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Mazdaspeed test drives
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Just curious.
true, but its been proven that car fumes and MANY other things certainly have not helped.
My comment was in response to his, what i consider, pretty blantant post of 'i'm a dyed in the wools republican, i could car less about trees.' i just thought it funny that he would group all republicans together like that. You have proven him wrong. Thanks!
i test drove the 8 and while it was nto the fastest car i've ever driven...i got to take it on some twisty road sections and WOW. it was VERY much like a boxster I have driven before. i was very impressed with the handling, the high redline, and the FUN factor. total blast to drive.
for those of you who have driven BOTH the MS3 and RX8....which is more FUN.
Define "FUN".
My point is that what I, or you, or any number of other folks will think is "fun" (or, which is more "fun") is completely subjective.
My advice - find a dealer with both RX8's and Speed3's on the lot and do back to back test drives. The 8 will excel in handling over the Speed3 (simply due, IMO, to it's RWD layout). But the Speed3 will be better from a shear grunt (torque - woo hoo!!) aspect.
Which is more 'fun' is ultimately up to the potential buyer. Go have fun.....
Two questions:
1)I would "assume" they'll continue making this car as a limited production vehicle in '08. Can anyone confirm?
(my lease on my current ride isn't up until 1/25/08)
2) Why is the hood so heavy on this car? Crash test purposes?
The Speed3 has a top mounted intercooler (sitting on top of the engine). It doesn't make much sense to simply suck up hot air from the engine compartment to run through the intercooler. The inside of the hood incorporates some ductwork that takes cool air coming in though the grill and routes it through the ducts to the intercooler. The inside of the hood is also supposed to seal against the top of the intercooler with the hood closed.
This way, the engine can get (somewhat) cool air without resorting to a hood scoop like the WRX (btw - I'm not saying that the Mazda method for getting cool air is as efficient; just why the hood is heavier than a standard Mazda3 hood).
A black '08 MS3 is in my future, unless they add white as a choice next year.
Well ,technically, there is no S-Plan on the Mazdaspeed3. A dealer can sell one for invoice if they choose, which would be the S-Plan price.
actually the ms3 has LESS insulation than the regular 3, for a sporiter experience/sound while driving.
sounds like stallionre isn't the ONLY one with a hood fetish... :P
Didn't enjoy the Speed 3's FWD at all, felt it at all times - thought I was being careful with the throttle but was getting slippage, especially over one slightly gravely part of a road. Too much power on the front wheels - I guess I learned I'm really not an FWD driver/fan.
Biggest turn off was sharp edge between plastics chaffing my right leg. An almost horizontal seam between lower/upper console area going into my upper calf. Only drove it 10 minutes tops and my leg was starting to hurt from the rubbing. I'll probably test drive one again without wearing shorts but the idea I have to wear pants or put tape over parts of my interior doesn't get me excited.
A few other turn-offs;
*The engine sound. WRX has nice, aggressive grind to it with nice note - all I could hear from the MS3 was the muffler and some engine, I guess - but I dunno, the WRX was the one saying zoom, zoom, zoom; sounds like an engine should sound.
*Colors - I don't want a black car but black was the only color I liked. The soft blue was disappointing. (The color of the one I tested)
*The clear tail lights - I don't like nor even understand the trend and look forward to its demise. Can't seem to find tradition replacements online.
*Leg area in general wasn't leg friendly, chaffing sucked. WRX was more spartan but I liked its simplicity.
*Looking at WRX sedan vs. MS3, which is a wagon - WRX's very clear and intuitive view versus MS3s blindspots.
*The 18" wheels - 17" wheels seems fine and more economical.
MS3 Pros;
*More cupholders. Rear passengers have door ones and elbow rest ones.
*Stereo - much nicer but reading from owners it isn't that great. Still, much better than Subarus - the TR's sucks.
*Goodies; WRX TR has none. Stepping out of TR instantly adds $1000, getting any other goodies quickly adds even more duckets.
