Here’s what I’m talking about:
2010 Mazdaspeed3
I drove one last night (as well as a couple of Jettas), and was totally blown away. Problem is, it just doesn’t look right. Save me from buying an ugly car—what other choices to I have in the 25K range that will have similar road feel and acceleration?
This thing goes 0-60 in ~6sec.
While the grill area is a bit weird, I don’t think it’s ugly. I’ve got the 2004 Mazda 3, which looks very similar, and I love it. I wouldn’t have any other car, actually.
Remember that you’ll be driving it a lot more than you’ll be looking at it.
It looks very cheerful, at any rate.
Seriously? Get the last model. It was faster, you’ll get the depreciation markdown, it doesn’t have the new grill style, and this month’s Car & Driver was not impressed with the new interior, finding only that the handling had improved a bit.
If you must get something new that’s similar, go with the VW GTI, the car that beat the Mazdaspeed 3 in C&D’s comparison test. it’s a bit slower but much more refined for only about $1000 more.
We have a 2009 Mazdaspeed3 and I agree that the new ones are a bit odd looking. It’s the grill, the bumped out taillights, and the side door moldings that bother me. But, I do like the look of the hood scoop.
It is fast, but it is also a very comfortable car to drive. We needed to add heated seats to ours. Lots of room inside, too.
I have a 2008 and yes the 2010s are ugly, especially the regular 3s. But look at the reviews, the Mazdaspeed3 is still almost unmatched on the “bang for the buck” factor.
I love mine, 27,000 miles so far, no problems (not that I would expect any), and I get 27 MPG on the highway. Plenty of room to carry stuff, you can even load bikes in the back, taking the front wheel off makes it easier. All that with 265 horsepower! Goes like stink, freeway onramps are almost scary when you floor it in 3rd or 4th. 
I was getting ready to buy a 2009 (with cash to boot). Luckily I was laid off and got to eat the money instead. The 2009 was a good looking car and stealthy to boot. The 2010 looks like a cartoon. Buy a 2009 and enjoy the depreciation.
Don’t know if the “Speed” has this problem, but there is a recall out for 2010 Mazda3s for a wiring harness issue:
SHORT-CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND/OR POOR SHIFT QUALITY
The reason I know about this is that I had this problem on my 2009 Mazda3. Not a fun thing when you’re driving down a mountain road. They’ve had this issue for several years now. Once the dealer fixes it you should be okay, I guess.
I personally love the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 and am looking at one myself. You may want to look at a Subaru WRX. Not the WRX STI, just the WRX. About the same price range, similar sort of performance. It’s usually the car spoken of in the same breath as the MS3.
Just for fun I built a 4 door GTI and it came out to be about $3000 more than what we paid for our Speed3.
Part of why we chose the Mazdaspeed3 was all the options we wanted were included in the GT model (leather, Xenons, 18" wheels, limited slip differential, Bose, auto headlights and wipers). We added heated seats and and an iPod adaptor (it only came with an aux in and I wanted to control my iPod through the steering wheel controls) but the included options were outstanding, IMO.
We don’t have a gob of miles on ours (7000) but it has been problem free so far.
The car has LOL mouth.
I like it! My husband is looking for a sports car in the next couple of years - I don’t think he’ll be looking at the Mazdaspeed3, but I might be. 265 hp, baby! I like a hatchback, too.
Toyota Rav4 V6. 0-60 ~6.5 sec
I have a 2008 Mazda3i, not the speed however, and I love it. Airman Doors mentions Car and Driver, which (IIRC) gave the 2008 great marks in everything, and almost no mechanical/reliability flaws. Gas mileage is good, dependable, interior sound system is great, comfortable to drive, and that thing handles like a champ. I’ve roared it through scenic parkways and mountains across the country, and it is a champion. I once hit 100 screaming through the Blue Ridge. Zoom zoom.
I liked it when I first saw it.
Volvo C30, about as fast, safer, nicer, and good looking.
0-60 times are over rated. Are you drag racing at lights? Find a car that is a pleasure to drive in real-world circumstances. Don’t let the decision come down to accel numbers based on someone from a magazine who is dogging their clutch and trying 15 times to post a 0-60 time a hair faster than the last clutch burning attempt.
I have an over 300 HP car mated to a six speed stick, and it isn’t half as fun as my old 230 HP car with a five speed stick that was .5 seconds slower to 60.
Check out the VW GTI. It begs to be thrashed and I am willing to bet that its ‘drivability’ is much much better.
0-60 is a good first step in measuring a car’s performance. The Mazdaspeed3 has great power up to but not including redline, it does run out of steam at high RPMs. It corners like it’s on rails with no body roll, and it stops scary fast, 116 feet 60-0 which is Ferrari territory.
If you want the car for 8 or 10 years I would not buy a VW, they’re extremely expensive to fix.
Another thing to consider in all this is insurance, how much will each vehicle cost to insure?
Awww…who’s the happy car? Who’s the happy car? Youze is!
Ahem. Sorry.
I like it, except for the goofy grin (tho’ I think it could grow on you). Then again, I own a 2002 Mazda Protege5, the precursor to the Mazda3. I love my car - I’d totally buy today’s model.
I love the Protege5, the looks of that car were a big factor of making me consider a Mazda. I just wanted more power!
