Mazdaspeed 3, or others?

[cy]

Hi all,

I am sorta in the market for a new car, and I've was thinking about getting a 350Z or RX8 (a good used one in the $25k - 30k range). After realizing the Z will not be practical AT ALL, and the RX8 is pretty problematic, I decide that I should move onto other options..

So I was in my friend's Mazdaspeed 6 last night and was told that Mazdaspeed 3 shouldn't be overlooked. With the power, fun, look and the practical level, it looks like a pretty good bang for the bucks @ $30k~. He actually finds the msp3 to be a little quicker than his msp6 when he test drove it last week. With the 0% purchase finance coming from Mazda, it looks like it's a pretty hard to pass up on.

I know they've had some issues with their 07 where the engine mount was dropping and etc. How about now? What's your opinion? If not msp3, what other choice? I would not mind used at all as long as it doesn't have any "common major problem" (like the transmission on the rx8, etc..).

Cheers.

[camber]

Mazda seems to have sorted out the MSP3 issue of having the engine drop and grenade the entire drivetrain into metal bits:l People that launched those first production cars hard were in for a bit of suprise

They installed a stronger bolt in the engine mount and it seems to be holding.

IIRC The 2.3L turbo engines from Mazda were problematic when first released. Suffered from servere heat soak issues and only liked 93 octane and up gasoline to produced advertized power. I haven't heard any recent issues with these engines.

IMO, I'd rather get a WRX or new AWD turbo Lancer(non EVO). Although, I think Mazda sorted most of the big issues out of the MSP3. Mazda hasn't had a great history of reliability with their intial releases of "performance" cars ie. MSP6, RX-8, MSP3.

Personally, I just stay away from currrent Mazda cars. Although, I really like how the RX-8 drives..

[M-e-X-x]

definitely not a bad choice for practicality... and the finance rates are definitely a big point to consider... just myself i hear too many horror stories of mazdas... but then i hear some success stories...

[cy]

Mazda seems to have sorted out the MSP3 issue of having the engine drop and grenade the entire drivetrain into metal bits:l People that launched those first production cars hard were in for a bit of suprise

They installed a stronger bolt in the engine mount and it seems to be holding.

IIRC The 2.3L turbo engines from Mazda were problematic when first released. Suffered from servere heat soak issues and only liked 93 octane and up gasoline to produced advertized power. I haven't heard any recent issues with these engines.

IMO, I'd rather get a WRX or new AWD turbo Lancer(non EVO). Although, I think Mazda sorted most of the big issues out of the MSP3. Mazda hasn't had a great history of reliability with their intial releases of "performance" cars ie. MSP6, RX-8, MSP3.

Personally, I just stay away from currrent Mazda cars. Although, I really like how the RX-8 drives..

Thanks for the advice. Is the AWD Lancer out yet? I don't see it on their website yet (The EVO looks quite hot ).

[lumlum1013]

Hi all,

I am sorta in the market for a new car, and I've was thinking about getting a 350Z or RX8 (a good used one in the $25k - 30k range). After realizing the Z will not be practical AT ALL, and the RX8 is pretty problematic, I decide that I should move onto other options..

So I was in my friend's Mazdaspeed 6 last night and was told that Mazdaspeed 3 shouldn't be overlooked. With the power, fun, look and the practical level, it looks like a pretty good bang for the bucks @ $30k~. He actually finds the msp3 to be a little quicker than his msp6 when he test drove it last week. With the 0% purchase finance coming from Mazda, it looks like it's a pretty hard to pass up on.

I know they've had some issues with their 07 where the engine mount was dropping and etc. How about now? What's your opinion? If not msp3, what other choice? I would not mind used at all as long as it doesn't have any "common major problem" (like the transmission on the rx8, etc..).

Cheers.

yeah, your friend is right about overlookin' at the MS3....
I must agree that MS3 is alot quicker on a roll..but will
not beat MS6 @ the lights (stock vs stock)....cuz mainly the AWD.
then again, i wish my MS6 was a hatch/sport hatch....
i love my P5's trunk....very very practical...oh well..

correct me if i'm wrong, WRX suffers the huge body roll where
MS3 has very very good handlin'

Youtube new scooby

but Subarus are known to
have one of the greatest AWD system in the auto industry, very reliable as well,
where as MS3's reliablity is still not up there...however,
they did fix the motor mount issues on there 08 models

i know there is still a dealership (or more) that still have MS6 for sale..
@ a very good price...under $30k perhaps.

you maybe lucky if you can test drive a MS3 or MS6 at the dealership,
cuz they are equipped w/ OEM Summer Super Sticky Tires... very
dangerous on winter roads tho...

[cy]

yeah, your friend is right about overlookin' at the MS3....
I must agree that MS3 is alot quicker on a roll..but will
not beat MS6 @ the lights (stock vs stock)....cuz mainly the AWD.
then again, i wish my MS6 was a hatch/sport hatch....
i love my P5's trunk....very very practical...oh well..

correct me if i'm wrong, WRX suffers the huge body roll where
MS3 has very very good handlin'

Youtube new scooby

but Subarus are known to
have one of the greatest AWD system in the auto industry, very reliable as well,
where as MS3's reliablity is still not up there...however,
they did fix the motor mount issues on there 08 models

i know there is still a dealership (or more) that still have MS6 for sale..
@ a very good price...under $30k perhaps.

you maybe lucky if you can test drive a MS3 or MS6 at the dealership,
cuz they are equipped w/ OEM Summer Super Sticky Tires... very
dangerous on winter roads tho...

