[Ryche]

I'm looking for opinions on the 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring Sedan...

I currently have the 2014 sTouring, but the dealer sent me an offer that lured me into the dealership, and they made a very good offer that will lower my monthly payment by about $60.00 a month. I'm just caught between thinking what I've already spent, and what I'll save (even though I know I'll still be spending more in the long run).

The biggest differences I notice are the Moonroof and the Smart City Braking package, oh, and the heated steering wheel... Anyone with experience and thoughts about the 2017 GT?

Thanks

 

[Midnightsky228]

love my 2017 GT, the moonroof is auto open too fyi, and the heated steering wheel works extremely fast too, like 1 minute and its nice and toasty.

 

[Road Trip]

There are many more positive things about all 2017 3's, including better sound deadening, its trail braking for you going into every curve, and more.

The question is not what we think, but whether you are comfortable being in debt longer (even at the reduced payments).

We love our 2017 Mazda 3 GT. It is my wife's daily driver, and she, overall prefers it to our BMW 335 we had and our new WRX that I drive.

Demand (politely) that you be given a one hour, by yourself test drive, and then decide. BTW my salesperson, seeing me drive up in my WRX, threw me the key fob and said, take it for a drive for at long as you want, but bring it back by 7:00 PM when I go home tonight (three hours later). One hour on curvy roads I choose, sold the car for me.

How much better it is or is not than your 14???? You will be able to tell after more than a typical, pre-programmed, short test drive.

Best of luck.

 

[Valor_X]

I say keep your current car
There's way too little difference for you to trade up right now
Spend the extra money on mods or save it for later
When the next gen 3 comes out it should have the SkyActiv 2 engine Mazda is currently working on
and THAT is when it would be worth considering to upgrade

 

[Studum]

I say the same thing - if you're happy with your current car and it's not giving you any trouble.

Saving $60 / month is NOTHING compared to renewing on a whole new loan with a whole new term.

Plus, as mentioned, there is not that big of a difference between 2014 and 2017 if you already own a 14 and aren't in the market for other reasons (i.e. car was written off...).

I vote keep it, wait until the new model is out in a couple of years where there will be a more substantial difference - THEN decide if it's worth trading in your car that is, or nearly is, fully paid off for a new loan.

 

[louisbosco]

damn, you guys get heated steering wheels too? damn we really missed out on quite a number of features..

think of this as an LCI. it's new features are nice, but is it worth the enjoyment after you compare driving those two. for me, if i'd change cars, even though the 2017 is under a new designation, i'd only change if it's a new series. EG. E90 to F80

BTW my salesperson, seeing me drive up in my WRX, threw me the key fob and said, take it for a drive for at long as you want, but bring it back by 7:00 PM when I go home tonight (three hours later).

this made me burst out in laughter. hahahahaha!

 

[CJR238]

I say keep your current car
There's way too little difference for you to trade up right now
Spend the extra money on mods or save it for later
When the next gen 3 comes out it should have the SkyActiv 2 engine Mazda is currently working on
and THAT is when it would be worth considering to upgrade

X2.

For my self i have one of the last 3's made in Japan so ill wait for the next gen 3. Hopefully it has more power. Then it will make sense.

 

[johnykalbo]

Where I am at, here are the differences between the 16 and 17 top grade models. 2.5 engine is not available here. I wish I waited and may upgrade if I get a few extra bucks. I cannot find the full list I made before, but this is what I can remember.

Bigger door pockets
Cruise control
Led head lights with auto front sensing
Front sensors
dual zone aircon
side air bag
more room in consol because of electric parking brake
sport mode
red callipers
blind spot detection
g vectoring
led fog lights

But would lose the comfortable arm rest and off white leather.

 

[Road Trip]

Many very good points being raised on these posts, and one that screams loud to me, is that we wonderfully have members from all over the world, with each of us posting (well at least 99%) what is true about our own markets. So, the reader needs to double check that the standard equipment or the option listed in one person's post is also true of their own country -- for example the many OEM and option differences between U.S. and Canadian models

And why I personally would like all members to post their location in their profile. I understand many not want to give their home city (such as me), but maybe their country or even area of their country.

 

[BearlyHere]

I traded my 2014 lease for a purchased 2017. Couldn't be happier for multiple reasons. The more I focus in G Vectoring, the more impressed I am.

 

[ElNino77]

Demand (politely) that you be given a one hour, by yourself test drive, and then decide.

Yes, in my case i asked for an overnight test drive and was given the car until the next afternoon....

Totally agree, most important thing is the debt vs satisfaction - hard to justify 3 more years (presumably) of payments for a few new features I think, but that does not mean i would follow my own advice i n the same situation - because as they say, you only live once. My in-laws are certified, but still drive beaters, despite needing comfort and luxury for medical issues...so the "smart" choice is not necessarily always the best one.

 

[Ryche]

Thank y'all for the responses and thoughts - some great opinions for sure.

I think I will keep the 2014 for now. The 2017 was nice, but the few extra features when coupled with slightly lower mileage (1-2mpg), higher insurance, the extended payments, the moonroof (not a selling point for me), and the loss of the CD player... y'all are right - it isn't worth saving that little bit for a car that isn't "perfect" for me, even if it is a budget/economy car.

But if the Skyactiv2 comes out in 2018, and does what the reports say (30% increase in mileage) - that alone could sway the needle the other way.

Thanks again!

 

[jlemyre]

Leather seats! So much nicer as well as the other "metallic" touches are of a nicer appearance

 

[wolstentech]

The 2017 was nice, but the few extra features when coupled with slightly lower mileage (1-2mpg)

If your old car has the 2.5L engine as well, there should be no fuel economy difference between it and the 2017 model. The EPA changed the way they do testing for 2017, yielding lower numbers. This also happened back in 2008 I think, so you can't compare EPA fuel economy figures between far-apart model years because of this.