Steering
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90 Posts
Kinda numb on-centre steering tends to happen with electric power steering systems. Mazda isn't gonna throw the amount of dollars at the on-centre feel of the EPS as say, a company like Porsche with the Cayman or GT3 (although I would LOOOOVE to see what they would do with the interior ergonomics and steering in a $30k hatchback). Me personally, I could care less about the on-centre feel as long as initial turn in is good, the wheel is properly weighted, and the steering is accurate
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2,743 Posts
I rather like the feel of the steering. Hyundai's is a bad joke in comparison. It was a deal breaker for me.
Over the course of 44,000 miles, I haven't noticed that in our car. I will say that I haven't paid attention to it, though, so if it is there on our car, it must be pretty mild.
Like @decimalsanddollars, I'm focused primarily on initial turn-in and steering with proper weighting and accuracy. This $23,877 car is terrific at all three of those.
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1,845 Posts
@2465john, I liked 3's steering when I test drive the car (an hour on curvy roads), though by changing its tires the day after mine arrived, I like it even better now (have Michelin A/S 3+'s).
The Dunlops that come with our cars (especially in the U.S.) are not know for good road (and therefore steering) precision. There are many tires that will improve your assessment of the car's steering, and if interested, I would start here, choose some tires that interest you, and use their comparison function.
www.tirerack.com
And read this thread:
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/...activ-wheels-tires/186482-poll-tires-get.html
If you get rid of your Dunlops, you will have lesser road noise, better handling, better steering, safer handling in bad weather and much more.
The Dunlops that come with our cars (especially in the U.S.) are not know for good road (and therefore steering) precision. There are many tires that will improve your assessment of the car's steering, and if interested, I would start here, choose some tires that interest you, and use their comparison function.
www.tirerack.com
And read this thread:
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/...activ-wheels-tires/186482-poll-tires-get.html
If you get rid of your Dunlops, you will have lesser road noise, better handling, better steering, safer handling in bad weather and much more.
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1,010 Posts
I agree with @Road Trip
I too feel at times the steering is vague in the center, but give it a quick flick and it is extremely precise. One of the best electronic steering racks I have ever driven. What happens to me occasionally is on a specific section of the back road home the road camber tries to push me towards the edge. Its that tiny minimal steering input that's hard to catch just right and I end up touching the outside line on that one section of road if Im not on the ball, which at night when your tired and driving home after a long day can be hard. I have never felt it to be dangerous, and when you put in a tiny bit of extra steering input it compensates and it is extremely precise.
***Disclaimer, do not try this at home, I have training and racing experience that keeps me safe, to a point***
I occasionally go hooning on back gravel roads at speeds up to 120km/h(when I feel brave enough) and even at those speeds the car is very stable and the steering is extremely precise. For the steering to be that precise under those extreme conditions is simply incredible for an electronic system. For the lower speed sections and transitions(sliding 40-80km/h) again it is extremely precise and I can pitch the car any direction very easily. All this on the oem Dunlops, I can only imagine what this car is capable of with some lightly used winters or full on rally gravel tires. But if I had gravel tires I would definitely want a full roll cage, full safety equipment(helmet/hans device/ect) as it would be too easy to push too far. I have not heard of a 2014+ Mazda 3 rally car but I would LOVE to see one as I feel this car is definitely capable of some quick times on a rally stage with a fully prepped car.
I too feel at times the steering is vague in the center, but give it a quick flick and it is extremely precise. One of the best electronic steering racks I have ever driven. What happens to me occasionally is on a specific section of the back road home the road camber tries to push me towards the edge. Its that tiny minimal steering input that's hard to catch just right and I end up touching the outside line on that one section of road if Im not on the ball, which at night when your tired and driving home after a long day can be hard. I have never felt it to be dangerous, and when you put in a tiny bit of extra steering input it compensates and it is extremely precise.
***Disclaimer, do not try this at home, I have training and racing experience that keeps me safe, to a point***
I occasionally go hooning on back gravel roads at speeds up to 120km/h(when I feel brave enough) and even at those speeds the car is very stable and the steering is extremely precise. For the steering to be that precise under those extreme conditions is simply incredible for an electronic system. For the lower speed sections and transitions(sliding 40-80km/h) again it is extremely precise and I can pitch the car any direction very easily. All this on the oem Dunlops, I can only imagine what this car is capable of with some lightly used winters or full on rally gravel tires. But if I had gravel tires I would definitely want a full roll cage, full safety equipment(helmet/hans device/ect) as it would be too easy to push too far. I have not heard of a 2014+ Mazda 3 rally car but I would LOVE to see one as I feel this car is definitely capable of some quick times on a rally stage with a fully prepped car.
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90 Posts
Having hucked an 06 WRX wagon on gravel-tuned shocks and offroad tires around many an Arizona backroad, I'd love to be able to do this in a properly kitted MZ3.
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2,743 Posts
I find that the electric steering usually doesn't feel right. Hard to put my finger on it, but it just feels fake.
Before I bought the 3 one of my other top choices was a Hyundai elantra gt (hatchback). I drove it for less than 5 minutes before turning around and going back to the dealer. The steering felt that bad.
With the 3, I didn't even realize that the steering is electric at first. Total day and night experience.
What do you mean by vague? Not precise and floaty, or hard to keep the car going straight? My GT hatch turns very precise and reacts on the dime, even more with Pirelli tires. Sometimes it felt a little Too sensitive like it's eager to begin a turn. Really doesn't feel like much electric assistance either.
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90 Posts
The Focus has a little better turn in than the Mazda3, but my dad's 2012 Fiesta eating 3 water pumps in the space of 60k miles kinda put me off Ford
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189 Posts
I second this. The stock Dunlops, while decent (but not fantastic) summer/dry performance tires, are not the quietest, and are poor in the wet and snow. I switched them out after about 10K miles for a set of Continental Extreme Contacts - and couldn't be happier. My mileage is pretty much the same as the stock tires, and the Conti's have a better treadlife, are quieter, and are good for all season. They were actually one of the highest rated (per Tirerack.com) Ultra High Performance All Season tires available in the proper size.
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