[percheno]

Just purchased a new 2010 3 Hatchback s 6 speed a week and a half ago. As an objective consumer(!) I spent quite a bit of time researching new cars but kept coming back to the Mazda 3. As I had a much-loved 2002 Protege (which was totaled when t-boned by an uninsured driver three years ago), I suppose I had a built in bias, but I could never really get interested in any of the competitive makes no matter how hard I tried. Looked at the Elantra Touring, the Fit and Civic, the Golf, the Impreza, but they all seem to suffer in comparison to the 3 in some vital way. The Golf may have come closest, but I'm wary of the reliability. I've also watched the controversy over the new 3's styling since its introduction and have been surprised by the level of distaste shown by many . . . maybe it's because I'm a Peugeot fan (drove an impressive diesel 306 through France and Germany a few years ago), but I didn't find the new front end startling when I first saw it, and it has really grown on me since. I can't help but think that people who don't like it have never seen the car up close, where the surface detailing and character stand out. I think it is a bold design that makes everything else in its class (in the U.S., at least) look conventional and boring.

In any case, I am enjoying the styling, power, handling, and amenities of the new 3, plus I'm averaging 26.7 mpg over the first 700 miles. Glad to be part of an informative, helpful and interesting forum

 

[dunston]

Welcome to the forum! :welcome: I think the Mazda 3 is just about the best bang for your buck in its class.

 

[MS3SNAIL]

Welcome aboard percheno!

 

[jbarone]

Welcome!!

 

[E.Tinker]

:welcome: to the forums!

 

[chromal]

Congrats on the purchase, I agree with just about everything you said, and funnily enough got my 2010 mz3 s sport 6-spd Aug 2nd, around the same time. First tank saw 26.5 MPG, second tank managed 30.5 MPG. Though mines operating between 5000 and 9000ft elevation and running 85-octane/10%ethanol, no clue how that factors in, other than lots of grades to climb (and coast) and less air resistance. I may be biased, but you got the right car. :]

But what color is it? Any options (bose+moonroof?)?

 

[percheno]

Thanks everyone, and thanks, chromal, and congratulations on your new 3 s. Interesting that your mileage is so good at high elevation. Are those freeway miles? Mine is a combination of city and highway, probably 40/60. Better than I expected given the EPA figures.

My 3 s is option-free. Started out, actually, intending to buy an i touring, but really liked the hatchback and all its upgrades and added versatility. Ended up paying more than I originally intended, but the base 5 door s kept the cost down. No regrets. A moonroof in Seattle is good for about three weeks out of the year. May upgrade the audio at some point, but my iPod sounds not too bad through the stock unit. How about you? Did you check any option boxes? Oh, and mine is liquid silver metallic. Again, not my original choice until I saw it. Really changes depending on the light. Sometimes you don't notice the metallic, but in direct sunlight, it jumps out at you. Also looks darker when out of the sunlight. Nice.

 

[chromal]

Thanks everyone, and thanks, chromal, and congratulations on your new 3 s. Interesting that your mileage is so good at high elevation. Are those freeway miles? Mine is a combination of city and highway, probably 40/60. Better than I expected given the EPA figures.

That's actually only about 25% multilane limited-access highway, the rest are generally more rural/suburban roads in the foothills with lots of curves and up/down grades. OTOH, at, say, 6000 ft elevation, on a naturally aspirated engine, 167hp becomes 137hp according to the "derate 3% per 1000ft above sea level rule of thumb). But its torque is simply great coming from a 98 civic cx with 215K miles.

Your color selection was my first choice, but I had to go with a compromise color to get my no-compromise trim quickly. But the crystalline pearl white looks great too, and nice and noticeable to other drivers.