I tested out a 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring

[RADAR THIS]

You are not backing up your so called opinion with any facts or any intelligent reasoning. Repeatedly posting "that's ugly ha ha ha" " the Nav is stupid lmao" and insulting/disrespecting other members is not how we converse on this forum.

did you not see my pics i posted...see the tool box and stuff in the back...i am obviously in a garage...where there are lifts as well...where i can view the bottom side of things...and youre not quoting me properly...i even said being a six speed is nice...

 

[Mazda3]

Re-read your last few posts.

The pics you posted represented facts in what way? The smiley car pic is getting old, you were beat to the punch about 1000 times already. The nav pic represents what? I've seen the nav. I explained Mazda's reason for making the nav that way. This is a Mazda 3, not a CX-9 the cheap little nav gives more people a chance to have this gadget. Sorry you don't like it, but I think Mazda's reasoning behind it is sound.

They cheaped out under the car, how so? I've seen the car on a hoist. I didn't see anything that looked cheaper than the outgoing model and I've driven the car. It does drive a little better than my 2006, with the little more power.

They cheaped out the interior? I owned a 2006 Mazda 3 gt leather full load for 2 years. The interior was excellent, but there is no doubt in my mind they have kicked it up another notch with the 2010 model. It makes me feel like I'm sitting in a new Acura TL when I sit in a leather up 2010 3. Mazda says the materials are higher quality and I've seen no reason to doubt that. Niether has any of the auto journalists who drove the car. I haven't actually researched the materials to prove this is a fact, but at this point there is no reason to doubt it.

 

[GoFast]

eeeh everyone is entitled to their own opinion here just keep it civil. Unfortunately the innanets, and forums specifically, aren't always fact based. Even more unfortunate is that opinions are like assholes and everyone has one and everyone has the right to them.

Radar This, your point has been made move on to something new.

 

[RADAR THIS]

lol

 

[RADAR THIS]

my expectations are obviously higher...

Re-read your last few posts.

The pics you posted represented facts in what way? The smiley car pic is getting old, you were beat to the punch about 1000 times already. The nav pic represents what? I've seen the nav. I explained Mazda's reason for making the nav that way. This is a Mazda 3, not a CX-9 the cheap little nav gives more people a chance to have this gadget. Sorry you don't like it, but I think Mazda's reasoning behind it is sound.

They cheaped out under the car, how so? I've seen the car on a hoist. I didn't see anything that looked cheaper than the outgoing model and I've driven the car. It does drive a little better than my 2006, with the little more power.

They cheaped out the interior? I owned a 2006 Mazda 3 gt leather full load for 2 years. The interior was excellent, but there is no doubt in my mind they have kicked it up another notch with the 2010 model. It makes me feel like I'm sitting in a new Acura TL when I sit in a leather up 2010 3. Mazda says the materials are higher quality and I've seen no reason to doubt that. Niether has any of the auto journalists who drove the car. I haven't actually researched the materials to prove this is a fact, but at this point there is no reason to doubt it.

 

[RADAR THIS]

eeeh everyone is entitled to their own opinion here just keep it civil. Unfortunately the innanets, and forums specifically, aren't always fact based. Even more unfortunate is that opinions are like assholes and everyone has one and everyone has the right to them.

Radar This, your point has been made move on to something new.

sounds good

 

[Chibana]

The front end is actually growing on me. My first impression was, "Holy s***, what the hell is that?" After seeing them in person at NAIAS and at the dealer, I'm actually starting to like it, at least on the fancier model, like the red one you test drove. The 2.0L cheaper looking front looks just that--cheap. I very much like the quality of the interior, but I'm still not sure about the overall look and layout. I drive a crazy insane amount of miles on the expressway, so I'm disgruntled about the low fuel efficiency of the 3 on the expressway. Granted, the 3 is much better than the Focus, but the Focus gets 35 mpg on the highway. That rocks. Mazda should have made 6th gear taller, and I'm sure with some other tweaks, could have eeked out a few more mpg out of both the 2.0 and 2.5L versions.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

What happened to my thread?

