First in NH
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GT vs. Touring?
Just curious. Why the GT vs. the Touring trim level? I am considering the Meteor Gray Touring model but might get the GT once I see it in person. Some reviews have said the smaller wheels on the Touring model are actually optimal. Are real leather seats a lot better than the "leatherette" on the Touring model?
Just curious. Why the GT vs. the Touring trim level? I am considering the Meteor Gray Touring model but might get the GT once I see it in person. Some reviews have said the smaller wheels on the Touring model are actually optimal. Are real leather seats a lot better than the "leatherette" on the Touring model?
@WindyCityGuy
The decision between Touring and Grand touring was an easy one for us once we looked at both. Once you add navigation to the touring (a requirement for us) there is only a $1,000 price differential and that gets you these features:
Much nicer rims that really change the overall look of the car. Leather seats vs. the leatherette stuff which, to me was very polyester-ish, kind of slippery and a little cheap looking. Full LED headlamps and tail lamps, fog lights (which also change the look of the car a bit) & adaptive headlights (a good safety enhancement). The active driving display (which also shows the navigation steps which I really like). Upgraded climate control (auto setting and not the cheap looking rotary knobs).
Now, I was able to negotiate the price down $300! Plus I got another $500 off due to an S-plan certificate I got through my employer. Then I got the dealer to include the storage accessory to organize crap in the trunk ($50). So, I got the Grand touring for roughly $200 more than the touring which is well worth all the extra features (assuming you get the premium package on the touring which give you the moonroof & Bose stereo).
I read that the 16" rims have a slightly different driving dynamic than the 18". I prefer the lower-profile tires and the difference in handling you get -- maybe a little bumpier but a better feel to me.
Regarding color, it's all subjective but this car does take to gray. I'm not a huge fan of the plastic wheel well cladding and gray masks that the best of all the colors. Gray also looks nice along with the black highlights on the 18" rims and matches the areas of red you see inside the Touring & Grand touring models.
More to come later but feel free to ask specific questions if you have them.
The decision between Touring and Grand touring was an easy one for us once we looked at both. Once you add navigation to the touring (a requirement for us) there is only a $1,000 price differential and that gets you these features:
Much nicer rims that really change the overall look of the car. Leather seats vs. the leatherette stuff which, to me was very polyester-ish, kind of slippery and a little cheap looking. Full LED headlamps and tail lamps, fog lights (which also change the look of the car a bit) & adaptive headlights (a good safety enhancement). The active driving display (which also shows the navigation steps which I really like). Upgraded climate control (auto setting and not the cheap looking rotary knobs).
Now, I was able to negotiate the price down $300! Plus I got another $500 off due to an S-plan certificate I got through my employer. Then I got the dealer to include the storage accessory to organize crap in the trunk ($50). So, I got the Grand touring for roughly $200 more than the touring which is well worth all the extra features (assuming you get the premium package on the touring which give you the moonroof & Bose stereo).
I read that the 16" rims have a slightly different driving dynamic than the 18". I prefer the lower-profile tires and the difference in handling you get -- maybe a little bumpier but a better feel to me.
Regarding color, it's all subjective but this car does take to gray. I'm not a huge fan of the plastic wheel well cladding and gray masks that the best of all the colors. Gray also looks nice along with the black highlights on the 18" rims and matches the areas of red you see inside the Touring & Grand touring models.
More to come later but feel free to ask specific questions if you have them.
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Good Choice
I agree the car looks great in the Meteor Gray color and your logic for the GT vs. the Touring makes sense. I am so used to using my smartphone for navigation that it's not a critical feature for me but the other upgrades including real leather versus "leatherette", auto climate control are very nice indeed. The CX3 are just starting to make it to dealers here in Chicago so I hope I can get to test drive one here in the next week! Thanks for your reply.
I agree the car looks great in the Meteor Gray color and your logic for the GT vs. the Touring makes sense. I am so used to using my smartphone for navigation that it's not a critical feature for me but the other upgrades including real leather versus "leatherette", auto climate control are very nice indeed. The CX3 are just starting to make it to dealers here in Chicago so I hope I can get to test drive one here in the next week! Thanks for your reply.
U.S. GT has either option of all black leather seats or almond leather seats w/ black suede seat patches. All GT U.S. trims have interior red accent patches and stitching regardless of the external paint color. A bad choice on Mazda's part.
I was at a second dealer who said the white (parchment) is only available with the white, red or blue exterior. I'm in the US. not sure I trust the dealer really knows. It would be nice if it was available for gray, titanium flash or black. Has anyone seen this combo?
I'm looking for black with parchment. My dealer said none are inbound for the US at this time and would have to special order (2 - 3 month lead time).
Probably due to initial simplified production runs at US launch. I'm going to place my order for black/parchment on Saturday.
Edit: I looked on Cars.com and see GT CX-3s with different color exteriors with parchment interior. Including the black/parchment combo I'm looking for.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/645340975/overview/
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Test Drove a CX3 GT
I test drove a Ceramic Metallic GT today and I am impressed. I test drove a Honda HR-V two months ago and the Honda engine is underpowered and the ride "boring" relative to the CX3. This particular Mazda dealer was unwilling to go below MSRP but another dealer south of me works with TrueCar and hopefully I will get a good deal there with a Meteor Gray GT. While the Ceramic Metallic is nice, I am not a huge fan of white cars. I might be the owner of a new Mazda tomorrow!
I test drove a Ceramic Metallic GT today and I am impressed. I test drove a Honda HR-V two months ago and the Honda engine is underpowered and the ride "boring" relative to the CX3. This particular Mazda dealer was unwilling to go below MSRP but another dealer south of me works with TrueCar and hopefully I will get a good deal there with a Meteor Gray GT. While the Ceramic Metallic is nice, I am not a huge fan of white cars. I might be the owner of a new Mazda tomorrow!
@WindyCityGuy
Yes, Meteor Gray is the way to go
question, if the ceramic more of an offwhite or is it more of a grayish silver? In the CX-3 brochure the color swab almost looks like a dull silver.
Yes, Meteor Gray is the way to go
question, if the ceramic more of an offwhite or is it more of a grayish silver? In the CX-3 brochure the color swab almost looks like a dull silver.
I saw both the Ceramic Metallic and the Titanium Flash today.
Ceramic metallic could be considered an extremely pale silver with a hint of earth tone. Gorgeous but I live in NYC region and don't care to be washing it all the time.
Titanium Flash shows some cool color shifts in changing light. Dark grey to a deeply dark golden brown.
Dealer told me that the Dynamic Blue GT is only shipping with all-black leather seats/trim. No parchment. Anyone hear different?
Ceramic metallic could be considered an extremely pale silver with a hint of earth tone. Gorgeous but I live in NYC region and don't care to be washing it all the time.
Titanium Flash shows some cool color shifts in changing light. Dark grey to a deeply dark golden brown.
Dealer told me that the Dynamic Blue GT is only shipping with all-black leather seats/trim. No parchment. Anyone hear different?
Im showing that combo on Cars.com
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16 Posts
It was a bright sunny afternoon and the Ceramic Metallic looked white with an undertone of silver. I think it is one of those colors that changes quite a bit depending on the light. My last car was silver (boring I know) but I think the Meteor Gray looks great on the CX3. I see a lot of "Soul Red" on cars.com but the dealer said it was the slowest selling color on his lot which is interesting.
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