Geez this thread has gotten bent and twisted with baseless facts and innuendo to such an extent you'd never know I started it as a friendly introduction that said (among other things) that I was seriously looking at a Mazda3 for purchase in the next week. [:@]

Like it or not folks, I'm not a country of origin car bigot (or worse, aspecific brandbigot), and I'm more than happy to evaluate all cars that meet my current and specific set of requirements, and then judge them accordingly. Funny thing, some of you (and you know who you are) seem to take offence that I have the audacity to write the word "Rabbit" in the same post as "Mazda3", and all I have to say is, get over yourself.

Now, on a lighter note,most of you have been more than helpful with advice, suggestions and answers to specific questions (such as the one about heated exterior mirrors), and for that I sincerely thank you. I just got off the phone with my Sales Associate, and it looks like I'll be taking home a new Mazda3 either this afternoon or at the latest, tomorrow. [8D]

 

Congrats on your pending purchase.

I recommend picking up a third key right away. The reason is as long as you have two keys you can program in up to eight keys yourself. If you only have one key (i.e. you lose one of the original two) then the dealer must program in any new keys for you which = $$$. If you have three keys and you lose one you can just spend $20 for a new key and program in the new one yourself. Check with your dealer to see what they'd charge, however if they ask more than $20 or so then I'd order one online. Plus since you have daughters that will be driving soon it might be useful to have more than two keys.

Again congrats and hope to keep seeing you around the forums.

 

Thanks for the "Head-up!" As I'm going to need to order heated mirrors ASAP (we're supposed to get snow as soon as tonight), I'll just add a new key to the order.

Current shopping list:
[ul][*]Two heated mirrors[*]One key[*]Four Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 205/50 R17 tires (anybody want to buy four new Goodyear RSAs? No? I didn't think so.)[/ul]
I will keep y'all posted. BTW, what's with the double/single quotes?

 

I have only been scanning this thread recently so admittedly I"m not up on every single word/phrase/sentence that"s been written here.But shipo, you have to understand Uber to know where he"s coming from. He puts it on the line most of the time. It"s just his way.He"s really an alright kinda' guy though. Don"t be offended by it, just take it for what it is. Besides, knowing him a little better than you, I think you are making more out of it than he means.
I made the same over-assumptions when I first started on forums and started a few unnecessary fights... several times. Once I got to know the people I was dealing w/better, I realized and understood their personal "styles" and dealt w/it all much better. There are all kinds of people. If Uber were that bad, we probably would've driven him off years ago. But he"s actually quite detail oriented and does a lot of research. He could be a very good source for you... not we always agree here either.
Like my boss always tells me w/my work e-mail, "if it"s not for you, just delete it!" (I get fromand send a lot of crap to groups that don't necessarily need the information in them. It"s just quicker that way.) In this case, just overlook it.

I too hope that you will stick around for a while. We banter, debateand argue and are silly all the time 'round here. But when someone has a problem, we are also very serious about helping them solve it. It"s a male-ego thing... you know? And once you get to know the personalities better, youcan andwill have more fun here... or any forum for that matter.
We generally are a helpful and friendly forum, and we have a good core group. Most that don"t fit in, start a lot of flame-wars and such,realize it and go elsewhere.

Congrats on the impending NEW ride and post some pictures when you get it!! Give us your thoughts and opinions as an owner, etc.....

 

The apostrophe has been screwed up for a while now. I"ve gotten so used to it, that I just use the quote for an apostrophe. That way, if someone quotes your post, or if an apostrophe is in the title of the thread it doesn"t double them again... and again... and again.... to infinity. That drives me nuts!!! [:@]
I may NEVER be able to type normally again.
We are waiting for a new software upgrade.The other site I MOD for is also waiting for the same upgrade.

 

Well, the new ride is in the garage. [8D]

I am now the proud owner of a 2009 Mazda3 i Touring 5-Speed all done up in Stormy Blue Mica. I have yet to see the car in the daylight so I do not really know what it is going to look like tomorrow on the way to work, but so far, I like the color.

I will endeavor to get some pictures of it in the next day or two, and will of course post them when I do. Now, if you kind folks will excuse me, I have a HUGE Owners Manual to wade through.

P.S.

virgin1, thanks for the words of advice.

 

Shipo -

Congrats! I believe you will come to appreciate your new family member for what it really is...a fantastic, economical and trustworthy little ride that'll have you driving around smiling.

Enjoy in good health!

Steve

 

Thanks for the good wishes Steve, I appreciate it.

 

I'll add my well wishes to everyone else, and ...... er...... me since I already did. Still congrats. I don't think I've seen a stormy blue yet, but I've pretty much liked all the blue colors so far.

 

How do you programthe extra key yourself?