October 2009 servicing is $130 each up to and including the 60K service, which isn’t too band and just might swing my decision away from the Mazda3 as the Corolla is also cheaper at entry level quoted $22,990 drive away.

Driveaway price is $37,305 with tow bar and park sensors and auto lights on included.

Very limited on colour choice which is pretty crappy. like the silver and blue thats it.

Bigger and better than previous model, looks heaps different, more like a baby 6. comes with sat nav standard, who does that in this class, umm that would be no one. screen should be 7″ but not 4. whatever it is.

Fuel consumption figures are 8.6 litres per 100kms auto sp25 as per mazda brochure. So whats with the figures quoted here. that is a massive difference. that carnt be right what they say here.

The smiley face yes is a bit of a worry especially with all the paint work exposed to stone chips on the lower bonnet and there is no bonnet protector available. get the touch up paint ready.

The car is really eye catching because it looks different. unlike the new golf which looks 10 years old and suited to a retirement village. i much prefer the new polo that looks much hotter. what was vw thinking with the new golf its the car version of all-bran

im also looking at the new focus turbo diesel which has tremendous torque but has less features and is less flashy that the mazda. but same platform. also is 5K less. better range of colours u r spoiled for choice.

This car wont date all that much, afterall u should be upgrading every 5-6 years anyhow. i have a 03 astra now and it still looks good with 17″ rims on it.

im not paying what they are asking and horray its a recession so i will be taking a fair whack off what they want or i just wont buy it and get the focus i think. i work in sales so i wont be stooged easily.

corolla looks ridiculous with its 4 speed auto they are in big trouble this year as mazda 3 is ranked one for sales after first quarter, which is the first time in 10 years anyone has beaten the corolla. i think sales of the new 3 will be really formiddable.

servicing costs are not too bad, $250 for minor and $450 for major.

The bonnet appears to be very similar to the mazda 2, they way it slopes down to the grill, which personally doesn’t work for me. However i think the saving grace is they have a wide grill underneath and have accented the fog light area’s (similar to mazda 6) which will widen and highten the front.

I myself drive a black 2008 6 which i love, and it constantly gets mistaken for an lexus is250, especially from the side on, which i think is a huge compliment for the design team at Madza cos that is also a well designed car also.

Bottom line Mazda are hitting winners these days so well done boys and girls, lets see how it goes

“When are these going on sale here?”

Around March or April.

laurie

now if only they did something better with their motors. engines getting bigger but power output and fuel effecieny only have marginal improvs, all the euro motors are streaking ahead.

Should be a good drive though!