I tested out a 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring

I test drove a 2010 5 door today with the 2.5. they are nasty. if i had the money i would be outside in the 26 degree weather right now waxing it. i might even sleep in it. i may have to get the soon to be wife to get one so i can still get my evo and have a mazda. the protege will retire to winter beater
 
"Nasty" as in "good"??

I test drove a 2010 5 door today with the 2.5. they are nasty. if i had the money i would be outside in the 26 degree weather right now waxing it. i might even sleep in it. i may have to get the soon to be wife to get one so i can still get my evo and have a mazda. the protege will retire to winter beater

You guys and your colorful language. :)
 
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I just want to put in my 2 cents. Being a Mazda loyalist, I can honestly say I didn't like the car from the beginning and the grill just made it even worse for me to look at. I don't agree with the interior layout, it just seems like it's too busy. Maybe if they consolidated everything in the center of the dash like the other Mazda vehicles with a touch screen like the new 6, 5, CX-7, and CX-9, that would've solved the small nav irritation everyone is having including myself. Why do for all the others and not one? I dont think the cost would've gone up much more than a fully loaded 3 is right now, but that's my opinion.

My only two gripes are the grill and busy interior. Other than that, it's starting to grow on me. Granted I would never buy one, but if I was in the market for a new car, I'd get the sedan. I think it's an awesome car and I'll congradulate anyone for buying one, but I don't feel it's any better than the outgoing model. Just different and has more options than it's predecessor. Either way, I like my MS3 more.

As said earlier, there's always people who will take to new designs and others won't. I applaud Mazda for trying something different, it's just not something I want. This was apparent on this forum when the 3 replaced the Protege. Everyone argued about the design, some liked it and some didn't. I didn't like it at first, it grew on me, bought a MS3, got rid of the Protege.

Here's some chopped pics of a sedan I found, which makes me like it even more. The grill is a little easier to look at, but the grin is still there. He also did one of the interior with a touchscreen from the new 6. Looks way better. He even did a MS3 sedan version. Sorry for jacking your thread Rockin03mp5 and flooding it with all these pics, I just found this subject interesting to talk about.


Golden-Yellow.jpg

I'm looking for others opinions as well as sharing my own. Good or bad are welcome.

Looking at pictures is one thing though, you have to go out and drive one. Although, if you have a speed3, there isnt too much for you in the new ones... yet.

Also, dig the wheels on those shops. And I love that gold color. I do wish there were more color options. I like bright colors for my small cars so you can actually see them. (never mind my black p5 ;))
 
on the engine. my mom has a 2.3 mazda 3 5-door. (ya we got a whole mazda family... my brother has a protege too) the 2.5 feels good. very quiet and civilized when just cruzing. when you hit the gas there is a difference between the 2.3 and the 2.5. i like it, another mazda or 2 sold in my opinion (btw does it bother anyone else that mazda is not a real word in spell check)
 
Here's some chopped pics of a sedan I found, which makes me like it even more. The grill is a little easier to look at, but the grin is still there. He also did one of the interior with a touchscreen from the new 6. Looks way better. He even did a MS3 sedan version. Sorry for jacking your thread Rockin03mp5 and flooding it with all these pics, I just found this subject interesting to talk about.

I love those wheels. Much better than the 2010 alloys.
And I would take that interior in a heartbeat.
 
Looking at pictures is one thing though, you have to go out and drive one. Although, if you have a speed3, there isnt too much for you in the new ones... yet.
Yeah, I know and I'm looking forward to test driving one soon just to see all the changes for myself. You maybe right, pics might not do it any justice so I guess we'll all have to see for ourselves in person. I just don't agree with the styling, that's all. This doesn't mean the next guy won't, but styling is number one on my list when choosing what vehicles I buy. Price comes second.