Break-even;
*Can't really say the power, would've rather had less with AWD or less period - I have no interest in spinning out on my front wheels. But the shifting was much smoother than the WRX / but I also enjoyed the notchiness of the WRX's shifter. Sheer power numbers = MS3 / sheer usable power on all 4 wheels = WRX.
*It is a nice black though. Very subtle sparkles - nothing crazy but great paint job. Paint quality is better than WRX's. Colors = WRX / Quality = MS3.
*Interior materials. Neither seemed that much better than the other. Different things I liked about both. Mazda's interior feels "newer". Subaru's felt better to my body but looks okay. The center area is serviceable but not neat/cool. Mazda's stick and pedals and steering wheel were definitely a nicer quality and you get controls on the wheel. Which in a way, I liked that the WRX is very simple and is all about the driving experience.
*Looks; call me crazy, I like the 3-part Tribeca schnoz. The TR I was looking at was a sweet blue, but also liked the white ones too. The WRX is very recognizable and kinda funky, the MS3 looks almost exactly like a Mazda 3, which are everywhere which is basically a Protoge...
I guess I should try them both again - take notes or something. I'm in no rush but would like to get something by the summer.
The winner is the WRX (non-TR, white - just going to have to save up a few extra thousand - the MS3 was $22k the WRX sedan, over $25 - can't afford the wagon). But a day after the test drive I can't think of anything I liked about the MS3 and I can't get my mind off the WRX.
Simply put, the MS3 was the last FWD car I'll ever test drive.
There's no way I can convince myself that $22k + 250+HP FWD = one ounce of fun. And I'm sorry, drove the regular Mazda3 and that's an econowagon at best. It seemed to have enough power to drive on highways and probably make it up hills, but beyond that - a moped or public transportation seem like reasonable ways to save money.
Forgot one MAJOR difference between the two; accelerating...
Back to the miserable FWD experience, the whole having all the power on the front/steering wheels was simply the most unenjoyable experience I've ever had behind the wheel of a powerful car. It kind of ducks and pulls left and right, all the while my friggin' front wheels are kicking gravel at the rest of the car. And after that, driving the WRX - completely different experience. I can only best put it as a driver's car. Compared to the experience of dragging the weight of a wagon by an overpowered engine - just having the [non-permissible content removed] end slide around. Less like driving, more like water skiing or something. With the WRX - well, Subaru makes some of the best handling cars on the road and it shows. You can drift through a turn - no drag from anywhere - just useable power. And after testing the "zoom, zoom" of the MS3 - I realized the power seemed useless if I didn't enjoy its application. I guess I'm leaning towards the verdicts of the Euro reviews over the gleaming American ones.
Driving the WRX put a smile on my face - the MS3, I was pretty much dumbfounded. I didn't get it. If I want a powerful FWD car (basically an overpowered Protoge), I'll probably consider an old Ford Contour SVT.
actually i stopped by the mazda dealer a few weeks ago, just to look at the 3's and they had 2 mazdaspeeds in stock. A red and blue one. I popped the hood of the blue one to look at the engine and the salesman pointed out the lack of additional sound deadening materials.
But yeah it was a turn on.
*I can live with black and I guess I'll get used to the tail lights until I can find conservative replacements.
*Something seems strange about the pushing against the springiness, then up to shift into first. Only driven 5-speeds, I guess. The pushing against springiness then down and in for reverse was something I had never dealt with before either.
*Not sure how to deal with sharp edge by leg. Maybe point it out to the shop, have them sand the edge away.
*Not sure how much I'll like the FWD in windy roads.
*AWD for my trips to Tahoe sounds so much better.
Still, a great deal for the money - no hurry. I think I'll be driving these a lot now, regardless if I buy one, so I'll be taking notes...
Saw one this weekend, true red. Very nice. But my wife couldn't tell the difference. Sleeper indeed.
Congrats on the job!
We left the dealer's lot and I punched it and a big smile came on my face. That smile stayed on the entire 15 minute test drive. The salesman was with us and he told me to drop down a gear and nail it when I was cruising at 80 and the Speed 3 just took off to 110mph when I shut it down. Amazing car and a great value for the money.
