[laughter]

We are currently looking at getting a Mazda 3 hatchback, but are so confused by all the models. Can anyone tell me about the different models, or what one you have. Your likes/dislikes.

Thanks

[Bwok~Bwok]

I have the 2010 Mazda Neo BL series - Love my car, brought it new and all by myself !

The hatch is quite roomy, but if you have children that are still using prams, I'd advise to take the pram down and see if it will fit!

The only difference I found - back when I got mine - between the cars with the same engine, were the accessories.

Also I have the 6 sp manual, the only critism I have is that you feel like you have to move through the gears alot quicker. But other than that, no other complaints.

[CharliMarley]

I wouldn't buy a hatchback and I mean a two door hatchback, if you have kids and carseats. It is a real pain trying to squeeze into the back and do the seats up.

[Golfing widow]

We got the Mazda 3 SP25 luxury sedan. I didn't want a hatchback, I wanted something a little more sporty with a separate trunk space but that could still have fold down seats when we needed the trunk space.
I gotta say, I love driving it. Very smooth and reacts really well when I put the foot on the accelerator. This one has the largest engine of all the Mazda 3s so it has some get up and go.

[blackcat20]

I've got the SP23 hatchback (ie previous model)... I LOVE it. The hatch is great, as it has heaps of room and its easy to get things in and out. Plenty of space inside; I've gone on holidays with a group of friends and we've all fitted in the car with all our luggage.

Easy to drive and very comfortable, and they look good.

The new SP25 means the car has a 2.5L engine, the other models have a smaller engine (i think 2L). Depends on how much 'oomph' you want.

[Golfing widow]

Depends on how much 'oomph' you want.

The oomph rocks in the 2.5!

[indigo~]

I bought the Mazda 3 Maxx sedan and have regretted not getting the hatchback ever since. I find the sedans boot to be huge, but the opening is narrow, which restricts what I can put in it. My former car was the little Honda civic breeze hatch and I could fit *heaps* more in the back of that car with the seats down.

I also find the Mazda's rear passenger doors to not open very wide or seem a bit narrow, so have had trouble fitting bulky things onto the back seat.

That said, i bought mine new as a 2004 model and they may well have improved things since then. It's been incredibly reliable.

[Indi]

I looked at the Mazda 3 but ended up with a Ford Focus Sport, more bang for my buck. Have you looked at the Ford?

[Roselet]

I have a 2010 Neo hatchback and love it. It's easy enough for DH to drive (he has some issues with driving) and my Dad (ex mechanic) approves of the engine. The back seats don't have lots of leg room - I have had a few whinges about that, but considering how rarely I have passengers in the back it isn't usually an issue. Love how much I can fit in the boot - all the way up to full height bookshelves (flatpacked) for example. It does seem to use a fair amount of fuel, but then I was used to a tiny festiva so was spending about $20 a FN on fuel, now with the new car i do all the family driving and higher consumption rate (with the bigger car) means I'm up to about $60 a FN on fuel.
It's been very reliable, no issues at all, but I guess it's still early days yet.

[Bluenomi]

I've got the Mazda 3 sedan and I love it. A friend has the hatch and finds it's so much harder to move carseats around since you've got to climb into the boot to get the anchor strap off etc.

The boot is huge, I don't have any narrow opening problems like Indigo seems to have I can fit the pram and a weeks worth of groceries in there without any dramas.