I had a first gen 05 mazda 3
I had a first gen 05 mazda 3 5speed 2.3 as my last car 10 yrs and have driven an mx5 as well. I love my my new crz in spite of all the negative reviews. In terms of fun i enjoy it more than my mazda 3.
I find the drivetrain incredibly smooth. I have the cvt even which is a welcome change from shifting 10yrs. The steering is good as my mazda 3. tighter in sport mode. the braking ability felt higher in my mazda but the 2.3 had very large brakes. same as a new si. mx5 is hard to beat but in terms of fun the crz is closer feeling being quicker steering short wheelbase and lower to the ground. if you need at least fwd as i do in the snow this is a solid choice.
I find the mileage nearly 35-42, depending on how i drive it. which is a huge impro improvement over my previous mazda 3 which was 22-30, close to 22 in the congested city.
I would agree with your idea of it being a fun fwd 2 seater. the cargo space is good. i put 2 ac units in the back recently.
it never really feels like i dont have enough power driving.
in sport mode pulling out from a stop it will even chirp the tires.
I have felt for some time power not being as important to me.
a car being fast is just a distance measured by time over a given road course, with the vast majority of that time being in the drivers skill.
that being said i wouldnt want this car either if it felt like a slug,an 05 civic lx for reference,
which it does not
The crz is by any means a niche vehicle, 2 seats, fwd, cool styling, high mileage by anyones standard. more reviewers should have given it a chance is really a great car by my estimation having been a car enthusiast many years. i will look forward to my next 10 years of driving it ☺