the 2010 mazda 3 is here!

[damieG82]

I'm torn regarding the looks... I quite like Ford's new "Kinetic" design theme, as seen on the local Focus and Mondeo... if anything the new Mazda designs are more sporty than Ford's, but I've never been a complete fan of such design... I like some elegance and fluidity mixed in, which the Fords have by the bucket load.

But I gotta disagree regarding Fords giving more trouble... the 1st gen Focus had some issues because it was a new platform and all new engines, which invariably meant they'd experience some teething problems... but from the 2nd gen 2005 model, they are as problem free as any other car... considering every make & model of car will have lemons throughout its production run

But back to d M3.... great car... but overpriced.... which in the long run will result in comparatively poor resale value

[gready123456]

$limthug$ta2k2 nice car man love the 2010 hatchback though

[wing]

Congrats Slimthug.......saw the car on the road today on the Link Rd. looks awesome in person....I know you will enjoy the zoom zoom .

[mazdamig]

210k for a mazda 3 what the hell

[acesinghit]

whats the update slim, any feedback on your ownership thus far?

[$limthug$ta2k2]

whats the update slim, any feedback on your ownership thus far?

jus cool, so far so good... 1 month since i hav her exactly... 1800k's, noticed so far that gas consumption is a little on the high side compared to the older model. i get bout 380 k on a full tank. which is kinda shitty imo.
Other than that I'm enjoying it alot... overall the ride is totally different than on the 1st gen... same 1.6 MZR engine but with the Electronic Power Steering the managed to squeeze a few extra HP out of it... so acceleration is a little better.
Get's dirty fas... fed up of washin down everyday. but other than that i'm enjoyin it...

jus waitin for the mods and accessories now

[damieG82]

well the fuel consumption should get better as the engine gets broken in.... didnt realise the new ones had electric power steering tho. The system keeps getting bad reviews in the handling dept so I'm really interested to find out how Mazda tweeked it... becuz I sure Mazda would never make a poor handling car


As for it getting dirty, I have the same problem since my car is also black. I heard that auto glym polishes do a good job at keeping dirt off longer between washes... gotta try it sometime

[acesinghit]

even though i know i drive a sheit car, i can't stand it when its dirty so yeah.......i find time to wash exterior every 2 or so days and interior always showroom clean. engine and under wash prolly on a weekend or every other weekend ( i try not to drive fast on wet roads especially when rain is over due to road spray and ofcourse driving too close to the vehicle in front) im sure if i was the owner of a new black 3 i would be washing it every night.

but 380k on a full tank of premium isn't all that bad, as damie say it would get better after it properly break in but remember despite having the EPAS system, the 3 is a bigger and heavier car than before and the 1.6 has its work cut-out to propel it plus im sure you don't drive like a retired gentleman driving a corolla and a/c mostly on.

people usually get 450-500kms max on 1.3 yaris sedans so 380 not that bad.

check this site out for add-ons
http://www.mazdastuff.com/directory.cfm?CategoryID=271

[bds]

anyone by chance knows if the transmisson in this model had been upgraded to a 5-speed auto as oppsed to the first gen's 4-speed auto???

[acesinghit]

^^^yeah right its still the same carry over 4AT ACTIVEMATIC. The 5AT ACTIVEMATIC is for the 2.0 and 2.5 versions. The previous Mazda 3 2.3L also had the 5AT.

I know wrt local compacts, the Honda Civic seems to be the only one with a 5-speed automatic.

[Greypatch]

i went yesterday (thursday) and saw the 2010 mazda 3 in the pos showroom, the car is blue in colour anyway the actual price is $199,000.00

here is what you get:

-1.6 DOHC 16V SV-T with 4-speed activematic (carried over MZR Z6V from previous model with slighted re-routed air intake)(an AE101 Corolla with 4A-FE is still more powerful and fuel efficient)
-electro hydraulic power assist steering
-15" 5-lug alloy rims
-4-wheel disc brakes with ABS/EBD/EBA (carry over tech. again)(8yr old NZE Corollas have this feature as well)
-same front/rear independent mc pherson strut/rear multi-link with stabiliser bars front/back (carry over tech. again)
-dual srs airbags (96' Civic EK SiR has this too)
-tilt/telescopic steering (yawn..carried over)
-powered: locks, mirrors, windows (92' B12 SG-X have this too)
-split seats in rear with center arm rest (just like some roro B14's)
-front and rear adjustable head rests (97' AE111 Corollas have this too)
-keyless entry with anti-theft immobiliser, trunk release and windows roll up/down feature (9yr old Almeras have this except windows function)
-projector beam headlights (carried over)
-integrated trunk lid rear third stop light (just like a 95' B14 Rooster-up boom-c version)
-am/fm/cd/cdr/mp3/wma single CD stereo with 4-speakers (carried over)(chevy aveos have this too)
-outside temperature display (9yr old elantras have this too)

NEW MAZDA 3 LACKS:

-sunroof
-auto wipers
-auto head lights
-electric driver's seat
-6 cd changer with amp, sub and tweeters
-fog lights
-spoiler
-leather seats
-16"/17" rims
-mud guards or flair kit
-auto climate control
-steering wheel mounted audio controls
-side mirrors indicator lights
-dual split exhaust
-2.0 or 2.5 DOHC 16V SV-T engine
-5-speed activematic

so being a bigger and heavier car than b4 and yet we get a base-model version for nearlly $200k? and it only has 145Nm of torque? Oh well, might as well buy the new Kia Cerato for those who in this market.