Hello everyone.

[graviongr]

Hello all, I just joined these forums. I just purchased a 2010 Mazda 3 and was googling information on my car (actually how to install the license plate bracket) when I got here.

First off I notice how divided people are on the front end of this car, a lot of Mazda veterans seem to not like it, well it's bringing in a new generation of Mazda owners because I thought it looked great (the entire style of the car really drew me in).

Previously I was driving a 1998 Isuzu Amigo (long story how I came to drive this), and it got totalled out last month due to a single car collision, I hit a power pole. The accident was not at fault, a school bus cut me off the road in the rain, and anyways, car smashed. Of course the bus kept on driving and no witnesses bothered to stop.

I decided to buy a brand new car for the first time in my life and went with this. I am really enjoying this car, I don't have pics yet but I just washed it all tonight and I will try to snap some tomorrow morning before I go to work.

I went with the 4 door 2.0L iTouring model as it was pretty middle of the road in price and features. I selected black mica and black interior.

These forums are just what I was looking for and I look forward to participating in questions and answers when I can.

Oh and of course now I notice all the Mazda's out there on the road. :)

[GoFast]

congrats on the new ride! lots of the previous gen 3/speed3 owners are pretty rough on the new one, but people don;t like change. THey will come around. Post some pics!

[wingzero_]

Welcome, more and more 2010s are popping up on forums. Congrats.

[ViPeR689]

I hope you really enjoy it. Sure looks like a fun car!!

[graviongr]

Well of course it had to rain last night, so I decided to skip the morning photo's as my car was all wet and covered in sticky pine needles.

So I drove to work to air dry it, and of course it had to be an extremely dusty and windy day so I have a nice thin layer of dust adhered to the car, but I decided to just take photo's now anyways as I'm not going to wash it again since there is a 50% chance of rain tomorrow anyways.

So here they are, you've probably already seen them before, since it's just a stock Mazda 3 iTouring and you've probably all seen the photo's of them, but anyways here they are. :)

Front end of car (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/01_m3_low_front.jpg)
Three quarters front right side (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/02_m3_3qf_rs.jpg)
Three quarters rear right side (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/03_m3_3qr_rs.jpg)
Three quarters rear left side (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/04_m3_3qr_ls.jpg)
Interior shot (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/05_m3_interior.jpg)
Engine bay full (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/06_m3_eb_3qf.jpg)
Engine bay overhead (http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/gravionGR/Mazda%203/07_m3_eb_oh.jpg)

Just had to fill up today and I got 33mpg, driving mostly 60mph, but varied a lot of high-rpm driving and took it as far as 90mph (very carefully when no cars were near me and only for a few seconds) because I am following the owners manual of recommended driving by lots of varied speeds to break in the car.

So I thought the gas mileage would suffer due to that but it still did pretty good even driving 60mph in 3rd gear lol.

EDIT: *Added the omitted engine bay photo's.*

[ViPeR689]

I love the new interiors, but yeah, clean your car this weekend :)

[wingzero_]

You forgot the engine bay pics.

[Ja Double]

Congrats on your new ride! I too found this forum in my time of need (issues with some features).
I was never a huge Mazda fan till this 2010 3 came along, even though wanting an RX 8 for the past few years doesn't count. It was my gf's Protege that turned me on to just how nice they are. I made the switch over from a lifetime of driving Eclipses, and I'm not looking back. Welcome aboard!

[Latka]

Hello all, I just joined these forums. I just purchased a 2010 Mazda 3 and was googling information on my car (actually how to install the license plate bracket) when I got here.

First off I notice how divided people are on the front end of this car, a lot of Mazda veterans seem to not like it, well it's bringing in a new generation of Mazda owners because I thought it looked great (the entire style of the car really drew me in).

Previously I was driving a 1998 Isuzu Amigo (long story how I came to drive this), and it got totalled out last month due to a single car collision, I hit a power pole. The accident was not at fault, a school bus cut me off the road in the rain, and anyways, car smashed. Of course the bus kept on driving and no witnesses bothered to stop.

I decided to buy a brand new car for the first time in my life and went with this. I am really enjoying this car, I don't have pics yet but I just washed it all tonight and I will try to snap some tomorrow morning before I go to work.

I went with the 4 door 2.0L iTouring model as it was pretty middle of the road in price and features. I selected black mica and black interior.

These forums are just what I was looking for and I look forward to participating in questions and answers when I can.

Oh and of course now I notice all the Mazda's out there on the road. :)

I 100 percent agree with you on the looks. This is a good...no great looking car (in my eyes). I love the older M 3 as well, but this car's looks put me over the edge into buying one. I have been a toyota guy forever and if this car hold's up, I might be a Mazda guy from here on out. I have always thought Mazda has made the sharpest looking cars when compared to the big 3 Japanese auto makers. I just hope the 2010 reliability turns ino a something I expect in today's cars. I couldn't be happier with the interior and exterior.

[sanblaster]

Looks good in black. Welcome to the forums!

[maskedSONY]

your engine photos show off the passenger side engine mount really well. Good lord that thing is massive. I wish Mazda had put something like that in many years ago for the Protege!

[cruzdreamer]

I love the new look of the 3 and though they could have toned down the giant smile a little I hope to get back into a Mazda in about a year or so.....finances forced me to give up my blue Mazda CX 7 last summer.....it was my third Mazda I had owned in a row(also owned a Protege 5 wagon and an RX 8) and I have to tell you I can't wait to go back to driving one. I ended up in a used 2006 Chevy HHR and I hate it. I like it for the styling and the utility of it but that is it. I wanted a used 3 but it was out of my price range and mileage I wanted. The handling and performance in the Mazda's are far superior than this car. The interior on my HHR is cheap and in the winter my inside handle broke so I could not open the door and they had to replace the whole panel just for the handle...bad design and $369 if you have no extended warranty...luckily I bought one...cost me $100.
I guess what I want to say is welcome to the Mazda community and enjoy your 3's! If you are a first time Mazda owner I feel you will find out the quality, styling, value and most of all handling and performance you will see that Mazda is above most any car in it's class. I always looked forward to driving my Mazda's everyday and this car...I dread it.....gosh, that is sad. I know things will get better and I can enjoy the zoom zoom ride again soon! Please post pics new owners....I am thinking I like the slate blue, white and copper mica....tough decison but I have plenty of time to think! Peace everyone!:)

[speedster00]

Welcome to the boards...allways nice to see new active owners.

I've been lacking on pictures :( which is odd considering my hobby is photograpghy.(flame2)