WOW!!! I actually know where Maple Shade, NJ is!! I used to work very close to there.
That badge is part of the front end now. It's been sculpted into it so if you want it gone, it's even harder now than before.
What the hell is wrong with these people? Don't they know their main audience?
As a former (working/amateur) musician, the saying goes, "you should always know, or be able to read (and adapt to) your audience." Be able to figure out what it is they want to hear and see.
From my point of view, Mazda has missed that mark.

BTW: Also hate to new steering wheel and it's controls. I much prefer mine in my '04.

 

ill just leave this here

R.I.P Mazda 3 2004-2008

You will be missed

 

Wow seems like a lot of haters for the new M3. But then again, I can understand how u guys feel. I am a Protege owner and when M3 1st came out, I wasn't impressed and I actually like the 6 more. And then this 2010 M3 is out, unlike u guys, I like it more than the current M3. I do like the smiling face grille on the front, call me weird but somehow I like it. I actually get to see one in person in LA auto shows (sedan version) and even get to sit inside of one to check out all the interiors. I like it mostly in person except the interior center console is kind of weird to me, especially the ridiculous small Navi screen.

The reason why I can understand why most of you don't like the new M3 coming from the current M3 is because like me, I wasn't really that into the current M3 when it first came out when I have a Protege. Also, I have a 07 Acura TL which I think is the best looking car Acura ever made, but hated the new 09 TL that just came out a few months ago with the new ugly grille. I hate it all the way inside out. So really it just come down to our personal taste. At the end, only time will tell how well this new 3 will sell. Only the sale figures will prove whether is a success or failure, doesn't matter what you or I think.

 

I agree that it's tough to judge the overall appearance by pictures. Overall I think it's a cool design, just in the pics the front fascia opening seems overly large. It's definitely aggressive. I still love the styling of the current 3, but I also understand the need to change the design to keep things fresh and to keep sales up.

 

Don't get me wrong though, the current 3 is still great. As you can tell by the large numbers of them on the street everywhere u go. And yea the front fascia when I 1st saw it on pictures, I wasn't sure if I am going to like it. But as I look at it more and plus being able to see one in person at LA auto show, it grew in me and end up liking it. Yea change on design main purpose is to keep things fresh and sales up by adding new technolgies and improvements, but sometimes is for the better and sometimes is for the worse. Is not always better. So who knows, anything can happen.

 

Actually, the current 3 DOES have a smiling face. The lower grille points upward to create the smile, but it's more subtle, even more subtle than a Bugey Sprite was. This thing is IN YOUR FACE OVERKILL.
If I could have those swoopy sides on my '04, I'd be happy about it. That to me is evolution. Mine looks plain by comparison, and to me this is a nice little addition (evolution) that matches the feel of the design and compliments it instead of hitting you over the head with it.

 

I wonder if anyone has noticed (or at least mine has this) on the clutch/brake fluid reservoir it has a FoMoCo logo embossed on it...

 

If that's all you've found that says FoMoCo on it, you'd better get your eyes checked. Either that, and/or stop smokin' 'n' drinkin'.
I'm sure Scott will chime in w/greater detail here (at least I hope he does to get my foot out of my mouth,) but yes Mazda and Ford share parts and parts suppliers, as I understand it.
Scott?

 

Check the oil sometime, it has FoMoCo on it also, along with a lot of the wiring harnesses and probably the engine block also.
But then again, I don't have a problem with Ford, I own 2

 

Yes, there are many parts/systems that are common between the 3 and other Ford/Volvo products (Euro Focus, Mazda3 and Volvo C30 are all on basically the same chassis.) Seeing FoMoCo on chassis/electrical (non-visual) components isn't unusual, and it's smart business practice as both companies benefit from economies of scale through higher volume production of common parts. No sense in spending the money to develop a wheel when a wheel already exists.