CD Article: 2010 Mazda3

[editorgreg]

Comment for the writer, I noticed you did not mention anything about the front seat cushions which Mazda press release states have been extended by nearly an inch, and the backrests are 1.4 inches taller.
An oversight or you did not notice any difference from the current Mazda3?

I didn't notice any difference in the seats although I did mention the GT's seats are more supportive than the GS.  I really need to spend a week in the car to properly evaluate the new seats - which I will do.   Greg Wilson

[MKII]

Thanks for your respone Greg.
I find the attention to the small details on this car are very impressive such as the design and execution of the driving lights  http://www.norcalsrt-4.com/phpBB2/files/picture_050_724.jpg
and nice curved lines http://www.norcalsrt-4.com/phpBB2/files/picture_049_106.jpg
led tail lights http://www.norcalsrt-4.com/phpBB2/files/picture_046_116.jpg
and even the Mazda badge is very detailed http://www.norcalsrt-4.com/phpBB2/files/picture_053_203.jpg

[Black Hatch]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

[MKII]

It should be standard or at least offered as a stand alone option and not bundled with a sun-roof etc. Ever driver in this day and age of useful safety features should be able to have a choice to purchase a feature which is a proven helpful feature worldwide.

The US [has] fast-tracked a regulation making ESC mandatory in all cars and light trucks starting with 55% of 2009 models, 75% of 2010 models, 95% of 2011 models, and 100% of 2012 models."

In Canada, Transport Canada is currently, "Examining the need to require ESC on all new light vehicles sold in Canada." It will propose that ESC will be mandatory equipment on vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2011. That would include pickup trucks.

Currently however, the availability of ESC on Canadian new vehicles is not necessarily the same as in U.S vehicles - Canadian models are often equipped differently. Many experts suggest ESC should be standard equipment on all vehicles sold, and CanadianDriver supports this view. You can help too by only purchasing vehicles with ESC. Its availability in your next vehicle should be a deal-breaker. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/electronic-stability-control.php

[carcrazy]

ESP is a good feature as long as you have an On/Off button (unlike RAV4) and you can operate the vehicle with the ESP off at any time without voiding your warranty (unlike GT-R).

[Greg B.]

In the immortal words of Phil Rizzuto, "Holy Cow!". That's a face only a mother could love. I'm somewhat reminded of a Bugeye Sprite. I can only imagine the comments here if a domestic manufacturer did this. As it is, the taillights look eerily similar to those on Chrysler's horrendous Sebring. And the dash design seems to be an attempt to offer something that Civic lovers might find appealing while not alienating those who don't like the spacey design. I'm not sure they pulled it off. Fortunately the rest of the car seems like a solid effort. Time will tell if sales take a hit.

[Honda Owner]

Ahh, the Neon, first generation. Brings many things back to my head....mostly selling head gaskets! I see many 1995 Corollas of that era but no Neons. I wonder why?

[rrocket]

Not sure if I like the "smiley" face.  Especially with our front license plates that smiley grill will look buck toothed...

[Seafoam]

Not sure if I like the "smiley" face.  Especially with our front license plates that smiley grill will look buck toothed...

A plate may distract one from the smiley face  I've found overtime as a new car is introduced and has become more common the ugliness is reduced.

[vdk]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

YES! ESP is and always will be a good safety feature.. and hopefully in the future will be standard on all cars..
As for the rest you listed, I couldn't care less.. (is AWD a safety feature ), they're like keyless start/stop.. 

[Black Hatch]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

YES! ESP is and always will be a good safety feature.. and hopefully in the future will be standard on all cars..
As for the rest you listed, I couldn't care less.. (is AWD a safety feature ), they're like keyless start/stop.. 

And should all cars be equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes standard as well?
Corolla base models still come with front disc/rear drums; and AFAIK there are studies that show 4-wheel disc brakes stop you faster.
You dont have an option to get 4-wheel disc brakes on a base Corolla either.

[tpl]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

You don't need the sarcasm   B.H.     If you've seen the DARPA Urban Challenge then it should be obvious that all that stuff you mention AND the more advanced automation that the contestants used will be available in a few years,standard and maybe mandatory as well in the next 20 years. Granted they have to get it all into a $100 package first, not whole cars full of computers with lidars on the roof   but Moores law will take care of that.

[Wetson]

In the immortal words of Phil Rizzuto, "Holy Cow!". That's a face only a mother could love. I'm somewhat reminded of a Bugeye Sprite.

Aw come on now.... it's so cute I just want to go up to it and pinch it's fender!   

[carcrazy]

And should all cars be equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes standard as well?

