Traded my 08 Mazdaspeed 3 in this past weekend

[fastdreams]

I believe the MS3 is a hatchback not a station wagon. And while they may be very different cars on the surface, they both are designed to go fast and handle well. It's not a logical comparison, but it's not out of the question. I'd love to see them both go around a track like laguna seca stock for stock and see what turns in faster lap times.

FWIW they are about par according to published nurburgring times.

Also FWIW, I have been able to have my way with s2k's on the track - even supercharged s2k's. I'd say that's because the cars are very close in capability, but the MS3 is easier to push hard.

 

[CHICO2003]

Station wagons are based on mid and full sized cars. Hatches are based on compact cars. Is the 4 door GTI a station wagon? I rest my case.

 

[cpmazda]

Station wagons are based on mid and full sized cars. Hatches are based on compact cars. Is the 4 door GTI a station wagon? I rest my case.

no but the speed 3 looks like one...
audi wagon....
speed3.......... i rest my case, and yes this audi is actually called a wagon

 

[CHICO2003]

But you used the term 'station wagon' not 'wagon'. There IS a difference. LOL

Like I said... mid and full-size = station wagon compacts (like the MS3, A3, GTI, etc) = hatch

Hey, I didn't make up the rules I'm just stating the facts.

 

[cpmazda]

But you used the term 'station wagon' not 'wagon'. There IS a difference. LOL

Like I said... mid and full-size = station wagon compacts (like the MS3, A3, GTI, etc) = hatch

Hey, I didn't make up the rules I'm just stating the facts.

they dont use the term staion wagon anymore. all wagons are just that....wagons. Ya can put a pretty bow on a terd, but it's still a terd. Ya can call a speed3 a hatch, but its still a wagon..aka grocery getter

 

[Donas64]

wait wait, so a wagon is automatically a grocery getter? I'm missing something. Then whats an S2000? A torque-less wonder?

 

[builthatch]

Then whats an S200?

this thread is going to go nowhere. don't you guys see that? what the heck are you ACTUALLY arguing about? how about NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!

anyway,

this....is an s200 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-200_Angara/Vega/Dubna

so is this....

 

[CHICO2003]

agreed, the accord shouldnt be compared to the speed3 cuz its a totally different car. I wouls take a s2000 over speed3 for sure. Both cars are fun, but comparing a station wagon to a 2 seater convertable just doesnt add up

'They' might not use the term station wagon anymore but... apparently you do.

THIS is the post I was responding to.

 

[CHICO2003]

While I admit it's about as petty as it gets... The term 'station wagon' registers about the same level of coolness as the term 'minivan'. When someone calls my MS3 a station wagon (as he did) I take offense because it's obvious that it's meant as an insult. Now if it truly WAS a station wagon, I'd have nothing to say. But IMO (and I believe the majority of not only the people on this board but regular folks as well) a station wagon represents a bigger car. They were basically the SUVs and minivans of the 80s. Big, ugly, lumbering boats.

Now I realize we're just taking out one word here but the term 'wagon' isn't nearly as offensive. (In fact, to me, it's not offensive at all.) It conjures up relatively cool vehicles like the Audi A4 and even the Outback. But these vehicles are a notch bigger than the MS3 & GTI. Call it semantics... call it petty... I don't care. compact 5 door cars are hatches. If you want to call a mid-size a wagon or a station wagon be my guest. Though they don't really make them anymore (to my knowledge) theres no denying that a full-size 'wagon' is nothing short of a 'station wagon'.


I mean... Are we really going to label all of these dramatically different (yet sharing the same 5-door design) the same thing? I think we're intelligent enough to delineate the difference based on the size of the vehicle.

 

[Babyface13]

How is this for a station wagon???? LOL

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Twin-Turbo-LS1-Volvo-740_84833.htm

 

[CHICO2003]

wow... talk about a tangent!

Back on topic. sort of....

