In the market and need advice...

[Daddy MO]

Will be looking in the next couple weeks for a used 07'-08' MS3.

What should I be on the look out for? How has reliability been? Do any of you track your MS3's and hows that been? Whats ggasmilage like after mods? How much boost can be made on the stock block? ECU tuners? How well would 18's or 19's fit? Anyone relocate battery to the rear? Do the MS3 have LSD?

Im in the N. California so if anyones from around here and kno a good reliable shop for tuning and maintenance that would be huge!

What I cant stand is the non HID's and FWD. Anyone know who makes a reliable kit? Oh and can traction control be 100% disabled?

How is this forum, is it pretty active and what other forums should I know about if im allowed to ask here?

Thanks guys, I look forward to comming back into the Mazda community!


-MO

 

[Wastegate13]

Some of the 07 cars and even 08 cars had a recall on the transmission mount. It could possibly fail and drop from the car. My car only has 9k on it but I haven't had a single issue other than the radio, another common problem with the 08.5 cars.

I autocrossed the car once and I had a lot of fun. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but it was fun. My gas mileage seems to average around 25, I've seen as high as 28 and as low as 20 though. I have a SRI and a BPV, MPG went up after the intake.

I am not personally convinced of this car's ability to make serious power on the stock rods and I think the lack of a really good tuning device is responsible. This is my opinion though and other may disagree.

The car comes with 18's from the factory so they fit with no issue. There are not a lot of people running 19's but there are a few and I don't believe I've seen any reported problems from doing so.

A few members have relocated the battery, IDRVSLO on this board being one of them. They come standard with an LSD. Also of note, the GT model come standard with HID lighting. Traction control can be turned off but the "torque management" remains in 1st and 2nd regardless.

 

[Sphincter]

I'm in the same boat as you mang, currently shopping around for an MS3. From what I learned on these forums I think all MS3s come with LSD, or at least the GT model definitely does. With a sport model you don't get HIDs nor the Bose sound system. If you gotta have the HIDs then you gotta go with a GT, which is what I'm doing. 18's are stockers on the car, so I don't see the fitment problem there. I can't really answer the other questions you have, cause I'm not an MS3 owner, YET.

 

[Daddy MO]

Thanks! Im almost tempted to just go to the dealership today and finance one that I like. Arrrghhhhh... I hate being a grown up sometimes!

 

[Wastegate13]

I'm in the same boat as you mang, currently shopping around for an MS3. From what I learned on these forums I think all MS3s come with LSD, or at least the GT model definitely does. With a sport model you don't get HIDs nor the Bose sound system. If you gotta have the HIDs then you gotta go with a GT, which is what I'm doing. 18's are stockers on the car, so I don't see the fitment problem there. I can't really answer the other questions you have, cause I'm not an MS3 owner, YET.

The only differences between the Sport GT models are as follows:

HID headlights with auto setting
LED taillights
Leather/sport fabric seating for 07-08 cars or leather/alcantara for 08.5-09 cars
Bose 7 speaker system
Automatic windshield wipers

Mechanically they are identical, the GT just comes with some extra amenities.

 

[Daddy MO]

The only differences between the Sport GT models are as follows:

HID headlights with auto setting
LED taillights
Leather/sport fabric seating for 07-08 cars or leather/alcantara for 08.5-09 cars
Bose 7 speaker system
Automatic windshield wipers

Mechanically they are identical, the GT just comes with some extra amenities.

Whats the price difference? Question is, is it worth it? Im thinking I can just get an aftermarket HID kit.

 

[DaleNixon]

This thread will go nowhere quick if you ask people to start comparing Sport and GT trims.

If HID's are really important to you, I'd go with the GT.

 

[15min5k]

The only differences between the Sport GT models are as follows:

HID headlights with auto setting
LED taillights
Leather/sport fabric seating for 07-08 cars or leather/alcantara for 08.5-09 cars
Bose 7 speaker system
Automatic windshield wipers

Mechanically they are identical, the GT just comes with some extra amenities.

