I tested out a 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring

I was at Sesi the other day and looked at some first hand. I like some of the new paint colors, but overall, I'm not sold on it. I would much rather take the '09 before I got a '10.
 
I like the 2010 3 more everytime I see it. What a great little car. Much better looking than the out going model.
 
I'm sure it will grow on me but what the hell were they thinking with that front end? I see they dont have door moldings anymore.

i am not exactly a fan of the new design, but apparently it has some functionality as it pertains to drag coefficient. the end result is a 0.29 Cd, one of the lowest drag coefficients in the compact class. may help with gas mileage on the hwy or something
 
In case anyone was wondering about the looks of the hatch here are some pics =/

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what was the tach reading at 60 mph in 6th gear

didnt remember, but i do know that at 75, it was at about 3.1k rpms.

my p5 is at 3.1 at around 70, and it only has 4 gears.

my 5 is at 3.0 at around 80 mph. it only has 5 gears.

and thanks for them pics judman!
 
It's one of those designs that I think will grow on me over time...I'm diggin' the hatch more already...(thumb)

Big Thanks to Rockin03mp5 & judman13 for the pics & reviews! (2thumbs)
 
it may, but the horrible gear ratio still wont

The gear ratio's are performanced based. It's not a useless 6-speed with 2 useless overdrive gears. The gear ratio's are functional for spirited driving. This car is sold in about 75% automatic now. Mazda is assuming that the very small % of people that will actualy by this car in the manual are more concerned with performance and would be willing to sacrifice 1-2 MPG for a more spirited driving experience. The ratio's aren't horrible and they are that way for a reason. Buy a 2.0L model if MPG is that important.
 
what was the tach reading at 60 mph in 6th gear

3100 is to 75 as x is to 60. Do the math!

The MZ3 has final gear ratios of 0.755 and 0.725, respectively, for the 5sp man. and 4sp auto. I'm now looking for the ratios for the MS3 and 6sp 2010 MZ3.

MS3 = 0.853:1
2010 MZ3 = 0.69 (5sp) and 6sp?

Someone said this on another forum:

" Odd to see that the new GT MZ3 cut over half a second on its 0-60, down to 7.6 seconds according to MT. While C/D had the 1st gen MZ3 running 0-60 in 7.4 seconds. If the half second is consistent, the C/D will do it in just under 7 seconds. Then again 0-60 times aren't all that important, specifically when dealing with economy small/mid size sedans.

well a big thing would be a 6 speed with slightly lower gears and a better 2.5 liter torque curve for city driving :)


well, based on the new gear ratios the new 6-spd at 80mph should turn 3350 rpm instead of 3550 rpm in 5-spd. I was hoping a little bit lower rpm but it is better than nothing."

Just found this, too: http://locost7.info/gearcalc.php
 
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The gear ratio's are performanced based. It's not a useless 6-speed with 2 useless overdrive gears. The gear ratio's are functional for spirited driving. This car is sold in about 75% automatic now. Mazda is assuming that the very small % of people that will actualy by this car in the manual are more concerned with performance and would be willing to sacrifice 1-2 MPG for a more spirited driving experience. The ratio's aren't horrible and they are that way for a reason. Buy a 2.0L model if MPG is that important.

when most of your driving to and from work is freeway, at 70 and up, you kinda want a little better gearing for the last 2 gears. that and during acceleration, too close of gears means more shifting, and therefore slower times. i just want it to cruise better. i just think they could have spaced the gearing better.

and the gear ratios are acceleration performance based.

mazdas have never been known for their gas mileage. they run rich. obviously i care more about the zoom zoom, but when the car is also a to and from work vehicle, i wish that it could get a little better gas mileage, when just cruising. im just asking for a little better gearing in the final 2 gears, ones that normally arent used in "spirited driving". I think that many of us wouldnt mind that, or think that it hurts the spirit of mazdas.

dont get me wrong, the car was very fun to drive. it has a lot of features for the money. (adaptive zenon headlights for one) it would be a great car if you can get over the looks. there are just some things that i dont like. and i probably wouldnt get one, but to each their own. i think the 5 speed would be plenty, unless the final gear is worse. i wish i had more time to really check them out. I also wanted to drive a speed 3 and just see what real power is, but my car was ready, and i didnt want to bug them too much.
 
