Mazda 3 Advice Please

venomx

Hi !
Considering a Mazda 3 3rd Gen ( 2014-2018 ) end of the year, Sport version due to bigger rims and more tech.
Fits the criteria of 5 door, Petrol, Manual. Decent size, good economy, cheap to tax, reliable, fairly quick and loads of in car technology

I'd strongly consider Mazda used approved as the prices are  comparable to Cinch/AvailableCar/ArnoldClark but a 12 month warranty is included.
Do they drop off to a local garage ? As I won't be able to travel the length of the country to pickup the car 

Otherwise, could you guys suggest the best place to get a Mazda 3 ?

I understand I can use Spotify via Bluetooth and change songs via the steering wheel control.

The only draw back however is lack of Android Auto as I'd ideally want to use Google Maps.
I know you can install third party hacks to get Auto, but wouldn't want to run anything buggy etc. If I took the car to Mazda, would they be able to install a newer system which does have auto ?

So I'd like to know how decent is the Mazda 3's built in sat nav, and anything to consider before buying ?
Suppose I could just use my phone on a vent mount for the odd time I do use SatNav

Thanks

[Deleted User]

You can update the satnav via Mazda toolbox though it's not cheap for a 3 year sub, I have not seen a safe/legit way to do it manually. Just FYI you can back it up to a bigger SD card (the stock one I got was 8gb and a 16gb is needed for newer maps) - copy all the data over and plug it into the car, then drive 50? 100? miles I think it is so it writes the car ID to the card and then you're good to go - the satnav works fine like this.

I have no problems with the satnav, it's got good guidance for zoom in/out for junctions, just the traffic updates are a bit slow, I have rejoined a motorway after avoiding an accident because google maps was saying it was good while mazda was saying to avoid the motorway

The Android Auto bodge needs wiring etc when the car is on the latest firmware, I have read about it but you used to be able to do it just with a USB stick. Mazda garage have never offered me an update to newer software - if you find out if they can do it can you post on here? I guess you could get an independent car tech to do it

I stream off my phone using bluetooth, I know it doesn't work properly with podcasts to move to the next one but I have never tried spotify. The centre console also has 2 USB ports though I've not tried using the phone as a drive

I like the car (I have the 150 diesel 2.2), lots of features like heated front seats, dual zone climate control

venomx

According to Mazda as long as the car has MZD Connect, I can get Android Auto fitted afterwards...
https://www.mazda.co.uk/owners/accessories/details/apple-carplay-android-auto-unit/TK78669U0E/MAZDA3/2013-07-01/

I'd assume the Gen 3 ( 2014 to 2018 ) has MZD connect ?

shinytop

venomx said:

Hi !
Considering a Mazda 3 3rd Gen ( 2014-2018 ) end of the year, Sport version due to bigger rims and more tech.
Fits the criteria of 5 door, Petrol, Manual. Decent size, good economy, cheap to tax, reliable, fairly quick and loads of in car technology

I'd strongly consider Mazda used approved as the prices are  comparable to Cinch/AvailableCar/ArnoldClark but a 12 month warranty is included.
Do they drop off to a local garage ? As I won't be able to travel the length of the country to pickup the car 

Otherwise, could you guys suggest the best place to get a Mazda 3 ?

I understand I can use Spotify via Bluetooth and change songs via the steering wheel control.

The only draw back however is lack of Android Auto as I'd ideally want to use Google Maps.
I know you can install third party hacks to get Auto, but wouldn't want to run anything buggy etc. If I took the car to Mazda, would they be able to install a newer system which does have auto ?

So I'd like to know how decent is the Mazda 3's built in sat nav, and anything to consider before buying ?
Suppose I could just use my phone on a vent mount for the odd time I do use SatNav

Thanks

I've had one for 3 years now.  I like it.  Mine is a 2016 2 litre petrol auto Sport.  The satnav is good although the interface is a little clunky for searching.  OK when you get used to it though.  I prefer it to Google maps for following a route.  The bluetooth music and phone connectivity works well.

The big rims look nice but tyres can be more expensive.

I've done 50k miles in mine with no issues at all.  I bought it from a Mazda dealer but it wasn't Mazda approved used.      

[Deleted User]

venomx said:

According to Mazda as long as the car has MZD Connect, I can get Android Auto fitted afterwards...
https://www.mazda.co.uk/owners/accessories/details/apple-carplay-android-auto-unit/TK78669U0E/MAZDA3/2013-07-01/

I'd assume the Gen 3 ( 2014 to 2018 ) has MZD connect ?

I'd have to check, mine is a 64 plate so not sure. I'll have to ask the garage when I have it in for a service

UncleZen

Mazda will fit some electronics that will give you andriod auto, apple car play, but I thought it was a bit steep at £350, so I didn't bother in mine.
As mentioned before, official map updates are expensive. Also early models can suffer from 'ghost' presses where a fault makes it appear that someone is touching the screen. Which can be very annoying. Mine actually dialled the police the other day all on its own because of this fault! I believe the only solution is to replace the screen. To avoid this, I leave the screen on the radio view, just in case.
Very good economy at NSL, I have got 54mpg on the display, which is about 4% high according to my calcs.
I also find that the temperature gauge reads about 2 degrees high in winter.

venomx

Thanks. Suppose I will see how I like the built in nav if I do buy the car. Cheaper option would be use Google maps on me phone in a phone holder. I rarely use sat nav but would still like android auto. 

ontheroad1970

Mazda's inbuilt satnav is pretty good.  It's also good that you don't have to use the touchscreen for everything, you can use the scroll wheel.  I just changed from a CX5 to a Peugeot 5008, and the one annoyance with the Pug is having to do everything mostly by touchscreen.  

venomx

Is it safe to buy from a private local garage, or would it be best to go Cinch/Arnold Clark etc ?

UncleZen

You'll find more info on the Mazda3Revolution forum

GentleGiant01

I’ve got a 2017 Mazda 3. I went to Mazda and they retrospectively fitted Apple car play for me, from memory it was close to £300 but well worth it for me as I much prefer Google maps but don’t like having my phone on the dash. 

I love the car, it’s been great. Just don’t do what I did and buy from a car supermarket because within a few days I found a few problems! Thankfully Mazda fitted 4 new fuel injectors for me and sorted the DPF even though it was a few days out of warranty when I purchased!