Anyways, I was giving my opinions here, like everyone else. It is obvious what everyone dislikes. (the smile )

I only had a few minutes with the new 3. I didn't like it much.

I also have never driven, let alone been in one of the old 3s for any period of time, so I like to hear the differences, even if they are opinionated. But thats what everything is going to be, unless you give me weights, and breaking point differences of everything (ie facts that can be measured).

Truth be told, i could deal with the looks. I like the interior, but I think it is cluttered. I actually bought my protege because it was simpler inside than the 3. I think simple is cleaner. (plus the radio is a straight 2 din, so it was way easier to replace!)

On the small nav screen, i believe if they would have put it in a better (closer) place that it would not be a problem to me.

Anyways, I dont mind opinions, but everyone please keep their e-egos in check!

 

[Rockin03mp5]

The front end is actually growing on me. My first impression was, "Holy s***, what the hell is that?" After seeing them in person at NAIAS and at the dealer, I'm actually starting to like it, at least on the fancier model, like the red one you test drove. The 2.0L cheaper looking front looks just that--cheap. I very much like the quality of the interior, but I'm still not sure about the overall look and layout. I drive a crazy insane amount of miles on the expressway, so I'm disgruntled about the low fuel efficiency of the 3 on the expressway. Granted, the 3 is much better than the Focus, but the Focus gets 35 mpg on the highway. That rocks. Mazda should have made 6th gear taller, and I'm sure with some other tweaks, could have eeked out a few more mpg out of both the 2.0 and 2.5L versions.

This is what I'm talking about.

You can keep the zoom zoom without sacrificing the highway mpg!

I like to hear what other 3 owners have to say about the new 3!

 

[sCoGrIfToN]

I just went and checked out the new 3 this weekend... Full disclosure, I am one of those that like the redesign (current is a 07 3st). I did not test drive one because the dealership didn't have any manuals and I am not a fan of automatics. From what I saw, though, I thought it was pretty solid:
The nav screen looks small in pics, but I think it was more than adequete. I am not sure yet about the double layered dash, but the center console looks really good, and it still maintains the cool gauges for spd and rpm.
The car didn't feel cheap (interior) to me... I think it might be a strech to say that it feels like a TL, but I don't think there is another car within 5 grand that has a higher level interior.
Everyone that has a 3 knows about the initial "cramped" feel that comes from the center stack... and most seemed to adjust to it quickly, I know I did. This car didn't feel bigger, but it also didn't feel smaller at all.
Biggest negative is the price! I don't know what everyone else is seeing, but ALL of the gt models were well above 26,000 (I am in Cali), which is absurd to me. I love my 3, but part of the reason I dig it so much is because it is so fun and (to me) such a bargain at 18,000... (I could have gone with the gt for another 2,000 at the time), but anything on this car north of 25,000 is crazy! I am sure lots won't agree with me on this, and I have no clue what the dealership is willing to take off, but I was REALLY disappointed about the prices.

Also was unhappy that mazda passed on incorporating direct injection on this one... that alone might get me to wait and see what they annouce for 2011!

 

[Mazda3]

I think the seating area is about the same as the 09, they added about 3" to the trunk.

I'm suprised to hear US pricing is that high. Base GT in Canada is about $24k, $28k with leather, Nav, Bose etc. Usually there is a bigger difference between US and Canada pricing.

I was silently hoping for direct injection as well. I think its a matter of Mazda not wanting to put all their cards on the table at once. They will probably add the DI when they feel Honda/Toyota has pushed them a little more. Right now the 3 is so far ahead of thier competition. The Mazda 3 is the number one selling car in Canada the first 2 months of 2009.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Did Mazda decided to push margin higher?

