Mazda3 Design Forum: changes to the front face

[vv2288]

Maybe the designer should become a toy designer or cartoonist. The smilely face front belies the performance of the Mazda 3 engine. Mazda compacts are usually associated with performance, and the old Mazda 323 hatchback won a lot of rallies. Mazda fans are usually young men who would've preferred a more aggressive look than the smiley face. If you are designing for women or for small cars (like Mazda 2 or the Mini), the smiley face is fine, but not on the Mazda 3. A bad design.

[TheYoooth]

1st gen m3's > 2nd gen m3's

They really fucked up.

[iZach07]

i love this car... if only i had the money for it!! Damn being a poor college student!

[roderick2007]

Regardless of their ridiculous rationale behind the new grille design, it looks disgusting. I understand the need for a little change, but this is going too far, and it has no appeal unless you want a car that looks like that "almost retarded kid" who sat near the teachers desk and his mouth was always open and drewling. I hope to hell they can rig up some kind of a rapid mid-model year grille change to save some of their smothered reputation. zoom-zoom your asses back to the drawing board.

[carlosyasik]

Now I know... I just wanted to know the reason they did this and if they were aware it looks like a smile. At first I didn't like it, now i think the reason its enough to know the spirit of a middle teenage brother. I like it.