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Old 01-19-2005, 10:24 AM   #1
TD
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,002
Rented a Mazda 3 today

So far I'm very impressed. Granted this is all within the context of the car being what it is and costing what it does. But it sure looks, feels and drives like a more expensive car than it is.

Short list of things that especially impressed me:

-Interior layout/design (instruments and steering wheel especially)
-Seat fabric (very nice cloth - reminds me of the cloth in my '97 A4)
-Fast-shifting manumatic tranny (unless my recollection is really faulty, I swear it shifts significantly quicker than the Steptronic in my dad's E39 - I actually did not just give up on it and leave it in"D" as I always end up doing in his E39).
-Ride quality (very communicative while still being quiet and well-damped - reminded me of the E46's feel - a bit too soft but nice)
-Handsome exterior styling

It didn't have enough power to make the FWD nature of the car all that noticeable. And I didn't fling it vigorously enough to bring forth the handling limitations we all know it has. But for an enthusiast-friendly commuter, I could definitely live with it. And if I was looking for a car in it's price-range, it seems like a really solid pick.
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