the Mazda 3. From the exciting muscular stance to the sports car sound of shifting gears the Mazda 3 bears the soul of a sports car on a budget. Available in either a four-door sedan or 5-door hatchback both cars take their fun seriously. The four-door sedan "I" version can fit almost any budget with a base MSRP of only $13,680. My Mazda 3 S 4-door with 6-disc in-dash CD changer was nicely equipped for under $17,500. The "S" version rewards the driver with a more powerful 2.3 Liter 160 horsepower engine, standard air conditioning and really cool electroluminescent gauges. I can't speak to the feel of the standard 2.0 engine but the 2.3 Liter Double Overhead Cam with Variable Valve Timing had me laying rubber without trying to show off. I especially enjoyed the sound of the tuned exhaust while shifting through the gears. There really is the soul of a sports car in that sound. Even with all the sporty power the EPA awarded my test vehicle MPG ratings of 25/32. As gasoline prices inch ever upward 32 miles per gallon on the highway may make "cha-ching" the ultimate "bling-bling" while doing the "zoom-zoom" thing. Saving money is always a good thing. Don't think the Mazda 3 S is only about saving money and a responsive engine. The suspension, steering and brakes work together in a well-balanced system. Driving the winding two lane curves makes you forget the Mazda 3 pretends to be an economy compact car. Four-wheel disc brakes using massive 11.8" ventilated front and 11" rear rotors may seem like too much, but they stop this 2,762-pound car on a dime. In my opinion one can never have too much braking ability. The Mazda 3 is only 15-feet long but every inch is stylish from the distinctive grill to the short trunk. Space utilization is excellent with features like a glove box large enough for luggage. Driver seat is comfortable with thoughtful touches like the manual height adjustment. Borrowing one of the best steering wheels in the industry from the Mazda 6, redundant audio controls and cruise are but a thumb touch away. Even a mute button is available when you must carry on a conversation. I can't say I ever fell in love with the red dot on black interior, but it wasn't as gaudy as it sounds. Interior quality however is superb. Standard equipment list is exhaustive and options such as Navigations are found only on more expensive rides. There are at least 17 direct competitors in this compact sedan class that can be purchased for under $15,000. Seniority is not an advantage as the more aged nameplates have outdated technologies and inferior value. But with each new entry and redesign the competition gets tougher as car makers build better safer, more efficient, better value cars each new design. The 2004 Mazda 3 may not be for everybody, but it certainly will be the right car for many. I know if I were going to purchase a car in this class, I'd be Zoom Zooming down the road tomorrow in my 2004 Mazda 3 S.
2004 Mazda 3 S four door sedan
$16, 405 Base MSRP
www.Mazdausa.com
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©2003 - Stan Risener