Long Term Mazda 3 Carbon Review - Viewer Questions Answered

[@Anienee]

Thanks for taking my question! You tried your best with my name, to tell you you did much better than most people do. 😂 Keep coming up with nice content.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks again for your support and kind comments. Another viewer did note that a 225 would work on the stock 18s. So that may be an upgrade in the future with a nice quality and quiet tire like the Michelin Pilot 4s.

[@Anienee]

I am planning on doing a setup with 235/40/18. It would be a dream setup for my sedan. Slowly saving up for the changes. 😂 Also I wrapped my center console along with the door handles. It was tricky to do but so much satisfying.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

CORRECTIONS: 1 he commentary at 02:53 may not be totally accurate. Some sedans are made in Japan. We actually address 11 topics from our viewers questions and comments. One update: A viewer reported their 2022 sedan was assembled in Japan. 2. And I misspoke when I said 400 miles to the tank out on the highway. Its really closer to 500 miles to the tank on the highway, and 400 miles in mixed driving.....Thanks to one of our most excellent viewers for catching that. Keep your questions and comments coming. Thanks so much for watching and giving BTTD your support!

[@juliolopez7207]

Thanks for getting to my comment, I live in Houston and although the suspension like you said its built to be firm and direct, I love it I’ve driven older cars my whole life so I’m excited to get a 2023 hatchback carbon, I watched your review.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Awesome. I was just in Houston this last week. Roads fairly decent there but all concrete highways are fairly noisy. Thanks for watching and all your support. And enjoy that 3!

[@adambelesab]

Thank you for making these videos available for all of us to see, I currently live in Thailand and have ordered Carbon Edition sedan in machine gray color. Car looks stunning and will pay for fully loaded version 28k. Also been considering Civic especially Ehev RS which they have here also very good looking car. But there’s something about this sedan that make you feel special while sitting in it.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and the very nice comment. Congrats on your new 3 and keep in touch with how you like it. You couldn’t go wrong with either choice. With the Mazda you won’t see as many which is nice. We’ll have some new content coming out on ours as it’s approaching 35k miles. All the best and happy motoring.

[@Imperialist_Boi]

Appreciate the video! I always try to get my hands on every information possible on that 4th gen since I’ll be buying it and except you there’s only one guy that I know who does long term review on that car (RIP my name haha)

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks! Let us know of any specific topics you would like to see. All the best.

[@stevestancill4731]

I have a 21 with little over 2000 miles on it. I love it.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Nice. Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@stevestancill4731]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive welcome

[@katiecannon8186]

Just bought one for my son. No rattles. And we really like the info system. It’s really quite simple to use. Like the wheel vs touch screen a lot

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Excellent. Great car for your son. Agree, once you get used to it, the wheel is great. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@katiecannon8186]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive Is extremely strange, cheaper than a Corolla. Which really make no sense. It’s like a class up for sure. The Carbon Edition is so pretty!

[@John-kx3ng]

Make sure he pays you back, teach him responsibility.

[@gabrieliacoboni6951]

Own a 22 3 Preferred AWD. Has less than 2k miles on it. Have had no issues with rattles or quality. I did get it ceramic coated. Got it to 2k off MSRP. Cannot beat that. Glad I didn't have to deal with cylinder deactivation or stop start.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for sharing. And congrats on that AWD. Preferred is a great trim level. All the best and happy motoring.

[@John-kx3ng]

My 2020 Preferred 3 sedan with 23k on it has been absolutely flawless.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@tangojulietfoxtrot]

I've seen on stock rim 225's all the way around with zero issues/concerns but I probably wouldn't go any wider on stock. I think 225 is the ideal width for the Mazda. I highly recommend replacing the stock Turenza's as they are complete junk. You can get Michelin Pilot 4 all seasons for $195 versus $234 for the Turenza's and the Michelin's are far superior in every category. The Michelin's are 1 lb heavier so there won't be any affect on gas mileage but road noise you currently have will be pretty much completely eliminated.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for that info. Yea, I have heard the pilot 4’s are an all around great tire. I don’t judge Turenza’s too hard. Compared to the Hankooks Kinergys on our GLI, they are much better. For some reason I was thinking a 225s would need a 19 inch wheel. But on the 18s, that does sound like a good upgrade. All the best and thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@maxhenry1977]

Where are you pricing the turenza’s? At discount tire in colorado they go for $169.

[@tangojulietfoxtrot]

@@maxhenry1977 tire rack and I just checked discount tire and they also are $239 ea as well. Make sure you are looking at the right tire size and model when looking up the tires. Look up the 215/45 r18 and they are the EL440 TURENZA'S.

[@maxhenry1977]

You’re right. I was looking at 215-65-16 which is the size my cx-30 takes. Sorry.

[@tangojulietfoxtrot]

@@maxhenry1977 it's all good.