the match book size nav gots to go...and the optioned up steering wheel, can we get some more features on it? like possibly the back up cam. rofl....and don't forget about that animated gremlin grin...
 
when most of your driving to and from work is freeway, at 70 and up, you kinda want a little better gearing for the last 2 gears. that and during acceleration, too close of gears means more shifting, and therefore slower times. i just want it to cruise better. i just think they could have spaced the gearing better.

and the gear ratios are acceleration performance based.

mazdas have never been known for their gas mileage. they run rich. obviously i care more about the zoom zoom, but when the car is also a to and from work vehicle, i wish that it could get a little better gas mileage, when just cruising. im just asking for a little better gearing in the final 2 gears, ones that normally arent used in "spirited driving". I think that many of us wouldnt mind that, or think that it hurts the spirit of mazdas.

dont get me wrong, the car was very fun to drive. it has a lot of features for the money. (adaptive zenon headlights for one) it would be a great car if you can get over the looks. there are just some things that i dont like. and i probably wouldnt get one, but to each their own. i think the 5 speed would be plenty, unless the final gear is worse. i wish i had more time to really check them out. I also wanted to drive a speed 3 and just see what real power is, but my car was ready, and i didnt want to bug them too much.

I understand what you want. I was just explaining why Mazda didn't do it that way. You are in a small % group that would choose the bigger engine with the 6-speed and want better cruising gears. I know what you are probably going to say, but try the automatic. I guarantee it will be the best automatic in a car under $40k you have ever driven. It's not the same 5-speed from last year. There is improved programming and response. They have also cranked up the response time on the drive-by-wire throttle. It will rev lower at 75 mph. The 1/4 mile times are almost identical to the 6-speed. The only time the 6-speed would be a real advantage is when doing autocross/rally/parking lot type racing.
 
Yeah

I like the 2010 3 more everytime I see it. What a great little car. Much better looking than the out going model.

The white hatch is pretty nice looking- The contrasting black grille looks nice.

Like most great cars the 3 was a hard act to follow. Still I applaude Mazda for taking a chance with the new look. The interior in the 2010's are very nice. The cup holder thing is no different than what current 3 owners have to deal with. I think that's why Mazda added some holders to the door. I always put my bottled water in the door. Coffee and such goes in the center.

Funny how people can't be satisfied. I remember people were complaining about the $2000 Nav Package. Now Mazda tries to solve that issue and more complaints. The Nav is no smaller than the Garmin Nuvi in my wife's 5. It sits just about as far. When I sat in the 2010 I thought the Nav was perfectly placed.
 
you can definitely feel mazda spent less on it...the interior feels much cheaper...when it was on the lift the techs pointed cheaper things like the FSB/RSB, smaller than last years generations...they were pointing out things i wouldn't of even thought of...like bolts and clips things like that...
 
The white hatch is pretty nice looking- The contrasting black grille looks nice.

Like most great cars the 3 was a hard act to follow. Still I applaude Mazda for taking a chance with the new look. The interior in the 2010's are very nice. The cup holder thing is no different than what current 3 owners have to deal with. I think that's why Mazda added some holders to the door. I always put my bottled water in the door. Coffee and such goes in the center.

Funny how people can't be satisfied. I remember people were complaining about the $2000 Nav Package. Now Mazda tries to solve that issue and more complaints. The Nav is no smaller than the Garmin Nuvi in my wife's 5. It sits just about as far. When I sat in the 2010 I thought the Nav was perfectly placed.

I've always liked the sedan better, but I actually think I like the hatch in the 2010 model. I love the back end and for the grill haters the smile seems less pronounced on the hatch.
 
you can definitely feel mazda spent less on it...the interior feels much cheaper...when it was on the lift the techs pointed cheaper things like the FSB/RSB, smaller than last years generations...they were pointing out things i wouldn't of even thought of...like bolts and clips things like that...

Sorry, but this comment is just completely false. The Interior is a huge improvement. The materials used are a step up from everything in this class of car. This is something that every critic has commented on. Sorry just a false statement.
 
Sorry, but this comment is just completely false. The Interior is a huge improvement. The materials used are a step up from everything in this class of car. This is something that every critic has commented on. Sorry just a false statement.

sorry its the facts...it feels so cheap inside compared to last generation...and the parts the techs were comparing underneath the car...lol...no comparo...a good place to start would be at the match book nav...lol
 

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