Exterior questions
 

i just recently got my new BLACK mazda3 and i am wondering what a good looking front end cover to keep the bugs from eating my paint is.

also, i am looking into chroming out my car; door handles, door sills, gas cap etc...

any suggestions?

Congratulations on your new baby (car!)

Mine is also Black Mica...you can get a "hood bra" at local auto superstores and possibly by even ordering one through Mazda USA; however, in my humble opinion--they look ridiculous and do not serve a major point. ..kind of like a pocket protector--it conveys nerdiness. Bugs are still going to be ON your car, get IN your car, eat your paint etc. Its also a common practice for some car companies to send you touch up paint through the mail about 3 months after your purchase on a new car.

As for the chroming of the auto, dude, you have a Mazda3 not a Lexus. Do what you want of course, but it is an entry level economy car. Its like people who pimp out/chrome out their Dodge Neons or Ford Escorts. It just doesn't look right and more people end up laughing at it than admiring it.
Or does it look right? By matter of your own personal tastes, you'll decide.


My only "mods" were getting my windows tinted black. (black on black looks very sleek plus people can't see you) and getting a stub antenna. Because the whip antenna looks horrible and makes the car look like a Jetta, Ford Focus, or any of those "whip antenna cars." www.sharkfinantenna.com makes the car look much more high end-like.
I already have the side skirts since I bought the Touring Edition. I think it looks good this way. I really enjoy the car too, like you do, so I always try to think of ways to make it better......A lot of chrome is really elaborate. Too elaborate won't match a simple car?

Sorry, but I totally disagree with M3sTouringZOOM. Firstly, he basically contradicts himself. He starts off by saying "you have a Mazda3 not a Lexus. Do what you want of course, but it is an entry level economy car". If you think your car is simply entry level, then I'm sorry, but leave the forum. He then goes on to say that his tint and the sharkfin "makes the car look much more high end-like". High-end like . . . you mean like a Lexus? I don't beleive incarceration is trying to make his car a Lexus. I DO beleive he is trying to add some style to his car to make it look nicer or more "high end".

As for the real post: Tint on a black car is a must. I would say 15 - 20 %. I've seen the chrome door handles on lighter cars and thought they looked great. They may stand out a lot on a black car though. I think it's definitely worth a try. I would match those up with the chrome sidemarkers too. Also, I would throw on some wheels. You could go all chrome -- whick I think would look sharp, or go with black wheels with a polished lip -- ADR M-Sports. A lot of people have removed the trim as well, which I think it makes it look almost . . . Lexus-like <-- OH NO.

Take a look:

Sorry to disappoint you Krazy, I'm not going anywhere, but perhaps you should? ...Of course anyone (dirka dirka,) would want to make their car look nice by adding some modifications. Its my opinion, chrome is a little over the top for this kind of car. I'm not putting anyone's ideas down, I'm simply giving my opinion and suggestion as asked for.

The/my modified anntena does make the vehicle look higher-end which I do state, however I in no way compare that to a Lexus "high end." As far as you know, I could have been comparing it to a Honda Accord which has a standard stub antenna and is obviously not a Lexus or in the same class. And obviously a class up from a Honda Civic or Mazda3 vs. Mazda6.

do you get the same or worse reception with that antennae?

as far as lexus-like i could care less. this is my 2nd car. my 1st was a beat up '92 S10 Blazer that was given to me. i'm already pissed off that i, for some reason, accepted the car with a tiny (yes tiny, it's about the width of a pencil eraseer top from end to end) from the dealership. i still don't know if i should bother telling them or not. so as far as getting my car to be lexus-like is way out of something i am worried about lol.

first of all i would like so say thank you for entertaining me with the arguements! That is what keeps the world spinning! second, for KrazyKaz...you mentioned people removing the side trim and i personally love it on your car. Is this an easy thing to do? Is the trim just stuck on the car with double sided tape or what?

Lhsguy, The side moldings are held on with double sided M3 tape. Most people just use Goo Gone to loosen up the adhesive and then pull them off. Some use fishing line to slide between the trim and the door. The are quite easy to take off.

So were stating you like them on mare or off my car?

:balls: Dirka Dirka

thanks, i probably gonna try that soon. ill let u know how it goes

keep the flaming to a minimum guys...

sorry to tell you , but in the US, a Mazda3 IS an entry level car. It's a fact,Period. Don't be offended by it.

If someone wants to make the car look better or more luxurious, more power to them

Chrome AIN'T gonna do it though. It'll make it look rice, as the only chrome stuff you'll get will be the cheap plastic-chrome stuff

Chrome is so 1950's anyway.