In this class, YES. And all should have independent suspension as well.
C class is no longer the econobox class. The B-class is now the bottom of the barrel.


The fact that Mazda offeres more features for less money compared to its direct competitors is what makes Mazda such a good value.

[Zombie]

Exterior: Face for radio! not as good as the out going model.

Interior: Very nice. Much better then the out going model.

[vdk]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

YES! ESP is and always will be a good safety feature.. and hopefully in the future will be standard on all cars..
As for the rest you listed, I couldn't care less.. (is AWD a safety feature ), they're like keyless start/stop.. 

And should all cars be equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes standard as well?
Corolla base models still come with front disc/rear drums; and AFAIK there are studies that show 4-wheel disc brakes stop you faster.
You dont have an option to get 4-wheel disc brakes on a base Corolla either.

Yes they should be standard! 4-wheel disc brakes will stop you quicker.. What are you trying to say?

[Black Hatch]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

YES! ESP is and always will be a good safety feature.. and hopefully in the future will be standard on all cars..
As for the rest you listed, I couldn't care less.. (is AWD a safety feature ), they're like keyless start/stop.. 

And should all cars be equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes standard as well?
Corolla base models still come with front disc/rear drums; and AFAIK there are studies that show 4-wheel disc brakes stop you faster.
You dont have an option to get 4-wheel disc brakes on a base Corolla either.

Yes they should be standard! 4-wheel disc brakes will stop you quicker.. What are you trying to say?

I am trying to say is.... do you want to be able get a $15000 car? 
All these extra "mandatory safety" additions will add to the cost of any new car and add enough of these, the lowest income people will not be able to afford them.

I am trying to say that 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, TCS, ESC, TCS TPMS, AWD, winter tires, although proven to be safer, are not essential for your basic cheap car IMO. Drive smarter or buy a tank.

[IceAndFire]

Nice  evolution, now the 3 looks up-to-date as well as very well equipped, and surprising options available.
Only weakness I see interior wise is the very cheap hand brake, and Electronic stability control is an option on the GS and standard on the GT, but not available on the base GX.
Not even offered on the GX IMO is absolutely ridiculous. Mazda Canada is deciding that GX customer are not worthy of having a safety feature.

Wow ESC is now supposed to be a standard safety feature?

[sarcasm on]
I cant wait until Lane depature, Distance Sensing Cruise Control,TPMS, AWD, etc all become standard safety features.
[/sarcasm off]

YES! ESP is and always will be a good safety feature.. and hopefully in the future will be standard on all cars..
As for the rest you listed, I couldn't care less.. (is AWD a safety feature ), they're like keyless start/stop.. 

And should all cars be equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes standard as well?
Corolla base models still come with front disc/rear drums; and AFAIK there are studies that show 4-wheel disc brakes stop you faster.
You dont have an option to get 4-wheel disc brakes on a base Corolla either.

Yes they should be standard! 4-wheel disc brakes will stop you quicker.. What are you trying to say?

I am trying to say is.... do you want to be able get a $15000 car? 
All these extra "mandatory safety" additions will add to the cost of any new car and add enough of these, the lowest income people will not be able to afford them.

I am trying to say that 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, TCS, ESC, TCS TPMS, AWD, winter tires, although proven to be safer, are not essential for your basic cheap car IMO. Drive smarter or buy a tank.

Allot of these features are made possible largely by electronics, chips, and sensors...all of which tend to get cheaper over time.  Both because of technological advances and shrinking chip dies and because of mass manufacture.  So in 10 years time the $15000 will have most of these wherever necessary.  Course who knows what cars will be like in 10 years time...the electrical revolution is starting to happen using Gasoline as a fuel storage system or not.

[quadzilla]

Yes they should be standard! 4-wheel disc brakes will stop you quicker.. What are you trying to say?

Is there any proof for that with economy cars? Sure maybe a sports car where you need better cooling but for your sub $20K economy car?

[Mitlov]

I am trying to say is.... do you want to be able get a $15000 car? 
All these extra "mandatory safety" additions will add to the cost of any new car and add enough of these, the lowest income people will not be able to afford them.

I am trying to say that 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, TCS, ESC, TCS TPMS, AWD, winter tires, although proven to be safer, are not essential for your basic cheap car IMO. Drive smarter or buy a tank.

Here's a thought.  If you're so poor that you can't afford to put proper tires on your new car, maybe you should buy used.  No amount of "driving smart" is going to save your bacon when you hit an inch-thick sheet of ice and you've got cheap, worn "all-season" radials. 

Leaving stability control off new cars will save you a couple hundred bucks.  Buying a three-year-old car will save you many thousands.