Calling all mazda 3/Axela owners in NZ

Forums › Off topic › Calling all mazda 3/Axela owners in NZ

coolcat21

285 posts

Ultimate Geek

#120909 18-Jun-2013 09:12

Hi Guys,

I'm currently in the lookout for a new car and is very interested in the Mazda 3/Axela. 2nd alternative is the bland but reliable corolla.

I'm more interested in the Axela (jdm) as opposed to the NZ new one since it's cheaper.

Now alot of them are in the 1500 cc variant (engine from mazda 2). Though it's quite good at 115 hp.

I know every car has it's pos and neg (even corolla), my question is what you guys as M3/axela owners have experienced during your ownership ? (pos, neg, fuel eco , performance..etc.)

Since my budget is max $10 K , i'd be looking at around year 2005 , auto , 1.5

Thanks alot beforehand!

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395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838516 18-Jun-2013 09:30

Didn't like my answer on reddit? :P

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coolcat21

285 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838565 18-Jun-2013 10:18

Kingy: Didn't like my answer on reddit? :P

Hahaha Kingy! I absolutely love your answers and the other person's answers.

I'm just trying to get a a general consensus on the import JDM on NZ roads.

$10K is a big investment (that'll turn into a big liability straight after as with many cars) for me , so dont be offende plueasseeee hehe)

jarledb

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#838578 18-Jun-2013 10:50

Reddit link please ;)

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Kingy

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838579 18-Jun-2013 10:53

here ya go

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lxsw20

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#838583 18-Jun-2013 11:06

Just don't ever drive an MPS or you might have to use a word other than performance to describe the 1.5 ;)

Didn't know so many R/NZ redditors were here, I'm not lefty enough to post, so I just lurk.

coolcat21

285 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838589 18-Jun-2013 11:20

lxsw20: Just don't ever drive an MPS or you might have to use a word other than performance to describe the 1.5 ;)

Didn't know so many R/NZ redditors were here, I'm not lefty enough to post, so I just lurk.

Same, i'm mostly a lurker here too, but when i need input from NZ'ers i post here too hehe.

I just found out that it seems like some of the axela 1.5 sold here do not even have a CD player! no cd slot visible. ONly radio ! my goodness, i thought the japs like their gadgets!

Kingy

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838598 18-Jun-2013 11:26

Yeah my 05 didn't but I know some do. I ended up buying a double din headunit anyway (CD/Aux/USB etc) and got a faceplate off ebay. Works quite well.

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Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#838599 18-Jun-2013 11:27

coolcat21: 2nd alternative is the bland but reliable corolla.

Personally I would go with the bland reliable 2013 corolla.

http://www.corolla.co.nz/
http://www.aa.co.nz/cars/car-reviews/new-car-review-page/

But then I have never been a Mazda fan.

lxsw20

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#838606 18-Jun-2013 11:40

Somehow don't think you can pick one of those up for max 10k.

With the no CD player thing, if you go to a wrecker or look on trademe you will probably find a stereo out of a 2/2.3L will fit.

coolcat21

285 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838608 18-Jun-2013 11:44

Klipspringer:
coolcat21: 2nd alternative is the bland but reliable corolla.

Personally I would go with the bland reliable 2013 corolla.

http://www.corolla.co.nz/
http://www.aa.co.nz/cars/car-reviews/new-car-review-page/

But then I have never been a Mazda fan.

To get the model in that picture, you'd have to pay 36+K ...lol.

Still, it's still a very viable option for me

ajobbins

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#838610 18-Jun-2013 11:47

Girlfriends dad has one (A 2006 I think). Has had it for a few years now and no major issues. I've driven it a couple of times and it was nice to drive, responsive, comfortable.

Plenty of aftermarket stereo systems for them on eBay too when you can replace the stock system with something that will do DVD/GPS/Bluetooth and all the rest with a fascia to match the car.

E.G. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAZDA3-2004-2009-Car-7-GPS-Sat-Nav-DVD-Player-IPOD-iPhone-Bluetooth-USB-AUX-SD-/350788026673?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51ac988131

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coolcat21

285 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838611 18-Jun-2013 11:47

lxsw20: Somehow don't think you can pick one of those up for max 10k.

With the no CD player thing, if you go to a wrecker or look on trademe you will probably find a stereo out of a 2/2.3L will fit.

Lots of 2004-2006 Axela 1.5 on trademe that goes for 8-10 K , KM will be a bit on the high side 80-110 KM ...but kingy and a few others have bought it with that high km with no major issues.

Just the stereos are abit of a pain people have reported, since the LCD display that shows temps, A/C, clock is part of the radio/stereo.
Otherwise i would've just gotten an aftermarket player lol , but in this case i'd lose the precious LCD!

tanivula

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#838612 18-Jun-2013 11:47

Through work I had the pleasure of "owning" a NZ new 2006 (I think) 5sp manual 2ltr base model hatch Mazda 3 (facelift, 1st gen) for 2 years.

In those 2 years, I managed to put 80k on it.... What a fantastic car, so much fun to drive, throughout the course of it's lease, I managed to mod it a bit wee bit (mags + slight lowering kit) and man it handled great.

Performance wise, it was really fun, the mazda zoom zoom mentality is fantastic. The fuel consumption wasnt bad, but it wasn't great - the equivalent year corollas (smaller engine though) would do more kms per ltr.

That and the small boot would be the only gripes I had. The sedan has a bigger boot I think.

Even now with work when I pick up a rental, the manual mazda3's always bring out a smile. The current NZ models are 2.3ltr or the 2ltr SkyActive engines, both are great with the 6spd close ratio manual box.

If you're a fan of going round corners, go with the mazda (in a manual!).

coolcat21

285 posts

Ultimate Geek

#838613 18-Jun-2013 11:50

Kingy: Yeah my 05 didn't but I know some do. I ended up buying a double din headunit anyway (CD/Aux/USB etc) and got a faceplate off ebay. Works quite well.

did you lose that thin lcd ?

lxsw20

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#838615 18-Jun-2013 11:52

coolcat21:
lxsw20: Somehow don't think you can pick one of those up for max 10k.

With the no CD player thing, if you go to a wrecker or look on trademe you will probably find a stereo out of a 2/2.3L will fit.

Lots of 2004-2006 Axela 1.5 on trademe that goes for 8-10 K , KM will be a bit on the high side 80-110 KM ...but kingy and a few others have bought it with that high km with no major issues.

Just the stereos are abit of a pain people have reported, since the LCD display that shows temps, A/C, clock is part of the radio/stereo.
Otherwise i would've just gotten an aftermarket player lol , but in this case i'd lose the precious LCD!

I was meaning the new shape Corolla.

I'm selling an 09 MPS if you have a spare 28k :)

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