I was looking at some SRT Crossfires on various sites and... DAMN!!!

talk about deals to be had!! I saw one w/8k miles for $16k... and most were in the $18k range with relatively low mileage. (seems like most of the owners of these cars kept as weekend toys)

If I were in position to do so... I'd strongly consider pulling the trigger if not for one minor (yet major) problem.

Just like all those years the WRX had it... this ugly ass pea soup green interior lighting BS is (for me at least) a deal breaker. One of the things I like (no love) most about the MS3 are the gauges during the day and night. What can I say? Nothing beats the whole reddish-amber thing Mazda's got going... And since we SEE the inside of the car about a billion times more than we see the outside, THAT is the most important thing. (the outside is for everyone else and... the hell with them!) ANother thing I wasn't digging (again with the interior) is the damn 4 spoked steering wheel. I'm sorry but... sports cars have to have 3 spoked wheels. It should be a law or something. 4 spoked garabge is for trucks and the Caliber SRT! haha (hmm... leave it to Chrysler!)

But other than those things (which Im' sure many of you could care less about) the car is stellar. LOVE the looks of it. Everythying from the lines on the hood to the air inlets on the side to the dual center exhaust to the... well, you get the idea. They hit a homerun in the looks category for sure. Sort of a shame it didn't get the respect it deserved. I think the lowely base model didn't do it any favors.

BTW... does this thing only come in A/T? I haven' found a stickshfft yet. If it's only A/T then... damn, that's even worse than a 5 spoked steering wheel! WTF? A/Ts are for... well, nevermind! haha

 

[fastdreams]

BTW... does this thing only come in A/T? I haven' found a stickshfft yet. If it's only A/T then... damn, that's even worse than a 5 spoked steering wheel! WTF? A/Ts are for... well, nevermind! haha

Well figure it is a mercedes. Almost all of their cars AMG or not, are auto. They make a good auto though!

 

[mo08ms3]

How is this for a station wagon???? LOL

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Twin-Turbo-LS1-Volvo-740_84833.htm

Lol, you could drop some jaws with that!

Grocery getter FTW!

 

[///M Compact]

I'd gladly take one of these station wagons- if only BMW NA would import it...

 

[cpmazda]

How is this for a station wagon???? LOL

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Twin-Turbo-LS1-Volvo-740_84833.htm

holy moly

 

[parkerfe]

Well I finally traded my Mazdaspeed 3 in this past weekend, for a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6. The car is practically mint, w/ 12k miles and sold for 19k. Not to bad considering they sold for over 45k new a few years back. I'm sure not many on here would be fans of this car as it's 1) a Chrysler and 2) Only available in auto in the SRT trim.

It's got the German Built AMG SLK32 engine which is a supercharged 3.2L 6. 330hp/320ft/lbs of torque stock. After doing some minor research I found it can hit the low 12's consistantly with 4 mods (Pulley upgrade, intake, chip, and exhaust) which yeild it over 420hp/400ft/lbs at the rear wheels. I even saw one run a 12.1 at the local (Atco raceway) track here a few months back.

I didn't trade the Mazdaspeed3 in because I didn't like it- it was indeed a great vehicle. Coming from previous cars such as a 2005 STi my biggest complaint is the FWD configuration, and it's funky transmission (occasionally 3rd wouldn't exist- though that can be chalked up as driver error).

I've been to Mazda and back a few times- I joined way back when I got a Protege5, then was away for a while when I traded it for an STi, then like 3 cars in between before coming back to Mazda with the Speed3. I may be back someday- though I have my eye on getting a late model Z06 in the next 5 years. I've found a few with low miles in the 48-49k range (that's my ultimate semi-dream sports car considering dealers aren't selling the GTR for under 90k and Porsches are over 100k.

Anyway good luck everyone with their MS3's! Don't take any crap from those SRT-4s, and Cobalt SS's.

Btw, anyone know if my Dashhawk will work with the Crossfire SRT-6? Also I have a fresh set of 18" MS3 stock rims for sale now (I was going to put winter tires on them but never did).

