I decided I needed to probably get another car when my 98 Honda Civic CX hatchback's head gasket gradually began leaking exhaust into the coolant loop. Got the head gasket done at around 212K (215K now), but after the headgasket job, it began blowing blue smoke after engine-braking long grades and putting my foot back on the pedal at the bottom. Probably o-rings or valve seals...
I decided I needed a hatchback more acclimated to the hills and curves, seriously considered used Subaru Impreza wagons and mazda3 hatchbacks, but found them not to be substantially cheaper than new ones with nice things like warranties, which also suggested resale value advantages...
Walked unwittingly into a certain E Arapahoe Mazda dealership that seemed surprisingly motivated to move mazda3s before close of business on August 2nd, end of a quota period apparently, and found myself driving home in my new 2010 mazda3 s sport 6-spd (w/ bose + moonroof). The 2010 front styling is unapologetically highlighted by pearl white paint; I wanted silver, but this was what they had in inventory with the 6-spd, and it's quite honestly grown on me quickly.
It's my third car, my first factory-NEW car, and sitting behind the wheel and coming from the civic, it just feels right, somehow. Definitely feeling the zoom-zoom on the front range mountain roads surrounding my home.
Technically, I've driven mazda gear before, my first car, a 93 Ford Festiva, I understand had the powertrain from the Mazda 121, and it never failed me, taught me to drive a manual.
