 I expected better fuel economy.  It has mostly been around 20-25 mpg, but the last tank of gas only got 13.36 mpg.  It looks nice and (in black) gets compliments.  My biggest shock and disappointment is that it doesn't have cruise control.  After years of having cars with cruise, including a 1998 Pontiac, I'm having trouble adjusting to having to constantly keep an eye on the speedometer on trips of 40 minutes or more.  I got my first speeding ticket on the one-month anniversary of getting this car.  Having driven my dad's 2004 Mazda 3, I really expected to love the 2011 model I just bought (only 19,084 miles on it).  I'm sad to say that I don't love it.