My wife bought a Mazda 3 almost a year ago, it pretty much rules. No problems with it so far, it is fully loaded (minus navigation system and xenon headlights). No problems at all, really affordable and a great ride. Just tinted the windows, it looks like a sporty BMW..

Yes, my next task is to get the windows tinted, when I have a little extra cash lying around.

I just got my windows tinted for Christmas. It definitley helps keep the interior cool (and looks nice too)! Congratulations on your new car!!!

My wifes newly tinted windows (got them tinted for our anniversary), got her pulled over about 2 weeks ago. Warning for tinted windows and must have it removed - on-your-honor (yeah, like we're going to do that), warning for her Al-Fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror, and a $170 speeding ticket.

Beware, some cops are straight up pricks.

Some tinting is legal, some is not. The law in California can be found in Sections 26708 through 26708.5 of the California Vehicle Code which you can read for yourself here. As was explained to me when I got my windows tinted, provided your vehicle has left and right side view mirors, then you can install tint of any darkness you like on the rear and side rear windows. Tinting of the front side (driver's door and front passenger's door) windows is only legal in the case of minimal UV protection -- this film is basically worthless as tinting because it requires a minimum of 88% of visible light to be transmitted [see 26708(d)(1-5)] and is essentially a transparent partial UV filter. Any tinting film on the front windshield is illegal and apparently results in an automatic 2 points on your license.

As I understand it, having tinting on your front side window transmitting less than 88% of visible light (basically film of any shade other than clear) is not a moving violation, but is something for which you can be cited if you happen to get pulled over for something else (like speeding, for example). I decided I didn't want to deal with the hassle of "fix-it" tickets every so often, so I only tinted my rear and side rear windows.