A truly good car at that price, I would agree with you that soon we will see a lot of Forte on the road.

But still, it wouldn't be as much as waja or vios. So I believe Forte will still maintain its exclusivity.

Furthermore, I heard no complaint at all from Forte owners. Means it must be really good for its fan!

Also agreed with andrewlim point; u get what u pay for.

Mazda 3 handling for sure can't beat BMWs. That's too far a comparison to make, in terms of price and all. However, if we compare Mazda's handling with Accord or Camry, at least there's a logic range to ponder with.

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Added on March 19, 2010, 9:19 amTo conclude, it's a car that make you want to drive even though only to go to mamak stall next to your house!

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Mar 19 2010, 09:19 AM

High RPM does not necessarily means a bad thing.

In this case, it isn't a bad thing at all.

IMHO Mazda 3's gear ratio and shifting points is higher than normal cars. Or at least to the car that you are driving. With Mazda 3, at 100kph you'll carry more power, hence you use more fuel. I think that's justified. And somehow Mazda really improves this model's fuel efficiency, coz my ride's still at 8L/100km ever since, mix driving and 60% short-speeding thru the town.

Also to note, your driving condition at that RPM itself. I can drive a 1.0 car for 80km/h at 3.2K RPM. Where? - Hiking up the hiway after the duta tollgate!

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Mar 25 2010, 01:44 AM

600km is not enough to show a fair deal of your driving style. I'd say wait until 1k then we'll see how much the trip computer says.

My 1.6 for first 500-800km are at 8.4. Then lowers to 8.1 at 1k. Now 8.0 ever since.

Just drop by the showroom. SA told me there's plan to bring Mazdaspeed 3 around here. Targets to compete in Civic Type R market (do they? That's a really niche market to be referred at). Price, est around 200k.

I am gonna try dig some gold mine soon.

Hehehe. Surely not in KL.

The price is skylarking here. In the UK it was considered "bargain turbo-compact" along the likes of Golf GTI, Impreza etc.

This is why I believe Asian are all rich people, we can buy a single car that costs any given scouser 5 times more than what he pays. And we forgo all the nice features all the way...

Hi gahpadu,

I heard on the other forum that your current FC is 4L/100km? Is that real? How did you get such a low FC like that!

Must be the way u drive. Cruising is the keyword here.

I was aware that my FC meter never budge from 8L/100km, only to realize it's only changes when u let the trip computer show this info for some duration of time. But mine still around 7.4L-7.8L, city driving.

Anyway thanks for the info, bro.

Congrats! Another proud owner!

1000km for 3 days? Looks like u travel quite a lot on yer new ride.

How do you feel, so far?

Nice one...but IMHO you oughta go for at least 16''. Of course people say will be a lil bit "berat" but I don't think you'll notice much difference anyway. Not that it affect engine power as well, as I clocking in at 170km/h on the way to JB during wet condition and still the car was unshaken and stability was top notch.

Mine 17'' also still looks like a bit smallish, thanks to the high fender. I am really tempted to go for 18'' actually now...

BTW, just sent it for 10K servicing at PJ SC and the service was superb. Friendly staff, wi-fi at your disposal, free drinks newspapers magazine etc.

They will let u know thru the mail. Which is super slow.

But most people just go to the JPJ on the day of the result, where they will stick it on the notice board.

However, if u have any insider, they can check it for you anytime.

I don't blame the tires.

The car's soundproofing is.

Even the US specs' cabin is a little bit noisy. It's not that bad, in my opinion. Just that we all would really love the cabin to be a little bit quieter.

Alternatively, you can try some soundproofing solutions. The one I ever know would need a process where your cabin's carpeting and door panels being opened, to place some padding that could enhance soundproofing.

Anyone of you know is there any other way of soundproofing? Basically I just hate having the carpet's off and on like that...

The price may be lower by few Ks....but then again the built quality will differs too.

I have no qualms for Thai or Malaysian made cars nor that I am a Japs. Hence we are aware that car is not crocs, where u can't tell which one made in China and which is not.

