2010 mazdaspeed3 best dd with under 20k for under $20k?

[RacingTowardsRed]

3 things I dislike about the Mazdaspeed 3:

1: Torque steer was really noticable and worse than on other FWD cars in the same price range

2: Non-defeatable traction control.

3: Turbo lag was more noticable than on other comparable turbo cars.

[naplesE30]

^ did you drive an 2010 or later? They say they have made some strides in the toque steer, and I think you can disable traction by holding the stability control while starting it,,,,not sure though.. But I dont see any reason to take it off on a fwd dd.

Anyone own one, and what kind of mileage do you get..... the sticker says 25mpg on the road, but that seems pretty conservative to me. I am hoping for 27mpg hgwy.

The prvious gen seats look so much nicer.

[BoxDriver86]

Lol, reminds me of a bugeye WRX I saw on the way in to work not too long ago. It's coming from the opposite direction; slammed, big FMIC, etc. As I get close I see that the driver is in his mid-late 30's wearing a shirt and tie. He looked ridiculous.

Sounds like me, driving a slammed e30 every morning in a shirt and tie. Been doing it for years. I don't feel silly at all. I'm pretty sure I look it. Doesn't matter...have e30.

Back OT, have you considered a Cooper Clubman S? I know it's not a true 4 door, but they are a blast to drive and are everywhere for 18K. I just spent the holidays logging 2K miles on my wife's Cooper S and I am not sure how I haven't bought one yet.

Performance for days, comfortable, roomy, great MPG. I feel the interior could have been put together a little better as there are a few rattles here and there but I am certain it will exceed the build quality of the MS3. I almost bought one myself when they first came out. The only reason I didn't buy it was because I got a great deal on an e36 M3 sedan.

Good luck on your search!

[naplesE30]

I have looked at the coopers,, my dad owns one and loves it. They used to spank me at the autox. The non s that is. They are a lil small for my taste, but it remains a real possibility, not a fan of the clubman's though.

The only reason I would feel goofy in a ms3 is they look jdm from the factory,, like I bought aftermarket tails and was trying to make it look different,,,, but its really a non-issue.

E30's are classy and one should never feel silly driving one, unless they put goofy tails and angel eyes on em.

[graveshaker]

I have looked at the coopers,, my dad owns one and loves it. They used to spank me at the autox. The non s that is. They are a lil small for my taste, but it remains a real possibility, not a fan of the clubman's though.

The only reason I would feel goofy in a ms3 is they look jdm from the factory,, like I bought aftermarket tails and was trying to make it look different,,,, but its really a non-issue.

E30's are classy and one should never feel silly driving one, unless they put goofy tails and angel eyes on em.

First gen MS3's are less "goofy looking" in my opinion. The interior and steering wheel are much better looking and more useful. You can disable traction control on both models with a push of a button. The MS3 has an advance system that limits boost until third gear where the full 14.9 factory boost comes on. I bought a programmer that allows me to have full boost at first and second but found it utterly useless without the stickiest of tires. Great mod if you're into smoking tires but very infective at launching. It also makes torque steer impossible to keep straight. Trust me, pushing the DSC button is all you need for a perfect launch because this will allow tire spin but at limited boost. By the time you hit 3rd at full boost most everyone will be behind you. OP just go and test drive one, if you don't like it move on.

Oh yeah confirmed kills, gtII's, any model cooper, S2000, WRX (not STI), all mustang (except current), all camaro's (except current), e36 including //M, Charger RT, Challenger RT. The cars that give me the most headache are boosted AWD's and current year big V8s.
Mods: Short air intake, catless downpipe, catless test pipe, resonator delete, stiffer motor mounts.

[Bryan///]

I have looked at the coopers,, my dad owns one and loves it. They used to spank me at the autox. The non s that is. They are a lil small for my taste, but it remains a real possibility, not a fan of the clubman's though.

The only reason I would feel goofy in a ms3 is they look jdm from the factory,, like I bought aftermarket tails and was trying to make it look different,,,, but its really a non-issue.

E30's are classy and one should never feel silly driving one, unless they put goofy tails and angel eyes on em.

It's one car I would have on my list of never owning. My tool bag 17yr old spoiled rotten prick neighbor complained to his mother to trade in his newer Mazda 3 for a protge speed...he then cried his way into getting a loud ass exhaust and black rims...until he realized the black rims weren't cool enough so he bought 17 inch hubs and spray painted them green with the job that he doesn't have...btw....

Idk if I were you I wouldnt even think about a more expensive version of any. Ar for a dd. maintenance will cost more..not saying you can't afford it but the dd is supposed to be a car you don't want to have a whole lot of concern for.

Why not get a higher mileage e90 or new 5 series that idk their designation of.
I bet it will last longer than the Mazda..but maintenance will be up their still haha.

[Bryan///]

Expensive version of any car**

[Bryan///]

Just disregard all grammatical errors. I am on my gf's iPad and I hate it.

[z31maniac]

Bought a 2010 last year, loved it. Only got rid of it because the wife wanted a truck in the driveway if I was going to build a track car.............I figured that was a fair compromise.

Be leary of 1st Gen's that have been modded.

Although I'm already hoping once she isn't commuting 130+ miles a day, the truck can become hers, and I can pick up an STi or something like that for a DD.

[J308]

hmm... didn't realize first-gen was a choice. I'd definitely get the earlier model. Looks much better IMO, and should be able to save quite a bit of coin.

[naplesE30]

Dealer by me just clled and has a new one in, will be driving later today. Def not geting anything with a roundel on it,,,,, to expensive and costly to keep up,,, wife has an e90 so I dont need another one...

Z31 what was your fuel consumption like in normal dd?

Def staying away from anything with mods.....

The reason I am looking at the speed vs regular 3 is if I am making payments on it, I dont want to paying for something monthly and think I wish I wouldve sprung for the speed......I want to be happy driving the car I am making payments on.

Thanks for all the good info and insight.

[naplesE30]

I am looking at first gen as well but I want it to be under 15k miles which limits the number of cars considerably, and also I want something with the factory warranty intact... But first gen may be a very real option as it is all around a better looking car imo.

hmm... didn't realize first-gen was a choice. I'd definitely get the earlier model. Looks much better IMO, and should be able to save quite a bit of coin.

[Bryan///]

Good point..my last two cents is that you can buy a brand new mini cooper s with some lease type deal but actually be an owner ans have dirt cheap payments for 4 years and then consider selling the car back to the dealership or keep it and finish payments... It will have a nice warranty and maintenance package too I think.. Sorry but I just don't like Mazda....again my gf's is a 2005 and my new POS e30 was more stable on the highway with a bad ball joint and rear suspension, and faster...

[Nick_S]

Friend of mine has an 07 and it's a great car. More than enough power to get out of it's own way quickly. Although it does torque steer abit but that's a given with 250+hp and FWD, it's easily managed though. It handles great, looks great (subjective I know), decent economy, and is practical being a hatch. I'd drive one any day of the week.

[z31maniac]

Z31 what was your fuel consumption like in normal dd?

My commute to work was about 75% highway/25% city, but even my "city" driving was 50mph down a backroad to the expressway.

All situations etc, it avg'd about 22-23mpg on a tank. On the highway, if you keep it out of boost it will get up around 27-28.

But third and fourth gear are so fun in those things, you'll want the turbo spooled all the time.