maskedSONY
Member
Well its right up against the side of the engine well. If alot of water gets in there, then the water will creep up the wall and you'll have a lightshow in the engine bay.
I tested out a 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring
- Thread starter Rockin03mp5
- Start date
Well its right up against the side of the engine well. If alot of water gets in there, then the water will creep up the wall and you'll have a lightshow in the engine bay.
I understand ppls view about the alternator. they have placed it in that spot for some time, but how many times have you read about someone's crapping out after a deep puddle?? Its a valid concern and a potential problem but obvioulsy not enough to change the design if it has not been a problem for customers.
- :
- 2010 Mazda CX-9 GT Dolphin Gray
Tested a GT Sedan
Man I'll tell ya anyone who puts down this car without driving it doesn't know what they're talking about.
The new 2010 is in another league compared to our 04-08 models. Someone else said that it made our cars feel like tins cans and this is pretty close to true. It was like I was driving a BMW 3 series. Some quick observations:
- I tested a Gray Mica Version and the nose really works with dark colors. Trust me when I say pictures do not do this new design justice. You really need to see this car in person and in motion to appreciate the new look and the wheels. The dealer had to go pull it from a back lot and I was getting emotional just watching it pull up to me. Very European, Very unique and cohesive. Anyone who say's that the 2010 3 and the Matrix/Vibe are twins separated at birth HAS NO IDEA what their talking about. This car is lean and athletic compred to those Toyota creame puffs.
- The backside isn't as attractive as the nose but still the body works well. Compared to 04-09 it looks more athletic and sporty. The 04-09, especially the hatches look like they need a small diet.
- The trunk opening is small. Feels smaller that my 04 Mz3 did. But it maybe an optical illusion. Hey and there is an automatic trunk release on the key fob!
- Interior is outstanding. The controls on the steering are perfect and the bluetooth paired seamlessly with my iPhone. I called myself at work to get an idea of how good voice quality would be via handsfree and it was fantastic. No echo, just natural intelligible speech. The only annoying thing was the trip computer and numerous negative beeps that are meant to tell you your doing something wrong. And I was tryign to use it intuitively. Me thinks the User Interface designers could have spent more time working out the workflow of the Trip computer interface.
- Bose system sounded OK. Centerpoint didn't do a good job with my music. Pop with a little reverb in the vocal sounded weird. I believe CP is more for Classical playback. So I turned off CP. The system did not have enough volume gain. I don't listen to loud music but I can comfortably adjust the volume in my 08 speed and feel like I can push it louded if I want. Frequency response wise it does sound better top to bottom. Bass sounds tighter. The Bose system in my 08 sound a bit flabby in the bass by comparison
- I've heard people say the glovebox wasn't as big as the 04-09. The 2010 still has a huge area behind the glove box door but the pocket in the door is a little smaller. But still very usable.
- Performance wise this car is in another league. My dealer let me take it out on my own so I had enough time to really test it and experience the drive. The 2.5 engine winds with turbine-like smoothness and a really infectious "wine" at around 4-5K that reminds me of a BMW. Really refined. I had the 04 2.3 and have to say the 2.5 is a huge improvement in refinement. The 2.3 got a bit loud and rough at the top end. The 2.5 is turbine-smooth all the way to redline.
- Chassis dynamics are incredibly well-controlled- maybe a little on the soft side. The Yoko Avids are probably the only weakspot. Very smooth ride with much better isolation over bumps and potholes. Like i said it feels like a much more expensive car. The 6 speed shifts with hte same snick-snick like precision as my Mz5's 5 speed.
- The interior is so amazing that it makes the 04-09 design seem dated and a bit plasticky. It honestly feels like a Acura TSX or similiar in quaility. The only negative that I "heard" was a rather loud power seat motor. Still the memory seat is REALLY nice in a car at this price point. The seats do feel a little lighter weight than the 04-09. But nothing major. My 6'3" frame had no problem getting comfortable and feeling secure.
- I was sold. I may even be willing to trade off some of the Speeds power for the overall improvements made in the 2010. It's a perfect example of how power isn't everything. And how Mazda has continued to hit the nail on the head when it comes to overall packaging and drivers dynamics.
This baby is going to be a hit- at least in the darker colors.
