[schulkw]

thecarconnection.com is estimating the base price to be $14,500.

 

[Kazbaeden]

Direct link, for Convenience:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6380

Do you think we'll be seeing 5speed auto in the S edition, as seen on the 6?

 

[schulkw]

Thanks for the link. I guess that would've been the smart thing to do. 8)

 

[Kazbaeden]

So, in analyzing the article... If they say 14,500 for the 3i, perhaps we'll be seeing $17k or so for the 3s? That would sound good to me.

 

[atl]

I can deal with those prices.

 

[defrew]

is it US money ??? OR UK??? cus base 14,500 that is dayom cheap(price) if thas true, civics are GONE!! GONE I SAY!!

 

[schulkw]

I'm pretty sure it's US dollars.

 

[Kazbaeden]

Looks like thecarconneection.com has an american audience in mind. Their corporate address is in MI and their editorial office is in GA, so I bet it's USD.

I so do love that price.

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

Civics start at $13,000.

 

[anamnesis]

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?

 

[dinu01]

Enthusiasts will want all the goodies, but people that are not enthusiasts won't need leather and HIDs or sunroofs, etc. Mazda's market is enthusiasts anyway, so I think we'll see quite a lot of mid and upper level trims being sold.

This is no Hyundai Accent GS.

 

[atl]

Well I have the $$$$ for some HIDS don't really need the Navi but I must have leather.

 

[schulkw]

When we cited $14,500, we meant the base model (the "I"), starts at $14,500. I read somewhere that the price difference between the '03 Protege and the '04 Mazda3 shouldn't be too dramatic. But if you are opting for the leather, HID's, and navi system, don't expect it to be anywhere around $17K. The navi system in the RX-8 is $2000 alone. HID's usually run $750 and leather is $800 (of course those are all ball park figures). I'm hoping the top of the line model is no more than $20K.

Just my two cents.

 

[phot3k]

Just a sunroof and a nice sound system is enough for me.

I'm treating a loaded Mazda 3 about the same as a loaded Focus ZTS/ZX3, in Canadian dollars it should be about 20,000CAD give or take 1 or 2 grand.

 

[schulkw]

This article says the Mazda3 in the UK will go on sale in January starting at 11000 pounds. I converted that into US dollars and it's $18,261. Do cars in the UK generally cost more?

 

[Kazbaeden]

I'm so confused... does the UK use Euros or Pounds?

It wouldn't make sense for a base model 3 to start at 18k... that's how much the 6 starts at.

 

[dinu01]

UK uses Pounds.

Most European Union countries use the Euro.

 

[Kazbaeden]

If you don't have a navigation system, what goes in the little door above the console? I've seen it on US 6s, but never open.

 

[dinu01]

It's a storage compartment. Really neat!

 

[atl]

Yeah just another place to hide more junk and paper that should be put into the trash.