Mazdaspeed 3

[Jesse30]

Well with how my e30 has been big headaches lately I'm needing to pick up a second car (a long time coming) and im seriously considering the mazdaspeed 3. 6 speed transaxle, limited slip and a 263 hp/280 ft lb tq. turbo 4 banger is really tempting.

Also its a hatchback so i have plenty of room to just throw stuff in the back and head out for a weekend trip (I tend to travel a lot). It seems like it does pretty well on gas for sport compact and has a pretty decent after market even though the extent of modifications would be just some more attractive wheels/tires, turbo back exhaust and lowering springs.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts at all on this car.

-Jesse

[Danny]

Mazdaspeed cars kick ass.

They'll dust my E30 :S

[DEV0 E30]

The one outside will take the lunch money from my M car, and it won't even apologize.

They are indeed pretty damn good enthusiast cars, at least from what I know about them.

[e30Matt]

Test drove one a few months back. Fantastic car, would make a hell of a daily driver. Especially when you know how to turn off the boost cut in 1 and 2. :)

[silversleeper]

does the LSD really correct the torque steer well enough?? i think the car is fantastic, but just wondered what it was driving a FWD car with that much power.

[Jesse30]

Test drove one a few months back. Fantastic car, would make a hell of a daily driver. Especially when you know how to turn off the boost cut in 1 and 2. :)

Sounds solid, but did you notice anything you would find annoying in your test drive? how would you cut boost in 1 and 2? turbo timer? boost controller? remap?

[CorvallisBMW]

I have always loved these cars. Automobile Magazine has a year-long tester, and they can't stop raving about it. My good friend has the regular 2.3, and I love the interior and 5-door practicality.

[willsol]

I owned one and loved it... 34 mpg on the highway!! ((yes a speed 3)) around the city though being Im heavy footed it dropped to 21.. you have to feed it 91 octane or better though.


Decent room... if you have kids though might not be enough space.

Any other questions just ask.

[VAPORBLADE]

We have a speed6. I have yet to drive the speed3, but it looks like a sick car.

[E30SPDFRK]

Wrong wheel drive. Other than that they are good cars.

[e30Matt]

does the LSD really correct the torque steer well enough?? i think the car is fantastic, but just wondered what it was driving a FWD car with that much power.

It still does have a noticeable bit of torque steer... and boost cut wasn't a good term, it's more like a boost limiter in 1 and 2 to limit wheelspin. You do a little tapdancing with the TC disable button whilst starting the car and you can completely disable it... the procedure is similar to a full TCS disable on E46s/Z4s. You push and hold the button while starting the car, and it will blink and then remain illuminated.

Jesse, I couldn't find much fault, other than the car felt like it ran out of ass above about 5-5.5k, but I have a feeling that Mazdaspeed exhaust and intake setup they sell as options would gladly help that out a bit and keep the warranty safe and sound.

I'm going car shopping again here in a couple months and will definitely be test driving one again.

[Bill 84 318i]

I'm only going off of what they are on paper...but I don't think you can beat them for the money. Especially since the new WRX's are very boring to look at.

[VacMan]

We had a normal Mazda 3s before my wife got pregnant and it was an awesome car. Drove very much like a Euro car, handled well, and had only ok acceleration. The Mazdaspeed 3 addresses my major gripe with the car and I think it would make an awesome DD.

[CorvallisBMW]

I've also heard really good things about the Saturn Astra. It doesn't compare with the MS 3, but if you're more interested in the 5-door practicality than the speed, it might be worth a look. It's basically a re-badged Opel, so it's all very Euro.

[JAX S50]

You know Tim.... the new G8 would be a nice driver too:evil: