Author Topic: CTC Review: 2010 Mazda3 GT (Read 27268 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 17, 2009, 09:13:22 pm »

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Did I already lose four years of my life? It seems like only two years ago I picked up my very own Mazda3 Sport GT -- a 2006 model -- and now here I am driving a 2010 model! The car business is a little odd: we are barely into 2009 and the 2010 Mazda3s are on showroom floors and ready for you to take home. Lucky for me, I get to take a GT model home myself this week. More ...

Alex_S · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:11:15 pm »

I really like this new vehicle and I think it will receive high praise. Interior is fresh with clean lines and I would bet the fun factor remains. I'm warming up to the front fascia, which still reminds me of a smiling Pokemon/Pikachu character but should be a tight package overall.. A toss up between the Civic and Mazda3 in my opinion with both vehicles having their strengths..

Mitlov · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:18:48 pm »

Quote from: Alex_S on February 17, 2009, 11:11:15 pm

which still reminds me of a smiling Pokemon/Pikachu character but should be a tight package overall.

It does. Or a character from Pixar's Cars. That said, though, it looks like another solid contender for best (non-luxury, non-premium) compact sedan on the market.

Alex_S · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:21:24 pm »

If there is one blemish, I might say the front overhang is slightly longer and detracts marginally from the overall profile - but I'm really nitpicking here.. This look not for everyone but no denying it should still continue to sell well..

TopGun · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:31:24 pm »

So what does a car-nut do when he comes home from 10 hours of car show viewing...go on Canadian Driver of course!

OK...the ladies at the Mazda stand tell me that many folks are commenting negatively on the smiley face...add me to their list.

I hope the "extra" features work, because seeing the interior materials...well...I'll just quote rrocket by saying they're "craptastic". The quality of the plastic seems to have taken a step backwards...Mazda seems to have mimicked Honda's Civic plastic quality and awful layout...save the two-tiers.

rrocket · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:44:21 pm »

Quote from: TopGun on February 17, 2009, 11:31:24 pm

I hope the "extra" features work, because seeing the interior materials...well...I'll just quote rrocket by saying they're "craptastic". The quality of the plastic seems to have taken a step backwards...Mazda seems to have mimicked Honda's Civic plastic quality and awful layout...save the two-tiers.

Did I actually say that about the interior of the Mazda3?? I know I said it about the exterior looks...

Loudpedal · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:45:52 pm »

Wing, do the seat heating elements just heat the bottom cushion, or do they also heat the lower back rest?

TopGun · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:54:13 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on February 17, 2009, 11:44:21 pm

Quote from: TopGun on February 17, 2009, 11:31:24 pm

I hope the "extra" features work, because seeing the interior materials...well...I'll just quote rrocket by saying they're "craptastic". The quality of the plastic seems to have taken a step backwards...Mazda seems to have mimicked Honda's Civic plastic quality and awful layout...save the two-tiers.

Did I actually say that about the interior of the Mazda3?? I know I said it about the exterior looks...

Na, you didn't say that about the interior rrocket...we couldn't get past the exterior to even look. I just borrowed your term "craptastic".

Careener · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:59:12 pm »

Quote from: TopGun on February 17, 2009, 11:31:24 pm

The quality of the plastic seems to have taken a step backwards...Mazda seems to have mimicked Honda's Civic plastic quality and awful layout...save the two-tiers.

Agreed! I found the dash looked much cheaper than the current model. I found the centre stack a bit more modern but I definitely got a Honda vibe sitting in the 3.

rrocket · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2009, 12:16:24 am »

Quote from: TopGun on February 17, 2009, 11:54:13 pm

Na, you didn't say that about the interior rrocket...we couldn't get past the exterior to even look. I just borrowed your term "craptastic".

Ahhh...I see. LOL...right you are!! I was too busy belly-aching about the exterior......

Did they even have one open to inspect??

1TSX · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2009, 12:30:16 am »

Quote from: rrocket on February 18, 2009, 12:16:24 am

Quote from: TopGun on February 17, 2009, 11:54:13 pm

Na, you didn't say that about the interior rrocket...we couldn't get past the exterior to even look. I just borrowed your term "craptastic".

