[CoenceLomneedtrue]

Long story short, I'm likely getting a new Mazda 3 2.2l 185ps at a really good price, like £2500 off retail. I test drove the thing and I think my spine ended up in the back seat when I put my foot down. [thumbup]

Problem is I'm torn. On the one hand the 5 door is more spacious in the rear and tends to have higher resale value in the UK. But I'm not struck on the back end design. I also feel the car seems stretched with the high hatch rear, makes it looks like a slightly shrunken estate.

On the other side I prefer the styling on the back end of the 4 door saloon, it looks more coupe'ish but I'm not sure if it looks too much like a rep's car. On another plus point it's pretty rare in the UK (about a 20-1 ratio in favour of the Hatch).

Anyway, pics provided for opinions [yes]

Hatch:









Saloon:

[IRMartin]

Hatch's come in handy when you have to carry stuff. I have one on my Acura and its great when carrying groceries, fishing rods, etc. But If you really hate the looks I would get what you like best because you won't be happy if you don't.

[FinanseMikky]

I have always liked hatchbacks (aesthetically and practicality), particularly the Mazda 3 five door vs the four door.

[parurorges]

Both look good, but that saloon has a good charm as well. Seems the bonnit (sp?) is also a bit low, thus packing or unpacking wouldn't be that hard I guess?

I go for the saloon as choice.

[masterboyz]

The saloon by far....in those colour choices. What does the hatchback look like in darker colours?

[vodaPlaps]

i really like the 3, plus that's a really good diesel engine. i think i prefer the saloon slightly, and i don't think i looks like a reps car really.

[flopay]

I have an MS3 turbo so I'm biased... Hatch all the way!!!
The hatch is very usefull and it looks good. Trust me it will grow on you. Get it in black!

[favwebbb]

Get the saloon, the "hatchback" looks too stretched, more like a station-wagon than a hot hatch.

[flopay]

get it in red too!

[radikal]

I'm not keen on the face of it. Looks a little bit too much like this smiley.

[flopay]

I'm not keen on the face of it. Looks a little bit too much like this smiley.

Thats mazdas design tho. RX8/Miata/3/suvs the only one not smiling is the 6.. but its close!

[CoenceLomneedtrue]

The angled shots of the Hatch don't show the "stretched" effect very well.. let me see if I can find a side view....

http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/mazda_mazda...r_sideview.jpg

http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/mazda_mazda...r_sideview.jpg

As for colour, I was going to go with Carbon Grey.

Also worth noting that the Saloon in that pic doesn't show the sport spoiler or alloys.

[twiffatticy]

What is exactly wrong with the hatchback design?

[parurorges]

What is exactly wrong with the hatchback design?

I havent seen a rear picture of it, perhaps it just doesn't look as good as the saloon's rear?


-edit- the hatchback rear end , seeing it from the side, looks terrible. That's what is wrong with it. /end

[Immampdah]

I'd go with the five door for sure looks so much nicer than the sedan. It looks more like a sports car than a small family car. Of course what you really want is the Mazdaspeed 3 that shervin has. [yes]

[CoenceLomneedtrue]

I'd go with the five door for sure looks so much nicer than the sedan. It looks more like a sports car than a small family car. Of course what you really want is the Mazdaspeed 3 that shervin has. [yes]

Perhaps, but the fuel economy of the sport diesel is 51mpg and the tax bracket is only £5 more than my current car [yes]

Just checked and the side view of the hatchback is off. It's about 10% shorter in the rear end than it should be, doesn't show the stretching effect [no]



That's closer

[CoenceLomneedtrue]

Settled on the hatch in black, looks MEAN and the black seems to help reduce the annoyances I had with the hatch design.

Now just got to find out if they can get me one lol

[flopay]

Settled on the hatch in black, looks MEAN and the black seems to help reduce the annoyances I had with the hatch design.

Now just got to find out if they can get me one lol

I have a black hatch too! Welcome to the club... Best car I have ever owned. Reliable with great build quality. I havent had a single thing go wrong in the 2.5 years I've had mine! 36k miles on it too

[ptmQqoxw]

i cannot stand saloons. eurgh.

[MrsGoo]

whichever you choose those are both very nice cars [thumbup]