Just had the chance to spend 35 minutes driving the 2010 Speed. I currently own a 2008 in Metro Grey w/ Alcantatra seats and was thinking of trading. My car also has the Mazdaspeed CAI, short shifter and upgraded front engine mount.
Exterior- Strictly a matter of personal taste. The smiley face doesn't look as bad in person but the car is definitely more refined/slicker than the previous model. Unfortunately, to me it looks more like a cross between a Toyota Matrix and a Subaru. I would not trade based on the new look and prefer the older body style.
Interior- Mazda did something interesting here. They eliminated the Sport and GT models and now have 1 model. they only offer 1 interior but have base priced the car at $23,900- less than the old GT but more than the Sport. Unfortunately, the new interior is also a compromise. In contrast to my 2008 with alcantatra which feels rich almost like an Audi knock off the 2010 feels cheap. The seats are not as padded or comfortable and the trim is a hideous reddish flourescent type material. The plastic is OK but not as rich feeling as the piano black trim in the 08. The piano black is also used in the GT version of the 2010 CX7 and it looks good. I could not live with the seats or the trim color and would not trade based on that.
Performance- In objective terms the 2010 is better in every way but one than the previous model. It feels quieter, more refined and almost all of the torque steer present in the 08 is gone. The ride is more compliant, less jerky and smoother than the 08. It now rides like an Audi/BMW knock off which for most people will be good. However, as a result the car lacks the "edge/attitude" of the 08. It just doesn't seem as much fun. The shifter is still a problem but that is easily solved with any of the short shift kits available. If your preference is for more refinement, compliance, while still getting good handling etc you should love the new car. I prefer a little of the edge and some of the crazy sounds ( whooses of the CAI etc ) and characteristics of the old one. But gain that is personal taste.
Overall- The new car is in many ways (save the seats and trim) much improved over the old one. But is improvement better? Depends on what you want. I prefer my 1990 Miata to the new one but objectively the new one is improved and better. You can't go wrong with the new version but for me I prefer the edge/attitude of the previous version
Would be curious to hear what others think.
Exterior- Strictly a matter of personal taste. The smiley face doesn't look as bad in person but the car is definitely more refined/slicker than the previous model. Unfortunately, to me it looks more like a cross between a Toyota Matrix and a Subaru. I would not trade based on the new look and prefer the older body style.
Interior- Mazda did something interesting here. They eliminated the Sport and GT models and now have 1 model. they only offer 1 interior but have base priced the car at $23,900- less than the old GT but more than the Sport. Unfortunately, the new interior is also a compromise. In contrast to my 2008 with alcantatra which feels rich almost like an Audi knock off the 2010 feels cheap. The seats are not as padded or comfortable and the trim is a hideous reddish flourescent type material. The plastic is OK but not as rich feeling as the piano black trim in the 08. The piano black is also used in the GT version of the 2010 CX7 and it looks good. I could not live with the seats or the trim color and would not trade based on that.
Performance- In objective terms the 2010 is better in every way but one than the previous model. It feels quieter, more refined and almost all of the torque steer present in the 08 is gone. The ride is more compliant, less jerky and smoother than the 08. It now rides like an Audi/BMW knock off which for most people will be good. However, as a result the car lacks the "edge/attitude" of the 08. It just doesn't seem as much fun. The shifter is still a problem but that is easily solved with any of the short shift kits available. If your preference is for more refinement, compliance, while still getting good handling etc you should love the new car. I prefer a little of the edge and some of the crazy sounds ( whooses of the CAI etc ) and characteristics of the old one. But gain that is personal taste.
Overall- The new car is in many ways (save the seats and trim) much improved over the old one. But is improvement better? Depends on what you want. I prefer my 1990 Miata to the new one but objectively the new one is improved and better. You can't go wrong with the new version but for me I prefer the edge/attitude of the previous version
Would be curious to hear what others think.
