First off, in a car like the Mazda3 with a very nicely integrated stock system, I would not want to mod it more than maybe replacing the speakers. Every aftermarket head unit job I've seen in a Mazda3 has looked terrible. For that alone I'd want the Bose system.
Secondly, I'm no big Bose fan. My parents have a full Bose setup for our home theatre back home and it's really sub par for the extreme cost (and Bose is a non-profit). What I do like is the Bose systems I have heard in cars. My mom's 2003 Altima 2.5SL had the factory Bose and for 180 watts and no subwoofer it was stellar. They tune the system for the soundstage of the car it is going in so I think they know how to make a better sounding system than just tossing random aftermarket speakers in. In my mom's 2005 Altima 3.5SE (the 2003 4-cyl needed to go) the Bose system is even better. The head unit has basically the same button layout (even though the 05 has a welcome complete redesign of the interior) so I don't think it changed, but the amp in the trunk is bigger and IIRC puts out 20-40 more watts. If it was my car I wouldn't be compelled to install a subwoofer at all.
In conclusion Bose can sound great when they tune it for the environment it's being used in. For their home audio stuff, blech. I'm much happier with my Polk Audio setup in my college apartment.
Oh and BTW thanks CHICO for posting those new pics. HOLY CRAP the interior is amazing. the seats, the 6-spd.. *drools*
If it was a Sedan I would be calling my mom every day telling her how much I loved her so that I could get the damn thing. As a hatch, I think it looks terrible. fat ugly slob of a car, but with such an amazing interior.
