Topic: CTC Review: 2010 Mazda3 GT

[libraman]

Saw one at a closed dealer the other day. Thus only had a good view of the outside.  Methinks the front would be better looking if it were all one color. The dark parts accentuate the smiley face too much.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Your test/Gris' new ride exterior colour looks great on it.

I examined the interior of the 3 and found it quite pleasing. I like it more than the previous generation. They've taken a book from Volkswagen/Audi in the steering wheel buttons/scrolling, and the multi-level seat heater. Lots of small touches. I liked the layout (except for the radio presets which are not located together and would be instantly annoying for the sake of symmetry) and the seating position was okay too. Great engines, nice handling, choice of bodystyles, upmarket features (I'm a big fan of keyless entry & start), and exceptional value. May feel that the car's not perfect, but think they spent the time and money where it mattered and where most care. Not much of a compromise here.

I don't love the screen for HVAC/radio stations being so far, but think the idea of the smaller screen far less expensive NAVI unit is a good one. I'm getting used to the smiley face, but find the front overall larger than it needs to be... but that's what makes the flared wheel arches.

Mazda's once again done a great job. They spit out unbelieveable products when you consider how small the company is globally.

I'm still a VW Rabbit/Golf guy, but this is an even closer alternative now. And I can now see why someone might choose one over the other irrespective of price.

[Blueprint]

A few days prior to getting my new '08 Sentra, Mazda loaned me a 1st-gen Mz3 while the MPV was - again - getting warranty service (both front doors replaced because of rust perforation, plus rear fenders being repainted for the same reason, van was 3.5 y.o.).

The plastics in the Nissan look WAY richer than in the 3, even more so when considering the price.  I only wished the Sentra would drive like a 3, but alas I could not fit 3 kids / 2 cars seats in a 3 or Civic.  Did get one with a 6-speed stick, though.

[wing]

6-speed was only available in the mazdaspeed3....

[Dante]

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.).

To be clear, by 'bubbly', I don't mean that the paint is peeling off. I mean that when you look at it, the reflections are warped because the finish is not smooth like a mirror, it has small 'bump' or 'waves' in the finish. Like I said, it might have changed in the last few years, but it was certainly really evident on the Protege 5's maybe 5 or 6 years ago.

It certainly seems to be a common problem with Mazda vehicles in general though... What you described on your 2005 vehicle certainly isn't normal... A 4 year old vehicle certainly should not have rust anywhere (not withstanding big scratches, of course).

Maybe I'll drop by a Mazda dealership sometime and see for myself. Like I said, Mazda may have changed their paint process completely since I last checked this.

Fair enough. However, aside of the unusual "blistering" and rust in the wheel wells, I haven't noticed any imperfections in the paint and I hand-wash and meticulously detail my car(s) once or twice a year. On the other hand, I’m no paint specialist either.

[Blueprint]

6-speed was only available in the mazdaspeed3....

The 6-speed is in my Sentra.  The loaner 3 was a slushbox, of course, but I really enjoy the manumatic feature of Mazda's 4-speed autobox.  Over not quite 4 years of MPV ownership, I cumulated about 2000 km in loaned Mazda 3s, all GX / automatic, with one long stint in a brand new one.  Really loved the looks and driving fun of that car, would have been a strong contender, but MPV experience plus lack of rear seat width canceled its chances.  The Sentra offers a flat rear bench, with a class-leading 1400 mm of shoulder width.  In the end, it was the only compact whose width + bench shape + seat belt location matched my needs, along with the new Corolla.  Test driving the Corolla settled that option  

[wing]

Sorry mis-read.  Try a Mazda3 GT with 5 or 6-speed FUN!

[Blueprint]

Sorry mis-read.  Try a Mazda3 GT with 5 or 6-speed FUN!

No doubt, but still too narrow    Next time around, dd1 will be old enough / tall enough to ride in front, and one less child seat in the back, so total car choice freedom (except for 2-seaters, of course).

[Leviathan]

To be clear, by 'bubbly', I don't mean that the paint is peeling off. I mean that when you look at it, the reflections are warped because the finish is not smooth like a mirror, it has small 'bump' or 'waves' in the finish. Like I said, it might have changed in the last few years, but it was certainly really evident on the Protege 5's maybe 5 or 6 years ago.

