Hi folks, my first post on this fine forum. I've lurked a bit, but figured it was time to sign up.
The newest addition to our family arrived on Saturday!
'07 Sport GT, Luxury Package, Galaxy Grey.
She handles like a dream, has everything I could ever ask for, and she's my first brand new car! With that in mind I have a few novice questions if you don't mind pointing a n00b in the right directions.
Welcome to the forums mr_fungle. That is a fantastic combo. There are no n00b questions here, because we're all still n00bs!
I'll take a stab at as many questions as possible:
How can I bottle the smell it has now???
Technically the new car smell is harmful to your health. A fine mix of plastics and chemicals. That being said, it's like crack. I can't get enough of it. I have yet to find anything that smells even remotely close. If you want to keep the smell as long as possible, keep your windows closed as much as possible; don't eat in your car; don't let leave things that could smell in your trunk (gym shoes etc).
- I gotta tint the rear windows and was thinkin of going with a 35%. Any places in Vancouver recommended?
Our sponsor on the forum N-Motion does window tinting. Visit their forum for pricing. Larry Lee also comes well recommended. He is a mobile tinter who can come directly to your home for the job. If you search for his name on the forum, you can find his contact details.
- I'd like to eventually get some roof racks, but am not too keen on the price tag at Mazda. Are there third party that will do the job?[
The dealer accessories tend to be pricey. I would sniff around Ebay or other online sources for a decent deal. Also, a member on our forums (Silver3) is selling his car. He has the roof rack installed, perhaps try shooting him a PM to see if he would part it out?
- Are there any recommended stubby antennas? how is the reception with the sharkfins?
There is no real brand of stubby that is preferred over another. Just go with your favourite style. If you prefer a sharkfin, they can be painted to match and offer very near stock reception. You also don't have to worry about anyone pulling off your antenna (it has happened).
- What are some 'best-bang-for-your-buck" mods? It's an automatic due to being our commuter vehicle. Intake? Exhaust? Worth it?
I'm going to let the others chime in regarding bang-for-the-buck mods. An intake will run you anywhere from $150-300, while an exhaust can go from approximately $400 installed for a custom, all the way to $700-800 for a name brand piece. Many dyno charts have been posted, but in general performance gains won't be huge. The real benefit comes in terms of aural pleasures. (Mind out of the gutter guys!)
- The interior seems to scratch really easily. Is there a way to buff them out, prevent or protect it?
Truthfully, I haven't found the magic answer myself. It does scuff quite easily, and the only way to avoid it is to practice careful entry and exit in the car.
- Is the Mazda 3 emblem on the back easy to remove or is it screwed through the panel?
I believe it is screwed in.
- how long do I really have to keep it under 4000 RPM? It is killing me!
Truthfully, I'm going to go against the grain and say break-in is overkill for modern production cars. Drive it like you stole it, right off the lot.
- Any other tips for a new Mazda owner?
Two main weaknesses of the car. Paint quality and carpet quality. If you can swing spending a few bucks, get the front end of your car covered in 3M film. It will go a long ways to preserving the appearance of your car. If you want to spend a little less and don't mind the look, a car bra would suffice.
I'd also recommend picking up a good set of rubber mats (either OEM or aftermarket). They will help preserve the rather thin carpets.
Aside from that, we hope to see you at a future meet! Keep the shiny side up
? Kev