You forgot a couple things:

*Anti theft deterrent system

*Trip computer

So here's the compete list of what the GT has vice the Sport:

HID headlights with auto setting
LED taillights
Leather/sport fabric seating for 07-08 cars or leather/alcantara for 08.5-09 cars
Bose 7 speaker system
Automatic windshield wipers
Anti theft deterrent system
Trip computer
Navi (Optional)

GT minus navi vs Sport: + $1,750

 

[Wastegate13]

You forgot a couple things:

*Anti theft deterrent system

*Trip computer

So here's the compete list of what the GT has vice the Sport:

HID headlights with auto setting
LED taillights
Leather/sport fabric seating for 07-08 cars or leather/alcantara for 08.5-09 cars
Bose 7 speaker system
Automatic windshield wipers
Anti theft deterrent system
Trip computer
Navi (Optional)

GT minus navi vs Sport: + $1,750

DOH! I never use the trip computer and I didn't even think about it.

 

[MikeHTally]

Don't leave out the MP3 player.

 

[Wastegate13]

Don't leave out the MP3 player.

That is an 08.5+ feature, not between the Sport and GT trims.

 

[Daddy MO]

I went and looked and drove the GT today. I wasnt impressed with the power. It was definately faster than my BMW but I dont like the lag from a dig or between shifts. Maybe BOV will help keep the turbine spinning and boost up right?

Car felt pretty good and precise in the corners. Brakes were also pretty good. I drove an 2008 GT that listed for $30k. At the end I talked them down to $26K out the door. However they couldnt get my intrest rates where I wanted them to be. I didnt want to pay more than $450 a month.

 

[paylew]

I went and looked and drove the GT today. I wasnt impressed with the power. It was definately faster than my BMW but I dont like the lag from a dig or between shifts. Maybe BOV will help keep the turbine spinning and boost up right?

Car felt pretty good and precise in the corners. Brakes were also pretty good. I drove an 2008 GT that listed for $30k. At the end I talked them down to $26K out the door. However they couldnt get my intrest rates where I wanted them to be. I didnt want to pay more than $450 a month.

30k for an 08? Holy smokes... My OTD was mid 24k, given it is a Sport but an 09 still. Personal opinion is to go with the Sport and just get HIDs, but I also don't like the GT seats or the auto wipers. That's my .02!

 

[UHATEIT]

I have the sport, you can buy an HID kit from ebay for $60 shipped that will work perfectly fine for you.

I personally upgraded my stereo system with subs and an in-dash tv which has nav anyways, and I would imagine it has to sound better than the Bose system.

In CA it never rains so wipers arent a need for me. But I personally would have liked the LED tails, and MAYBE the leather, but then again it gets hot around here. Even if you dont get the GT with leather, the stock seats on the Sport model are still really sweet and luxurious looking.

 

[240ka]

Some of the 07 cars and even 08 cars had a recall on the transmission mount. It could possibly fail and drop from the car. My car only has 9k on it but I haven't had a single issue other than the radio, another common problem with the 08.5 cars.

I autocrossed the car once and I had a lot of fun. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but it was fun. My gas mileage seems to average around 25, I've seen as high as 28 and as low as 20 though. I have a SRI and a BPV, MPG went up after the intake.

I am not personally convinced of this car's ability to make serious power on the stock rods and I think the lack of a really good tuning device is responsible. This is my opinion though and other may disagree.

The car comes with 18's from the factory so they fit with no issue. There are not a lot of people running 19's but there are a few and I don't believe I've seen any reported problems from doing so.

A few members have relocated the battery, IDRVSLO on this board being one of them. They come standard with an LSD. Also of note, the GT model come standard with HID lighting. Traction control can be turned off but the "torque management" remains in 1st and 2nd regardless.

isnt torque managment disabled when you hold the DSC button while turning on the car?

 

[240ka]

I'm in the same boat as you mang, currently shopping around for an MS3. From what I learned on these forums I think all MS3s come with LSD, or at least the GT model definitely does. With a sport model you don't get HIDs nor the Bose sound system. If you gotta have the HIDs then you gotta go with a GT, which is what I'm doing. 18's are stockers on the car, so I don't see the fitment problem there. I can't really answer the other questions you have, cause I'm not an MS3 owner, YET.

LSD is standard on both trims of MS3s

 

[240ka]

I went and looked and drove the GT today. I wasnt impressed with the power. It was definately faster than my BMW but I dont like the lag from a dig or between shifts. Maybe BOV will help keep the turbine spinning and boost up right?