With only 5000 available in the US it is a rare bird. There must be 200 GTIs and 300 Civic SIs in my city, but there is only 1 Mazdaspeed and that's mine.
still dunno if i would say it has the same 'performance' as an evo or sti though...
The Speed3 impressed me a lot. Really quick, felt like a totally different car. The only two complaints we really had were the weak A/C (never got cool on a 98 degree day) and the bland interior. No available sunroof was a hangup,too. We probably would have bought the Speed3 if it weren't for the snotty attitiude of the salesperson and sales manager and the $2000 ADM. My experience has been that if the sales team are jerks, the service team is, too. Big deal breaker since there's only one Mazda dealer within 60 miles of us.
We'll probably go with the civic or sentra since we can pay cash for them, then pick up a 350Z or WRX STI in a year or two for a real "fun" second car.
I love my new Mazda3. I get tons of compliments on it and the color is a head turner! :P
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
to each his own. i love the civics dash. the interior is MEANT to be loud, just like it is in the gti AND mazdaspeed3.
The sliding platic thingy on the civic is no dust trap, and i don't think it looks 'cheap'.
you have to put premium gas in pretty a lot of the sporty compacts nowadays.
I am torn between these two cars. I like the power of the MS3, and the fact that you *could* fit three people in the back. Price of MS3 is great for what you get.
I test drove an 8 and was blown away with how it cornered, and how it took the twisties. The RX8 seems more sporty - it's RWD, has a great shifter, and looks more agressive when fitted with the appearance package/body kit.
for those of you who have had a chance to test drive them back to back - what were your thoughts or observations?
the RX8 only fits two in the back, and I might need to fit more than 2 people in the back of my next car...so I'm reluctant to get an 8, not to mention bad MPG and reliability issues...but it was so much fun.
you guys think a MS3 would outrun an RX8 on a twisty backgrod...or would the RX8 just walk awawy from teh MS3...in a straight line the MS3 would outrun an 8...but what about in the twisties???
the black interior is cool lookin', audio system is great...
and using premium fuel improves gas mileage...i'm getting in the 30s and it has only 360 miles on it, and i DO rev the tach before shifting...
i get people looking at it everywhere...
among others. the mini was the most impressive of the three, but on the small side. I need a car to throw may rc equipment or my bike. Maybe with the front wheel off...
the civic drove like most hondas, however the revs did not drop between shifts. that was annoying because the high revs caused the car to lurge forward. It was a turn off. I've heard there is fix for this. I hope so.
I loved the styling of the Speed 3 and it had lots of room in the back. and lotsa power, the power cause the car to pull even at low throttle applications. loved the power.
I've heard people complain about the shifting. They should drive my BMW 325i manual with rubbery stock shifter. after coming from that the speed 3 shifted like a champ.
the mini was perfect, shifted like a breeze, good low end torque, cornered like a champ. hated the chrome speedo the size of your head. I'll have to check to see if my bike will fit inside.
I have 6 more months to make up my mind. my lease ends in Jan 08.
btw I tested the Audi 3 loved the DSG. Hated the sales man.
He seemed nice enough at first, but when he called me back. I couldn't get him off the line and he would not come down the the price.
funny how the littlest annoying things can turn u off to buying a car.
I may have to retest the MS3 later or wait for the 2008s.
unless you prefer the styling of the a3 and some content, i guess you will still need to consider the mini and ms3
I will be purchasing next year. so far I like the styling and the utility of the MS3, it torgue steers a little. the A3 doesn't look right. it's to long and narrow. and ths salesman became annoying. the mini is a great car, too small for me, I have two bikes.
Don't believe the magezines about the 08 wrx. this cars can out handle all the above. and no it does not understeer. susp. is soft similar to my BMW 325i. but awd is amazing. uterly amazing.
I you like the MS3 don't get frenetica about being refused a test ride, stocks are low. and they can get premium for the car right now. Like everyone says look for another dealer. Unless you have to purchase a car today, just keep looking, I have. Time is on our side. :shades:
Thanks,
Alex