Great car for the money. Something to consider, Mazda will be producing a 2008.5 3. It will have some exterior color and interior finish changes. You can see them at http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123687977&page=21.
Thoughts of Mazda SPEED3
- Thread starter Bloostd
- Start date
i would look at a MS3, MS6, or volvo S60R(damn i love those!).
UNBELIEVABLY fun car with an amazing amt of power, refinement and economical value. Brand new off the shrowroom floor, we got over 25 mpg on the highway.....5,000 miles later, I have seen a best of 32.x mpg hwy and average about 24 in town. We did what the above poster did and have added ONLY the Cobb short ram intake and the amt of power realized from that was almost unreal. I'd elaborate, but you'd accuse me of being a ricer....ha! But yeah, it's not uncommon now to be cruising in 2nd gear, punch it from a roll and light up the tires!!!
For a long trip, the back seats fold down and you can store a TON of stuff in there! The car is comfortable and has a lot of creature comforts that most cars costing $10k more don't have! Automatic windshield wipers, 6 disk in dash CD changer, a BOSE stereo that sounds pretty good, 6 speed tranny, etc, etc.
As for the car's pull...it's effortless and turbo lag is "almost" non-existent. I would definately recommend one for you as my wife and I have NO complaints about ours!!!!
My buddy has a regular Mazda3 hatchback and its a LOT of fun to drive, the steering is quick and it almost handles like its on rails. I imagine that with the turbo + 6-speed it would be a helluva lot more fun.
Same motor as the MS6 & the MS6 stock internals don't like more than 300 AWHP. So much for forged
I'm on the MS6 forums daily & this is not a common problem posted.
I have never hit fuel cut. I have ETS TMIC, AEM CAI, CP-E cat-back, TXS BOV & ORP.
It's a hatchback not a wagon
Wrong wheel drive. Nice & fun little cars, but torque steer FTL.
Get a Speed6.
This guy on SVTsnake has a built block speed 6, he is not done yet, but it will be a monster, something will the fuel pumps not supporting the new power is giving him major problems.
I know a guy that ran 13.4 with speed 3, had a 107 trap but on street tires, couldn't pull off a decent 60 foot to save his life.(had some mods)
I never said they aren't quick or can't be made fast, but I am not a fan of FWD for performance. I own a SPEED6
the turbo lag on the Speed3's is hideous IMO. I was extreamely close (as in, getting the final prices with tax and title) to buying a new speed3. I loved almost every part of the speed3 that i could find.
the only reason i bought the 97 DD cobra instead of a speed3? Simple...A difference of about...oh say...$19K.
If you have your eye on it and you can swallow the payments, more power to you! It's a pretty sweet ride for what it is. Although the turbo lags pretty bad, when it kicks in, it totally resembles when you cross the 3200RPM mark in the 97 and the IMRC's open. WHIRRR and your gone!
the only reason i bought the 97 DD cobra instead of a speed3? Simple...A difference of about...oh say...$19K.
If you have your eye on it and you can swallow the payments, more power to you! It's a pretty sweet ride for what it is. Although the turbo lags pretty bad, when it kicks in, it totally resembles when you cross the 3200RPM mark in the 97 and the IMRC's open. WHIRRR and your gone!
Pontiac G8?
Good size, luxurious, and powerful.
Good size, luxurious, and powerful.
Had you ever driven a STOCK turbo charged 4 cylinder before the Speed 3? I ask because I've driven numerous and the Speed 3's turbo response time is amazing compared to most all others I've driven besides my '04 STi...it's a toss up between them.
^
STi would be the comaparison...
STi would be the comaparison...
Wow, I really honestly feel the STi and the Mazdaspeed 3 have "about" the same spool time. Regardless, they are both fun cars to drive, IF you're in to turbo charged 4's....
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