Like/dislikes about my Mazda3

I'm not really used to strange people coming up to me and asking questions that I don't expect. What I mean by this is that I'm not suprised by someone asking me: "Do you know where the Wyndham Hotel is?" or "Can I get the time?", or even the occasional "Do you have a cellphone I can borrow for a quick call?" (answer to this one is always no). However, when someone who I don't know comes up and asks me an opinion question I'm not ready for, I kind of get caught offguard. Over the weekend, I was parking my car in Trader Joe's parking lot while Talitha was starting some shopping. Some guy comes up to me and asks me how I like my Mazda3. He wanted to know what I liked about it, what I didn't like about it, etc.. at first I thought he was just bored, maybe he was looking to buy one. At any rate, it made me think about it, and I thought I'd list out what my true likes and dislikes of the vehicle are.

I'll preface this list by saying that overall, I really love my 3. I got a good deal on it, and its fun to drive.

Dislikes (in no particular order):

• No audio input on the stereo. Yeah, in the era of iPods and after market satellite radio, there's no audio input on the stereo used in all '06 Mazdas. From what I've read on the Mazda3 Forums, Auxmod is probably the best bet. It clips into the MD port on the back of the stereo and provides a 1/8" audio jack. Unforunately, it is sold out. The guy who designed it has a prototype for a new one that offers an additional RS/232 serial connector, LCD text display, and I hear the steering wheel controls will also be usable with the iPod. Unfortunately, it was due to be out in August, but has yet to be released. Until then, I'll have to stick with my FM transmitter, which sucks in a highly populated area who's airwaves are so crowded with radio stations.
• Here's a annoying one: the gas pedal is too close to the accelerator. I know its a compact car, but come on! The gas pedal is jammed right up against the center console, and the break pedal is right next door. I think I'd rather replace the wide break pedal (its an autostick) with a smaller one like you'd see in a MT car.
• Insurance prices are a bit higher. About, $120-200 depending on your insurability in CA, at least. I've seen a lot more 3's on the road here, so probably more accidents.
• Laggy transmission. Yeah, of course its not as responsive as an MT, but first gear can be very laggy. The autostick can also be very laggy as well. If you're using the autostick, you have to anticipate the shift by a second or so so that the shift kicks in when you expect it. For example, if I want to shift into second from first, I need to kick the the stick to + at 4,000rpm to get it to shift at 5,000 (with the accelerator moderaly pressed in).
  
• Idle's rough mostly when it just warms up. Its not necessarily bad, and no inspections revealed bad motor mounts or anything. Just a little annoying choppiness.
• The Bose stereo leaves a bit to be desired.
• Blind spots can get you; I have my mirrors tilted all the way out, otherwise other compacts get lost in the cars blindspots.
  

Likes:

• Tight suspension, tight steering. This makes the car very maneuverable, especially in heavy traffic.
• Lots of power at the top of second, and all of third gear - this car's power is in 3rd.
• Small turning radius, which really comes in handy out here in California, since you usually have to make at least 3 u-turns to get anywhere.
• It's fast, though it won't win you any drag races. You'll want the Mazda3sport for that :-)
• The sportshifter (manumatic, autostick, whatever) is fantastic for getting that power quickly when you need to pass someone on the freeway.
  
• All of the controls are easy to reach and make sense. For example, its nice to have a wiper-mist function again (Camry didn't have it).
• Decent gas mileage. I average 27-29 miles per gallon.
• Lots of space, especially for a compact car, and definitely with the hatchback. Sure, if you need to move anything of appreciable size, you won't be able to have passengers in the back, but you can still fit quite a bit back there.
  
• Glove box like a walkin closet. Seriously, I can put almost my entire arm in the glove box without touching the back.
  
• The car looks smart, and sporty. In the land of the Prius, the 3 is king.
• The red-glow of the displays, and the blue electro-luminescent dashboard is really easy on the eyes at night.
  
• Fun to drive. Hands down, this car is fun to drive.