 This was my first brand new car purchase and my first Mazda and I love this car.  I thought the automatic transmission was trash so I got the manual.  I get about 26 to 27 miles per gallon under mixed highway and city driving.  I drive it pretty hard (I can't help it; it's fun to drive).  I got rid of the whip antenna and replaced it with a Shark Fin Antenna and the car looks really nice with it.  My friend says it looks almost like a BMW!  The car looks REALLY nice in Black.