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Comments
I have yet to drive them, for they are getting preped in the shop, however, they look great! That "smile" is not nearly as obtrusive in person. The interior quality is second to none. It absolutely smokes the Corolla and Civic in terms of quality of materials as well as build quality. The seats just hug you and the driver focused cockpit is simply amazing.
I was very worried about the front before I saw it in person. Not now. This car will sell, and sell very very well.
I will post back after I drive it!
I noticed they did away with one of the gauges on the 2010 model. What did they do with the engine temperature and fuel gauge that was on the 2009 model?
In looking at pictures it's very hard to tell. Thanks for all the info.
David
David
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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Share your vehicle reviews
Thanks.
BTW - Aviboy, we're all looking forward to your take after driving the 2010 next week!
The fuel gauge is in the lower center of the gauge cluster. It is digital reading like this ( E----|----F). There is no more temperature gauge now, but there is a temp icon that looks like a funny looking sail boat that will light up if the engine is running hot.
I was playing around with the GT w/ tech that I have and was fiddling with the MID system. It's really useful for many reasons. First, it does more then show your various fuel economy readings, but, also gives you real-time maintenance updates for fluids and tires. The display is very vibrant and easy to read, even though the screen is far away and not very big.
I like the idea of the nav system being small. Mazda really went after the Garmin type nav system with integration. There is no need for a 7 in nav screen, although they are nice. This makes nav more affordable, and is still pretty useful.
I have spent some good time in the interior and I have noticed that Mazda has payed huge attention to detail. This interior is so much better then the first gen Mazda3. There are also a lot of soft touch materials, and the car just has a more solid, quality feel to it. I'm not saying that the first gen was not quality, but, the 2010 is just better.
When you park a 2009 next to the 2010, the 2009 really looks dated.....I know, I know...I can't believe it either, considering that the 2009 still looked far more advanced then anything else out there.
I also took notice that there are many personalization features that can be customized, just like the 2009 Mazda6.
Anyway, Mazda is comming for training on Monday, as I said a few days ago. I'm eager to learn how this new Mazda3 works.
Thank you for the information. I wonder if this was a cost cutting action. Cheaper to install a two gauge cluster instead of 3. A little disappointing.
One last question. Can you tell me if the rear seats in the hatchback lay down completely flat like in the Honda Fit?
Each of the 3 dealers here in the Austin, TX area received 4 2010 sedans this week.
I plan to stop by for a look this weekend. I'll be waiting for the hatchback. Just seems like it has more functionality.
You can build one on cars.com. They seem to be the first. Checked edmunds, kbb and carsdirect but they don't list the 2010 yet.
Dealer is on eastern Long Island, NY. I'd be sure that other dealers in my area have them too, if he has them.
Were I interested in one, I think it'd have to be black to hide that
We pick it up tonight. Best price we could get on a 2010 was 500 off MSRP with a custom order and a wait of 2-3 months.
The 09 was loaded with every option/accessory accept for NAV. Walked off with $3000 off MSRP, $1000 cash back from Mazda and zero percent financing for 36 months and a potential tax credit for the sales tax.
To good a deal to pass up and she's happy with the Copper Red Mica and Black Leather interior.
Sorry, but the temperature gauge on the 2009 Mazda3 will not be able to tell you that. Said another way, if it registers "Hot", it's already too late. Why? Because the needle will continue to point to the "Normal" position until a certain threshold has been reached, and then suddenly jump to the "Hot" position.
I too prefer real temperature gauges, however, what passes for a "temperature gauge" in the era of OBD-II is what could best be described as an idiot needle. In other words, it essentially has three states, cold, normal, and overheated, and this applies to all cars with a gauge from all manufacturers, bar none.
I'm not sure what it is about the OBD-II specifications that preclude manufacturers from putting a real temperature gauge in their cars, but I haven't driven a single car since the mid to late 1990s that had a real gauge, my Mazdas, Dodges, VWs and BMWs included.
With all that said, I suppose an OBD-II style idiot needle is slightly more desirable compared to an idiot light, but not by much.
Best regards,
Shipo
I don't think it has anything to do with OBD II, I think the change to the "idiot needle" cam about because too many of us are idiots and would be concerned that the needle was pointing a bit toward the hot side, while still well below the red danger area.
Does the $3000 off include the rebate or did you actually get $4000 off, after the rebate is considered?
Regarding your wife's Jetta, once the needle gets up to the "normal" spot, I'd be very surprised if it varies even a single degree (in travel not in temperature), regardless of what's actually happening under the hood.
FWIW, I've owned a number of pre-OBD VWs and Audis, and the temperature gauges were very lively, even to the point of being able to tell exactly when the thermostat opened following a cold start. That said, my last VW (a Passat) had a temperature gauge that, once it moved to "normal", was deader than a doornail.
Best regards,
Shipo
Mazda decided to come today for training, as opposed to yesterday because of the blizzard we had. So, here are my thoughts...
Content:
There is much more valuable features in the 2010 Mazda3 like DSC/ TSC on all Mazda3's from the i Touring on up. The MID on the "s" models is very useful and very easy to read. The GT trim has so much content, and the price stayed the same as an 09. The nav system is based off of an SD card, which is a lot easier to update, as well as maintain. The SD card system also makes updates and future modifications to the nav system much easier.
I really like the adaptive front-lighting system. There is no car in this class that offers this, as well as bi-xenon headlights. The GT is really big bang for your buck.