In other words, you will save some bucks but you will, or you think you will, lose some degree of quality and workmanship.

Yes we're paying so much for less things, but that's the way it is around here, so be it.

My 1.6 FC now around 7.8-7.9L/100km, city driving. Cruising, jams and zoom-zooming alternately.

In terms of cent/km, its about RM0.16 per km.

Feel that you gain more mileage with RON97. RON95 is cheaper, but it burns faster and hence lower mileage.

Anyway the FC is largely depends on your driving style.

Spoilers? Wasnt the 1.6 too has same spoilers wt 2.0?

Most people scurried away from Mazda 3 becuz they're worried about maintaining the beast and 2nd hand value.

I dont really give any damn about 2nd hand value, albeit I know it would not get worse than a Pug or other conti.

Maintaining and servicing-wise, few Civs friends (of mine) already regret their decision, becuz M3 is a more sexier car at a lower cost of maintenance.

Never tried 200km'h. I think I am satisfied wt 190km/h notch and be safe...however knowing u can reach another 20-30km/h above that brings great feelings....

Is it? Any promotional pix u can attach here? Hehehe....

I think rear spoiler for M3 is the same, 1.6 or 2.0. Rear bumper differ by color, as u pointed out.

Also seeing more M3 than M6 lately. M2 is still new, still only few spotted.

For bro max cavalera - CKD might lower in prices, but built quality will never be on par with CBU. Even CBU Rayong / Thai could not match CBU Hiroshima. Go test drive M2 and see it for yourself. Its not apple-to-apple comparison but you'll get what i meant...

If only CKD M3 will be priced at RM50K lower than CBU, then I will suggest u to go for CKD...

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Jun 17 2010, 01:11 PM

Max, if u going to get the apartment, that's a wise choice to go for that one first. If u can get both, better still!

Great pix Sanik, background helps made your white metal shines! Seen a lots of white M3 and yet I can't resist to see more of it...

Have u tint ur car, btw?

M3 family is gonna be big....but hopefully not big enough until it became a mass-production car we always see on the road...

I really can see a lot of M3 lately, OTR. Newcomers should not worry about 2nd hand value anymore, if that would be your concern. I personally think everybody owns a M3 couldn't care less about 2nd hand value anyway...

FC during idle (especially in jam) is surprisingly noticeable. You can't help but notice the drop. It is not so significant, maybe only costs you cents per jam, but nobody owns M3 is an oil tycoon whatsoever so it is still an ugly fact to swallow. No wonder anywhere else got i-Stop technology except Malaysia.

Just look what we've missing here guys...

Going fast above 180km/h mark would not be as scary if we have our own version of autobahn here. You know lah sometimes there are plenty slower cars in the right lane. Even if they are at left lane, they will make a sudden turn to right lane to overtake lorries, without even knowing your M3 is at top speed approaching.

Otherwise, handling and stability at 180km/h is still there for M3.

I also would love to know was Civic any better, consuming fuel when idling. Previous civic owners might have better views.

Sanik, you're from JB rite? Any ways of getting mods and parts from S'pore suppliers?

By only have a single look on a civic dashboard and instrument panel, I know it was destined for ordinary use. A car that bring u to point B from point A.

M3's instrument panel looks as if you're in a small plane's cockpit. I love that

Done 1st service near permas bridge JB, they're still new at that time cant even accept c.card. Now I guess they can.

2nd service at PJ (federal hiway). Superb service and facilities.

3rd service in another two weeks. Dunno where to go and try already...

Could be possible, since they're sharing the same chassis...

I also think most of M3 now are stock 100%. Even so, stock M3 is one of the sexiest car in it class on our roads now!

I leave it stock for 1-2 years first. After some time you will feel the need of modding etc. By then hopefully Mazda will introduce lots of mods!

Well I definitely agree to that statement. It's so stable you wont feel like u are really speeding at that speed...

Just found out, most M3s i've seen (mostly 2.0) have a round-shaped exhaust cover. And 1.6 variant is oval. Is this true?