I can smell your burnt out clutch from here :-D
Just keep practicing, you'll get it. Key is to use clutch + gas at the same time. When you get good, it will feel like an automatic to a passenger.
I just wanted to say, I test drove a mazda 3 and mazda 6 .... my impressions were : gutless, and horrible handling, and plasticy interior, but who cares as long as you like it 😉
Hey, let's not get hasty, I've never held the clutch so long as to smell it after ANY driving session, but yes, I'm trying to let it go a little faster. Also, I may be biased as I was driving a 1998 Toyota Avalon from 16-18, but this car handles amazingly and takes corners very nicely. The only complaint I would have is that when turning really sharply, the feedback to your hands from the wheel is a tad numb, but the handling itself is superb. The interior is also a strong suit of the car, you must be pretty picky
😀 I looked at reviews of the car before I even test drove it, and kellybluebook, carinsider, etc all seem to agree with me, but again, I was driving a 1998 Avalon beforehand, so...
Dunno what else you'd want for less than 20k, though.
Also, for anyone wondering, it's the stock sSport model, so it has a 2.5l engine to the 2l, and a 6-speed compared to the 5-speed iSport models.
EDIT: Also, it's not the mazda SPEED 3, just the Mazda3. Two different cars.