Going from a Mazda to a Chrysler is quite a drop...but, I guess you will soon be able to get your car repaired by a Fiat mechanic...

 

[LazerBlueP5]

The base Crossfire sucks balls. Looks cool... but handles like s*** and is severely under-powered.

I don't know- from what I read the base n/a Crossfire is pretty comparable to the Mazdaspeed3. Base Crossfire skidpad is .89g and a slalom speed of 65.7mph. Mazdaspeed is comparably .88g and 68.2mph in the slalom. I wouldn't call that handling like s***.

Underpowered- maybe? For the original price- DEFINITELY! However it's not as bad as you think. The Mazdaspeed does have a sizable advantage in a straight line. 0-60 in 5.9 compared to the Crossfire's 6.4- and a 1/4 mile in 14.2 @ 100.1 compared to the Crossfires 14.7 @ 95.9mph. Of course magazine numbers aren't the end-all be-all, there are variants across the board for both cars clocking them both a little quicker or slower depending on the publication.

PS I just picked up a 2005 Crossfire Roadster (Black with Rust colored leather interior) w/ 12,100 miles for my fiancee. Cost $16,500. Looking forward to doing a TVT Design (250+) kit on it that will more than make up for the difference between the (MS3) two cars. All at a total price of $17,800 which isn't tooooo bad.

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Going from a Mazda to a Chrysler is quite a drop...but, I guess you will soon be able to get your car repaired by a Fiat mechanic...

It won't be as easy to blow up as the handful of MS3's I've seen here go ka-blooey! The AMG engine in them is forged. (drive) 11's on street tires and pump gas is attainable as well. What's there NOT to love about this car (sans the Chrysler hood/side strake styling)?!

 

[LazerBlueP5]

wow... talk about a tangent!

Back on topic. sort of....

I was looking at some SRT Crossfires on various sites and... DAMN!!!

talk about deals to be had!! I saw one w/8k miles for $16k... and most were in the $18k range with relatively low mileage. (seems like most of the owners of these cars kept as weekend toys)

If I were in position to do so... I'd strongly consider pulling the trigger if not for one minor (yet major) problem.

Just like all those years the WRX had it... this ugly ass pea soup green interior lighting BS is (for me at least) a deal breaker. One of the things I like (no love) most about the MS3 are the gauges during the day and night. What can I say? Nothing beats the whole reddish-amber thing Mazda's got going... And since we SEE the inside of the car about a billion times more than we see the outside, THAT is the most important thing. (the outside is for everyone else and... the hell with them!) ANother thing I wasn't digging (again with the interior) is the damn 4 spoked steering wheel. I'm sorry but... sports cars have to have 3 spoked wheels. It should be a law or something. 4 spoked garabge is for trucks and the Caliber SRT! haha (hmm... leave it to Chrysler!)

But other than those things (which Im' sure many of you could care less about) the car is stellar. LOVE the looks of it. Everythying from the lines on the hood to the air inlets on the side to the dual center exhaust to the... well, you get the idea. They hit a homerun in the looks category for sure. Sort of a shame it didn't get the respect it deserved. I think the lowely base model didn't do it any favors.

BTW... does this thing only come in A/T? I haven' found a stickshfft yet. If it's only A/T then... damn, that's even worse than a 5 spoked steering wheel! WTF? A/Ts are for... well, nevermind! haha

These cars are a deal of the century- a hidden gem. Not many people even know about them. My buddy came by on friday night when the temps here in NJ were in the high 40's. He took me out in his SRT-6 and WOW...it was literally the fastest car I've ever driven in and I've experienced a lot from modified supras, rx-7's, vettes, etc. It pins you so hard into the seat and simply doesn't let off. The shifts are so fast you stay glued to the seat- lol. Btw, he's running 11.8 @ 126 with 4 major mods: CAI, pulley, upgraded upper manifolds, and a tune.

 

[fastdreams]

(sans the Chrysler hood/side strake styling)?!

Thats the only thing I don't like. Well that and the auto only - but that is expected with MB. AMG for a heart makes all the difference though.