Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Mazdaspeed test drives
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sub-6 sec 0-60. That means not lifting your foot off the gas while clutching and shifting. I guess the gearing is short, such that you need the 2 shifts to get to 60.
The 0-30-40-50 are very strong and quick numbers, but as we all know, shifting a manual tranny does take split seconds off your acceleration times, espcially with the despooling turbo during shifts.
Also, you will get quicker times in cold weather areas of the country, being that turbochargers like a cold charge. So 0-60 times could differ widely depending on where you live and what the weather is like when you're putting the pedal to the metal.
since 1998 we've accounted for 9 purchases from Partyka Chevrolet-Mazda (Hamden, CT - ~108miles and 2:15 from Wagner College on Staten Island with moderate traffic using E-Z Pass - just to give you an idea of time/distance). you might be able to get a test drive there - i did even though they knew that i would NOT be purchasing the black sport MS3 that arrived on their lot first).
[note: i should clarify: 6purchases for ourselves, including son and daughter, 2 co-workers, and my niece = 9purchases. all good experiences. all involved treated like kings and queens.]
buy it. you won't be disappointed. the car is a hoot to drive.
suspension is stiffer and there is some jarring on some high speed bumps. not a complaint. this is to be expected given the nature of the vehicle.
off the line acceleration is 'ok' and probably quicker than what most drivers are used to. just to put it in perspective, i've supercharged a '95 GSR (repeatable 13.7 1/4-mile time without NO2; slow off of the line due to wheel spin, hence slower than expected 1/4-mile) and modified '01 A6 2.7T to similar time (heavy car). so, that's why i say acceleration is 'ok'. once rolling, particularly in 3rd and 4th gear, it's very easy to find yourself doing 80 or 90 even if that's not what was precisely intended. so, keep an eye on the speedo at least until one gets used to the revs, then monitor the tach.
go for the MS3 vs. the A3. i had nothing but problems totally unrelated to my mods of the A6 - i don't think i will ever buy another German car, though the styling on the A3 made me think twice.
my take on Mazda's facist color choices was:
red = great for the younger, look-at-me, look-at-me now crowd; understandable why someone would want red, but it's NOT my style or personality
black = also a great color for a car like this (nighttime clandestine road racers), but try to keep it looking clean - too much trouble for me
silver = actually it looks pretty good, but i feared it would be saying something like, "No, i'm not a Lexus or a German Luxo import, but i wish i was." glad, my worst fears weren't realized (i had a silver '01 A6 2.7T).
cosmic blue = the lesser of all evils, so to speak (from my old geezer perspective), but it's really a nice color - too bad my dealer wasn't getting any in the GT trim.
So I've been starting to look around for something to replace my '93 Accord. I'd initially been thinking about a European sport wagon (A4, 9-3, V50) for a combination of practicality and fun to drive and then saw all of the great reviews of the MS3 (and sticker shock of a new vehicle) and am seriously considering the Mazda.
I'm really interested in how current owners like (or don't like) how it handles in winter driving. Vermont winters being what they are, I'd been leaning towards something that offers AWD (A4 or V50). Honestly, I remember my first car (a family hand-me-down) a turbo charged '88 Dodge Lancer (think Le Baron) hatchback, that was way too easy to lose traction even with snow tires. (Granted, that was before any sort of traction control so I'm hoping the MS3 won't have those problems.)
Any, would love to hear from folks. With this week's major winter storm, I figure there ought to be plenty of recent experience.
My understanding is that snow tires use a different type of rubber, one designed for colder weather. The problem with driving snow tires outside the winter months is that they wear out quicker. Also, unless you get "performance" snow tires, your snows will not be as agile as the V rated stock tires. Switching tires takes approximately four hours a year; two hours in the fall and two in the spring. Or you can get it done as part of a service visit.
MPG?: anything???
IS THIS CAR GOOD IT DOESNT SEEM LIKE ITS ENGINEERED TO LAST...
MPG?: anything???
IS THIS CAR GOOD IT DOESNT SEEM LIKE ITS ENGINEERED TO LAST...
Curious. First, you ask about the price of the car and then you question its quality. Why would you be interested in a car that you think is poorly engineered?
Where have you heard anything to suggest the MS3 is not well engineered? Most of the reviews I've seen raved about the engine, brakes, suspension, panels, etc.
Excessive engine power will not UNDO bolts. If the bolts are coming loose it is due to something else. Perhaps a few bolts were installed without Loktite?
There have been 3 cases were the motor mount broke. Not sure why.
They are the same motor mounts used in the Speed6, with no problems.
Krzys
Price paid: MSRP. Period. And it's low for what this car does. No problems with paying $25K for it.
Gas Mileage: I've tested 91, 89, and even 87 octane gasoline in 'er and she has consistently given me mpg's in the 27's. The engine is still tight, of course, so I expect a minor increase in mileage as it wears in.
MP3's in the CD Changer: No. No luck with that and I've tried home-burned and an off-the-shelf disc. The manual makes you think it will, but... /shrug
My driving impressions: HOLY CRAP! Did I mention I love this car? I traded in an '03 Nissan Murano for the Speedy Grand Touring and with a couple of very minor exceptions I ended up with at least as much vehicle - if slightly smaller - than I had before. I have more fun, get better gas mileage, and pay less each month than I was before. How much better could it be? As far as driving the zoom-zoom goes, she can handle like a regular Mazda3 or a fire-breathing beast - all dependent on your right foot. I have never owned a quicker, more nimble vehicle and she's almost as easy to flick through traffic as a motorcycle is.
Me like.
I love the xenon headlights as well as the 6-CD changer/moonroof in my '06 3s GT. I don't really have a preference on leather or cloth seats but the previous three features make the GT worth it to me.
I'll see what happens when I call them tomorrow. Their opening offer might be amusing
Has anyone run their MS3 this winter with Blizzaks? I've used them on my last two cars and was very happy with them, and I think they come in 215/45-18's.
essentially the maintance is the same as a non turbo car...just change the oil on a regular basis and let he turbo unwind before shutting it off after a hard drive.
I cringe at putting premium fuel in this. Make me feel better about this prospect
Have you done the math based on how many miles you drive? It's not as bad as folks think. The avg driver will spend $120-150 more per year to use premium...
And no test drive, that's just silly. I almost didn't buy my current car (Mustang Cobra) for just that reason. When I went to look at it, they refused me a test drive unless I signed paperwork to buy. Kind of defeats the purpose of a test drive. I ended up buying a used one with 4800 miles on it at Carmax (who would let me drive).
My wife's in the market for a new car now. The MS3 is the last car on the list to look at. I'll be calling the local dealer to arrange a test drive to save myself a wastet 30 mile trip. No test drive, no consideration (and likely no Mazdas considered next time around either).
may thanx in advance, gaspo