Mark my word the Speed version is going to be a ridiculous bargain if it has the same chassis dynamics with more power and that glorious 6 speed. Honestly the new 6 speed makes our 07-09 MS3 tranny seem clunky and imprecise.
I've said it before but Mazda's new designs make you wonder why anyone would shell out more money for one of those German makes.
To love this car is to drive it and watch it come at you. I was seriously thinking about trading my speed in for a lease on teh 2010 (would lower my payment by $150/month. Not sure it makes fiscal sense though.
Man I'll tell ya anyone who puts down this car without driving it doesn't know what they're talking about.
The new 2010 is in another league compared to our 04-08 models. Someone else said that it made our cars feel like tins cans and this is pretty close to true. It was like I was driving a BMW 3 series. Some quick observations:
- I tested a Gray Mica Version and the nose really works with dark colors. Trust me when I say pictures do not do this new design justice. You really need to see this car in person and in motion to appreciate the new look and the wheels. The dealer had to go pull it from a back lot and I was getting emotional just watching it pull up to me. Very European, Very unique and cohesive. Anyone who say's that the 2010 3 and the Matrix/Vibe are twins separated at birth HAS NO IDEA what their talking about. This car is lean and athletic compred to those Toyota creame puffs.
- The backside isn't as attractive as the nose but still the body works well. Compared to 04-09 it looks more athletic and sporty. The 04-09, especially the hatches look like they need a small diet.
- The trunk opening is small. Feels smaller that my 04 Mz3 did. But it maybe an optical illusion. Hey and there is an automatic trunk release on the key fob!
- Interior is outstanding. The controls on the steering are perfect and the bluetooth paired seamlessly with my iPhone. I called myself at work to get an idea of how good voice quality would be via handsfree and it was fantastic. No echo, just natural intelligible speech. The only annoying thing was the trip computer and numerous negative beeps that are meant to tell you your doing something wrong. And I was tryign to use it intuitively. Me thinks the User Interface designers could have spent more time working out the workflow of the Trip computer interface.
- Bose system sounded OK. Centerpoint didn't do a good job with my music. Pop with a little reverb in the vocal sounded weird. I believe CP is more for Classical playback. So I turned off CP. The system did not have enough volume gain. I don't listen to loud music but I can comfortably adjust the volume in my 08 speed and feel like I can push it louded if I want. Frequency response wise it does sound better top to bottom. Bass sounds tighter. The Bose system in my 08 sound a bit flabby in the bass by comparison
- I've heard people say the glovebox wasn't as big as the 04-09. The 2010 still has a huge area behind the glove box door but the pocket in the door is a little smaller. But still very usable.
- Performance wise this car is in another league. My dealer let me take it out on my own so I had enough time to really test it and experience the drive. The 2.5 engine winds with turbine-like smoothness and a really infectious "wine" at around 4-5K that reminds me of a BMW. Really refined. I had the 04 2.3 and have to say the 2.5 is a huge improvement in refinement. The 2.3 got a bit loud and rough at the top end. The 2.5 is turbine-smooth all the way to redline.
- Chassis dynamics are incredibly well-controlled- maybe a little on the soft side. The Yoko Avids are probably the only weakspot. Very smooth ride with much better isolation over bumps and potholes. Like i said it feels like a much more expensive car. The 6 speed shifts with hte same snick-snick like precision as my Mz5's 5 speed.
- The interior is so amazing that it makes the 04-09 design seem dated and a bit plasticky. It honestly feels like a Acura TSX or similiar in quaility. The only negative that I "heard" was a rather loud power seat motor. Still the memory seat is REALLY nice in a car at this price point. The seats do feel a little lighter weight than the 04-09. But nothing major. My 6'3" frame had no problem getting comfortable and feeling secure.
- I was sold. I may even be willing to trade off some of the Speeds power for the overall improvements made in the 2010. It's a perfect example of how power isn't everything. And how Mazda has continued to hit the nail on the head when it comes to overall packaging and drivers dynamics.
This baby is going to be a hit- at least in the darker colors.
Mark my word the Speed version is going to be a ridiculous bargain if it has the same chassis dynamics with more power and that glorious 6 speed. Honestly the new 6 speed makes our 07-09 MS3 tranny seem clunky and imprecise.
