but what about options ... ?
Everyone is citing these baseline prices, yet in other threads there is talk of everyone wanting all the great creature comforts. Of course we all want HID, navigation system, leather seating, or any other goodies ... but for $14,500 you will not be getting any of that. The current ES (well-equipped) comes in at the low 17's. If you figure HID costs just under $1,000 and the navigation system is $2,000 (conservative estimate?) ... you're looking at a $20,000+ Mazda3 fully equipped, a far cry from $14,500 for the base model. And isn't the 3 supposed to have leather seats available too? I think I have seen pictures of it ...
I know the Protege5 currently comes in around $1,000 more than a fully-loaded ES, also (about $18K). Anybody agree or disagree with me here? Let's be realistic: what do you think all these high-end options will actually cost on the new 3?