[@oliverfabela]

I got a 2023 polymetal grey Mazda 3 and have had it for 2 and a half months and I had a engine malfunction as well as a little rattle

[@KING6UCCI]

I have not heard rattles , however if I keep my sunglasses in the compartment by the sunroof it will when I have speakers on

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Yea, I have heard of that before. Sometimes my sunglasses make it up there. My one pair doesn’t fit too well. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@emilemouannes2236]

That was great to watch. I have a question: Do you feel any vibrations while driving at highway speeds? I had always noticed some vibrations in all mazdas ive test drove. It feels like resonance that's felt through the seat.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Hi Emile, thanks for watching. No vibration at any speed. Depending on whether the car you are test driving is new or used, it may be worth mentioning to the dealer. For used cars, they sometimes have not even checked alignment or balanced the tires, and I have found issues with new cars where the tire pressure is not set correctly. I recall the Mazda 3 we reviewed in our series that had the tires at the transport pressure of 60 PSI. The car was brutal, so i immediately took it back. For transport they will over-inflate the tires to avoid flat spots. That is another thing, if the car has sat a while, there can be flat spots on the tires that need to be worked out by driving. But no, in general I have not experienced highway vibrations in the Mazda's we have driven, so I would advise maybe test driving some more that you are interested in. Keep in touch.

[@ohcanadaeh]

I own a 2018 Mazda CX5 in Canada and I have cylinders deactivation. It has been working great and it helps fuel economy a lot during long trip while cursing on the highway. It adds 4 + mpg to highway fuel economy (EPA is 30, Actual over 240 miles is 34.5 mpg) and it does not affect the performance. You don't know when it comes in and off. So cylinders deactivation is a good feature.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks JCA. That is great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@ohcanadaeh]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive You are welcome..!

[@recife62]

Do you get condensation in the housing for the forward sensing camera?

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

🤔. I have not noticed but will start paying attention. You are talking about at the top of the windshield?

[@recife62]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive Yeah the little triangle area. Seems some people are getting some condensation ranging from mild to a lot while others are not at all.

[@jeffbauer3425]

What ?!! Built in Mexico! I may as well buy a 22-23 Jetta. Driving a 2016 Jetta now, and it has been pretty solid at 70,000 + . But i want a Japanese built Mazda 3 only. 7:21

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Hi Jeff. I was not totally accurate in the video. 3s for the US are built in both Japan and Mexico. It’s a little bit of a dice roll and may depend on what part of the country you live in. It is still possible to get a Japan built 3. Mazda has been building cars for a while now in Mexico and build quality seems to be on par with their high standards in the Japan plants.

[@jeffbauer3425]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive Thanks for replying. Nothing against our neighbors in Mexico. And like I said , I have a 2016 Jetta which has been great . And I am considering another one , but I know the Mazda 3 is a better car, and love the look and everything else. And I'm in Florida so....

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

@@jeffbauer3425 gotcha. Definitely call your local dealers and see what they have coming in and from where. Most likely you will need to order or at least reserve something on their upcoming deliveries. Regarding the latest Jetta, Volkswagen has been quietly improving it since it’s 2019 debut, and I think reliability has been decent. But the interior and handling dynamics are still inferior to the 3. Keep in touch on how you proceed. I do know the CX-5 is solely built in Japan and routinely tops all lists for quality. All the best and happy motoring.

[@shojus]

I did some research and the plant that Mazda built in Mexico employs very many Japanese people as well. They even have signs in Japanese in and around the factory because so many Japanese live and work there. I think Mazda wants to save money by assembling the cars in Mexico, but they also do not want the quality to degrade. I too would prefer a Japanese made Mazda 3, but it's been impossible to find one that's NOT made in Mexico. Also, the easiest way to decipher where it's made is by the first digit of the VIN, if it's a "J" it's made in Japan, if it's a "3" it's made in Mexico.

[@erickh5291]

I agree hey how reliable is your 2016 jetta

[@davidw237]

225s fit great on the stock rims, and there many more tire options in the 225/45R18 size.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks David. That is great info. One thing we may consider is a 225 Michelin Pilot all season as an upgrade. We have heard that they are also pretty quiet in addition to better overall handling.

[@gravitas3776]

Hi. Does this model have the Mazda navigation system? I’ve been researching that and have been getting conflicting information.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Hi and thanks for the question. Navigation only comes with the premium trim. However, it is enabled with an SD card that has the map information. You can buy it separately from Mazda or you can buy a card online from Amazon or on eBay for a lot cheaper. I bought one and installed it on our 3. You can hear about that in this update. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYLXeZqKdt2qes0si=wxUbVfpme5-kC9hV I only use navigation via apple CarPlay though like Waze or Google maps. They are superior to Mazda’s.

[@gravitas3776]

Thanks! This information really helps as I’m considering buying this model.

[@Crakaveli]

My 2022 Mazda 3 sedan was made in Japan.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Ahh. Ok. That is good info. I will need to do some type of correction. Geographically are you on west coast/east coast, Canada?

[@Crakaveli]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive Southeast but I purchased the car from a Mazda dealer in Southern California.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

@@Crakaveli thanks again. That is good info. I will reach back out to our east coast located Mazda dealer who gave me the manufacturing information.

