I must say -- you folks sure know how to make a person feel welcome: thanks, all!
I'm not sure why, but suddenly detailing my car has really grabbed my attention by the scruff of the neck! My interest has been snowballing ever since I got the car. I've had new cars before, but never felt remotely like this. Weird.
Anyway, so it's tremendous to find this forum. I've never been in a forum or any other kind of Internet Group, so don't surprised if I totally blow forumiquette. I'd appreciate being informed of any gaffes, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. Can't learn from mistakes you don't know you've made. I've got a thick skin.
My replies to others are set out in thread order (I'm not going to respond to all, just where a response is either requested or strikes me as appropriate):
~~Hey jbkergr!~~ Your 3 looks great! I see from your pic that the rear spoiler really puts a finishing touch on the car. I don't know about where you're from, but up here the rear spoiler is a Mazda accessory you buy after you've bought the car. Part, paint, and install $500, I was quoted yesterday. I think the thing should be on there when you buy it, like it is on the 6 -- certainly when you're buying the top model, at least. Anyway, no sense crying over about-to-be spilled milk. I can hardly wait to get it.
Do you think it's important to clay the car asap, or can I leave the fresh Carnuba on for a while?
~~Hey jrocc1212~~You're singing my song! I find the 3's looks entrancing! Hell, whenever I walk away from it I feel like walking backwards so I can keep looking at it -- a potentially dangerous manoeuvre in parking lots. I still haven't figured out how to attach pics to Replies, so I've put some pics in my gallery. (The picture posting business has really got me stumped; it's odd, because while I'm a novice detailer, my computer and I go way back. I couldn't find a help or faq section.
~~Hey albs~~ The dealer didn't have a chance to offer me paint sealant. I was hunting a car like the one I eventually found, by phoning every Mazda dealership in the Lower Mainland. I was told the car was non-existent in this neck of the woods for 3 to 4 months, but I called every one anyway. (By the way, yesterday a Mazda salesman told me the supply of 3s was completely drying up -- Mazda has no more to send over.) Anyway, I finally found what I wanted and bought it over the phone as soon as he said he had it. There was no dickering: I was aware that, because of the 3's scarcity and demand, no dealers were moving from MSRP.
I didn't set foot at the dealership until delivery day, so they had no opportunity to spiel me on paint sealant or anything else. I actually brought the paint sealant subject up when I was there, asking was it recommended and the price: yes and $300 were the answers. ~~Hey Yosemite Dan~~ out here, 3's are fairly rare -- I don't see that many at all. I guess the Eastern dealers got the cars first, and more of them than the West. I agree that the 3 is the best bang for the buck right now, by a country mile.
Bye for now.