Car felt pretty good and precise in the corners. Brakes were also pretty good. I drove an 2008 GT that listed for $30k. At the end I talked them down to $26K out the door. However they couldnt get my intrest rates where I wanted them to be. I didnt want to pay more than $450 a month.

i got my 09 sport out of the door for 22k.

bought aftermarket apexcone HID's 55watt ballast with 6k bulbs shipped for $90, the lights are great.

all the extras i didnt need or want. didnt want leather seats since i already have some in my other car and i didnt feel like having to worry about maintaining them. i didnt want to deal with cracking or wrinkled leather later down the road.

agree with UHATEIT. the blose system blows. in every car. i have to upgrade as well with a nice system and double dvd/nav.

auto whipers seem like they would get in the way to me besides i use RainX. who needs whipers?

i just want the LED tails. they are sweet

 

[Wastegate13]

isnt torque managment disabled when you hold the DSC button while turning on the car?

No the reduced boost and timing are always present in the first 2 gears.

 

[240ka]

i waslooking at one of the thread and one of the guys posted data with his dashhawk. and running the car both ways.

i saw that the car was boosting about 4psi less with both dsc and tcs disable. but with lower boost how was the car able to equal with same speed as with both enabled, boosting more?

i also saw that the car with both disabled was equaling the same speed or sometimes reaching a higher speed at lower rpms

whats the deal with that? im stomped on what the car is doing but i see people saying that the car isnt faster with both disable. maybe you can explain this to me

"I ran 2 tests the other day with my DashHawk capturing the data. The first run was done after starting the car while holding the TCS button down thus turning off both TCS and DSC.

The second run was done with the normal setting.

1. First Run - DSC/TCS Off - 1st gear 6.82 PSI / 31.1 MPH - 2nd Gear 13.92PSI - 46MPH Peak Boost and MPH on the capture.

2. Second RUn - DSC/TCS On - 1st 11.60 PSI / 31.7 MPH - 2nd Gear 16.68PSI - 43.5 MPH - Peak Boost and MPH on the capture.

Now I know you will say that I mixed up the 2 tests, but I swear I didn't. However, even though I know I didn't I'm doubting myself and will re-run the tests tomorrow to see for sure. Maybe I did but I really don't think so. However, if I did then your theory applies."

"Ok did a couple more tests today. The outcome was as follows.

Run 1 - DSC/TSC Off - 8.70 Boost / 27.3 MPH / 5435 RPM -- 15.95 / 46 / 5593 RPM

Run 2 - DSC/TSC ON - 12.91 Boost / 27.3 MPH / 5627 RPM -- 15.95 / 46.6 / 5691 RPM

I'm not sure if I got the same first gear take off in Run 1 as I did in Run 2. Run 2 got a good 1st gear takeoff spinning the tires and turning on/activating TSC due to wheel spin.

Now due to inability to get the exact same runs you can take this information for what it is. Just a comparison using the DSC/TCS hack. To me it seems that on both of my tests you actually got a better boost in 1st than you did without TCS and DSC. But overall it seems that using the hack (for lack of a better term) does not really get you any gains and hurts your handling of the car.

My car has MS CAI, Epoxy Mount and I took it in for the updated flash with the latest Voluntary Recall."

 

[Wastegate13]

i waslooking at one of the thread and one of the guys posted data with his dashhawk. and running the car both ways.

i saw that the car was boosting about 4psi less with both dsc and tcs disable. but with lower boost how was the car able to equal with same speed as with both enabled, boosting more?

i also saw that the car with both disabled was equaling the same speed or sometimes reaching a higher speed at lower rpms

whats the deal with that? im stomped on what the car is doing but i see people saying that the car isnt faster with both disable. maybe you can explain this to me

With TSC off the car is just spinning the tires through the gears and is not creating enough load to build boost in 1st and 2nd gear. With the system on it is closing the throttle in an attempt to stop the wheels from spinning, offering more resistance and therefore higher boost.

From what I remember reading a long time ago was that the car also limits timing in 1st and 2nd in addition to the lowered boost levels. Can the Dashhawk monitor timing values as well?