Newb with legit question...

[oaklandopen]

I do not and why would I buy anything that old when I want a new car? My current Honda uses the "new" refrigerant and I have to turn it down after a short time. All I'm asking is that the little Mazda Turbo Monster has equal or better A/C.

my reply was just to tell the others that you didn't just care about AC, and that if you really did you probably wouldn't want this car

this car's AC is just as good as any others. and because you're buying new you'd be getting the best possible charge of refrigerant and oil, and the newest components. so that's 2 positives right there

 

[RTexasF]

my reply was just to tell the others that you didn't just care about AC, and that if you really did you probably wouldn't want this car

this car's AC is just as good as any others. and because you're buying new you'd be getting the best possible charge of refrigerant and oil, and the newest components. so that's 2 positives right there

Got it, thanks. I misunderstood completely and do appreciate your input. There are MANY factors to consider, the A/C being just one but a very important one considering where I live.

To change this topic a little, how difficult is it to change the cabin air filter? My current car takes all of one minute and I'd love for the MS3 to be as easy.

Anyone care to discuss it that has actually changed the filter??

 

[oaklandopen]

Got it, thanks. I misunderstood completely and do appreciate your input. There are MANY factors to consider, the A/C being just one but a very important one considering where I live.

To change this topic a little, how difficult is it to change the cabin air filter? My current car takes all of one minute and I'd love for the MS3 to be as easy.

Anyone?

sorry but i don't think it's going to be as easy as your other car was, accord right? that shoulda been done by squeezing the glove box door "stoppers" so the whole door would hinge down, then just pull the filter holder out and replace, or something like that.

well this is for the mazda

http://www.imageput.com/hosted/49424untitled.bmp

 

[RTexasF]

Once again thank you. Yep, that is a real pain in the ass allright.....I'm not even familiar with some of the things that it says to disconnect. If I become an owner I'll have to learn what to do 'cause I'm sure a dealer pulls your pants off to perform the A/C filter service. I must applaud Honda for their simple to change efficiency on this one.

 

[///M Compact]

The A/C works OK in my 2007.

 

[mo08ms3]

I have an 08 MS3 in SW Florida. My A/C handled fine through the rough months.

 

[RTexasF]

This is all very reassuring that the a/c will hold up to the south TX heat & humidity. Dealing with the cabin air filter looks to be a hassle but I guess you can't have it all. Thank you to all that took the time to answer.

 

[BURNt SKiN]

South Florida here..... blue ms3 w/ 20% tint... Never had to run the a/c full blast for more then a minute or two... It's almost 80 degrees today, trust me its hot in the summer.. i say go for it

 

[GoFast]

burnt skin does bring up a good point! in vegas i had 15% all the way around so i am sure that helped quite a bit. this past summer in chicago i took off the ftint on the front two windows and it worked well still. i did feel the difference without the tint though

 

[RTexasF]

GOTTA have tint, no two ways about it. That is on my list as a must.

 

[GoFast]

GOTTA have tint, no two ways about it. That is on my list as a must.

then you should be more that satisfied with the ms3's a/c

 

[RTexasF]

Thanks, I appreciate your assurance. Let's just hope that I can fit in it. I'm old enough to be the Dad or Grandad to many here so my car criteria is much different than most on this forum. I'm an old fart hotrodder and I just can't help it!

 

[BillTheCat]

I'm older than the average bear here as well, and I feel your need for A/C because I live in Florida. Isn't it lovely having 83 degrees & 70-80% humidity on Christmas Day? I presonally find it oppressive, and wish I could afford to move to a more mild climate.

On topic, I'll just throw in one more confirmation that the A/C is up to task in this car. I don't care for automatic climate controls all that much, because they never seem to adjust things the way I want, so I end up overriding & setting things manually.

I tend to start with the fan relatively high, the temp setting at 60, and within 5 minutes, I usually back the fan down a notch or two & change it from the front vents to the bi-level deal. I never have to drive around all day with the fan on max & the temp on 60 in order to keep comfy.

 

[RTexasF]

That is good news indeed. I'm not a fan of auto climate either but it comes with the package.

Let me ask something else------------
If driven easily can you squeeze out a few more MPG than the EPA rated mileage? Is upper 20's maybe even 30 possible on the highway with a careful right foot? I do realize this is a performance car but I currently get 25 in town and 36 on the road. I don't expect that of course but just wondering....

 

[Alexsered]

ac is not that cold, but I rarely use it, even on the hottest summer day, I roll around with the windows down. Unless the girl is in the car, they hate to sweat.

on your MPG question, with stock tires I was getting around 350 miles on 12.5 gallons of gas (29.1 mpg) but now that i just put on 225 tires, I can't seam to get over 310 miles on around 12.5 gallons of gas. (24.8 mpg) this is all with spirited driving and the only thing that has changed were my tires.

 

[RTexasF]

Thanks. Is that a mix of town and highway?

 

[Alexsered]

Thanks. Is that a mix of town and highway?

yeah, it's a mix of highway and city driving. what mpg are you aiming for?

 

[RTexasF]

I'm not aiming for any particular MPG just curious if folks do better than the EPA's predicted 18/26 after break in is complete.

 

[///M Compact]

The automatic A/C works OK, but it's not that much better than a manual system. I average 21-25 mpg in a mix of rural and suburban driving. I think that is pretty reasonable considering the car's above-average straight-line performance.

 

[RTexasF]

I agree, thank you.