Between new engines and the model's hatchback and sedan body styles, the 2012 Mazda3 now comes in 11 versions. Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays put many of them to the test, including the 40-mpg SkyActiv engine variant and the zoom-zoom Mazdaspeed3.
Does the refreshed compact car have what it takes to beat strong sellers like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Chevrolet Cruze?
The end of the year means dealers are trying to move old product to make room for next year’s new cars, trucks and SUVs; it also means more deals for new-car shoppers. According to Mazda, ‘Tis the Season of Saving. The automaker’s annual year-end sale program offers well-qualified shoppers 0% financing and no payments for 90 days on select 2011 and 2012 Mazda vehicles.
Model-year 2011 vehicles that qualify include the Mazda2, Mazda3 hatchback and sedan, Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9. Also eligible are 2012 versions of the Mazda2, Mazda5, Mazda6 and CX-9. For example, qualified shoppers can purchase the redesigned-for-2012 Mazda5 small minivan for $19,345 and get 0% financing for 60 months and forgo payments for 90 days.
The sale ends Jan. 3.
This is a momentous podcast — our 100th, to be exact. To mark the occasion, we have upgraded our recording equipment to deliver a much-improved listening experience. You’ll still have to listen to "faces for iTunes" editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and David Thomas as they talk about this week’s cars, but now you get to hear them in separate channels, in stereo and with minimal popping P’s.
2010|Mazda|Mazdaspeed3
You can download the podcast via iTunes here or simply hit the play button below to listen in your browser.
While the evaluation of performance cars like the Mazdaspeed3 comes primarily from driving the car, Joe Wiesenfelder walks us through what’s changed on the 2010 ‘Speed3. His verdict on the new styling? Well, he does mention a “big, big mistake” in his wrap-up.
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