Kazbeden wrote....
Does anyone think it's a little foolish to buy a car before even driving it, or are you that confident in the ride quality of the 3?
Well; this depends on whether the person is willing, and can, take a chance.
I have spent plenty of time doing research on this particular vehicle (MAZDA3 SPORT) and can honestly say that I believe that it will make a worthy purchase. I have been keeping up to date with several European magazines and I have found, and know (being from Europe myself) that if in Europe a car gets glowing reviews it usually means that the car IS that good. I really do not like to put too much emphasis on the American magazines such as Road & Track, Car & Driver and....you get the idea, because I do not like their testing and judging criterias. Too American with no skill set. Not to offend anyone.
I can also say this because in Europe there is A LOT MORE competition when it comes to vehicles. Case in point when they do comparos they usually would use the MAZDA3 SPORT with the RENAULT MEGANE, PEUGEOT 206, ALFA ROMEO 146, AUDI A3 and so on and so on which makes for a better testing environment. Not only that but in Europe the Toyota Corollas, Honda Civics are all together different from the "garbage" they sell here. They are sportier, interiors are more "done up" and they also come in Diesels.
The general consensus we have, and still exists, in Europe is that you can pretty much sell anything to the North Americans and they will buy it with no questions asked. Not so in Europe and Asia where I have also lived. There the product HAS TO BE THE BEST or they just won't sell.
Oops sorry I got carried away.
Defy