I've said it before but Mazda's new designs make you wonder why anyone would shell out more money for one of those German makes.
To love this car is to drive it and watch it come at you. I was seriously thinking about trading my speed in for a lease on teh 2010 (would lower my payment by $150/month. Not sure it makes fiscal sense though.
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Glad to hear you liked it. I was/am very tempted to get one as well, except I want a nice dark blue, dammit!
Interesting note about the stereo - I didn't listen to it much when I checked it out, but didn't really encounter the same problem. Seemed fine to me.
Darker colors definitely work with this car - especially the gray, copper red, and even the silver.
I agree on the interface - it's incredibly tough to navigate through it. I'm used to hitting the arrow buttons instead of the stupid info button. I'd get used to it in time, though.
Glovebox, really? My p5's glovebox looks TINY compared to the 2010.
Interesting note about the stereo - I didn't listen to it much when I checked it out, but didn't really encounter the same problem. Seemed fine to me.
Darker colors definitely work with this car - especially the gray, copper red, and even the silver.
I agree on the interface - it's incredibly tough to navigate through it. I'm used to hitting the arrow buttons instead of the stupid info button. I'd get used to it in time, though.
Glovebox, really? My p5's glovebox looks TINY compared to the 2010.
Rockin03mp5
Member
- :
- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
It seems that all of the dashes are moving more into the cabin nowadays. I think my p5 has more knee room, but less glovebox.
I'm glad to hear other 3 owners testing out the new model.
I'm glad to hear other 3 owners testing out the new model.
Please please please do not go for a lease. A lease unless you can dedect it as a business expense makes absolutely no financially sense for anyone ever regardlesss of what the thieving dealers and bankers tell you.
- :
- 2010 Mazda CX-9 GT Dolphin Gray
yeah i woke up
Yeah it was a moment of weakness. I snapped ouit of it. Thanks
Maybe in a couple of years.
Yeah it was a moment of weakness. I snapped ouit of it. Thanks
Maybe in a couple of years.
maskedSONY
Member
@ Antonio above -
I actually feel the same way about the interior. It DID feel like they were trying to mimic Acura or BMW. Even the way the doors sounded when they closed - it was nothing like the 3 or my Protege. I just think the doors looked a bit bare for some reason and the seat cushions could have used a little more support. Something didn't feel right about them - they are the right size but they are a bit thin feeling. I could be wrong though.
I will strongly consider a 3s hatch in 2011, when I'm due to rid myself of the Protege. I'm tired of fixing endlinks, rusted bolts and other nonsense. I'm hoping that Mazda has addressed the issues I have with the robustness of the car over the long term. Not to say that Mazdas aren't unreliable or anything, but compared to Hondas, little things go on them and their paint has been an issue with the 3.
I actually feel the same way about the interior. It DID feel like they were trying to mimic Acura or BMW. Even the way the doors sounded when they closed - it was nothing like the 3 or my Protege. I just think the doors looked a bit bare for some reason and the seat cushions could have used a little more support. Something didn't feel right about them - they are the right size but they are a bit thin feeling. I could be wrong though.
I will strongly consider a 3s hatch in 2011, when I'm due to rid myself of the Protege. I'm tired of fixing endlinks, rusted bolts and other nonsense. I'm hoping that Mazda has addressed the issues I have with the robustness of the car over the long term. Not to say that Mazdas aren't unreliable or anything, but compared to Hondas, little things go on them and their paint has been an issue with the 3.
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- :
- 2010 Mazda CX-9 GT Dolphin Gray
I think Mazda has moved up in quality since P5
I know what your saying about the paint. It annoys me too. Not sure how good th 2010 paint is. Sure shines nice. I also had a 1995 and 2001 Protege and the quality of the interiors were passable, but nothing great. Parts quality was also mediocre in some cases. my 1995 dash lighting and A/C compressor went as did one of the window regulators. Still mechanically the car lasted well over 150,000 miles.
You're right about the 2010 doors. I forgot to add that when I looked over at the lower part of the door under the handle it seemed a bit bare and lacking in design cues. I noted the same observation you had regarding the seats. Though they still functioned perfectly but can't hold a canlde to the MS3 seats, which are fantastic.
Still I think at the price there has to be some cutting. What shows is how good the designers are. They know enough about how people interact with their car to know where to put the money. For instance how many people actually touch their lower door area all that often? You may only look at it when you exit the car.
If I had crawled around on the floor and footwell area I probably would have seen more lower quality plastics. The interior of the glovebox and storage area in the center console (like the 04-09 3) didn't have textured plastics or extra padding.
FYI, carpet did feel like it either had more padding or was thicker. Probably contributed to the improved noise isolation.
I know what your saying about the paint. It annoys me too. Not sure how good th 2010 paint is. Sure shines nice.
I also had a 1995 and 2001 Protege and the quality of the interiors were passable, but nothing great. Parts quality was also mediocre in some cases. my 1995 dash lighting and A/C compressor went as did one of the window regulators. Still mechanically the car lasted well over 150,000 miles.You're right about the 2010 doors. I forgot to add that when I looked over at the lower part of the door under the handle it seemed a bit bare and lacking in design cues. I noted the same observation you had regarding the seats. Though they still functioned perfectly but can't hold a canlde to the MS3 seats, which are fantastic.
Still I think at the price there has to be some cutting. What shows is how good the designers are. They know enough about how people interact with their car to know where to put the money. For instance how many people actually touch their lower door area all that often? You may only look at it when you exit the car.
If I had crawled around on the floor and footwell area I probably would have seen more lower quality plastics. The interior of the glovebox and storage area in the center console (like the 04-09 3) didn't have textured plastics or extra padding.
FYI, carpet did feel like it either had more padding or was thicker. Probably contributed to the improved noise isolation.
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Rockin03mp5
Member
- :
- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
One thing, I like that Mazda still tried to "keep it real" with the new 3. Or at least just improve on the old 3, and not totally redo it, like they did with the new 6. With the new 6, Mazda tried to go mainstream. Don't get me wrong, it is a great car, but not my Mazda. Then again, I like fun, and simple. Thus, this new 3 isnt exactly my car either.
Thanks for the write up. This is some good information. I am almost 100% sold on this car and love the mica gray. The white looks funny with the clown face, black is too dark and makes the car look small, red will be a cop stopper and silver has no shine to it and is plain looking. These are just my thoughts.
maskedSONY
Member
Mazda wants the 6 to be more competitive in the uber-tough midsize market and I have no problems with the new 6 being the way it is. I would like it to be more fuel effecient, but that's about it. It looks great and has a much more inviting interior than before.
Antonio said:I know what your saying about the paint. It annoys me too. Not sure how good th 2010 paint is. Sure shines nice.
You're right about the 2010 doors. I forgot to add that when I looked over at the lower part of the door under the handle it seemed a bit bare and lacking in design cues. I noted the same observation you had regarding the seats. Though they still functioned perfectly but can't hold a canlde to the MS3 seats, which are fantastic.
Still I think at the price there has to be some cutting. What shows is how good the designers are. They know enough about how people interact with their car to know where to put the money. For instance how many people actually touch their lower door area all that often? You may only look at it when you exit the car.
If I had crawled around on the floor and footwell area I probably would have seen more lower quality plastics. The interior of the glovebox and storage area in the center console (like the 04-09 3) didn't have textured plastics or extra padding.
As a 2001 Protege owner, I love the materials used in the dashboard. I mean they are clearly budget 1990s era materials but Mazda choose the right supplier for them. The low dash design makes for great visibility and the controls are right where I want them to be. Also, with my 2001 Protege, I can see the corners of the front end clearly. You can't do that with many cars these days!
There are some minor quibbles with the interior which you've pointed out that I'm well, overlooking to say the least. If this was a $40K Audi I would be ranting. But it's not, and for what you pay, you're getting something pretty damn good.
Rockin03mp5
Member
- :
- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
very true
people want more and more for less though.
people want more and more for less though.
i wouldnt always remember that.......
I think it is a good saying. How about this, You get what you pay for.....
True, of course it depends on the product and maker. I always keep that in mind, however typically, the saying is dead on, I.E. shoes from Payless vs shoes from Macy's.
Rockin03mp5
Member
- :
- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
at least with mazda, you get a lot for your money.
there will always be some cheap components, but never as bad as a chrystler.
there will always be some cheap components, but never as bad as a chrystler.
