sixstringthing said:
I don't see how anyone can possibly NOT agree about the extremely cheap interiors. Not asking for a super high-tech talking navigation system, but c'mon for a car that is around 26k or so fully loaded they can do a LOT better.
Look at the picture above on this page...how squared off everything is. In fact it looks kind of hummer-ish. I don't care about a brushed aluminum look. I think mazda is making some great looking interiors right now. I prefer all black. I personally don't like faux metal/aluminum or faux anythng for that matter.
I do want to say that the gauges on the 05 are perfect in my opinion. I dont have one single complaint. I think they look great. but rest of the dash is too boxy, clunky and cheap looking. It almost looks like it was snapped together.
Look at the console radio/air area, look at the shifter area. Man, that looks like it should be in a 94 pick up or something. there is no flow connecting the radio area to the shifter/armrest/cup holder area. Now, maybe they wanted to go retro but this just looks like the interior of a truck.
This is KEY: See how the console is recessed from it's casing and the air vents? On a design level that's just wrong. Not only is it disjointed but it's completely incongruous with the exterior of the car. It might be more appropriate in the honda element or scion xb but not here. To me the exterior screams sleak, fast, sexy, and cool. Not boxy, square and jagged which is what the dash/console is. I said before that all of this may be moot once I see the car in person. Sometimes a picture doesn't do it's subject justice.
And another thing! LOL. what's with the floor carpet? IS that part of the body being exposed? And what about the broken air vent? If this car was a junky tester don't bring it out in public as a showcase. I don't care how many people got in and out of that car that day. The air vent SHOULD'NT BE BROKEN. They didn't think at LEAST one person would take pictures and post em on the Internet? I think maniacmustangman took some great, very detailed pictures. BUT they've single handedly made me very reluctant. I'll definitely and obviously wait till i see the darn thing in person before I make a final judgement but I am very surprised. IMHO one of the best interiors out there is the audi tt. Whenever I walk by a parked TT I have to stop and gaze at the interior. I show it to my friends, lol. I love it! The fact that it's connected to an overweight, underpowered, overpriced, under-reliable car isnt the point. The point is that even though perhaps the same materials can't be used for reasons of cost but the DESIGN of the TT interior is impeccable. BTW, If anyone from ford is reading this I'd be happy to come on board to your interior design division