This is the look of the upcoming replacement for the Protege , called simply the Mazda 3. It comes in this really good looking sedan, or the new 5 door Hatchback, replacing the Protege 5.

Engines in Europe and japan include a 2 Liter engine. But the US version will most likely use the 2.3 Liter from the base Mazda 6.

The new hatchback looks great!

And it is a bit taller than the sedan. This will allow Mazda to compete with cars lik ethe PT Cruiser, Matrix and Element. As well as positioning the sedan against the Civic and Corolla.

The interior has to be one of the best in its class. What an improvement over the boring Civic or the old fashion Corolla. And great quality materials are there too. Just lik ein the Mazda6. Not anything futuristic, but very nice, especially considering the competition...

The car is based on a new Ford platform. It will aslo be used for the all new 2005 Ford Focus in Europe and the US, and the larger Focus C-Max. And it is good enough to host the all new 2005 Volvo S40 and V50.

The only problem is that Mazda and Ford sell cars for about the same price. So now, the new 3 and the next Focus will be very similar cars, but with different designs. But they will be priced in the same range. they will basically fight against each other...

Don't let the "blasé" automotive press fool you, the all new RX8 looks great in person!

Especially when compared to the competition. The automatic is priced cheaper than the manual(!) at $25180. The new Nissan Z is not available with the automatic in the base version. Which pushes the automatic price at well over $29000.

This stunning car is basically priced like a top of the line Accord or Camry! Amazing.

This rather unique design includes a pair of fake suicide door for the back seat. And it works great. It is very easy to get in and out. The trunk is also surprisingly roomy. The only mistake, is the lack of hatchback. The design even looks like a hatchback, so what gives?

It would make so much sense on this car. It even looks like they decided against it at the last minute...

For once, it looks as good inside than outside. Although there is way too much black for my taste. Similar to the Thunderbird, color is only used as an accent, and it matches the exterior paint.

The car is as short as a Honda Civic, but has a much longer wheelbase. So it's pretty roomy, even in the back.

The main problem I can see on this car is the way the small 1.6 Liter engine works. It has up to 250 hp, but has to rev up to about 8000rpm to produce that power. Who in the hell drives like that?!

Especially with an automatic transmission, where the engine isn't reved up that high.

We will have to wait for the famous "Burlapp Test Drive" to find the answer to this modern mystery...