Random Topic: Mazda 3s aging well?

[Tokic_o]

I don’t think this topic has ever come up on TM3 or at a TM3 meet (or maybe it has but I wasn’t present) So I’ve come across a similar article recently about the aging of cars. The Mazda 3 began production in 2004 so now that we are in 2010, the car has hit 6 years of age. In 4 years, owners of 1st gen Mazda 3s will see their car hit the 10 year old mark. For owners like me, who have the facelifted 1st gen (2007-2009) our cars may not seem that old but for the average person our cars look the same as the 2004-2006 models.

There are a few cars out there that age well. Often times, by 10 years the car actually looks its age and people out there will see it and have the impression that it is “old” or “aged”. Thus far (and this might be a bit early to judge this) I think our mazda 3s have aged pretty well. Yes, you can tell the 2010s look horribly different (:chuckle) but I think the 1st gen Mazda 3s can pass for a new model car and will be able to keep its impression for some time. Other cars to keep note about this “well aging” process would obviously be the 350Z, the S2000, and the NSX to name a few.

What do you guys think??

Sorry if some of the sentences are hard to understand I am crazy tired drinking my roll up the rim and lose cup.

have some fun with this topic btw :) I thought you guys would like it haha

[midnightfxgt]

I am on the fence....

If the first Gen Mazda3s have a lip on them, I find them to look much more "newer style" than the OEM bumpers. Maybe its just me? However, even with the OEM exterior they still look good :)

[mazdabetty]

I agree, our cars have definitely aged very well... although I have thought about this exact topic several times before while debating whether or not to keep my car for another few years... I was walking out to it the other night and for a brief second thought the back end, or tail light area, might be starting to look just a LITTLE dated. Maybe it was just the way the light was hitting it at the time cuz I always thought the back end was the best part... hahahah :chuckle

I find the Protege dated REALLY quick... it's that tail end again... hmmmm

[Gizzmo_jr]

Mazda3 is doing quite well, my friends 04 Matrix isn't doing so well in my opinion.

[Riftler]

I agree, our cars have definitely aged very well... although I have thought about this exact topic several times before while debating whether or not to keep my car for another few years... I was walking out to it the other night and for a brief second thought the back end, or tail light area, might be starting to look just a LITTLE dated. Maybe it was just the way the light was hitting it at the time cuz I always thought the back end was the best part... hahahah :chuckle

I find the Protege dated REALLY quick... it's that tail end again... hmmmm

+1 for me. I think the mazda's are doing well, but when I look at the rear end of my car and I see my red lights, i feel outdated, stupid LEDS lol

[mazdabetty]

+1 for me. I think the mazda's are doing well, but when I look at the rear end of my car and I see my red lights, i feel outdated, stupid LEDS lol

Yeahh even with the LEDs though I still find it's looking dated... I have the LEDs installed on my car and I'm thinking it's just the shape of the tail light... needs more curves maybe, I dunno. And I'm actually starting to like the reds again cuz they're so rare!

[JSI]

I agree, the 3's body style (04-09) still looks really good. If you see one in great shape it could pass for new. Only because we recognize the 2010 as the "new" 3 does ours look really different. Most people wouldn't even think they are the same car.
For me the best was the 2006 model. I was not a huge fan of the 07-09 changes.

The key thing in my mind in making a car model age well is not doing drastic changes to it. Take the two examples of the NSX and 350Z, they didn’t changes much at all over time. The 2010 3 could be a problem, in a few years when they become more accepted the old gen 3 might start to look out dated.

I’m still thinking the 2010 are a bit ahead of their time. The more and more I see them though I am starting to like them. Especially the GT Hatch.

Jeremy

[towelsnap]

Mazda3 is doing quite well, my friends 04 Matrix isn't doing so well in my opinion.

I agree his Trix is in a lil rough shape (engine sounds like ass) .


For my sandmica... the ride is still nice, breaks are starting to go and it slips into second a little rough. Over all for a 2006 the car looks and runs for the most part great (even on really cold mornings ) I am starting to rust around my keylock, lower part of passenger door. Overall I have driven the car rather hard so how I've treated her and how good she's been to me I can't complain. My biggiest issue would be the cheap paint. I have a crazy amount of chips on my hood. Overall I'd be another Mazda for sure.

[Rob23]

i have an 04 and my dad has a silver 04 bought new, and they are both in great shape running well, im had some rust in the back wheel wells i got fixed and that was it. the car will last me for some time still :)

[Riftler]

Yeahh even with the LEDs though I still find it's looking dated... I have the LEDs installed on my car and I'm thinking it's just the shape of the tail light... needs more curves maybe, I dunno. And I'm actually starting to like the reds again cuz they're so rare!

True the shape is a getting a little old. Maybe add some taillight eyelids?

[06MZR23]

I agree with JSI. I wasn't a huge fan of the 07-09 change. for me it was the Fogs. I liked the round ones.

Don't think they look dated at all. There still aren't a huge amount of 2010 sports on the road to compare against the previous Gen.

I have an 06 and Maggie is beautiful!:hawt

[whiteomega]

I don't know; I'm starting to think the first generation Mazda3 is looking a bit boring now. Back in 2002/2003 when they were announced they were quite fresh and interesting, but now a lot of cars have either adopted the same kind of look or moved beyond it. To me, now, the profile is still very nice, and classically proportioned, but it is getting a bit dull.

[RedRaptor]

I find that with any car model, the trim level determines how well it ages. For example, the 04-06 Mazda3 GX, GS models definitely look aged with their black plastic handles, black mirrors and red tail lights. To age well, the secret is to have enough "colour keyed" accessories like the mirrors, door handles and etc. Most stock cars come with some sort of side skirts now...again the GX and GS models look naked with its simple lines. Finally, a set of nice wheels goes a long way. OEM hub caps on steelies is just fugly especially with aluminium wheels being standard nowadays.

Lower end trims seem to be born premature on the road...

***Waiting for Phil to get back at me because he has black handles!***

[Riftler]

I agree with JSI. I wasn't a huge fan of the 07-09 change. for me it was the Fogs. I liked the round ones.

Don't think they look dated at all. There still aren't a huge amount of 2010 sports on the road to compare against the previous Gen.

I have an 06 and Maggie is beautiful!:hawt

Really? I love the 07-09 fogs way better!

[MistaChin]

To each their own. I prefer my 07-09 fogs over the round ones. They look much sleeker but once again, this is subjective. I totally agree with RedRaptor's post that it really is dependent on the trim level. I think my GT looks super and I wouldn't have it any other way (except a boost? lol). Overall, I believe the older and lower trim levels look really outdated, but I'm sure some modification will help that significantly.

[n00bMeiSter]

I find the Protege dated REALLY quick... it's that tail end again... hmmmm

"Are you saying my butt looks old?!" is what a protege would say right about now lol.

"Do these tail lights make my butt look old?" :P

I think the 1st gen's still look great.