I think the seating area is about the same as the 09, they added about 3" to the trunk.

I'm suprised to hear US pricing is that high. Base GT in Canada is about $24k, $28k with leather, Nav, Bose etc. Usually there is a bigger difference between US and Canada pricing.

I was silently hoping for direct injection as well. I think its a matter of Mazda not wanting to put all their cards on the table at once. They will probably add the DI when they feel Honda/Toyota has pushed them a little more. Right now the 3 is so far ahead of thier competition. The Mazda 3 is the number one selling car in Canada the first 2 months of 2009.

My understanding is that while Mazda sold a ton of 04-09 3's the profit margin was relatively low. Mazda maybe pushing the market price to see if the 3 can pull down greater margin.

Not sure of this. Does any one have any insight?

 

[Donas64]

Much like the new Mazda 6, I REALLY want to like the new 3, but I can't. The New 6 still has not grown on me, I'll have to reserve judgment on the new 3 till I see some in the wild (I've only seen 1 thus far) but it's not looking good.

Looks like my wifes next car will be one of these. You remember, back when Mazda made handsome athletic looking cars I kid because I love.

 

[my3needsaname]

Much like the new Mazda 6, I REALLY want to like the new 3, but I can't. The New 6 still has not grown on my, I'll have to reserve judgment on the new 3 till I see some in the wild (I've only seen 1 thus far) but it's not looking good.

Looks like my wifes next car will be one of these. You remember, back when Mazda made handsome athletic looking cars I kid because I love.

I sure do! Well, handsome and athletic looking but mine still doesn't appear to be running quite right.
Ah well, I still like mine better than the new 3, I just want mine to have the new 2.5L and to be about 900 pounds lighter...one can dream...

 

[Akaveli]

Mazda has seriously fumbled the ball with the 2010 3 & MS3. I'm seriously dissappointed.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

I sure do! Well, handsome and athletic looking but mine still doesn't appear to be running quite right.
Ah well, I still like mine better than the new 3, I just want mine to have the new 2.5L and to be about 900 pounds lighter...one can dream...

where did this 900 lbs lighter come from

that doesnt sound right

maybe 90, but not 900.

 

[my3needsaname]

where did this 900 lbs lighter come from

that doesnt sound right

maybe 90, but not 900.

My car (08.5 Mazda3 GT) weighs 3,993 lbs per the manufacturer door tag sticker thing...
The 2010 Mazda3 GT I was looking at in the showroom weighed 3,064 lbs per manufacturer tag thingy...
Also Mazda's site has those specs. So that's about 900 lbs lighter than the previous generation.

 

[Mazda3]

My car (08.5 Mazda3 GT) weighs 3,993 lbs per the manufacturer door tag sticker thing...
The 2010 Mazda3 GT I was looking at in the showroom weighed 3,064 lbs per manufacturer tag thingy...
Also Mazda's site has those specs. So that's about 900 lbs lighter than the previous generation.

The listed weight of a 2008.5 Mazda 3 Sport GT 5-speed is 2948lbs. The comparable 2010 model is listed at 3018lbs. That door sticker is maximum weight including passengers and cargo. Even my CX-7 GT AWD only weighs 3940lbs.

 

[Mazda3]

Mazda has seriously fumbled the ball with the 2010 3 & MS3. I'm seriously dissappointed.

That is a matter of opinion. I and many others love the car. And as I stated earlier the 2010 Mazda 3 is now the number one selling car in Canada the first 2 months of this year. They were number 3 last year and have now surpassed the Civic and Corolla.

 

[my3needsaname]

The listed weight of a 2008.5 Mazda 3 Sport GT 5-speed is 2948lbs. The comparable 2010 model is listed at 3018lbs. That door sticker is maximum weight including passengers and cargo. Even my CX-7 GT AWD only weighs 3940lbs.

You're 100% on that one? Because I'm either reading the site wrong or it actually is 900lbs lighter...