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- 2010 Mazda CX-9 GT Dolphin Gray
...so I figured I'd post some impressions after the last two weeks.
Having owned a 04 3S I'm very impressed with the improved materials quality and "feel" of my MS3. Everything in the cockpit feels meatier and tighter. The seats, steering wheel, door paneling, leather seating surfaces are all a huge improvement over my 3S. The leather in particular feels more supple and soft. Oh and the front doors also close with more of a secure "thunk". My 3S exterior door panels always seemed to flex/vibrate a bit when I closed them. I believe this is a combination of improved NHV and a stiffer structure. My 04 was a rock as far as reliability. The improved quality and structural integrity of the Speed makes me even more confidence in it's long-term durability.
Engine is smooooooth. I'm very impressed with the reduced noise levels at cruising speeds and suspension. I actually think that despite its more aggressive exhaust and tighter suspension that the Speed3 is more comfortable and refined than my 04 3S. I have not experienced any of the negative ride characteristics that others (including Edmunds) have cited. I also think the turbo cut in 1st and 2nd gear is perfectly done. For those who use their speed for day to day commuting and don’t race it on the highway the compromise Mazda made to improve reliability and tire wear is beautifully integrated into the performance of this car. The power delivery feels natural and refined. These qualities make driving this car fast OR SLOW equally enjoyable.
The 6 speed is on the notchy side and requires a bit of a delicate touch. I also have been having a hard time going from reverse to first. The gates are so close I end up going into third and stalling her. The 5 speed in my 3S (and Mz5) have a much more refined shift action.
This thing loves to cruise at 80-100 mph and has a lot of extra punch on hand for passing-even in 6th gear.
Paint quality and exterior plastics seem to be a big cut above my 04 as well.
I love the improved Navigation system and auto climate control. Auto wipers and auto headlights are also nice. Navigation DOES allow you to alter courses when in motion. It just restricts the number of complex tasks that someone can attempt- for example typing a street name. I think this is a smart design choice (given the problem people have with cell phones) and have not found it annoying in the least. The 08 Nav features including improved graphics and resolution are also a welcomed change over my 04. And I still love the overall aesthetic that Mazda so brilliantly realized with the center stack and Nav screen. Everyone who sits in my car is impressed with the cohesiveness and high quality look. I love that it’s both cool to look at and still very intuitive in its design.
I was originally skeptical about the 5 door styling because I LOVED the styling on my 4 door 3S. I've come to realize that the 5 door Speed3 has its own collection of great angles to look at. The heavy horizontal crease that runs a top the front fenders, door handles and terminates at the rear tail lights are one of my favorite styling cues as is the improved front nose styling. I also love the extra sense of space the rear hatch and rear windows afford the interior.
Overall I love my speed 3 and am amazed that Mazda has been able to jam so much high quality, compelling styling and performance is such an affordable car.
Before deciding on the Speed and knowing that this would be my last car for a long time (kids and college don’t ya know) I test drove several cars in the same price range. BMW 3 series, Subaru WRX, VW Jetta GLI, Acura TSX all didn’t measure up to the value and fun to drive nature of the MS3. They were also a few thousand dollars more expensive.
I’ll continue to offer feedback as my car ages, but for now I’m very happy. Oh and I also see no reason to screw with the styling or interior of the car. While I may get a CAI at some point, the wheels, tires overall design of the car is perfect in my eyes. Like my Mz5 and 3S before it, Mazda has managed to build cars that get the blood moving even when the car is standing perfectly still.
Having owned a 04 3S I'm very impressed with the improved materials quality and "feel" of my MS3. Everything in the cockpit feels meatier and tighter. The seats, steering wheel, door paneling, leather seating surfaces are all a huge improvement over my 3S. The leather in particular feels more supple and soft. Oh and the front doors also close with more of a secure "thunk". My 3S exterior door panels always seemed to flex/vibrate a bit when I closed them. I believe this is a combination of improved NHV and a stiffer structure. My 04 was a rock as far as reliability. The improved quality and structural integrity of the Speed makes me even more confidence in it's long-term durability.
Engine is smooooooth. I'm very impressed with the reduced noise levels at cruising speeds and suspension. I actually think that despite its more aggressive exhaust and tighter suspension that the Speed3 is more comfortable and refined than my 04 3S. I have not experienced any of the negative ride characteristics that others (including Edmunds) have cited. I also think the turbo cut in 1st and 2nd gear is perfectly done. For those who use their speed for day to day commuting and don’t race it on the highway the compromise Mazda made to improve reliability and tire wear is beautifully integrated into the performance of this car. The power delivery feels natural and refined. These qualities make driving this car fast OR SLOW equally enjoyable.
The 6 speed is on the notchy side and requires a bit of a delicate touch. I also have been having a hard time going from reverse to first. The gates are so close I end up going into third and stalling her. The 5 speed in my 3S (and Mz5) have a much more refined shift action.
This thing loves to cruise at 80-100 mph and has a lot of extra punch on hand for passing-even in 6th gear.
Paint quality and exterior plastics seem to be a big cut above my 04 as well.
I love the improved Navigation system and auto climate control. Auto wipers and auto headlights are also nice. Navigation DOES allow you to alter courses when in motion. It just restricts the number of complex tasks that someone can attempt- for example typing a street name. I think this is a smart design choice (given the problem people have with cell phones) and have not found it annoying in the least. The 08 Nav features including improved graphics and resolution are also a welcomed change over my 04. And I still love the overall aesthetic that Mazda so brilliantly realized with the center stack and Nav screen. Everyone who sits in my car is impressed with the cohesiveness and high quality look. I love that it’s both cool to look at and still very intuitive in its design.
I was originally skeptical about the 5 door styling because I LOVED the styling on my 4 door 3S. I've come to realize that the 5 door Speed3 has its own collection of great angles to look at. The heavy horizontal crease that runs a top the front fenders, door handles and terminates at the rear tail lights are one of my favorite styling cues as is the improved front nose styling. I also love the extra sense of space the rear hatch and rear windows afford the interior.
Overall I love my speed 3 and am amazed that Mazda has been able to jam so much high quality, compelling styling and performance is such an affordable car.
Before deciding on the Speed and knowing that this would be my last car for a long time (kids and college don’t ya know) I test drove several cars in the same price range. BMW 3 series, Subaru WRX, VW Jetta GLI, Acura TSX all didn’t measure up to the value and fun to drive nature of the MS3. They were also a few thousand dollars more expensive.
I’ll continue to offer feedback as my car ages, but for now I’m very happy. Oh and I also see no reason to screw with the styling or interior of the car. While I may get a CAI at some point, the wheels, tires overall design of the car is perfect in my eyes. Like my Mz5 and 3S before it, Mazda has managed to build cars that get the blood moving even when the car is standing perfectly still.
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