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MazdaSpeed3: Styling Impressions
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It's tough to give advice for negotiating a warranty given that there are loads of warranty's out there by various companies. However, if you do purchase a warranty, make sure it is a manufacturer backed warranty, for example, I sell "Easy Care" which is a Mazda backed warranty.
If you keep your cars 7+ years, maybe go for a 7yr-85K mile warranty (they are not too expensive) or 8yr-100K (again, not too expensive.)
I pick up my car in early December, and hope some of the hype has subsided by then so I can better negotiate on these extras.
I got to tell you, though, sitting there undetailed among other cars of various sizes, I think the market for this car will be limited to people looking for an inexpensive performance car. It's a sleeper with almost no cues that it is more than a regular 3. If I were a dealer, I'd forget about "market adjustments". This is not a car that will sell on sales sizzle, IMHO. If you can bide your time and wait for discounts or S-Plan, I'd do that. And get the GT if you want those extra touches and can afford them. But, if it performs as well as everybody is saying and has the aftermarket (Corky is on the case!) to turn it into a true FWD badass (which I fully expect), then it is a gift from Mazda to us as enthusiasts. I plan to enjoy it to the fullest extent possible and for many years. Maybe I'll even pass it on to my son if it lasts that long.
Driving impressions to follow in 1-2 days!
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I can't even remember much in the way of past discussion on Speed3 styling...
Why not just combine this thread and the "First Drives" thread into a single thread "First Impressions" thread? As it is, you've already got 3 seperate Speed3 theads going in here (plus another one on the "Future Vehicles" board).
I see now that you had moved this discussion from the "Future Vehicles" board over here. whoops.....
I did a quick check and I didn't see much available for that tire size that weren't seriously expensive. i wasn't planning on a major expenditure so soon after getting the car.
Any suggestions?
If it is any help, fitting 17"s on the MS6 worked. I believe the Mazdaspeed3 uses the same brake system. 16"s are too small, the brake calipers get in the way.
Wrong! There are only going to be 5,000 of these produced in North America and only 250 In Canada... do not hold your breath for dealer discounts, there will be no Factory rebates... and Dealers don't even have to honor an S-Plan, participation is voluntary.... especially on a limited car like this... if you get a chance.. BUY THIS CAR NOW! Can't find a better performing car for the money, period.
True, dealers do not have to honor S-Plan for any vehicle, however, S-Plan is not even being offered by Mazda on the Mazdaspeed3.
Could you explain how?? The Mazda3 can't meet worldwide demand now, how can they make more?
I think he was referring specifically to the Speed3 and not the Mazda3.
And if the profit margin is higher on the Speed3, it would make sense (to me anyway) to SHIFT production to more Speed3 cars and fewer non-Speed Mazda3 hatches.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=117203?tid=edmunds.il.ho- -
Anyhow im debating on whether or not to put winters on the current rims and just upgrade to aftermarket rims in the summer like i had already planned to, or get 17" mags and throw some 17s on there. At the dealership the service manager said 17s would be no problem.
This is the part numbers he quoted me at:
Wheels-mag SR17705000S
Tires 00MI-23-641 (215/50R17)
The tires are Mich. X-Ice.
Since i live 500km north of edmonton Im just going to purchase them here in McMurray.
By the way i just barely got away with this car. The first salesmen i talked to said the car was sold and that i would have to wait until spring to get the next 250 coming into canada. When I came back later to check it out to see if i liked the styling/interior after I talked to another salesmen saying that vancouver owed him one. I asked yet another salesmen at the current dealership about how come the car was sitting in the showroom if it had been sold. He said the guy put a small downpayment on but would require a larger one due to credit. So I hurriedly purchased the car.
Anyway, The first 250 in Canada (true-red only) were divided among approx. ~225 Mazda dealerships, and I have heard that 8 of them were sold in Edmonton alone. I imagine the majority will be sold in western canada, as there is a lot of money here. Not saying that they are expensive, just that the demand is probably higher. With the rate they are selling at, I could see Mazda bringing it in as a more regular seller, but as my knowledge of this is lacking it is no more then a guess. I kind of hope they dont, since its a little exclusive, but most people just mistake it for a plain Mazda3 anyway.
I am dissappointed with a few things in the car. Such as we dont get the leather trim seats, not heated either as far as I can tell. My door was also out of alignment, didnt notice this right away. And of course i would have liked the NAV and a sunroof and anohter colour then red and the forthcoming white. The blue or grey colour would have been more my taste.
Oh and driving on the secondary highways during the snowstorms saturday night on the Potenzas was seriously scary. My traction control light never stopped coming on for 4 hours. I had some doubt about purchasing this car to use in the North after that. Hopefully these tires should help.
Also anyone have any word on the perforance exhaust/CAI package they are coming out with? (Dealer installed)
YES Ford Partner plan has the MazdaSpeed3 priced for S-plan.
However, it is totally up to the dealer whether they will honor S-plan pricing. In the DC area I didn't find a dealer willing to do S-plan, and so far have only have seen one dealer that was adding a premium - $1995 on the MS3GT that was on the lot.
You can price a Mazdaspeed3 at S-Plan, that is very easy. It is dealer invoice. However, S-Plan is NOT offered by Mazda. No Mazda dealer can file S-Plan on the Mazdaspeed3 and have Mazda accept it.
I am a Mazda dealer, and I am looking at the eligible products, and the Mazdaspeed3 is CLEARLY it it's own column under "restricted products"
chromed? sorry, don't ever do this.
to me a nice set of five spokes would do the trick!