Ok, finally got a chance to check-out, test drive and start the purchasing process on the 2010 Mazdaspeed3; I have staked my claim on a Silver one. Need to finish returning my '07 Scion Tc to factory condition(sway bars and lowering springs need to come off as well as some car audio) before I can drive off the lot.
Before I bore you with my thoughts, PICS! too many to link, sorry:
http://picasaweb.google.com/JCGator42/2010Mazdaspeed3
First thoughts:
1) WOW! looks much better in person than in pictures. My guy at the dealer had already picked out the silver one for me knowing how I am and yep, it's my favorite color.
2) All the colors look great, even the blue, but the wife just said "no", so silver it is.
3) The exterior is plain dead sexy, nice curves, makes the 09s look like minivans; wheels look and fit great on the car, the scoop is properly sized and the grille smile is not that noticeable.
4) interior materials are much improved, the plastics and leather/leatherettes are extremely nice and the seats feel like they hug better than the 2009s (although I am 260lbs, so yeah)
5) the transmission is AMAZING, super crisp short throws, very little play; I was a huge fan of the 09s transmission but this iteration is much improved. Clutch feel is also improved during take-off, no chatter or slop.
6) the driving seating position is a little better on the 09s in my opinion but I haven't yet had a chance to play around with the seat position (had it up high and too far back) but telescoping steering wheel allowed me to put the steering wheel in the right location even for the back and up position of the seat.
6a) the seating fabric is nice and stiff in the '10s and probably why the 09 is a little more comforable at the moment; I was very happy to see the leather hip bolsters areas on the 2010s, I didn't know they had that.
7) the suspension and chassis (to me) is A LOT stiffer than the 09s, very crisp and hard, feels as hard as the Tc with hotchkis sway bars on full stiff but with much better dampening. The car feels better planted than the 2009s.
8) the car feels slower than the 2009 in 1st gear (haven't hit the gas past 40% or so yet) but 2-5th gear feel stronger (could be the gearing, could be my head). Coupled with the stiffer ride the car feels amazing.
9) The new display console and redesigned dash is baddasss. Very nice colors, easy to use buttons on the steering wheel and radio. Gauges are nice and easy to read.
Overall: I am extremely happy with the changes they made and how it transfers to the driver. In the 3 miles I drove the car I fell in love with it and bought it.
I can't wait to have the keys in my hands again for good,
- JCC
Before I bore you with my thoughts, PICS! too many to link, sorry:
http://picasaweb.google.com/JCGator42/2010Mazdaspeed3
First thoughts:
1) WOW! looks much better in person than in pictures. My guy at the dealer had already picked out the silver one for me knowing how I am and yep, it's my favorite color.
2) All the colors look great, even the blue, but the wife just said "no", so silver it is.
3) The exterior is plain dead sexy, nice curves, makes the 09s look like minivans; wheels look and fit great on the car, the scoop is properly sized and the grille smile is not that noticeable.
4) interior materials are much improved, the plastics and leather/leatherettes are extremely nice and the seats feel like they hug better than the 2009s (although I am 260lbs, so yeah)
5) the transmission is AMAZING, super crisp short throws, very little play; I was a huge fan of the 09s transmission but this iteration is much improved. Clutch feel is also improved during take-off, no chatter or slop.
6) the driving seating position is a little better on the 09s in my opinion but I haven't yet had a chance to play around with the seat position (had it up high and too far back) but telescoping steering wheel allowed me to put the steering wheel in the right location even for the back and up position of the seat.
6a) the seating fabric is nice and stiff in the '10s and probably why the 09 is a little more comforable at the moment; I was very happy to see the leather hip bolsters areas on the 2010s, I didn't know they had that.
7) the suspension and chassis (to me) is A LOT stiffer than the 09s, very crisp and hard, feels as hard as the Tc with hotchkis sway bars on full stiff but with much better dampening. The car feels better planted than the 2009s.
8) the car feels slower than the 2009 in 1st gear (haven't hit the gas past 40% or so yet) but 2-5th gear feel stronger (could be the gearing, could be my head). Coupled with the stiffer ride the car feels amazing.
9) The new display console and redesigned dash is baddasss. Very nice colors, easy to use buttons on the steering wheel and radio. Gauges are nice and easy to read.
Overall: I am extremely happy with the changes they made and how it transfers to the driver. In the 3 miles I drove the car I fell in love with it and bought it.
I can't wait to have the keys in my hands again for good,
- JCC
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