Road Test of the Month, by Rich Velardo

Here we go. The anti- Mazdaspeed 3. Allow me to introduce the 4 door 2007 Mazda 3i

Touring, this particular car belongs to Lilas, so it's been properly road tested on back twisty

roads and freeways, rather than just once around the block in a dealer's car that's still for sale.

This little four door sedan version of the popular Mazda 3 has the smallest of the three

engines offered, at 148 HP it's not the most powerful engine out there but it's rated at 26 - 34

mpg with the four speed automatic transmission. This power plant will still give you enough

power to have some fun and merge safely on the highways. It is a bit more "buzzy" when

pushed than the larger 2.3 engine but not disturbingly so.

For a MSRP of just over $18,000 you'll get all power accessories, A/C, C/D player, adjustable

driver's seat, a 4 speed manually shiftable automatic, 16" alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, fold

down rear seats and a nice list of colors. The list of 11 color choices varies from the i to s and

again on the 5 door. Lilas choose Galaxy Gray Mica. Interior colors are either black or grey,

again depending on the model and exterior color.

So far we're both extremely happy with our second Mazda 3, it drives and handles great and is

almost as fast as my 5 door with the larger engine. The i is a perfect car for economical

commuting and touring, if you need a bit more flash, scoot and cornering ability then get the s

with it's bigger engine. If you're completely speed crazed, go for the Mazdaspeed 3.

The Mazda 3 line up starts with the 4 door Mazda 3i Sport, followed by the 4 door Mazda 3i

Touring, both versions with the smaller engine. While the i (Sport and Touring) only come with

cloth bucket seats, you still get power windows, A/C, four wheel disc brakes, a good stereo, the

normal comfy Mazda 3 interior and a nice list of desirable options. Move to the more up-level

Mazda 3s and you'll get the larger engine, a five speed automatic instead of the four speed and a

more extensive list of options. Note that the 5 door Mazda 3 is only available as an "s". Once

you're into the s models you can go hog wild on the options, all the way up to a nice leather

interior and Bose stereo. But with which ever Mazda 3 you choose, 3i, s or Mazdaspeed, it's hard

to go wrong.