[@aussie8114]

We don’t get the AWD or turbo variants of the 3 here. We do get choice of the 2 litre and 2.5 litre though. We also have stop start here, called iStop. I believe it may now be in the U.S. as well, not sure about Canada. I had no idea these cars had cylinder deactivation, not sure if that would concern me or not. I have the opportunity to buy a new top spec in machine grey, pretty unusual to be able to buy a new one straight away without being on a long waiting list, but I’m yet to convince myself it’s what I want. Especially if the ride is a bit hard. My understanding of the oil burn in new cars is that the manufacturers are making the valve seals and piston rings a bit looser than in the past to reduce friction which in turn gives a little better fuel economy. Friction is one of the enemies of fuel economy. Maybe in several years the consumer will realise there’s a maintenance price to pay for that manufacturing logic. I think the turbo is amplifying the issue because there’s more pressure in the chamber which in turn is pushing a bit more oil past those slightly loose seals and rings. Maybe Mazda have now modified the seals and rings to be a little less loose, who knows, they won’t say anything.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and all the great info. We love to hear about 3’s from around the world. In the US, oil burning issues have been only with the turbo versions and specific VIN numbers. I agree that turbo engines are more quality sensitive with regard to piston rings and valve seals. But the non turbo also runs a fairly high compression ratio. Is the Skyactive X available there? That will not come to the US apparently in the 3 due to cost and the shrinking small sedan market. Make sure you test drive a 3 as the ride is a little stiff over rougher pavement. And Mazda may tune the suspension for different markets. But it has great road feel over decent pavement. Thanks again for the thoughtful feedback and let us know which way you go. All the best.

[@benjaminmui9883]

mine is made in mexico sedan in canada. has rattles during the cold.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks Ben for sharing. That’s a bummer. I am sure the cold in Canada is alot tougher on all the plastics.

[@francisgallozzi2595]

Did you say almost 400 miles on highway? My 2017 Mazda6 GT Premium, which is bigger and heavier car gets 700 km (almost 435 miles) to the full tank.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for that catch. I completely flubbed that. I meant to say almost 500 miles out on the highway.....Its a 13.2 gallon tank and we have seen 38MPG on longer trips.....I need to correct. Thanks! Realistically, we have filled up in the 430-450 range to leave margin. When doing mixed driving, we typically see around 390-400 before filling up with a couple gallons to spare.

[@Blat14]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive I'm getting about 600 miles per tank on a 2022 UK spec Mazda 3 skyactivX Manual Hatchback.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

@@Blat14 nice. Thanks for sharing. We will probably never get the X here in the states. Mazda seems to have abandoned those plans.

[@nrm1412]

2020 MAZDA 3 SPORT GT AWD 2.5 L Oil problems Suspention is not good in city like Montreal Tires 215 need to change Interiors vibration in my case in roof right side Quality paint in white is not good. Line keeps assisting is cheap AWD in snow is ok but not like Subaru Maximum MPG 461 KM freeway Daily MPG city 12.1 L/100km winter ...10L summer. Is a good car option, but need new coilovers ,tires and wells 215 45 18 like michelin 4 sport A/S

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Is Mazda addressing your oil burning and vibrations problems?

[@nrm1412]

​@@BeyondTheTestDrive no

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

@@nrm1412 well that’s a bummer. Thanks for sharing your experience. On ride quality we have been very vocal that the suspension is not the best in city environments and rougher roads.

[@m-cw7er]

Yep. 2021 turbos burn oil too. No fix yet from Madza.

[@Torana355]

They all have noises in the cabin, I've driven 4 of them personally and they all have creaks and rattles. I currently own a 2022 and it has some creaks coming from the dash area. If you can't hear them you probably don't have the best hearing.

[@PolyMazda]

Mazda only did the cylinder deactivation because their gas mileage absolutely sucks. A 2.5 motor with a 6 speed auto, not a good recipe for fuel mileage. I have an AWD, it’s quite bad to be honest. Like you said tho it’s for EPA compliance

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Would agree not the best when compared to other compacts. For AWD compacts, not many choices. There is the Impreza and that might do better but is has a CVT.

[@ohcanadaeh]

It works great on my 2018 CX5.

[@m-cw7er]

@@ohcanadaeh CX5 sucks.

[@gabrieliacoboni6951]

They primarily added it for tailpipe emissions, not necessarily fuel economy. The 3 wasn't made to be a fuel sipper. If it was they would downsize the engine and likely make it a small turbo.

[@thetechlibrarian]

@@m-cw7er25/31 out of a small suv isn’t that bad it’s better than my rav 4 with significantly better driving dynamics

[@stevestancill4731]

Who in the hell would ask if a course brand oil it’s brand-new

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Some turbo owners had oil consumption right away….so maybe related to that? Some new cars will consume a little during the first few thousand miles and then settle down where they should be. Mazda’s, as a brand, do not have any chronic oil consumption issues.