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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
i will say the one thing i really liked was the transmission. like really really liked it. shifting was absolute butter compared to the other mazda manuals i have driven.
I tested out a 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring
- Thread starter Rockin03mp5
- Start date
I test drove a black & tan 2010 GT sedan with tech package last week, and was completely sold. I'm waiting to see what the government works out with regards to sales tax deductions [passed today] and cash-for-clunkers (although I think my wife's 99 protege gets the same gas mileage as the 2010 
and won't be eligible) but I'm probably going to go down this week and make my local dealer grab one of the two white/black 5-door GT/Tech 6spds in my region.
Here's why:
1) The smile really isn't anything to get worked up over. It's a little polarizing, but I kind of dig it. I think I'm going to get it in white just to force the issue.
2) The interior is on an entirely different level from anything in the class. The subtle LED touches are beyond cool. The fit and finish is fantastic. The seats are very comfortable and the leather is high quality. I'm a dork and I'm probably a slightly different market than the majority of people here, but I love all the fancy electronic touches like the keyless start and bluetooth. Yes, the center stack is fussy, but the controls on the steering wheels should mitigate that. I *love* the nav. It's visually appealing, it's easy to use, it's in a great spot, and it's NOT TOUCHSCREEN. Do people really like those gigantic nav systems that replace the radio and require you to look down to see? And touchscreen systems are pretty worthless when you live in a climate that requires gloves on occasion.
3) It's a *fantastic* deal for all the stuff you get, compared to other vehicles in its class. That $1200 tech package is one of the best deals in the new car business, in my opinion. (Although it requires the moonroof / bose package, which at $1400 is kind of a ripoff.)
4) It drives great. I drove an 09 a few months ago, and my normal ride is a P5. The 6spd is crisp, the brakes are nice, it's quiet, it's stable, and it handles very well - not as light on its feet as my P5, but more planted.
It's honestly the car I've been dreaming about for the last five years - BMW features and driving feel, hatchback practicality, Japanese reliability and efficiency. I don't think the 09's even come close, but I'm coming from a P5 and have no stake in how cool the previous gen are perceived to be.
and won't be eligible) but I'm probably going to go down this week and make my local dealer grab one of the two white/black 5-door GT/Tech 6spds in my region.Here's why:
1) The smile really isn't anything to get worked up over. It's a little polarizing, but I kind of dig it. I think I'm going to get it in white just to force the issue.
2) The interior is on an entirely different level from anything in the class. The subtle LED touches are beyond cool. The fit and finish is fantastic. The seats are very comfortable and the leather is high quality. I'm a dork and I'm probably a slightly different market than the majority of people here, but I love all the fancy electronic touches like the keyless start and bluetooth. Yes, the center stack is fussy, but the controls on the steering wheels should mitigate that. I *love* the nav. It's visually appealing, it's easy to use, it's in a great spot, and it's NOT TOUCHSCREEN. Do people really like those gigantic nav systems that replace the radio and require you to look down to see? And touchscreen systems are pretty worthless when you live in a climate that requires gloves on occasion.
3) It's a *fantastic* deal for all the stuff you get, compared to other vehicles in its class. That $1200 tech package is one of the best deals in the new car business, in my opinion. (Although it requires the moonroof / bose package, which at $1400 is kind of a ripoff.)
4) It drives great. I drove an 09 a few months ago, and my normal ride is a P5. The 6spd is crisp, the brakes are nice, it's quiet, it's stable, and it handles very well - not as light on its feet as my P5, but more planted.
It's honestly the car I've been dreaming about for the last five years - BMW features and driving feel, hatchback practicality, Japanese reliability and efficiency. I don't think the 09's even come close, but I'm coming from a P5 and have no stake in how cool the previous gen are perceived to be.
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Rockin03mp5
Member
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- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
yeah, the p5's are a harsher ride.
TheLongshot
Member
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)
One of my wife's biggest annoyances are the lack of bright colors in cars. Coming from a bright green Toyota Tercel, she was frustrated that the best she could do was Copper Red.
BTW, we are a new owner of an '09 3 Touring HB in Copper Red. Unlike some here I'm not really turned off by the '10, but I still really like the previous body style and it comes in a much cheaper price point, so it is a no brainer for me. Also, I don't like being the guinea pig for working out problems in a new model. I probably wouldn't go into a new model for a couple of years as they worked out the bugs.
Rockin03mp5
Member
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- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
nobody is
but then again i wasnt a fan of the 3's front at all.
still love the p5 look!
if only the p5 had the 3's drivetrain
but then again i wasnt a fan of the 3's front at all.
still love the p5 look!
if only the p5 had the 3's drivetrain
Same here. Some say the P5 looks dated. I still get people asking me if my car is a 2007 or 2008 model. Good looks never go out of style.
AtenzaNY62
Member
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- mazda6
mazda fails with the new 3 design. the interior looks good though. cant wait for autoexe to fix that uglyyyy grille with a bodykit.
Congrats on now having ur own little 2010 3 forum section new mazds owners. I now see the new shiny little grins circling around and lighting up my city both hatches and sedans. Many people who stated before it looks better in darker colours I couldn't agree with myself more. Otherwise good on happy Mazda for trying something different this time but they sure did make me love my old generation even more.
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Same here - I always disliked the 04-09 look. Took me till last year to finally accept it as "sexy"
. So it's easy for me to make the jump to the 10.Rockin03mp5
Member
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- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
durrrrr. speeeeeed!
i think the problem is, is the change was not gradual and it is extreme. I think in a matter of a year or 2 the changes of this model will not seem so agressive. I agree that the front grill is a lot wilder then normal but if I wanted something conservative in looks I would not consider a mazda at all.
the way I see it is Mazda is trying to push the envelope in some regards and the simple fact there is this much debate going on means mazda=wins.
hate it or love it, your all talking about it.
the way I see it is Mazda is trying to push the envelope in some regards and the simple fact there is this much debate going on means mazda=wins.
hate it or love it, your all talking about it.
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- 2010 Mazda CX-9 GT Dolphin Gray
I've always disliked the 04-09 too, until a friend convinced me to get a MS3. That was wierd to me because he drives a bugeye WRX and a Subaru enthusiast until he dies.Same here - I always disliked the 04-09 look. Took me till last year to finally accept it as "sexy"
Please explain...
Can someone please explain; why you need to redline a car while in break in. I heard that it is not good to do this? Is there anything out on the internet about this. Thanks.
Can someone please explain; why you need to redline a car while in break in. I heard that it is not good to do this? Is there anything out on the internet about this. Thanks.
Rockin03mp5
Member
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- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
yeah, i heard dont redline right away. new seals and such. but it isnt as big of a deal as it used to be.
