Mazda 3 120 PS - has anyone driven it?

[lambada]

Has anyone driven the 2014 Mazda 3 2.0 120 PS? Unfortunately the local dealer hasn't got any available for test drives yet. Are Mazda's auto transmissions generally good?

[EeeTea]

Yep I bought one in January this year, done about 9000 miles now. Manual Transmission

What do you want to know?

[ORD]

The manual box is an absolute peach and it suits the engine well.

[lambada]

EeeTea said:

Yep I bought one in January this year, done about 9000 miles now. Manual Transmission

What do you want to know?

Do you find the engine responsive enough? Do you have to rev it hard for it to deliver? Any idea how it compares to VAG's 1.4TSi engine? Thanks.

[JackReacher]

It's an interesting engine, all other manufacturers are downsizing to petrol turbos and this is a 2 litre NA engine that produces "just" 120bhp, but supposedly 55mpg officially and gets good reviews. They like to do things differently. I have a vag 1.4 tsi in a Leon which is a great engine, the Mazda didn't hit my radar when looking but in hindsight should have given it a test drive.

[DanielJames]

Don't buy a new car without test driving it.