[phoenixdan]

I just recently purchased a 2017 3 S Grand Touring Sedan with Premium Equipment Package and i-Active Safety Package. Traded in my 2014 3 S Touring. If anyone is interested here are a few things I notice that are different in 3 years time.
-- Driver seat considerably more comfortable than 2014 driver seat. The real leather seat cushions just feel better overall and the bolstering is better
-- Love the new center console
-- The brown accent color is more subtle than what I have seen in pictures.
-- The full color HUD is considerable improvement over the green HUD - more information available when used with NAV
-- The gas pedal feels much lighter than the 2014. Don't know if anyone else felt like the earlier gas pedals had excessive resistance but the 2017 feels easier to push.
-- Steering feels a little lighter also - less effort at low speeds
-- Really like the LED headlights. Much brighter than the HID in the 2014.
-- Overall driving feel is about the same. I don't feel the G-Vectoring feature but then again I have pushed the car too hard yet.
-- Infotainment appears to respond faster, maybe a hardware improvement? Don't know how to verify. Version 59.00.033 installed
-- MOST Important - to me - Mazda finally included door storage. I missed that the whole time I drove my 2014.
-- Bluetooth pairing of my phone seemed faster also.

-- BOSE stereo - decent for what it is but no audible difference over 2014
-- I still use iPOD classic for music so the placement of USB hookups at front center console and exposed is a disappointment. In time I will find a way to hide the iPOD.
-- Wish there was mechanical cooling of the seats but am hoping the perforated leather will help better during the summer vs the leatherette in the 2014

Got any questions, feel free to ask. I'll try to answer em for you.

 

[Road Trip]

phoenixdan, thanks for the comprehensive analysis. Lots of very good info.

 

[dchoe1]

Heyyy, I got a '17 not too long ago too~

have you decided on doing anything to it as of yet?

 

[peeteey]

I'm with you on exposed usb input on the center dash console, wish there was a usb in the hidden compartment of the center dash. Originally thought of getting a 3.5mm bluetooth adapter/transmitter that is auto on, but now I've gotten use to it.

You could always hide it in a sunglass case!

 

[phoenixdan]

Heyyy, I got a '17 not too long ago too~

have you decided on doing anything to it as of yet?

First things first is a clear bra to be installed this Friday. Those are worth every penny spent.
Second, remove the tint and have new tint installed. The window tint was dealer installed (luckily didn't pay for it) and they did a crappy install.
Third, look into changing the dash speakers.
Fourth, enjoy the hell out of the car.

 

[phoenixdan]

I'm with you on exposed usb input on the center dash console, wish there was a usb in the hidden compartment of the center dash. Originally thought of getting a 3.5mm bluetooth adapter/transmitter that is auto on, but now I've gotten use to it.

You could always hide it in a sunglass case!

Great idea on the case, never occurred to me. I would like to use bluetooth or even multiple USB's for my music (6000 songs and growing) but I just don't like how the system handles bluetooth music or USB's.

 

[sc489]

I'm thinking of buying a UK 2.0 petrol Sport Nav model with the 18" wheels. How do you find the road & engine noise at 70mph compared to the pre-facelift model? Mazda claim to have reduced noise levels so I wonder how successful they have been.

 

[RalphVa]

Did your extra package include the I-ELOOP? It wasn't available in the 2016 6M but is on the 2017.

Ralph

 

[phoenixdan]

I'm thinking of buying a UK 2.0 petrol Sport Nav model with the 18" wheels. How do you find the road & engine noise at 70mph compared to the pre-facelift model? Mazda claim to have reduced noise levels so I wonder how successful they have been.

It really depends on the road surface. In Arizona, I have driven on premium groomed rubberized asphalt and it is quieter but on sections that are concrete or really bad old asphalt I think it is just as noisy.

 

[phoenixdan]

Did your extra package include the I-ELOOP? It wasn't available in the 2016 6M but is on the 2017.

Ralph

I did not get the I-ELOOP package. 1. There wasn't any available in PHX, that I knew of. 2 For the price, the small increase in gas mileage wasn't worth it. Mazda specs a 1 MPG increase across the board with I-Eloop.

 

[goolie]

First things first is a clear bra to be installed this Friday. Those are worth every penny spent.

Mind if I ask how much that'll cost ya?

 

[dchoe1]

Mind if I ask how much that'll cost ya?

Same, I'd like to know aswell haha.


I'm atually looking into purchasing one, but I'm contemplating doing the install myself.

Doesn't seem too difficult

lets try and get a group buy in haha

 

[phoenixdan]

Mind if I ask how much that'll cost ya?

$695 is what I am paying.
$500 - $600 seems to be the going rate from a few local high end tint installers near where I work.

 

[grg.rzl]

I'm thinking of buying a UK 2.0 petrol Sport Nav model with the 18" wheels. How do you find the road & engine noise at 70mph compared to the pre-facelift model? Mazda claim to have reduced noise levels so I wonder how successful they have been.

Got my 2017 Speed version with 18in 45 by 215 wheels a month ago and I'm in the Philippines with normally imperfect roads?. I have no issues with the road noise. I also have no noise problems with the dunlop tires.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

 

[grg.rzl]

Got my 2017 Speed version with 18in 45 by 215 wheels a month ago and I'm in the Philippines with normally imperfect roads?. I have no issues with the road noise. I also have no noise problems with the dunlop tires.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

 

[paulff3]

Clear bra starts at $700 installed. If you get full hood, you're in the $1,000 zone. I've had it installed on several cars and done it myself. It's worth having a good installer do it for you. I use Unique Car Care in Andover, MA. They have a great FB page if interested.

 

[rejoshjohn]

@phoenixdan How much did the car cost...i mean any discounts and stuff. just wondering if they give good discounts for the Manual transmission.

 

[da_jokker]

I have a 2013 cx5 and now a 2017 Mazda 3 and a couple of the differences I've noticed (besides the obvious)

1. The cx5 did not have the bose....night and day difference with the m3.

2. The m3 blind spot works a bit different. The cx5 lights up anytime a car is in that zone, regardless. The M3 is "smarter" and only lights up when someone comes up from behind. If I'm passing someone, I guess it as soon as I know there there's as I just passed them and it does not light up.

 

[phoenixdan]

@phoenixdan How much did the car cost...i mean any discounts and stuff. just wondering if they give good discounts for the Manual transmission.

I got the car for invoice. You can find that info on websites like trucar, edmunds, or kbb. I also received $500 cash back for loyalty and they gave me $500 for financing through them. funny enough I didn't finance through them so their goof is was my benefit.
Just my opinion, if their is a manual on the lot somewhere you can probably get a good deal for one. Automatics are the most prevalent. If you have to order one you might have to pay at least MSRP, but that's just an opinion.

 

[sc489]

Why are you so keen on 'clear bras' in North America. In the UK I've never seen such products offered and we just touch up stone chips as they appear.