More numbers
Ok - I have had two days of driving to cool off. Did I say I love this car. Mazda moved from a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty to 4 year / 50,000 mile a few years back to compete with the upscale brands. However, for 2007 they changed again and offered a dual warranty of 3 year / 36,000 mile bumper to bumper and a 5 year / 60,000 power train warranty. I think it's a good move on Mazda's part but I would like for them to keep the 4 year / 50,000 BTB too.
As for the tuner market - with our limited production numbers - it will take some time to see if we can convince them we are a true buying power. In the meantime - we must continue to support the companies that provide the specialty products for our cars - this way the see an interest and continue to stock and produce new products for our cars.
I think it would be great to get a few clubs going - this is one of the best ways to show off your car and to get others interested in modify theirs. The club scene makes this work - 1) lets other owners see what mods are out there, 2) lets others talk to the owners of the mods, was it easy? How does it sound? 3) and I can go on but you get my point. When I had my miata, the miata clubs really had a thing going. They set up driving events, Saturday project days, weekend getaways and on and on. I'm sure the Mazda 3 owners are out there but to what degree do they want a club. Maybe one weekend a month or every other month. I would love to start something but my priories in life are mainly my two kids right now (ages 3 and 1) maybe a few years back this would have been a project to get going.
Funny thing - I live near Irvine, CA and just about every Saturday a bunch of car guys get together at the Mazda Corporate office to show off their cars - mind you not Mazda's. Porsche's, Ferraris and other high-end cars.
You guys (and gals) are a great bunch, and thanks for listening.
Cheers!
Peter