Owner review: I bought it without any prior test driving! My 2021 Mazda 3 2021 High Plus

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Basic information of my car:

Mazda 3 Sedan 2021 High Plus, RM 154679 OTR without insurance

Reasons why I bought this car

I needed a new family car (2+1 currently) as well as a reliable, more comfortable long distance journey car, also a car that reflects stage in life.

Car selection process  

• I had a budget of: 150 000.
• Models that I have considered include: Honda Civic 2022, Mazda CX5 GLS, Mazda CX8 mid, Honda CRV 1.5T.
• Reasons why I chose this car:

Been reading and check out youtube reviews about cars since early 2022 in anticipation. I have a colleague driving the Mazda 3 Sedan 4th gen and it is very eye-catchy. We talked about it at work and his experiences. I have never driven a Mazda my whole life, only know of the consensus : 'Huh Mazda? low resale value bro. Toyota and Honda je la' but the Ketam 10th generation is too funky and youthful to my taste, while the altis has an old engine, and a famous 'ten si kee' CRT screen that really turns me off out of all things despite the TNGA platform. At the same time I was impressed by the matured looking US spec 11th gen Honda Civic 2022. However it was not released in Malaysia back in Q4 2021, and there was no announcement of extension of SST. I needed a car by mid-October, so I placed a fully refundable booking with both Honda and Mazda as Honda promises launch and release by Dec 2021 back in early August.

Lesser considerations include SUVs of similar price range but I was never an SUV guy. Family owns a 2018 X-Trail. Not in consideration are conti cars, korean cars.

By mid-September, I was informed by Honda HQ Civic launch is delayed to Q1 2022, so my choices are narrowed to really, just Mazda 3, CX5, to a lesser extent far stretch the budget for CX8 7 seater or the more spacious Honda CRV. I asked a few of my CX5 owner colleagues, how is Mazda's overall experience, driving, comfort, maintenance wise. All gave positive comments, one most memorable quote being: Once you drive a Mazda, you will not go back to Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

So I went to Honda Centre with my wife, tried the CRV, no doubt it is spacious but there is a lot of plastics and the aftersales review as well as QC leaves some to be desired. We also went to the Mazda HQ, sat on Mazda 3 Sedan, Mazda 6, CX5 and CX8.

Like-minded wife too, did not feel 'one with the car' aka Jinba Ittai with CX5. CX8 is abit ambitious for now, the 6 is cool but the base spec has no Iactivsense, whereas the 3 leaves a formidable impression that lasts even after we gone home to discuss our potential purchase.

The leather touch is different for one, CX5 and 8 CKDs vs CBU Mazda 3, the 6 is abit on the hard side - was Burgundy red and too striking for her. Everything just click together on the 3, with a friendly attendant explaining the specs, demonstrates the functions etc.

The boot space? Definitely enough for us on the sedan, and is similar to the CX5 in terms of L. The famous crampy rear space? Turns out to be all right, absolutely a non-issue for me a 5ft7in and my wife, as well as our parents.

*There was no test drive allowed at the SC at time of visit, it was still peak covid and appointments were made.

Decision was easy, I wanted the 3 sedan, Civic 2022 was just not gonna come by Oct 2021, its QC and specs are unknown for Malaysia, the CBU all round quality convinced my wife to agree with my decision.

I have every confidence in its driving experience despite not test driving the car prior based on youtube reviews, colleagues endorsement and sitting as a passenger. There were 10 Machine Greys left (my first option) when I gave my downpayment early October, and a car with VIN number was assigned to me in 4 days, bank loan approval in 2 days, JPJ inspection in 2 days and voila!

User experience

• I have already done 11000KM.
• My average fuel consumption is 13L/km.
• Since the purchase, my thoughts about the car are

Mazda's Kodo design, craftsmanship and paint of the exterior look premium compare to other mass production C segment brands, whereas the interior is premium and alot of soft touch and you are surrounded by leather. It is almost as Lexus like. It's a head turner, be it parking or on the road.

CBU. Not to say CKD cars are bad nor CBU cars would not have any problem, but the construction, the whole process, the Japanese workers attitude, if you watch 'The Wheels Network' on Mazda car production, you have every reason to be proud and confident to own one.

Mazda stands up to its Jinba Ittai and Zoom Zoom philosophy and not mere words of advertisement. a. good handling, b. smooth linear acceleration and braking, c. ergonomic seating position, d. accurate steering control with GVC+ making sure my passengers do not swing left and right with potential carsicks

Good reliability. Mazda has come a long way, with its 5 years worry free service and warranty, I dont even need to pay a single cent for engine oil change, or any problems that I mention to SC for troubleshooting. So far from other car members feedback, only wear and tear items need to be paid such as battery.

NVH My in laws felt eeriely quiet within the cabin at 130kph and needed to open slightly the window whenever they are in my car. But apart from that, I think they did a good job, also the speakers auto amplify when you travel at high speed.

Pros of my car:

• Looks, look at all the awards it has won.

• Ergonomic chair, no backaches after a Penang-KL journey

• Premium materials, for its price. Mazda gave its best effort for sure on the 4th generation.

• The Driving Experience.

• Safety. IIHS 5 star rating, gives you the confidence.

Cons of my car:

• 2.0L as most malaysians preferred downsize cc with Turbo with cheaper roadtax and torque coming in lower rpm. No skyactiv X or 2.5 Turbo variant coming to Malaysia, former being due to our petrol not reaching Euro 6 standard yet. Is 2.0L enough for daily usage? More than enough.
• Rattle noise. I have not experienced any but many members of own kin (1 in 5 cars roughly) experienced some rattle noise from rear/B pillar or steering after a certain mileage around 9k. Some managed to troubleshoot and solve it with their SC.
• Small cabin I guess this each to their own. For a family of 175cm and below, I dont think its much of an issue. It even fitted my rear facing baby car seat (with front adjustment of passenger seat though). Bottomline: bring your family and spouse to sit on it and determine yourself than to listen to others.

• No stop and go MRCC, FCTA, 360 Camera, Bose Speakers like EU and US spec. This is changing soon with the ignite edition 2022! But only limited to hatchback variant and additional 10k (still no Bose speakers)
• Thin paint and windscreen, panel clusters. - Easily chipped, windscreen easily crack if high impact stones, and driver meter cluster scratch by simple car wash cloth. Make sure you PPF at least full front, TPU Panel PPF (can be sourced at third party), get flood and windscreen high insurance coverage the moment you get your car to avoid these potential issues.
• Its price. Easily the most costly C segment compare to Altis and Civic, but if you compare with A Class Mercedes and BMW 2 series, it is cheaper and its exterior, interior is on par. The price of C segment cars have reach 120k-150k, for 10k above Civic RS 2022, you also get 5 year service free (which is valued around 5k). and Mazda 3 is a CBU.

Ratings: 

Total Score: 5

Performance: 4

Quality & Features: 5

Space: 3

Ride Comfort: 5

Fuel Economy: 4

Price & Cost: 4

Summary :

Mazda 3 is a car that expresses, amplifies myself. I am a passionate person, with passionate desires. It is a car, many would say, idealistic person would buy, whereas a realistic person (the majority) would go for Civic or Altis. It brings joy and smile whenever you walk to your car, to open the door, to press on the ignition button, to the driving. It is not perfection, but it embodies a perfectionist and drives excellence within you.

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