Thanks. Do you know which dealership in particular that might still have some MS6?

[lumlum1013]

Thanks. Do you know which dealership in particular that might still have some MS6?

one black unit in scarboro mazda....when i bought my 07 back in late 06,
i was offered to buy their 06 demo for $28k OTR.....
but i didn't take their offer, so that is y i think the unit that they
have on their lot should be around $30k.....or less

(i doubt it's the same unit that was offered to me FYI)

[cy]

one black unit in scarboro mazda....when i bought my 07 back in late 06,
i was offered to buy their 06 demo for $28k OTR.....
but i didn't take their offer, so that is y i think the unit that they
have on their lot should be around $30k.....or less

(i doubt it's the same unit that was offered to me FYI)

Oh my, $28k OTR. I shall go check it out!

[Andro]

I was looking at Mazdaspeed 3 too, however i came to conclusion that it's not for me. Some cars that i was interested after where VW GTI and MINI Cooper S, yes they might be slower but they are much more refined and way better fuel efficiency. However once i saw MINI S my choice was made right there and then. Depending on your needs it's a great car, and has most driver and front passenger space out of the 3.......yeah i know, i didn't expect it either. Passengers in the back would have to struggle though. Oh and each MINI is also custom made for you, you can basically change almost everything you want in it. And IMO it has the best interior/exterior, you have to see the gadgets inside the car. One of the drawback it's kinda pricey, but it's deffinately worth it. Also it's great on gas: 5.8L/highway, 7.7/city (manual). The fit and finish is amazing inside and out, it looks like it was actually hand made. Can't wait for it to arrive

[thephenom]

For new, I guess you can try the following:
1. MS3
2. VW GTI/GLI/2.0T
3. Mini Cooper S
4. Civic Si
5. Volvo C30 T5
6. SRT-4
7. Cobalt SS
8. IS250 RWD
9. Altima Coupe 6spd
10. Accord Couple 6spd

6-7 will probably not handled as well, 8-10 will probably be more of a "cruiser" than a racer, 1-4 is probably on top of the list.

MS3 will probably be the fastest out of the whole list as well as one of the best handlers. Cooper S is nice also, RWD handling, good peppy engine, but the options can add up REALLY quickly, and add on expensive financing. The VW 2.0T is a really nice engine, good lowend torque, power doesn't drop off as much compared to the MS3's 2.3T, I like their suspension setup, stiff enough but still comfortable to ride in. The VWs have also dropped their prices for 2008 to adjust for higher CDN dollar. Si lacks a lot of power on the low end, but if you like high revving engine, vtec sounds really hot when the 2nd cam kicks in, nice suspension setup, but definitely not as fast as MS3, financing isn't too bad, $26.6k car with 1.9% financing for 48 mnths.

IS250 base price is $30k, probably one of the "slowest" car on the list, but you do get lexus quality. Altima 3.5 Coupe, nice VQ35 engine, but it'll forever be a poorman's G35. Accord V6 Coupe 6MT, smooth V6 with good torque and power.

I'd say give all at least top 4 on the list a test drive and see which you like the most. For the MS3, just remember it's a fairly limited production model, so parts for those car will be more rare/scarce than the others and possibly cost more since Mazda are generally known for more expensive parts comparing to the others.

[malaco0219]

Cy,

It appears you're looking for a sports car more or less. I definitely recommened Speed 3. Without a doubt, best bang for its bucks. Most issues should be fixed, good aftermarket support for mazda. Might you also consider GTI, they start 28K. Great aftermarket support as well. Both cars are practical and speedy. GTI has DSG if you wanted auto. A chip can easily bring it to 250 with PPC, and you'll pretty much be on par with the Speed 3 as well. You can even revert to default program if you needed to bring it in to warranty work.

www.eurosporttuning.ca

Good luck.

[beerbaron105]

former owner of a cobalt ss/sc, i test drove a mazdaspeed 3 and fell in love with it, probably twice as fast as my cobalt, and way nicer to drive, everything about it was 10000% better.

much quicker then the speed 6, although probably not as refined.

when i am in the market for a new car, probably in another year or so im definitely going to have the speed 3 up there, i also wanted to test drive the caliber srt-4, although i doubt it will match the speed3 in refinement and interior

[malaco0219]

former owner of a cobalt ss/sc, i test drove a mazdaspeed 3 and fell in love with it, probably twice as fast as my cobalt, and way nicer to drive, everything about it was 10000% better.

much quicker then the speed 6, although probably not as refined.

when i am in the market for a new car, probably in another year or so im definitely going to have the speed 3 up there, i also wanted to test drive the caliber srt-4, although i doubt it will match the speed3 in refinement and interior

You should check road and track. If I recall correctly, theres an article about those two cars.

[beerbaron105]

Thanks for the advice. Is the AWD Lancer out yet? I don't see it on their website yet (The EVO looks quite hot ).

evo is sexy too, but christ 50k for a loaded one!

[beerbaron105]

You should check road and track. If I recall correctly, theres an article about those two cars.

link for the lazy? lol

wait here: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6293