i should rephrase that. Its aim is yes a balance between power and fuel efficiency. A car that focuses solely on efficiency would be the compact class (yaris, fit, etc), but mazda by no means designed the 3 to be a tire burner like he wants. He should just accept that, and not blame mazda for not dropping a v6 in it, or whatever it is he thinks the 3 should have in the bay.
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thats the automatic, not the engine. I have plenty of power coming out of turns, and despite having an open diff, i can still manage to control the understeer. (mostly due to having new grippy tires on)
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my3needsaname
I think it should have the I5 Volvo puts into the S40's.
That's not the auto, it's the engine. Trust me on this one, it's the engine.
That's not the auto, it's the engine. Trust me on this one, it's the engine.
you can't really say that about all american made....i loved my s10.....and ford trucks will last a lifetime.....but it's only certain cars....yes some do fall apart
on the autotragics you are losing a lotta power.......all the pep from the engine is just gone......when i had my p5 i dropped in off at the dealer for a couple days to have some work done and they gave me a p5 with the triptronice(or whatever it's called) and there is a big difference between have a 5sp man and a auto in these cars....BIG DIFF....
lol
this guy thinks "more cylinders = more power"... I've seen 5 bangers, V6s, and plenty of V8s make bad horsepower to displacement ratio... granted because they have MORE displacement, they had more power than most 4 bangers, but the japanese 4 bangers tended to be more efficient at what they did
it was also funny seeing the 4 banger getting dissed by saying that it *needs* a electric power steering or "it will stall"
there's plenty of cars out there that have conventional power steering with LESS power and have ZERO problems
all of you have said it.... power is not the issue, it's TORQUE... there's plenty of power out of the 2.3 if you just use the gears right and let it wind out! the 5 speed auto has bad ratios compared to what the 4 speed did... I've driven both and could tell the difference... my 4 speed 2.3 its a lot more gutsy down low, you could swear it's a low power (domestic) V6... anyway, you feel TORQUE, not power... consider that the RX-8 (or S2000 for that matter) have more power than the 3, it feels slow... why? it has bad torque, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have power and it doesn't mean it can't go.... it's smooth power and not a surge of power that slams you into the seat like a Saturn V rocket
bottom line is, to get the most performance out of any 4 banger, it needs a manual transmission, hands down... so either be a man and learn how to drive stick, or stop whining about how slow it is driving an autotragic
this guy thinks "more cylinders = more power"... I've seen 5 bangers, V6s, and plenty of V8s make bad horsepower to displacement ratio... granted because they have MORE displacement, they had more power than most 4 bangers, but the japanese 4 bangers tended to be more efficient at what they did
it was also funny seeing the 4 banger getting dissed by saying that it *needs* a electric power steering or "it will stall"
there's plenty of cars out there that have conventional power steering with LESS power and have ZERO problemsall of you have said it.... power is not the issue, it's TORQUE... there's plenty of power out of the 2.3 if you just use the gears right and let it wind out! the 5 speed auto has bad ratios compared to what the 4 speed did... I've driven both and could tell the difference... my 4 speed 2.3 its a lot more gutsy down low, you could swear it's a low power (domestic) V6... anyway, you feel TORQUE, not power... consider that the RX-8 (or S2000 for that matter) have more power than the 3, it feels slow... why? it has bad torque, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have power and it doesn't mean it can't go.... it's smooth power and not a surge of power that slams you into the seat like a Saturn V rocket
bottom line is, to get the most performance out of any 4 banger, it needs a manual transmission, hands down... so either be a man and learn how to drive stick, or stop whining about how slow it is driving an autotragic
lol
this guy thinks "more cylinders = more power"... I've seen 5 bangers, V6s, and plenty of V8s make bad horsepower to displacement ratio... granted because they have MORE displacement, they had more power than most 4 bangers, but the japanese 4 bangers tended to be more efficient at what they did
it was also funny seeing the 4 banger getting dissed by saying that it *needs* a electric power steering or "it will stall"
all of you have said it.... power is not the issue, it's TORQUE... there's plenty of power out of the 2.3 if you just use the gears right and let it wind out! the 5 speed auto has bad ratios compared to what the 4 speed did... I've driven both and could tell the difference... my 4 speed 2.3 its a lot more gutsy down low, you could swear it's a low power (domestic) V6... anyway, you feel TORQUE, not power... consider that the RX-8 (or S2000 for that matter) have more power than the 3, it feels slow... why? it has bad torque, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have power and it doesn't mean it can't go.... it's smooth power and not a surge of power that slams you into the seat like a Saturn V rocket
bottom line is, to get the most performance out of any 4 banger, it needs a manual transmission, hands down... so either be a man and learn how to drive stick, or stop whining about how slow it is driving an autotragic
im pretty sure you can read my mind.
this is the exact point ive been trying to make.
L3vzoomzooom
Member
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- 2007 MZ3 Sedan
my3needsaname... you need to learn to adjust to what you have, and how to drive it. start with bolt-on's and stiffer mounts.
not gunna lie, when I sold my 96 G20, I swore my next car would have over 200 hp. I was close to buying a milleniaS but didn't want to deal with the maintenance. The P5 just won me over with it's looks. I just loved how it looked and I had to get it. I hate that it's a bit of a dog though. But overall I've learned to live with it. My next car will not be slow though. I'll make sure of that.