It certainly seems to be a common problem with Mazda vehicles in general though... What you described on your 2005 vehicle certainly isn't normal... A 4 year old vehicle certainly should not have rust anywhere (not withstanding big scratches, of course).

Maybe I'll drop by a Mazda dealership sometime and see for myself. Like I said, Mazda may have changed their paint process completely since I last checked this.

I think quite a few cars of that era were changing their paint processes to lower VOC. Certainly the Sentra forums were littered with people complaining about "thin paint" or "crappy paint". Ah, here is a 2002 article describing Mazda's new process.

[Dante]

To be clear, by 'bubbly', I don't mean that the paint is peeling off. I mean that when you look at it, the reflections are warped because the finish is not smooth like a mirror, it has small 'bump' or 'waves' in the finish. Like I said, it might have changed in the last few years, but it was certainly really evident on the Protege 5's maybe 5 or 6 years ago.

It certainly seems to be a common problem with Mazda vehicles in general though... What you described on your 2005 vehicle certainly isn't normal... A 4 year old vehicle certainly should not have rust anywhere (not withstanding big scratches, of course).

Maybe I'll drop by a Mazda dealership sometime and see for myself. Like I said, Mazda may have changed their paint process completely since I last checked this.

I think quite a few cars of that era were changing their paint processes to lower VOC. Certainly the Sentra forums were littered with people complaining about "thin paint" or "crappy paint". Ah, here is a 2002 article describing Mazda's new process.

To your point, I think people from most brands (Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru just to name a few I'm more familiar with) are complaining about "thin paint" that chips easily (and it truly does).

[rrocket]

To be clear, by 'bubbly', I don't mean that the paint is peeling off. I mean that when you look at it, the reflections are warped because the finish is not smooth like a mirror, it has small 'bump' or 'waves' in the finish.

The paint phenomenon you are referring to is called "orange peel".  Simply because the painted surface looks somewhat like the surface of an orange peel.....

[Shnak]

To be clear, by 'bubbly', I don't mean that the paint is peeling off. I mean that when you look at it, the reflections are warped because the finish is not smooth like a mirror, it has small 'bump' or 'waves' in the finish.

The paint phenomenon you are referring to is called "orange peel".  Simply because the painted surface looks somewhat like the surface of an orange peel.....

Good to know. I'll use that term from now on!

For what it's worth, the paint of my '99 CR-V seemed to chip quite easily (paint was probably too thin), but I it didn't look or feel like an orange peel...

After 2+ years of owning my Sportage, no chips that I have noticed, and the paint certainly looks smooth. Not quite to the level of the few VW's I've owned, but much better than my previous CR-V and what I had noticed on the Protege 5. Not bad for a 'cheap' brand like Kia, eh?

[initial_D]

Too bad it is driven at the wrong axle, other wise I will consider it. I think it is great looker.

The equipment list is mind boggling for this class of vehicle.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Certainly is a happy little fellow! 

Meh, I don't find the front particularly offensive. The interior seems pretty nice though.

The paint on the Vibe I had, had noticable orange peel. I was ok with it though, it made the orange colour seem more authentic.

The paint on the Outback seems very smooth.

[rrocket]

^^Man..that is just SOOOO bad........

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^^Man..that is just SOOOO bad........

Are you trying to tell us something? I'm getting mixed messages!

[rrocket]

Put a white plate on the Mazda3, and it looks like a bucktooth......

[TopGun]

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?

I'll point out two of them in the photo below.  I don't typically go around tapping plastic...so a "soft touch", while nice, isn't a prerequisite of mine.  I would like some grain on it however...so it doesn't look like a hunk of cheap plastic.

The photo points to the plastic surrounding the big honkin' silver knob...and the plastic that is on top of the Alfa-esque (and nicely styled) gauges.

Have you taken a look at one?  If anyone thinks this stuff is OK by them...I don't want to hear a complaint about the Cobalt SS interior.

[Triple Bob]

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.

How can they not paint the metal, don't be ridiculous..?

[Mitlov]

Too bad it is driven at the wrong axle, other wise I will consider it.

As opposed to all those other RWD compact economy sedans?  I may as well say that I'm writing the Audi A4 off my list because it doesn't come with laser guns.