Rant: new "smiley" Mazda front ends

[Nine Ball]

While I'm not a huge import follower, I can appreciate nice automotive design. In the last few years, I've felt that Mazda made some nice looking econobox type cars and SUV's. They seem sporty and less sterile than say, Toyota.

Decent examples, like these:

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/05.under.25k/05.mazda.6.500.jpg

http://www.mazdasaabofbedford.com/assets/global/dealers/1012/prs/dlr2009%20Mazda%206.jpg

http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2009/Mazda/2009.mazda.mazdaspeed%20mazda3.20238350-396x249.jpg

http://www.cartuningcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/mazda-mx-5-miata-2008.jpg


BUT, what the hell is with the latest 2009 and 2010 styles? With the retarded looking "Happy Face" up front? Did the designers watch too many repeats of the movie CARS? Seriously, how much can you wussify the styling of your vehicle lineup with the smiley face? Examples:

http://image.automobilemag.com/f/news/2010-mazda-3-pricing-starts-at-15-715/17793201+cr1+re0+ar1/2010-mazda-3s.jpg

http://www.driverside.com/backseatdriver/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/miata-6.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/2009_rx-8_450-op.jpg

http://www.revueauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2010-mazda-cx7.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g216/nicaregason_photos/cars-movie.png

[Skill]

Agreed. Major step backwards, and every single new Mazda looks pretty awful.

[01z]

they look ok to me. ive never watched Cars so maybe that helps

[LeadfootDuramax]

I agree. My sister in law worked for Mazda until a month ago. She always had a new Mazda as a demo. I said the same thing and she defended it as sporty and "fun". I tried not to laugh. I honestly used to give Mazda more credit before a few road trips with her. Those Mazda's aren't that great at all. My 2500HD got better mileage than her CX9 when we caravaned together on one trip. Oh, and it had to run on premium. A Tahoe has tons more room and gets better mileage on 87 octane LOL Ok, I am done ranting.

Tony, you are dead on. They looks rediculous.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Lmao

[HYBRED]

I saw one driving home a few weeks ago; as soon as I got home I found a pic and made this:

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn145/hybredGT/2010mazda3hbeur-7.jpg

[Andrew @ PlanetLSX]

Great, I drive by a Mazda dealer every day on my way to work. Now I have to stare at smiley faces. :lol:

I did notice a dark colored Miata on the lot that had a chrome ring around the smiley hole. Talk about making it even more obnoxious.

[ryonyanko]

OMG i saw the same things... I saw one driving for the first time and I looked at him shocked... because it was so ridiculous looking. I think he though I was checking the car out or something because he seemed smug. WTF super happy GOOFY DUR SMILE! :B

[WILWAXU]

Like the old Neon commercial...

HI! :)

[The Manalishi]

My brother is a Mazda master tech and he thinks its hysterical how they have went from zoom zoom to what they have now. Because of him being a tech I got to drive the cars everytime I visited him. They have some really fun little cars, they will not set your pants on fire, but they are fun. The Miata is a blast to drive on a really curvy road or a really technical road course.

[_Zac]

I love my Mazda, but it's actually a Ford Ranger. lol

[Ragtop 99]

That is pretty goofy. I agree on the Miata. It's not a drag car, but for the $$ you can have fun car on twisties.

[Flaring Afro]

I've always been a big mazda fan. Its my favorite company (thats decently priced, doesnt include pagani, etc). They handle great, have good power, and are rarely riced so they have a good name. Aside from the mazda 5 (not to be confused with mx-5), i've liked all of their vehicles and all are pretty good choices in their category. But i have not seen any of the new ones in person, besides the rx8 which does look much better. Its a low car, all of those pictures are from the road's point of view, not a person's.