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my3needsaname
It's mostly rattles and minor things on the Exped. Other than that american made trucks are awesome and last forever.
I told you like 4 posts back that I got that and you were spot on and that modding it is the next step or getting something with more power all together.
Bolt ons yes, stiffer mounts, no. I like my basically no engine vibrations. I actually thought of getting a torque dampener to hold the engine in a tighter spot without sacrificing my smoothness of the engine through its current (stock) mounts. Then the dealer said it would void my engine's warranty and that one was quickly rejected.
Driving a 10 year old Volvo with break it in 5 seconds parts gives you a lot of insight on learning how to deal with what you've got and how to drive it in a VERY short time. One wrong move and it's another transmission...now that thing's a beater but still my point is valid.
I do a HP to weight ratio, I couldn't care less about displacement to HP ratios. Those only say how fast the engine can go not how fast it can pull the car.
"Being a man" and learning to drive stick is NOT, let me stress the NOT part, and option. There are greater reasons than not being able to drive one well that negate me from getting one. Even if I4's do better with sticks I can't do a stick it doesn't fit with me.
More TQ or more HP is what it needs. I don't care which one. Hell, 20+ with both of those would be great if it could happen for a good price.
IMO sell the car and don't worry about it anymore. Since your car is an automatic that makes things even worst. You won't feel that much of a difference with the bolt ons and when it comes down to it, its not even worth it. Now if you had a 2.3l stick shift then I would recommend otherwise.
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my3needsaname
The words of a true wise man. I gotta see what happens down the road a couple weeks or so before I make any rash decision about modding or selling.
I mean it's not like the market can get that much worse.
wolverine_man
Member
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- 2008 Mazda3 S GT Sedan
Unless you are physically incapable of driving a stick due to some injury or disability, you definitely made a wrong move by getting the automatic. I test drove both and there was no way I was going with the slush box. As far as insurance, yes, Toyota trucks and SUVs with my insurance company are fairly expensive to insure. I looked at a 2007 Tacoma Double Cab as a replacement for my jeep before deciding to go with a car.
I came out of a 2007 Wrangler softop and that was much cheaper than my 08 MZ3 S GT to insure. I was actually shocked at how much the 3 with the 2.3 in GT trim is to insure. It has a high IRG (insurance rating group) number. And in fact, the Speed 3 was no more expensive to insure than mine. For me it came down to fuel economy, regular fuel, and I wanted a sedan. I could have easily afforded the speed.
As far as acceleration goes, you can never have enough, but at what cost? I bet the new (BMW) M3 is a bullet, but that thing averages less than 20 mpg and that is absolutely atrocious for a daily driver. 13 city!!!??? No thank you. I'll take my 28.1 mpg Mazda3.
I came out of a 2007 Wrangler softop and that was much cheaper than my 08 MZ3 S GT to insure. I was actually shocked at how much the 3 with the 2.3 in GT trim is to insure. It has a high IRG (insurance rating group) number. And in fact, the Speed 3 was no more expensive to insure than mine. For me it came down to fuel economy, regular fuel, and I wanted a sedan. I could have easily afforded the speed.
As far as acceleration goes, you can never have enough, but at what cost? I bet the new (BMW) M3 is a bullet, but that thing averages less than 20 mpg and that is absolutely atrocious for a daily driver. 13 city!!!??? No thank you. I'll take my 28.1 mpg Mazda3.
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my3needsaname
Well I hope the Tacos are about the same price to insure but I'd have to double check it.
The slush box is terrible. This will be the first car that I call it a slush box too.
28.1 is all you get?
I pull 20-22 city and 28-35 highway. I've gotten 35.6 on the freeway before in my average.
The slush box is terrible. This will be the first car that I call it a slush box too.
28.1 is all you get?
I pull 20-22 city and 28-35 highway. I've gotten 35.6 on the freeway before in my average.
shane02pro5
25ish_psi
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- New Caney TX
Trannyecuswapturbolsd!
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New car!
...at least it wasn't 100whp protege to start with!
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New car!
...at least it wasn't 100whp protege to start with!
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my3needsaname
New car sounds cheaper. lol
I'm glad I was able to get a MZ3 in the first place...too bad it's the wonrg car for me. Hopefully it can make somebody very happy for many years if I do sell it.
wolverine_man
Member
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- 2008 Mazda3 S GT Sedan
I am getting just over 28 right now, in the winter with winter fuel. I also drive almost 60-70% city. I remember getting a quote on the Double Cab TRD Off Road and I am pretty sure it was more than my 3 or a speed3. Insurance rates are based on soooooo many factors and I guess I'll never understand it because my Wrangler was no cheaper for parts, repairs than my 3 and it cost a tad more and it was much easier to break into being a soft top. Whatevs. I now get twice the fuel economy that I did in that thing.
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my3needsaname
Oh, see I do all city so I have like 20 on my average right now.
It is more than any 3 will ever be but all that extra money is for the engine and a backup cam and some other stuff that's actually pretty useful. I hope that insurance isn't much more than the 3, all willing it'll be less but I doubt it.
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