Mazda 3 gives powerful performance

STEVE ROBERTSON * photos@semissourian.com

The Mazda 3 has electroluminescent gauges and a handsome interior with high-quality materials. The automatic transmission has a sequential shift feature, and the AM/FM sound system has a six-CD changer and six speakers. srobertson

New model replaces Protege

It was a cold, miserable day when I picked up Mazda's new replacement for the aging but dependable old Protege. The weatherman forecast a day of snow, sleet and rain, and unfortunately, he was right. The folks at Bening Mazda, in the AutoPark in Cape Girardeau, had carefully prepared the Mazda 3, and when I stepped into the showroom with snow-covered boots they reluctantly handed me the keys.

"Would you like to photograph it in our garage while it's still clean?" the technician asked, almost pleading. I took a few photos in the garage, but the lighting was far from flattering. I knew this driving enthusiast's car would have to be photographed outdoors to do justice to its exciting, bold lines.

Mazda, which puts a dose of "zoom zoom" into each of its vehicles, fancies itself as the "driver's car" manufacturer of Japan, just as BMW enjoys a similar reputation in the western part of the world. But the two manufacturers are worlds apart in what they charge for their products: BMW is at the high end of the price structure, while Mazda is near the bottom. Mazda doesn't try to go head-to-head with sales leaders Toyota and Honda; it goes after a niche market of drivers looking for fun-to-drive vehicles.

Take the Miata, for example. Introduced in 1989, it resurrected the two-seat roadster concept at a time when baby boomers' temples were turning gray, but their once-thin wallets were plump. Soon Miatas were showing up in driveways all over America, and a spate of competitors from Europe and Japan were vying for equal attention. No matter -- the Miata was a best seller then, and still is today. Which brings us to the Mazda 3.

This is a vehicle for someone that wants a car with sports car handling and performance, but needs a car for family-like duties. It's a car that provides seating for four, superior handling, excellent acceleration and many luxury appointments found on expensive cars, yet wears a price tag of less than $20,000.

The test drive

We drove the new "3" down to Sikeston. With 160 horsepower, it is peppier than just about every other compact sedan, which usually have much smaller engines and about 30 less horsepower. To compensate for all that horsepower, the Mazda 3 has extra-large disc brakes at all four wheels, giving it class-leading stopping power. The engine powers the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission featuring a sport mode that lets you sequentially shift through the gears. The new "3" rides on a four-wheel independent suspension -- unusual for a vehicle in this category -- giving it sports car-like handling. The suspension is firm, but not harsh. It provided a comfortable interstate ride. The steering uses electro-mechanical power assist, which is becoming more common because it eliminates the old power-robbing hydraulic power steering pump. The steering was very precise. The vehicle did not wander on the highway, despite a strong crosswind.

It was easy to get comfortable behind the steering wheel because it not only tilts, but also telescopes -- again unusual in this price category. And, the steering wheel is also rare for a compact: It's leather wrapped and holds several buttons to control the sound system and cruise control.

The driver's seat was adjustable for height, had lumbar adjustment and was deeply bolstered for sporty driving. Above my head was a power sunroof. In front of me was a distinctive triple gauge cluster with glowing, electroluminescent gauges offering three different lighting variations depending on whether it was daytime, night or the ignition was off. There was a center console with storage and cupholders, and one of the largest glove boxes I've ever seen -- I believe it would accommodate a laptop computer! The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds down nearly flat for extra luggage capacity. There were many other nifty features, such as dampened grab handles and a data screen that says "Hello" when you turn on the ignition.

There are three Mazda 3 models -- two four-door sedans, and one five-door, which we used to call a hatchback. The basic model is the 3i, which comes equipped with a less potent 2-liter engine and an entry-level price of about $14,000. The model I tested is the 3s, with the larger engine and a $19,795 sticker price. That price also included the sport package with huge 17-inch alloy wheels, performance tires and desirable items such as a six-CD in-dash changer, power windows and mirrors, remote entry and a four-year/50,000 mile warranty. Even with the performance engine and automatic transmission, the Mazda should get a respectable 24-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. Zoom zoom!

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian.