Well we finally pulled the trigger after months of thinking about it, I'm picking up my new Black Mazda3 Saturday morning and it's pretty exciting. We got a pretty good deal in the end after some negotiating but it was tough, we came in off of a referral so we were already getting "employee pricing", the problem being that employee pricing is higher than it used to be. It really seems like over the past 6 months dealerships are really not negotiating as much as they used to. Ah well, we still got some good savings on the car and they "threw in" all weather mats and wheel locks. As a bonus we also are getting to drive around in a loaner mazda3 for this week until mine comes in (it's being delivered from Victoria) which is pretty cool and seems to be a pretty rare thing.

We ended up with a Black Mazda3 GT with the Luxury package. What's nice is the GT includes everything in the GX/GS trims as well as the comfort package. All the specs are below and I bolded what I think is especially awesome.

Base GT:

- 2.3L engine with sequential valve timing - 156 hp - 150 lb./ft torque - 17" alloy wheels - 205/50R17 tires - ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD) - 4-wheel disc brakes - Dual front air bags - Side Air Bags - Side Air Curtains - 5 Speed Automatic with Tiptronic - Anti-theft system - Exterior temperature gauge - Auxiliary Input - AM/FM/CD player with MP3 capability - 6 Speakers - Front heated seats - Leather wrapped steering wheel - Leather wrapped shift knob - LED Hannabi taillights - Sporty bumpers - Side sill extensions - Body coloured grille - Sporty fog lights - Tri-mode electrominescent gauges - Piano black interior trim - Air conditioning with micron air filter - Map lamp - Driver and passenger sunvisor with illuminated vanity mirror - Glove box lock - Front rain sensing wipers - Auto light control - Lumbar support - Trip Computer - Cruise control w/steering wheel monted controls - Rear center armrest with 2 cup holders

Comfort Package: - Power door Mirrors - Heated Mirrors - Power Locks - Central Locking Switch on Driver and Front Passenger Doors - Keyless entry with 2 key fobs - Power Windows - Power Window Switch Illumination - One Touch Down Driver's Side Window - Illuminated Entry - Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls

Luxury Package: - Leather seats - 6-Disc in-dash CD changer - Automatic climate control - Xenon headlights (HID) - Power driver seat with (8 way adjustable) - BOSE sound system - Sirius satellite radio - Speakers (7 vs. 6) - Chrome finish on exterior door handles - Moonroof

I'm pretty excited, hopefully Saturday goes without a hitch.

Update: Car is mine!