Mazda 3/EP3 ripoff

[bobdobbs]

Man, I can't get over what a blatant copy this car is. Look at the mirrors, the skirts, the c-pillar, the rear spoiler, the headlights, the hood, the windshield rake, DAMN!. Honda should sue.

[civicSIracer]

damn that looks pertty close to teh ep3.. it was gifted with smaller headlights:)

[ahhhonda]

Edmunds.com first drive of the new Mazda 3 (http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/100599/article.html?tid=edmunds.e.roadtests.firstdrive..2 .Mazda*)

For those of you who may like more info on this car...

[ATRIOT]

The rear of that car looks like a BMW X5.

[Whiteboy]

Honda > Mazda

The car looks OK, but I'd choose my EP over that anyday

[Jaws Of Death]

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2004/mazda.3/04.mazda.3.sedan.f34.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2004/mazda.3/04.mazda.3.int.500.jpg

I like the sedan alot and the interior is pretty smooth:D

[Brettnyt]

Sorry guys, but i think the 3 looks pretty sexy.... I like the headlights...

[Civic03Si]

wow that interior looks amazing!

[bobdobbs]

The whole car looks like a cross between an EP3 and a Matrix. It looks nice, but Mazda will fuck it up somehow.

[Brettnyt]

Originally posted by bobdobbs
The whole car looks like a cross between an EP3 and a Matrix. It looks nice, but Mazda will fuck it up somehow.

Ahmen to that!

[02TafWhtSi]

It looks great! :angel:

[IknowApirate]

I'm not a big fan of the interior. I prefer the EP3 interior. I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's just too much. I think the Mazda 6 is one of their better looking cars. The RX-8 needs to lose a couple doors, for one. The 3 seems like too many other cars out there, like bobdobbs mentioned the Matrix.

Anyway.... Woo! EP3!

[natesi]

Originally posted by bobdobbs
The whole car looks like a cross between an EP3 and a Matrix. It looks nice, but Mazda will fuck it up somehow.

Because Ford has controlling interest.

[Zero Three Si]

Everybody wants to drive a honda...they can't help it. I'm glad I bought one before it becomes "jumping on the bandwagon".

[BarracksSi]

Originally posted by Zero Three Si
Everybody wants to drive a honda...they can't help it. I'm glad I bought one before it becomes "jumping on the bandwagon".

Heh... I don't know, man, but there's been a Honda bandwagon for a loooong time now.

But anyway, about this Mazda...

The interior? Looks like it would be easy to ruin the looks of the dash by trying to put in an aftermarket stereo.

Exterior? Honda shouldn't bother suing -- Peugeot is the one that should be miffed. Looks a lot like one of theirs.

I actually hope that Mazda (and other Far East carmakers, for that matter) can bring up their quality standards -- they've been years behind Honda & Toyota. It's embarrassing when a new-to-imports car buyer thinks that a Mazda or Hyundai is supposed to represent the same level of durability as Honda or Toyota, but when they fail, they cast a bad light on all cars Japanese.

Anyway, this 3 looks cool, hope it does well. Too bad the available Sport Appearance package only adds weight.

[chubbychu]

i dont think ill ever be able to drive a car wiht a floor mounted shifter ever again.

[bobdobbs]

Originally posted by plainol2k2si
i dont think ill ever be able to drive a car wiht a floor mounted shifter ever again.

Damn. I was going to give you my Ferrari. :D

[Sb00]

Originally posted by plainol2k2si
i dont think ill ever be able to drive a car wiht a floor mounted shifter ever again.

amen brotha, it just feels wierd :)

[phatfreeza]

i don't like how our cars gauges look... orange...it should look straight up red like this car :) sexy!! interior gets an A in my book!

[nozomi]

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2004/mazda.3/04.mazda.3.int.500.jpg
It looks like an IS interior!!!!!!

BTW the real thing is quite disappointing, someone already took some pics at the real thing, the interior looks cheap + exterior looks uglier than photos from press relieases.

Pics here (http://www.my604.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46602)

[BlackFL2k2Si]

Looks nice, but is there any info on the engine?

[furious]

seen them on the road (bout 3 of em) and the photo looks MUCH better...kinda the opposite of the EP in that way:D

I agree with the skirts...the tail looks different (more mugenish)...the hood is convexed center rather than concaved...headlights copies BMW moreso...mirrors do appear identical from the photo

what are the C-pillars? connection from roofline to quarter?

[crakerhead]

i think its sexy as hell, but no way it'll be near quality of an ep

[RiceCzechs]

How so? Just because its a Mazda (or a Ford?). Wouldn't be that quick to judge. Besides, with our EPs being sourced from Swindon, I'm remain unsure that we're experiencing the same measure of build quality than if the Si was built in either Japan or Marysville, OH. My EP has been good to my, but there are niggling signs that suggest I might do well to be wary of the whole thing.

I think that the 3 looks sharp and all that derivative as some have been leveling. I particularly find the sedan to be attractive, esp. in darker shades.

The Protege is one of the finest handling fwd cars extant, particularly at that pricetag... it simply needs more power (and in the sedan, a more purposeful appearance). The new Mazda3 should move the game on further still.

I'll reserve judgement 'til I drive it, of course, but I think it looks like a pretty fine effort.

[VividFL EP]

I think that this car would look better if it was only a 2 door. That is one of the reasons that I like the EP so much.

[boston's ep3]

the new mazda six has a great interior how ever the only way to change the stereo system is to hack the hell out of the dash. If you look closely the radio is integrated into the dash unless someone comes out wiht a whole dash replacement.

[bobdobbs]

Originally posted by furious
what are the C-pillars? connection from roofline to quarter?

The rear-most pillar, above the rear wheels.

[02NJHondaep3]

Nothings original anymore. Camry's look like lexus's which look like the new Civics which look like ep3s which look like focus,rsx,matrix. BLAH BLAH BLAH.Rx-8 looks like S2200 I can go on and on.... Seems like we're in a "bubble age" where all the cars are bigger with rounder edges.

[blueiedgod]

I think Mazda 3 wagon's exterior looks like Crysler Pacifica, much smaller though.

[Zero Three Si]

Originally posted by phatfreeza
i don't like how our cars gauges look... orange...it should look straight up red like this car :) sexy!! interior gets an A in my book!

I wouldn't be suprised if they gauges are actually orange. I know in the pic they appear red....but you never know till you see it in person.

I'll have to go test drive this beater...

[crakerhead]

anyone know when its comin out or specs on it??