Interior:
The interior materials and build quality are much better then the 09. It's probably one of the nicest interior I have ever seen. All controls are driver focused and easy to use. Even the nav controls on the steering wheel are easy to figure out, and only takes about 5 min to learn all the buttons on the steering wheel. They operate very similar to the outgoing model.
The seats are more supportive and made out of higher quality material. Mazda also extended the seat bottom an extra inch for those of us with long legs (I'm 6'3", so, I love it!) and an extra inch on the seat back.
Noise:
Road noise has been drastically reduced! This car is quiet! For those of us who are familiar with the first gen, there is a lot of road noise, and bumps can easily be heard in the cabin. Mazda basically eliminated this. You can hardly even hear the engine going, unless the RPM's are high.
Road feel:
The car handles just as good as the 1st gen. The frame is stiffer by using 40% more high tensile steel then gen1. The suspension also has stiffer bushings, creating a stiffer ride, however, since the car rides so much more quiet, you cannot hear the car absorbing those bumps.
Looks:
Purely subjective. The photos do the car no justice. The car looks much better in person. I stopped at the Vitamine Shoppe today in the 2010 Mazda3 to pick up some supplements, and the sales guy came in to my store early this afternoon to take a closer look at it. He loved the front end. While the front end is controversial, it's not as bad in person as the pics. It is actually growing on me. I never thought that would happen, but, I'm starting to like it.
The rest of the car is beautiful. The rear is really stylish.
Overall:
I really like this car. I am probably going to consider it to replace my Mazda6 with. I'm also really happy that the pricing is virtually the same. That's a big thing, considering our economy.
This car will sell well. I really like it. The test drive is what really sold me. It really is much better then the 09. I didn't think that was possible, but, Mazda did it. They improved on perfection. Kudos.
Excellent comments. Thanks so much for keeping us all updated.
Can't wait to get my hands on my Grand Touring Hatchback!!
Cheers,
Susie
I will let you know when you can expect to see them on dealer lots. Mazda has not shipped any just yet.
You're the best...wish you were closer so I could give you the sale
Best,
S
Best regards,
Shipo
Improved is an understatement. The 2010 is near silent compared to gen1.
I'm in search of 17" tires to replace my Michelin Pilot's on my Mazda6. They are loud, and makes the ride a little to harsh for my tastes. The ride quality has greatly diminished since the tires have really begun to wear.
IT'S TREMENDOUS!!!!
IT"S AS IF MAZDA HAS INVENTED THE CAR ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!
I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT ONE!!!!!
THE MODEL I LOOKED AT WAS 25.5K!!!!
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DEAL!!!!!!!
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DEAL!!!!!!!
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!
We are all entitled to an opinion. No question about that. However, in reference to the $25,500 sticker you saw, name another car that has an MSRP of $25,500 that you can get the following in......
167hp/168tq engine
6-speed manual / 5-speed auto
leather / variable heated seats / power driver seat w/memory
keyless entry & push button start
navigation
Bluetooth 2.0 w/ Bluetooth audio
bi-xenon hi and low beams
adaptive rotating head lights
TCS / DSC
MID (fuel econ, real time maintainence update)
17" allow wheels
Bose s
surround sound w/ 10 speakers
moon roof
antitheft alarm
.....just to list a few features.....
....most importantly, you get more equipment then a 2009 GT w/nav for $300 LESS!!!!!
Now, if you are penny wise, then buy an 09 because of the aggressive Mazda support.
But the front wheel wells obviously needs some sound deadening material as well since you can hear sand off the roads hitting the wheel wells inside the car. Maybe some undercoating would help this.
Does anyone know what the tires on the 17" wheels are on the 2010s?
I don't see how the car can get 22_29 mpg with the auto tranny,maybe with a 5 or six speed. They have really put alot of thought into the design. It looks like a 30 to 40k automobile. I'd like to know how Honda or Toyota can match it.
The Mada has a stiffer suspension and an engine thats pratically a six cylinder. It's a 2.5 D.O.H.C. The Honda has a single over head camshaft.
I needed the lumbar support and Honda and Toyota didn't offer it.I have a 2008 I New value I bought May 29,09 and I have only 4000 miles on it and it's paid for.I don't use it much because of the stiff ride.
2010 Mazda3 prices have basically stayed the same as the 09 prices, and in fact,the loaded '10 GT w/ tech is less then the 09, but, has more equipment. I see the new pricing as a "job well done" by Mazda.
BTW, Honda's idea of a "loaded" Accord is leather, heated seats and a moon roof and nav. It's pretty funny that the Mazda3 s GT offers so much more then an Accord, outside of overall size and 2mpg's.
I sure do!
I just got in a 2010 5-door and it is in the shop getting PDI'd. Once it's done, I will take a look and see what type of anchors it has.
While perahps nominally true, in terms of MSRP, the actual selling prices will be a lot higher, at least for a while.
Just makes the "premium" nonsense associated with the new Mazda 3 seem even more ridiculous.
There alot of 2008's let alone 09's on lots.I don't even watch the news anymore.All you hear is that no one is spending and we will be using the "D" word soon.
I get better sevice from Mazda than Acura. The reason is the owner of my dealership has Ford,Toyota,Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes and VW dealerships previously owned by a drone. He bought them all,cleaned house and treats everybody like royality.His sale are up 7 percent from last year. Go figure. The Big three are bleeding billions of dollars. :confuse: