The exhaust note is vague and uninspiring? You're kidding me. What do you expect from a stock exhaust. I love it. The shifter gets more snickety with use. I'm up to 550 miles and it seems much better already. Also, $36K cannot be in USD. That is the most absurd thing that I have EVER heard. If anyone is considering buying at that price, I will gladly, detail my new MS3 and ship it to them at the bargain price of $32K. Then I'll go and buy something worth that much. If it's Canadian, didn't I hear that markups were a no-go in the Socialist Republic of Canada?
I am in Canada and I got mine for $31K and change. If their asking $36K go buy something else. That's ridiculous! I didn't even order mine. It simply came to the lot, they phoned me (long-time customer), I test drove it, then picked it up 3 days later. Couldn't have been simpler. Where are you located? Cuz that's a joke!!!
Sean, the exhaust sounded like a vacuum cleaner to me. Who knows, maybe it was just the brief period of time I spent with it. I've had several aftermarket exhausts, and the MS3 was uninspiring. But you're right, it is stock.
As far as the price, which was in USD, go figure. I just won't shop there anymore. They had mark ups on ALL of the cars, including the hardtop miata and 3's.
I do wish the MS3 had AWD, and some form of DSG. Of course then it wouldn't be at the price point it is.
That premium is hard to fathom. I had to put money down on the one I ordered, and according to dealer it was their last alloted car. But price was MSRP. 10K premium???
Wow if you think the MS3 sounds like a vacuum, check out the MS6. If you're a connaisseur of aftermarket exhausts, no doubt the stock exhaust won't be good enough. There will be a least a few other choices very soon, though. CPE first exhaust for the MS6 just happened to be a single pipe catback that might be readily adaptable to the MS3.
That price is just absolutely wacko.
Me, too, on the AWD and DSG. Maybe I'll be trading the '07 in a couple of years for an '10 with those features. The MS3 only came after years of people begging for an MS P5. Maybe the same can happen after a couple of years if we plead for AWD/DSG.
Just bought a red MS3 this morning. I'm in the Toronto, Canada area. Dealer had two, one being used as a lightly tested demo. I bought the other one. Paid list but had no problem with that. Will pick it up in a week from now. Will keep my 2000 BMW 323ci (which I still love) for now.
Question: has anyone discovered an appropriate winter tire size on a 17" wheel? Thanks
Ideal size in 17" is 215/50 but some prefer 205/50 because there are more choices in tires, and slightly narrower is supposed to be better in snow. Bigger question is getting a wheel to fit. None of the major suppliers - like Tirerack - have fitment information for the Speed3, so it's guesswork unless your dealer tried one on for you...
Thanks for the info. I have no objection to a narrower tire, and agree that a narrow tire will be more effective on snow and ice. I'm hoping a standard 17" steel wheel will work, but will of course verify that before I buy anything.
I've got an '06 5-door manual that I bought new in 12/05. I love it and have had no issues in 21k miles. Been salivating over the SPEED3 since I first read about it.
I went to the local dealer yesterday to see if/when they'd have one in. After a few minutes talking with the sales manager, he told me they were planning to add at least $2k to the MSRP! I'd never pay sticker for a car, much less over. I'm sure there will be those who are willing, though.
Long story short, he offered me a choice I hadn't really considered- the MAZDASPEED6. Apparently they're not selling as well as they had planned. His offer was $25,800 for a Sport model- would get me all wheel drive among other things not on the SPEED3.
Yeah, talk him down to at least $23.5K. Around here (Austin, TX) '06 MS6's are going for as little as $22.5 and $21.5 with financing by Mazda Am Credit. MS6 is a great car, but IMO not as sporty to drive as the MS3. AWD is great if you need it or want the faster 0-60 & 1/4 mile times. The MS6 is roomier but also 400 lbs. heavier and it has a more isolated road feel. I think your 5-door will have better road feel. But the MS3 also seems like a young persons car to the unenlightened. So if your image is a concern, the MS6 will help you maintain it better and has more room in the back for adults, etc. Lots of trade-offs to consider.
I bought an MS6 last November, I like it a lot. I now own an MS3 and I like it better. It's just more fun to drive. I like to make the comparison between a conservative button-down wolf-in-sheep's clothing and a Rugby shirt and sandals wearing wolf-in-sheep's clothing. If I were you, I'd drive my beautiful hatch (one of my faves) for awhile and wait until I can test drive the MS3. But they may continue to be really hard to get. No one knows for sure. So test drive the MS6 and if you fall in love, drive a hard bargain. They are not moving for whatever crazy reason and Mazda is wanting dealers to order the '07 MS6's. So you should get a fantastic deal. Don't settle for less. Good Luck!
I dont think the hype is over at all. They have had that up since i bought my car almost a month ago. I think its just the dealers "bottom line price" thing.
Do they have any MS3's on the lot, or are they just taking orders? If they got some on the lot that they'll sell for $750 off, this is news. Most dealers are starting at MSRP plus for anything on the lot.
The ones they have had come on the lot they said are gone within a few hours. The had 19 on their allotment and have sold 15 so far from what i was told.
I loved the way the A3 drove, plus it's elegance & refinement. But it wasn't a great fit for me personally. The center section hurt my leg, and I couldn't fit my road bike through the back hatch with the wheel on. I think it's a really nice vehicle though.
I liked the GTI a lot, but I found the seat bolsters a bit too narrow/tight. I really love that fsi though. BTW, the passat drives pretty nice too with that engine & manual transmission, but alas I want a hatch. I found the seat bolsters on the sport package passat a bit pinchy mid-thigh too (must be me).
I'm really interested in the MSP3, but recognize a few flaws -- not sure if they'll bother me (no sunroof, no heated seats, less refinement, noise level, not sure about shifter). There's enough that seems just right though, that I remain pretty excited about it.
Anyway... I cannot get a test drive either, and I finally put money down on a msp3 (Jan delivery). I figure if it ends up bothering me, I'll try to find a decent sell/trade-in value next year...
My guess is they're all great vehicles worth the cost. I'd suggest going for the emotional factor -- which one do you imagine smiling the most in...?
I refuse to put any money on a car without driving one. This whole business of refusing test drives is complete crap. If I can drive a BMW or an Audi or a Merc, explain to me why I shouldn't be able to drive a bloody $23K Mazda? This is a compact car, not a Bentley. It's insulting, and I'm not dealing with Mazda any more. Although I love my current Mazda3, I have yet to have a pleasant experience with a Mazda dealer (be it for purchase or service). I think there's some Ford creeping into Mazda.
I will explain you why you cannot drive it. Is is because Mazda changed their approach in marketing the speed Mazda's after the Mazdaspeed 6 failure. While everybody was really enthusiastic about how that car looked on paper after the test drive most of the people were really disappointed. So Mazda changed the approach by limiting the number of the new Mazdaspeed 3 and avoid giving test drives. As a result most of the people are ordering this car without test driving it based on the impressive numbers they see on paper. Is what japanese makers do...they sell numbers not passion or excellence. And people "buy it"
P.S. Personally I like Mazda more than any other japanese maker(is the only japanese car that drives close to a european car ) so I am actually happy that they finally have a good strategy for selling their products.
Mazda changed their approach in marketing the speed Mazda's after the Mazdaspeed 6 failure
That is not true. The Mazdaspeed3 was already in the works before the Mazdaspeed6 was even introduced. It was devoloped and tested in Germany to take on the GTI. Mazda knew who to market this car to, and how they were going to price it before the blunder of the Mazdaspeed6.
So Mazda changed the approach by limiting the number of the new Mazdaspeed 3 and avoid giving test drives
Not true again. There will be 5,000 Mazdaspeed3's to arrive in the U.S. There was roughly 6,000 Mazdaspeed6's shipped here. It is the dealers prerogative to let test drives, not MNAO. Since all dealers only received 1 or 2 Mazdaspeed3's in their first allocation, dealers want to avoid pointless test drive miles on the car to people who are just out for a joy ride to beat on the car. The real buyers will see all these miles on the car, assume it was beat on, and want discounts. I have allowed test drives, I believe it is not good business tactics to have someone buy with out test driving, but a salesman MUST be on the test drive.
As a result most of the people are ordering this car without test driving it based on the impressive numbers they see on paper.
Actually, people are reading what magazines have stated after driving it, that the car is amazing, and all authors say you cannot beat the real world performance, for what it costs.
Every manufacturer has people order new vehicles before they ever drive it, just on hype. VW, Audi, BMW have buyers that pre-order just as much as the [non-permissible content removed] automakers.
I wouldn't buy a car without driving it either. Can you put down a refundable deposit for it to get a test-drive? Right now the allocation is very limited and many cars are already spoken for, especially with such a good uniform praise MS3 enjoys in every respectable publication. Furthermore, this is a performance car - in order to feel the performance it needs to be driven accordingly, so there's a dilemma: let it be driven cautiously so the client is not inspired at all or drive it to the max so, the rubber is burned and the car looks like a demo and sold at loss. With such a good demand, they feel test-drive isn't needed right now. I think it will change in a couple months. All is IMHO, of course.
"they sell numbers not passion or excellence" Frankly speaking, I was never sold passion, related to cars or anything else for that matter. At least I hope so. It is a hard thing to sell.
Very Spockian of you. But would make you a rare bird, indeed. I think even most enthusiast's find out everything they can about a car, but make the final decision based on emotion or even passion. I think the importance of a test-drive is to find out if there will be any strong negatives. I imagine that is in part why Aviboy allows them.
I agree with Aviboy that it is the dealers, not Mazda, not allowing walk-in test drives. There aren't that many cars and they don't want the ones they have sullied w/o a very strong prospect of a buy. So, they will have different levels of hoops, anywhere from a gut feeling, to a deposit refundable or otherwise, to passing a credit check, to signing papers, etc.
In your shoes, I'd wait until next Spring/Summer when interest has subsided or at least search outside your area for a dealer with less business than your local dealers.
Even as a half-human, I never bought love either. I do feel emotions toward cars, obviously, but we all feel it differently, despite what their marketing wants us to believe.
Honestly folks, Mazda dealers have to realize that they're selling a $21K compact car, not a 7-series BMW. This car is branded as a "driver's car". What "driver" would ever buy a car without driving it first? Why would a dealer refuse a test drive to a Mazda customer who has already demonstrated brand loyalty and has his vehicle serviced at his dealership regularly?
Mazda has just lost me as a customer. I find their refusal to grant me a test drive insulting. As a marketing professional, I also worry about a brand that is too stupid to recognize the difference between a joy rider (an 18 year old kid) and a serious customer (a return customer with disposable income to spend). Audi here I come.
My good friend had a similar experience when he went to Mazda of Lodi and was interested in a Mazdaspeed6. He's now driving a BMW 3-series instead. Also, Mazda north america had nothing to say, so I'm just fed-up with these folks.
Mazda North American Operations really has no way to control how one is treated in privately owned dealerships, actually, no manufacturer does. Sad, yes, but that's the way it is.
Jersey dealers tend to have a crummy reputation, but, not all. I'm in CT, and I have heard some crazy stories about them. Anyhow, at least give another dealer a shot, or I suggest going on-line and sending out quote requests. You may have better lick doing that.
Im just wondering if the reason you may not be able to get a test drive is that the MS3's that are coming in now are already sold? I couldnt see a person who ordered a car and waited for it to come in to be real happy with someone else taking their new car on a test drive. May not be the case but its possible.
Im just wondering if the reason you may not be able to get a test drive is that the MS3's that are coming in now are already sold?
We had a guy who had a big hissy fit last week because we wouldn't let him drive one of the sold units. We pre-sold our entire allocation thanks to our closest competitors. They are all asking thousands over MSRP.
I figure by now everything coming at this point is probably already sold. Bout a month ago to get the 3GT i wanted i put the deposit on it when it was on its way over here. Can only imagine how bad it is with the MS3.
Absolutely. The msp3 I put deposit on won't arrive until January. That was dealer's fifth allocation, and the first four were already pre-sold (ie, deposit down) a month ago.
I called a few weeks ago asking again about a test drive. He said the owner of the first arrival showed up two hours after it came in, and wasn't willing to let anybody else drive it. Net net -- test drives not in the cards.
I gott a share this - I today bought a cosmic blue Speed3 Sport with chrome fuel filler door and compass/autodim mirror for $21,619, or $1,491 below MSRP!!! Being Mr. car savvy, I had negotiated a deal of $110 under MSRP with the sales manager by phone and came in for a drive and purchase. My wife looked in the back seat and said "Oh, it's on sale?" Sure enough, she spotted a Thanksgiving Day sales tag (over for 2 days) that had been left in the back seat. The sales manager was kicking himself for not removing the tag but honored the price without hesitation. The sales rep said the car had been there for a month and things were very slow in general - thus the discount. I know It was dumb luck, but do I win the prize?
Common folks--this is a Mazda! If I can test drive a 5 series BMW or an S4 Avant, why can I not test drive a bloody Mazda 3? It's a self-fulfilling prophecy, and all of the fools who are putting deposits on cars that they haven't test-driven are driving this madness.
"If I can test drive a 5 series BMW or an S4 Avant, why can I not test drive a bloody Mazda 3?"
Simple.
Does your dealer HAVE any Speed3's available? The local BMW and Audi dealers have cars available, on the lot, for purchase. Logically, if they were available for purchase they should be test driven.
However, if a dealer had NO CARS IN STOCK, it would be difficult allowing a test drive.
"...all of the fools who are putting deposits on cars that they haven't test-driven are driving this madness."
I've done this myself for a car that was in high demand upon introduction. Just make sure the deposit is refundable and final purchase is dependent on a test drive.
Hey rock - you show me an official announcement from GM and I'll see about quenching that thirst.....
Haven't been over in News/Views for quite some time. In all honesty, you might want to back off all the links to articles (or at least, ADD SOME OF YOUR OWN COMMENTARY). It's hard to get a good discussion going if the only thing anybody sees is 5 more news links from rocky with NO commentary added. Just my .02 (and I know you're busting a nut TRYING to get some life into those discussions).
Anyway - back to the Speed3. Too bad you don't like the view from the rear doors back - since the rear of the vehicle is probably all you'd ever see anyway..... :P
GM needs to buy a few of these cars and tear'em down to see HOW to build a small car right. Styling is subjective and I've no problem if you don't like the looks of the Mazda3. But there's no reason why GM can't figure out HOW to build a small car with the same excellent driving dynamics (and well screwed together feeling) of a Mazda3.
The Mazda3 is proof that a small car DOESN'T have to be the equivalent of a penalty box; something GM still needs to learn.
GM needs to buy a few of these cars and tear'em down to see HOW to build a small car right.
See, rorr, that would be the smart thing to do, but, when is the last time we saw GM do anything smart??
It also might cost too much to develop a car like the Mazda3 (or Mazdaspeed3) with the fit, finish, and quality. Not to mention possibly going into patented laws??
Stopped by the local Mazda dealership today to test drive a 06' MS6 one more time before taking the plunge and purchasing. I didn't expect the dealer to have more than one or two MS3's on the lot. A few were even available for test drive. After hesitating about a half a second, I reluctantly consented to take both cars out--MS3 first followed by the MS6.
Not to echo what the reviews are indicating, but the MS3 is really an entirely more enjoyable car to drive and would (I guess) be easier to live with based on my experiences today. I was impressed with the power of course. The MS3 feels quicker than the MS6, although it shouldn't given decreased HP and FWD. The handling is razor sharp and superb. The driving position is better with more headroom (I'm 6'-4"). I am not a gifted driver, but felt a lot more confident weaving in and out of traffic and taking curves at high speeds in MS3. The MS6 by comparison was more isolated and was less confidence inspiring, harder to drive, and it just seemed bloated. The roads were wet during the drives, so I expected to feel safer in the MS6, but no so. Headroom in back seat of MS3 is also much better although leg room is decreased. I've got a big head so more headroom is always a bonus. And, MS3 has a trip computer. I felt like my wife could drive and easily live with the MS3. After today, I'm not sure about her reactions to living with the MS6.
The MS3 is not perfect however.....the road noise is loud, but no louder than the MS6 (I think tolerable), and I'm not smitten with the loud exhaust at HWY speeds. Harley owners and Asian kids with aftermarket exhausts are sure to blame here.
I'm surprised by my reaction as I had been very impressed with the MS6, so much so I planned on buying one. Well the discounts helped. I am now in the process of purchasing the MS3 -- Silver GT. Now, I need to purchase Blizzaks and possibly some new rims. Dealer has a deal for MS6: alloy rims + Blizzaks = $1100. The rims are really ugly though.
Anybody know of any good deals on good looking rims for winter driving? Also, I don't want to make exhaust purists mad, but is there an inexpensive way to tone down the exhaust?
Must be some good crack that they're on. I think the Speed 3 has very nice lines. It's a lot more angular than my 1982 Plymouth Champ, one of the first Mitsubishis to enter the American market.
I'm probably going to put an order in for March delivery, for my 57th birthday. Already asked about the air intake and catback exhaust.... $1,300 installed... for about 30 extra ponies.
Also have my wheels picked out, would like to reprogram ECU, raise boost pressure and add a 50-75 shot of NO2. Would not mind 400HP in the little rollerskate at all.
Thinking of mica blue and changing out the interior to beige. Definitely want to make this car a project for street and 1/4 mile runs in Florida.
I remember fondly taking out BMW's with the Champ... I think maybe I'll run with some of the lower-power Porsches with this one. A Valentine radar detector is also on my wish list, aside from suspension, lighting and brake upgrades.
Also have my wheels picked out, would like to reprogram ECU, raise boost pressure and add a 50-75 shot of NO2. Would not mind 400HP in the little rollerskate at all.
I would upgrade the turbo, rather then up your boost. With such a small turbo, you would be straining the turbo, while getting peaky results. Also, before upgrading, change all bolt-on's that affect how the engine breaths (intake, turbo-back exhaust)
Comments
As far as the price, which was in USD, go figure. I just won't shop there anymore. They had mark ups on ALL of the cars, including the hardtop miata and 3's.
I do wish the MS3 had AWD, and some form of DSG. Of course then it wouldn't be at the price point it is.
That price is just absolutely wacko.
Me, too, on the AWD and DSG. Maybe I'll be trading the '07 in a couple of years for an '10 with those features. The MS3 only came after years of people begging for an MS P5. Maybe the same can happen after a couple of years if we plead for AWD/DSG.
Just bought a red MS3 this morning. I'm in the Toronto, Canada area. Dealer had two, one being used as a lightly tested demo. I bought the other one.
Paid list but had no problem with that. Will pick it up in a week from now. Will keep my 2000 BMW 323ci (which I still love) for now.
Question: has anyone discovered an appropriate winter tire size on a 17" wheel?
Thanks
I have no objection to a narrower tire, and agree that a narrow tire will be more effective on snow and ice.
I'm hoping a standard 17" steel wheel will work, but will of course verify that before I buy anything.
I went to the local dealer yesterday to see if/when they'd have one in. After a few minutes talking with the sales manager, he told me they were planning to add at least $2k to the MSRP! I'd never pay sticker for a car, much less over. I'm sure there will be those who are willing, though.
Long story short, he offered me a choice I hadn't really considered- the MAZDASPEED6. Apparently they're not selling as well as they had planned. His offer was $25,800 for a Sport model- would get me all wheel drive among other things not on the SPEED3.
What to do???
I bought an MS6 last November, I like it a lot. I now own an MS3 and I like it better. It's just more fun to drive. I like to make the comparison between a conservative button-down wolf-in-sheep's clothing and a Rugby shirt and sandals wearing wolf-in-sheep's clothing. If I were you, I'd drive my beautiful hatch (one of my faves) for awhile and wait until I can test drive the MS3. But they may continue to be really hard to get. No one knows for sure. So test drive the MS6 and if you fall in love, drive a hard bargain. They are not moving for whatever crazy reason and Mazda is wanting dealers to order the '07 MS6's. So you should get a fantastic deal. Don't settle for less. Good Luck!
Black sport- MSRP +4000 markup WTF? Silver GT total of $30200, WT[1st letter of expletive deleted]x2? Oak Tree Mazda, San Jose CA.
I loved the way the A3 drove, plus it's elegance & refinement. But it wasn't a great fit for me personally. The center section hurt my leg, and I couldn't fit my road bike through the back hatch with the wheel on. I think it's a really nice vehicle though.
I liked the GTI a lot, but I found the seat bolsters a bit too narrow/tight. I really love that fsi though. BTW, the passat drives pretty nice too with that engine & manual transmission, but alas I want a hatch. I found the seat bolsters on the sport package passat a bit pinchy mid-thigh too (must be me).
I'm really interested in the MSP3, but recognize a few flaws -- not sure if they'll bother me (no sunroof, no heated seats, less refinement, noise level, not sure about shifter). There's enough that seems just right though, that I remain pretty excited about it.
Anyway... I cannot get a test drive either, and I finally put money down on a msp3 (Jan delivery). I figure if it ends up bothering me, I'll try to find a decent sell/trade-in value next year...
My guess is they're all great vehicles worth the cost. I'd suggest going for the emotional factor -- which one do you imagine smiling the most in...?
Is what japanese makers do...they sell numbers not passion or excellence. And people "buy it"
P.S. Personally I like Mazda more than any other japanese maker(is the only japanese car that drives close to a european car ) so I am actually happy that they finally have a good strategy for selling their products.
That is not true. The Mazdaspeed3 was already in the works before the Mazdaspeed6 was even introduced. It was devoloped and tested in Germany to take on the GTI. Mazda knew who to market this car to, and how they were going to price it before the blunder of the Mazdaspeed6.
So Mazda changed the approach by limiting the number of the new Mazdaspeed 3 and avoid giving test drives
Not true again. There will be 5,000 Mazdaspeed3's to arrive in the U.S. There was roughly 6,000 Mazdaspeed6's shipped here. It is the dealers prerogative to let test drives, not MNAO. Since all dealers only received 1 or 2 Mazdaspeed3's in their first allocation, dealers want to avoid pointless test drive miles on the car to people who are just out for a joy ride to beat on the car. The real buyers will see all these miles on the car, assume it was beat on, and want discounts. I have allowed test drives, I believe it is not good business tactics to have someone buy with out test driving, but a salesman MUST be on the test drive.
As a result most of the people are ordering this car without test driving it based on the impressive numbers they see on paper.
Actually, people are reading what magazines have stated after driving it, that the car is amazing, and all authors say you cannot beat the real world performance, for what it costs.
Every manufacturer has people order new vehicles before they ever drive it, just on hype. VW, Audi, BMW have buyers that pre-order just as much as the [non-permissible content removed] automakers.
Frankly speaking, I was never sold passion, related to cars or anything else for that matter. At least I hope so. It is a hard thing to sell.
I agree with Aviboy that it is the dealers, not Mazda, not allowing walk-in test drives. There aren't that many cars and they don't want the ones they have sullied w/o a very strong prospect of a buy. So, they will have different levels of hoops, anywhere from a gut feeling, to a deposit refundable or otherwise, to passing a credit check, to signing papers, etc.
In your shoes, I'd wait until next Spring/Summer when interest has subsided or at least search outside your area for a dealer with less business than your local dealers.
Mazda has just lost me as a customer. I find their refusal to grant me a test drive insulting. As a marketing professional, I also worry about a brand that is too stupid to recognize the difference between a joy rider (an 18 year old kid) and a serious customer (a return customer with disposable income to spend). Audi here I come.
You are in Jersey, there are loads of dealers in Jersey, especially in north Jersey.
Jersey dealers tend to have a crummy reputation, but, not all. I'm in CT, and I have heard some crazy stories about them. Anyhow, at least give another dealer a shot, or I suggest going on-line and sending out quote requests. You may have better lick doing that.
We had a guy who had a big hissy fit last week because we wouldn't let him drive one of the sold units. We pre-sold our entire allocation thanks to our closest competitors. They are all asking thousands over MSRP.
I called a few weeks ago asking again about a test drive. He said the owner of the first arrival showed up two hours after it came in, and wasn't willing to let anybody else drive it. Net net -- test drives not in the cards.
Simple.
Does your dealer HAVE any Speed3's available? The local BMW and Audi dealers have cars available, on the lot, for purchase. Logically, if they were available for purchase they should be test driven.
However, if a dealer had NO CARS IN STOCK, it would be difficult allowing a test drive.
"...all of the fools who are putting deposits on cars that they haven't test-driven are driving this madness."
I've done this myself for a car that was in high demand upon introduction. Just make sure the deposit is refundable and final purchase is dependent on a test drive.
The speed3 looks good until you get past the rear doors. :surprise:
BTW rorr, hello nice to see you...
Rocky
P.S. I'm getting mighty thirsty :P
The speed3 looks good until you get past the rear doors.
That is subjective. Many think the car is great looking.
I think the WRX and STi are hideous, but, they are very good sellers.
Many will also forgo looks for performance
Haven't been over in News/Views for quite some time. In all honesty, you might want to back off all the links to articles (or at least, ADD SOME OF YOUR OWN COMMENTARY). It's hard to get a good discussion going if the only thing anybody sees is 5 more news links from rocky with NO commentary added. Just my .02 (and I know you're busting a nut TRYING to get some life into those discussions).
Anyway - back to the Speed3. Too bad you don't like the view from the rear doors back - since the rear of the vehicle is probably all you'd ever see anyway..... :P
GM needs to buy a few of these cars and tear'em down to see HOW to build a small car right. Styling is subjective and I've no problem if you don't like the looks of the Mazda3. But there's no reason why GM can't figure out HOW to build a small car with the same excellent driving dynamics (and well screwed together feeling) of a Mazda3.
The Mazda3 is proof that a small car DOESN'T have to be the equivalent of a penalty box; something GM still needs to learn.
See, rorr, that would be the smart thing to do, but, when is the last time we saw GM do anything smart??
It also might cost too much to develop a car like the Mazda3 (or Mazdaspeed3) with the fit, finish, and quality. Not to mention possibly going into patented laws??
Not to echo what the reviews are indicating, but the MS3 is really an entirely more enjoyable car to drive and would (I guess) be easier to live with based on my experiences today. I was impressed with the power of course. The MS3 feels quicker than the MS6, although it shouldn't given decreased HP and FWD. The handling is razor sharp and superb. The driving position is better with more headroom (I'm 6'-4"). I am not a gifted driver, but felt a lot more confident weaving in and out of traffic and taking curves at high speeds in MS3. The MS6 by comparison was more isolated and was less confidence inspiring, harder to drive, and it just seemed bloated. The roads were wet during the drives, so I expected to feel safer in the MS6, but no so. Headroom in back seat of MS3 is also much better although leg room is decreased. I've got a big head so more headroom is always a bonus. And, MS3 has a trip computer. I felt like my wife could drive and easily live with the MS3. After today, I'm not sure about her reactions to living with the MS6.
The MS3 is not perfect however.....the road noise is loud, but no louder than the MS6 (I think tolerable), and I'm not smitten with the loud exhaust at HWY speeds. Harley owners and Asian kids with aftermarket exhausts are sure to blame here.
I'm surprised by my reaction as I had been very impressed with the MS6, so much so I planned on buying one. Well the discounts helped. I am now in the process of purchasing the MS3 -- Silver GT. Now, I need to purchase Blizzaks and possibly some new rims. Dealer has a deal for MS6: alloy rims + Blizzaks = $1100. The rims are really ugly though.
Anybody know of any good deals on good looking rims for winter driving? Also, I don't want to make exhaust purists mad, but is there an inexpensive way to tone down the exhaust?
I think the Speed 3 has very nice lines. It's a lot more angular than my 1982 Plymouth Champ, one of the first Mitsubishis to enter the American market.
I'm probably going to put an order in for March delivery, for my 57th birthday. Already asked about the air intake and catback exhaust.... $1,300 installed... for about 30 extra ponies.
Also have my wheels picked out, would like to reprogram ECU, raise boost pressure and add a 50-75 shot of NO2. Would not mind 400HP in the little rollerskate at all.
Thinking of mica blue and changing out the interior to beige. Definitely want to make this car a project for street and 1/4 mile runs in Florida.
I remember fondly taking out BMW's with the Champ... I think maybe I'll run with some of the lower-power Porsches with this one. A Valentine radar detector is also on my wish list, aside from suspension, lighting and brake upgrades.
I would upgrade the turbo, rather then up your boost. With such a small turbo, you would be straining the turbo, while getting peaky results. Also, before upgrading, change all bolt-on's that affect how the engine breaths (intake, turbo-back exhaust)