We all know the new speed3 is just around the corner, but there's really nothing special about it. Mazda hasn't made any real improvements to it over the current gen, only minor tweaks, new interior, and new sheet metal. No big HP/TQ gains like everyone wanted. So why would I trade-in my first gen for one? It would be pointless. The only thing I would be getting out of the deal is different styling. IMHO, the new speed3 it isn't any better. It's a tad bit heavier and has a tad less HP. I can't remember the specs on TQ. I would suggest to anyone with a current speed3 thinking of a trade-in to consider this, what would you really gain? Someone that doesn't have a speed3 should get one.

Again, I won't be getting one or a 2010 3 but anyone wanting one should go out and treat themselves to a new car. Go for it, I don't think it's a bad car even though I haven't done a full review of it myself. The one thing I am looking forward to, is to see how the new speed3 and 2010 3 fairs up against it's competition. I can't wait to see all the reviews and comparisons in C/D, Road & Track, and Motortrend. The only thing I can do is just sit back and cheer Mazda on.
 
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I think Mazda dropped the ball in the performance area for the new 3s. Yea 168hp is a nice SMALL bump in hp when you compare it to previous years but overall it isn't much. When I compare it to the 04-06 2.3l 3s, their stock hp is 160. The new 2.5l is 168 plus they added a 6speed tranny. A gain of 8hp and plus additional gear added to the tranny?! What for?! Unless it was geared towards making the car more fuel efficient. Another thing I notice is that the newer models are much heavier then the first gens. Almost close to 200lbs heavier. Performance wises it doesn't seem worth it. I guess for new 3 owners this might be attractive to them but for previous 3 owners who might be interested in performance I don't think its worth it.
 
I didn't have time to read through the whole thread but I just wanted to mention while I do agree about the cupholders (same as the old 3 basically) I guess that's why they include cupholders in the doors.
 
And I thought My wife and I were the only ones that would deem the '10 the "Happy Car''!
Pushed us right to the '09 GT3 and a GT6. no speed, just zoom freakin' zoom!
 
dude, seriously, just because YOU like it doesnt mean that those of us who DONT like it shouldnt voice our opinion nor is it any less valid than yours.

Just stop.

Actually it's just old hearing the same thing about the smile over and over. Actually, the rear end comment was interesting because myself and most people actually have positive things to say about that part.

I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion though. Just seems some are being a bit overly critical?
 
I love the dual exhaust. I like symmetry, and i wouldnt have noticed the cup holder problem if my wife wasnt carrying around a water bottle. I normally dont eat or drink in my car. My car is for driving. I have tunes, but who doesnt need some metal to get them going Zoom Zoom!
 
Amen to that...

Actually it's just old hearing the same thing about the smile over and over. Actually, the rear end comment was interesting because myself and most people actually have positive things to say about that part.

I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion though. Just seems some are being a bit overly critical?

I think it's the way people are expressing themselves. There's a difference between saying "I don't care for the new styling" and "Mazda F&%$ up big time" or "The new 3 is a disaster"

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but there's a good way to say something and a bad way. Some of you are just vulgar and completely lacking perspective.
 
I really dig the look of those pchops, P2K...I think the new front-end looks much better without the chrome detailing...Now that I've seen those pchops...I'm really interested in seeing how people visually mod the new 3....I definitely think it will take time for most people (myself included) to get used to the new design (should help keep it fresh) but I believe it will happen and I hope the new 3 will be a success for Mazda.
 
I think it's the way people are expressing themselves. There's a difference between saying "I don't care for the new styling" and "Mazda F&%$ up big time" or "The new 3 is a disaster"

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but there's a good way to say something and a bad way. Some of you are just vulgar and completely lacking perspective.

I agree 100%.
 
2010 Mazda 3

i dunno if anybody's seen one in real life yet, but i sure as heck did! it was on the lot at a Slidell, Louisiana mazda dealership. it's hot like sex:

2010Mazda3-front.jpg


2010Mazda3-rear.jpg


2010Mazda3-taillight.jpg


-r
 
seen one and drove one, six speed manual. its a nice car but i'm happier with the 04-09 design.
 

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