Ahhh...I see. LOL...right you are!! I was too busy belly-aching about the exterior......

Did they even have one open to inspect??

Mazda3s? They had like 4 open.

This car looks best in dark colors, especially black...because they hide the smiley face.

rrocket · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2009, 12:34:50 am »

^^No, no...In Detroit.....

Shnak · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2009, 07:06:51 am »

I wonder if Mazda has finally figured out their paint problem?

carcrazy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:25:43 am »

Quote from: TopGun on February 17, 2009, 11:31:24 pm

I hope the "extra" features work, because seeing the interior materials...well...I'll just quote rrocket by saying they're "craptastic". The quality of the plastic seems to have taken a step backwards...Mazda seems to have mimicked Honda's Civic plastic quality and awful layout...save the two-tiers.

You cannot be serious with your comment! Can you point out one interior trim piece that it's "craptastic", at least by non-luxury standards?

Gris · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:56:08 am »

I picked up one last week, a 2010 GT, auto, luxury pkg. in the test car's color. A gorgeous and compelling vehicle, I feel so lucky to have. I would say that the dash (much of it covered with a rubbery mat material) and interior are noticeably better than in my wife's 2008.5 3 GS but how much of that is because of the difference in trim level I'm not sure. We both prefer the exterior looks of the 2010 (the new nose can take a little getting used to) but it's definitely less conservative (more futuristic?) looking than the previous gen.

carcrazed · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2009, 09:57:26 am »

Gris, congrats on the new car!
The smiley face is growing on me, too. And Dark grey or black colour with front license plate should do the job to cover it up a little bit.
I'm trying to choose between this one and the Mazda6 GS I4. The price difference is minimal.
I gotta go for a test drive one of these days.

RunsinLight · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2009, 10:00:01 am »

The quality of the paint looks increased from a couple years ago.

carcrazy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2009, 10:31:55 am »

@Gris : Congrats on the new Mazda3!

I'm not aware of any paint issues with the previous generation Mazda3, but it had some issues with premature rust in certain parts of the car. This may be related to the painting process though.
How would you determine the quality of the paint without some sort of analysis and how would you be able to predict with any accuracy if rust will appear 3-4 years down the road (the problem with 04-09 Mazda3)?

I guess only time can tell; everything else is just speculation.

Shnak · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2009, 10:47:20 am »

Quote from: carcrazy on February 18, 2009, 10:31:55 am

I'm not aware of any paint issues with the previous generation Mazda3, but it had some issues with premature rust in certain parts of the car. This may be related to the painting process though.
How would you determine the quality of the paint without some sort of analysis and how would you be able to predict with any accuracy if rust will appear 3-4 years down the road (the problem with 04-09 Mazda3)?

I guess only time can tell; everything else is just speculation.

Well, I had noticed 'bubbly' paint on Protege 5's years ago... and now, a few years after I noticed this 'bubbly' paint, reports of premature rust are coming up everywhere... Certainly not a coincidence.

I do think that one can quite easily judge the quality of the paint just by looking at it and feeling it.

carcrazy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2009, 11:21:25 am »

Just to put things in perspective, I own a 2005 Mazda3 from new and while I had little rust in the rear wheel wells (cleaned up by Mazda free of charge), I have not experienced the paint bubbling issue yet. I know many owners did, especially with 2004 models and fewer owners of early 2005 models. I have not heard of any 2006MY owner having this type of issues, but this is perhaps because it’s too early.
The rust in the wheel well is largely due to the way Mazda finished (or not) the metal panels in that particular area; the metal panels are not painted or covered with rust proof material and due to the shape, it holds debris, snow, salt, slush, etc. I did not look if Mazda painted or protected in any way the wheel wells on the new Mazda3, but if I was to buy one, I would make sure I would do that myself.

Still, I would be interested to learn more about how can you "feel" the paint and tell if it will bubble up or prematurely rust. However, I could understand how you can "feel" other attributes of a paint job (smoothness, finish, etc.).