So, for those interested in doing the dash piece swap, here's some info.
The silver pieces from the Mazda 3 GT (a VIN I had) that work on the Mazdaspeed 3 are:
BBM4-55-320A "Panel Center" List Price $43.65 (this is the driver side)
BBM4-55-150A " Panel Decoration" List Price $60.80 (this is the passenger side)
Of particular interest is the fact that the driver side snaps on very securely (four clips on the small piece), but does pop off with the right amount of force. There are no metal clips or other pieces, the clips are molded as part of the panel. The passenger side is easier to get off, but the very end (by the door) has a screw in it. DO NOT try to pull the whole panel off on it is own. If you pull out on the lower dash (peel back the rubber that seals the door area to the dash), you can pull the dash out enough to get a very small tool in there to take the screw out (I have a little ratcheting bit set that does the trick, but worst case you can use a little phillips drill bit head with a combination wrench).
Anyway, that's the story. I'm happy with the look and now if anyone is interested in the red Mazdaspeed dash pieces, I have both of them available for sale!
Now to work on the rest of the interior!