LIVE ONLINE unveiling of the Mazda3 at LA 12:20 pm LA Time
11-20-2008 | 02:09 AM
#31
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: portland oregon
Airflow tweaking via flat underbody panels, less engine-bay airflow, and smoother glass mounts has dropped the drag coefficient to 0.29 from 0.31.
The Bottom Line
Pricing is still undecided, but expect the base car to start at about 16 grand and a fully loaded version to run in the low 20s. While we only drove 4-door models, the practical 5-door will also be available.
For the money, the Mazda 3 offers everything its competition does, but is the most entertaining to drive and now has excellent refinement to match the driving dynamics. In fact, it feels like a mini BMW, and it is the sports car of subcompacts.
Pricing is still undecided, but expect the base car to start at about 16 grand and a fully loaded version to run in the low 20s. While we only drove 4-door models, the practical 5-door will also be available.
For the money, the Mazda 3 offers everything its competition does, but is the most entertaining to drive and now has excellent refinement to match the driving dynamics. In fact, it feels like a mini BMW, and it is the sports car of subcompacts.
11-20-2008 | 03:52 AM
#32
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
11-20-2008 | 10:28 AM
#38
The interior is A+
The front looks great, except the fascia is just way too damn large, which really dampens an otherwise fantastic look.
The side profile is incongruous and just awful - it looks like two different cars, and the spoiler is very much out of place on this car. Flared fenders do not work on a car this small - it just looks like they tried to pack too many design features on too small a canvass.
The rear is not so pretty, either. Maybe I'll like it in 6 months, after I adjust, but I doubt it. The tail lights are way too high - and the whole rear looks like it doesn't flow with the rest of the vehicle.
The front looks great, except the fascia is just way too damn large, which really dampens an otherwise fantastic look.
The side profile is incongruous and just awful - it looks like two different cars, and the spoiler is very much out of place on this car. Flared fenders do not work on a car this small - it just looks like they tried to pack too many design features on too small a canvass.
The rear is not so pretty, either. Maybe I'll like it in 6 months, after I adjust, but I doubt it. The tail lights are way too high - and the whole rear looks like it doesn't flow with the rest of the vehicle.
11-20-2008 | 12:13 PM
#39
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 755
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From: Rohnert Park CA
I like the new exterior... I wish the 2009 RX-8 had a good of looking front grill (instead of the lame *** one it got) as what is on that 3. The front of that is very stylish and flowing... not like the tacked on look of the 2009/10 RX-8.
Now they just need a 2 door coupe or hatch based off of that same thing, and the MX-3 returns.
Just imagine a 2 door coupe 200 lbs lighter with the 2.5 in it lowered an inch... MS3.
Now they just need a 2 door coupe or hatch based off of that same thing, and the MX-3 returns.
Just imagine a 2 door coupe 200 lbs lighter with the 2.5 in it lowered an inch... MS3.
11-20-2008 | 03:48 PM
#40
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
Likes: 327
From: Australia
The interior is A+
The front looks great, except the fascia is just way too damn large, which really dampens an otherwise fantastic look.
The side profile is incongruous and just awful - it looks like two different cars, and the spoiler is very much out of place on this car. Flared fenders do not work on a car this small - it just looks like they tried to pack too many design features on too small a canvass.
The rear is not so pretty, either. Maybe I'll like it in 6 months, after I adjust, but I doubt it. The tail lights are way too high - and the whole rear looks like it doesn't flow with the rest of the vehicle.
The front looks great, except the fascia is just way too damn large, which really dampens an otherwise fantastic look.
The side profile is incongruous and just awful - it looks like two different cars, and the spoiler is very much out of place on this car. Flared fenders do not work on a car this small - it just looks like they tried to pack too many design features on too small a canvass.
The rear is not so pretty, either. Maybe I'll like it in 6 months, after I adjust, but I doubt it. The tail lights are way too high - and the whole rear looks like it doesn't flow with the rest of the vehicle.
The new Mazda 2 has flared guards, looks good in reality, actually the new 3's front side to front door belt line is identical to the Mazda 2.
I think the new 3 will look a lot better in reality, like the new RX-8.
11-20-2008 | 04:00 PM
#41
whines all the way home
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Towson/Baltimore, MD
Laughing man from Ghost in the Shell SAC season 1,, +1 for us dorks....
I absolutely love the look of this car,,, when I first saw it I was very turned off by the big grin but Its grown on me ,,, and I love the Intake inlet, they need to adapt that to the hideous front bar that is on the '09 8s....
I absolutely love the look of this car,,, when I first saw it I was very turned off by the big grin but Its grown on me ,,, and I love the Intake inlet, they need to adapt that to the hideous front bar that is on the '09 8s....
11-21-2008 | 11:15 AM
#42
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
Likes: 327
From: Australia
Boy it ain't getting a lot a favorable comment from Internet watchers, most hate the look., comparing it to the old 3.
One thing we have to remember is this is the new look for a small compact... over sized.
Because of design laws, from 2010 we get even higher belt-lines, hoods and trunks. It must be making it increasingly difficult to design a small car that does not look like a large high box on wheels.
Get used to it, all new small cars will have similar proportions.
One thing we have to remember is this is the new look for a small compact... over sized.
Because of design laws, from 2010 we get even higher belt-lines, hoods and trunks. It must be making it increasingly difficult to design a small car that does not look like a large high box on wheels.
Get used to it, all new small cars will have similar proportions.
11-21-2008 | 11:33 AM
#43
Void Where Prohibited
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,046
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From: Mineola, TX
The design comes off as shocking at first to some (kind of like the previous 3) give it a year or so of exposure and I think it will be mostly well received. I'm always eager to see new/fresh/unique designs and this is certainly one of those, moving Mazda styling in a new direction (along w/ the 2 and 6) and breaking away from most of the competition's boring/conservative designs. I think a small car has to be a little over-the-top in the looks department these days for reasons that ASH8 stated above. You can take a look at recent small car design around the rest of the world to see this.
11-29-2008 | 04:32 AM
#47
definitely agree. i think its stupid how all the manufacturers try to make their cars more and more aggressive and angry looking each year.
11-29-2008 | 05:25 AM
#48
Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
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From: Clovis, California
Hate to say it but this is disappointing. It's almost as bad as the Mitsu Eclipse. Someone needs to smack the 3 design team upside the head. What the hell were they thinking. They took the past/current model (that is a world beater) and mangled the freakin' thing. The front nose is a joke. In my mind the front has to be right because it sets the tone/flow for the rest of the car. Another thing that is glaringly obvious is the line thru the door handles doesn't flow with the front fenders. It's like they took the front 3rd of the car from some other design and just attached it without blending the design.
I was wondering what Mazda would start to put out after Holzhausen moved on.
I'm hoping it grows on me. The other thing is sometimes seeing them in person can make a big difference. They better not F up the Speed 3 this way.
I was wondering what Mazda would start to put out after Holzhausen moved on.
I'm hoping it grows on me. The other thing is sometimes seeing them in person can make a big difference. They better not F up the Speed 3 this way.
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