I had been planning on buying a new car this year and the Mazda3 was at the top of the list (currently drive a '95 Mazda Protege that still runs great but my kids are getting it). I was so incredibly disappointed when BAM, the 2010 model is ugly beyond comprehension. That stupid face on the car must have been designed by someone who chews bubble gum and puts smiley faces on their school report. Maybe the designer was on happy pills when he came up with that look. What were they thinking. Sorry Mazda, this car is now totally off my list. I could not buy something that creeps me out when I approach it. It annoys me that they would spoil an otherwise good car.
Trouble is, I don't like what Honda has to offer, Toyotas have the accelerator pedal thing, Ford and GM coddle you in cheap plastic. I am falling for the Volvo C30. It looks like a car, not a japanimation cartoon character.