My ms3 doesn't feel fast anymore.

[nextcar]

I've had my ms3 exactly a week now. This afternoon coming back from work, I decided to drive it hard, but it didn't feel as fast as when I test drove the car at the dealership. Can you guys comment on possible causes? Here are couple of my theories:

1. The initial test drive felt really fast because I was going from a toyota Prius to the ms3. Now that I'm accustomed to the power, it doesn't have the same thrill.

2. The initial drive was in the morning when the temperature was around 75 degrees. today in the afternoon, temp was almost 100 degrees. turbo cars do better with colder air, right?

I guess it could be a combination of both, but mostly #1. My next question is, should I upgrade the ECU, eg with the Cobb accessport? With my stock car, Cobb says that I will only get a 2.5% boost in HP, and 8% boost in torque. I have a feeling that's not going to thrill me much.

Now I have a more philosophical question. Is it simply human nature to want something more and, once you achieve it, you want even more? If I get the Cobb ecu with a new intake and turboback exhaust, then I'll surely feel a significant boost in power. But then I'll get used to it, and want even more? Is it an endless quest, and therefore should I not even start?

 

[StealthWyvern]

I've had my ms3 exactly a week now. This afternoon coming back from work, I decided to drive it hard, but it didn't feel as fast as when I test drove the car at the dealership. Can you guys comment on possible causes? Here are couple of my theories:

1. The initial test drive felt really fast because I was going from a toyota Prius to the ms3. Now that I'm accustomed to the power, it doesn't have the same thrill.

2. The initial drive was in the morning when the temperature was around 75 degrees. today in the afternoon, temp was almost 100 degrees. turbo cars do better with colder air, right?

I guess it could be a combination of both, but mostly #1. My next question is, should I upgrade the ECU, eg with the Cobb accessport? With my stock car, Cobb says that I will only get a 2.5% boost in HP, and 8% boost in torque. I have a feeling that's not going to thrill me much.

Now I have a more philosophical question. Is it simply human nature to want something more and, once you achieve it, you want even more? If I get the Cobb ecu with a new intake and turboback exhaust, then I'll surely feel a significant boost in power. But then I'll get used to it, and want even more? Is it an endless quest, and therefore should I not even start?

to put it simple YES to all. You have gotten used to the speed and yes they run better in cooler weather. And a big yes to your last question

 

[mountjonas]

I drove my prius for 3 weeks straight. today i decided to take the wrx to work. feels like a rocket and the car isn't even that fast.

 

[mrjoshyman]

most likely ur getting more comfortable w/ the cars power.

start off w/ a cobb sri -- better bang 4 ur buck over the AP, which would b more worth it further down the line

 

[Boosted333]

Heat kills turbo cars... Oct/Nov and Mar/Apr here in the Northeast are great Turbo-Seasons!

and getting used to your new car's power happens fast. Definitely go for the SRI.

 

[lestat13]

I've driven my girlfriend's yaris (whopping 1.3L motor) and can't stand the zero power it has! Almost feels like I'm not moving at all!

But yeah, I experienced the same thing. The first two days owning the car were the best, then I got used to it. Install a new motor mount or inserts and you'll get another day or two of "wow, that's fast" from your MS3

 

[knowledge007]

Its never fast enough in any car. You just have to learn how to control your spending... I would go with an intake first. Cobb is not going to do much at this point with there AP. Intake will give you enough hop in hp and tq that you will be happy...

 

[nextcar]

Heat kills turbo cars... Oct/Nov and Mar/Apr here in the Northeast are great Turbo-Seasons!

and getting used to your new car's power happens fast. Definitely go for the SRI.

do you think having the cobb sri is like giving your ms3 cold air all the time? is the noise much louder, and does it sound good? is it a simple dyi installation or should i have my mazda dealer do it?

did you notice a more significant power gain with the SRI than the accessport?

thanks for the advice.

 

[megz]

I've felt the power-loss in my ms3... Found out it was the BOV, it worked itself into a "softer" setting, and in doing so, I was getting a very bogged down feeling, pickup was bad, idle seemed a bit more rough, and then when the bov released, it was a very long kinda pathetic blow off, unlike usual. Tightened it down, everything was fine.

 

[MikeHTally]

All motors are partial to cooler air. And yes, the bug will continue to bite.

 

[MikeHTally]

do you think having the cobb sri is like giving your ms3 cold air all the time? is the noise much louder, and does it sound good? is it a simple dyi installation or should i have my mazda dealer do it?

did you notice a more significant power gain with the SRI than the accessport?

thanks for the advice.

It's likely your dealer won't want to do it. The installation is fairly easy. Hardest part is getting the vacuum line off. My Speed seems more willing to rev with the SRI on it.

Comparing the $175 SRI to the $700 AP is a bit too much "apples and oranges" Personally, I can't justify spending $700 for apparently dubious improvement.

 

[Super X]

The MS3 can feel slow if you don't shift the gears at the right rpms (or hard driving with the a/c on, which in my book is a no-no in a turbo car). Trust me your shift points makes a big difference in how the car preforms. Try taking the car out later on today w/ the TC off and hit it in 1st gear, then grab 2nd like around 5,800 rpm, then come back and tell us if it still feels slow to you.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Drop the dime. SRI/CAI, MM, Shortshifter (2 to choose from now), BPV (you dont need a BOV just the BPV) and you will be much happier with your car. Then you can get nicer tires and the larger sway bars for added driving pleasure!

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

after that gets old you can upgrade your TMIC or go all out and get a FMIC.

 

[tripledigits]

You can upgrade your car to any power level, soon enough it'll just reset "normal" again.

My bike is low 10s in the quarter, and it just feels average in acceleration.

 

[Russm]

Good Day
Bought a new 78 Suzuki 750, $2,400 went 12.90's, spent 1 yr and $15k IT WENT 8.9'S. Sold for $3K

Bought 86 gGSX1100, WENT 9.9 STOCK, spent 1 yr, $8 k latter went 8.90's sold $1,200 blown moter.

Bought 89 GSXR 1100, went 9.70's stock $27K latter went 7.90's
sold for $7K

Bought 96 WS6 Trans Am Hard Top, $24K Went 13.40's spent $50 on K&N filter went 13.00's, sold 36K miles later $19K

Never enough????

Drive several beater vans from 89 till 08, Bought 08 MS3/CAI/CBE $22k WITH WARRANTY, 13.60's, TAKEN ALONG TIME but I am content and in 10 years my well kept MS3 will be worth more than all before!

Discipline of contentment is usually learned in the long run!!

 

[Bravnik]

Sounds like it's time to start modding.

 

[tiagotiago]

The exact same thing happened to me. I remember the first time I really accelerated in it, I was very surprised/thrilled. Now, well, I feel the power but it's doesn't give me that same thrill.

...unless I happen to hit a dusty patch when accelerating...low grip makes things very interesting very quickly

 

[red95_240sx]

it was a 100 degrees u had the a/c on. i read a/c is -20hp, and i believe it so. and yes it is fawking hot

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Go race someone that's slower than you , you'll probably feela bit faster again LOL