[Captain Tuttle]

Hi folks - new here, great site, good info. Thanks for letting me join!

The 3 caught my eye a couple of days ago. Specifically, the hatchback w/1AB, 1MC, 1XT, LS1 and NV1. I will be "downsizing" from a '02 Acura TL-S and I really like the content-to-value ratio of the 3.

I live in the NE and really appreciate heated seats on cold winter days. Does the forum think there will ever be heated seats offered? Or does this segment not usually offer seat warmers as an option. Your thoughts are appreciated and I look forward to posting with you!

CT

 

[chickmod]

Heated seats aren't offered now for the 3?

If they are I would definitely get them, but if not, when it gets cold just put a towel down on the leather.

 

[vaBooM]

You could always go after market... but its not really cheap.

 

[dinu01]

Welcome to the board Capt. Tuttle!

You might be downsizing in size and money blown on a car, but you're upsizing in fun to drive and styling (IMO of course)

As for the heated seats - aftermarket only.

 

[jintegra]

<Mild rant> :evil:
For all the things that Mazda does right, it is sometimes hard to believe that something as obvious as bundling heated seats with leather, can be left out. The MPV is another vehicle that suffers from this lack of foresight.
<End of Rant>
Ahh, I feel better now . I recall someone here had his dealer install heater plates under the leather seats ... hah! found it - here's that thread:
http://www.mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=781&highlight=heated+seats

 

[Fobby_Monkey]

What I find out is that I don't need Heated seats.. I find my seat gets really nice and toasty when I have the heat on, there's a heating duct under the front two chair..and when the heat is turned up (and the vent is set to blow on the floor)...it kinda warms up the seat.

 

[factrzero]

Right on

Sounds gewd. No heated seats required without the leather I think. Cloth is toasty!

If worse comes to worse, buy one of those plug-in heated seat thingies with a massager on it... WOOT.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

You guys are quick!

Thanks for the replies. So, aftermarket seems to be the consensus. In the spirit of giving information on a forum and not just taking, here is some information on aftermarket seat heaters:

http://www.checkcorp.com/infoseat.htm

And install info:

http://www.miata.net/garage/duetto_seat.html

Cheers!

 

[cowtown]

Heh, yeah don't have that problem with my cloth seats though in all the vehicles I've driven with leather in the winter the desire to have heaters in the seats never really crossed my mind, and we have some cold winters here.

 

[zaimon]

I've got leather in my Tribute any never really noticed any discomfort during the winter (the coldest it gets here are mid-30s). However, cooled leather seats I would welcome in the summer . I wonder if anyone makes those.

 

[cowtown]

I think I remember hearing about a Benz that had seat coolers or something silly like that. Doubt we'd see that in a $20-25,000 car anytime soon.

 

[Kazbaeden]

Heated seats are dangerous for me. I tend to want to snuggle up in them and fall asleep. Can't say that's a good idea while driving.

 

[vaBooM]

I think I remember hearing about a Benz that had seat coolers or something silly like that. Doubt we'd see that in a $20-25,000 car anytime soon.

The E class (and up) has the drivers heated/cooled. You figure we are the only car that has Xenons (under 25K)... why not even heaters?

 

[cowtown]

Only so much in the way of nifty features (auto headlights & wipers, xenons, etc.) that you can expect in a car priced at this level.

 

[zaimon]

True. The Mz3 already offers a lot more than it's competitors.

 

[schulkw]

It's all a matter of cost and preference.

 

[cowtown]

Could just do it the old fashion way and stick a bucket or pan of heated coals under the seat.

 

[Absinthe]

That would do :nsmile:

 

[dinu01]

I've got leather in my Tribute any never really noticed any discomfort during the winter (the coldest it gets here are mid-30s). However, cooled leather seats I would welcome in the summer . I wonder if anyone makes those.

Mid 30s??? HA HA HA - we wear shorts and a sweater here for that weather

 

[SBTanMan]

HIDs are available on the new Prius, btw, although those require a package that adds 3k or something to the overall price. Actually, aside from the fun to drive versus fuel economy business, the Prius is comparably priced with the Mz3. And I'm sure I violated more than one rule of getting sidetracked, but here you go anyway.