Hi,

New member here. Thanks for the add. I have a 2005 Mazda 3 that I bought new. Still have it and love it! I am now looking at the 2017 and 2018's. I've test driven both a GS and a GT. Am I crazy in saying that my 20015 seems 'peppier' and has better handling?? Certainly the GT was better that the GS but then I got back in my car and I was like, oh, this is nice. Weird ??

 

Welcome to the forum

The power difference may simply be your use to your cars power band or that the cars you test drove had under 25,k miles and may not have their full power potential yet? Handling on most platforms regarding comparing a like model to a newer one , newer technology may simply feel smoother but handling I am pretty sure if measured on a 60ft skid Pad is better then older MAZDA'S in the same class comparison.

 

That makes sense, thank you

 

Your 2005 was smaller and had far less weight. It would feel quicker and more maneuverable than the newer car. I would suspect the third generation is faster and more refined in every way.

I would bet that 30 in the 2005 feels like 60 in the 2017.