What if this happend to the MS3

[BayAreaMS3]

With 2010 MS3 coming up Lets hope Mazda doesn't pull a Subaru on us. Subaru; 'New design refreshed look 2008. Ok. Let's add 40hp a year later and make the suspension better. Mazda 'Redesign refreshed look. Ok. Let's add 37 hp to make 300hp and AWD for 2011-2012. This is the fear id have if i were to buy the 2010 ms3. I'd rather wait see what happens. What do you guys think?

 

[becks]

Considering the 2010 isn't going to be much different to what we have now (performance wise) I think the 2010.5 or 2011 will have some hp increase or/and some other goodies

 

[happy and angry]

I think the vehicle as designed can't really handle all the power in generates now and a manufacturer isn't likely to push it beyond what it already has, especially a company like Mazda who has always put a premium on handling dynamics and vehicle balance over straight power. It would take a bit of a redesign to do, and redesigns cost money, which is one of the reasons why the incoming Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3 are so very similar to the current models, save cosmetically.

I also think people should stop expecting this car to be AWD. Mazda is not going to do that to the car any time soon given how much it will cost to do, and how that cost will translate to us, the consumer. Especially not right now.

I'm not worried.

 

[Circle9]

My exact thoughts, to give this fwd car any more power, they are going to need to make it rwd or awd.

I think the new MS3 might be slower, car companies seem to like to add more and more weight.

 

[mgerst1]

why wouldnt mazda make the new ms3 awd? they made one year of the ms6 awd

 

[mgerst1]

most of the car comanies are putting out awd vehicles now anyway

 

[J-Villa]

I thought there was something in the 2010 speed3 press release about Future models being AWD?
Could have sworn I read it, but don't have time to look for it right now.


All they would need to do is put a haldex unit in (the kind that uses the front wheels as main power unit, and transfers power to the rear as needed I believe is how the haldex ones work). If the speed3 was a AWD, it would def. be a big contender to the Evo's and Scoobys. Especially with the technology jumps the 2010 model has now too

 

[SallySpeed3]

The fact that the Mazdaspeed6 was only out for a year, maybe two? I don't remember, but it goes to show you that the sales obviously weren't good, or they would have kept up production. I believe the sticker price for the Speed6 was around 30K, alot more than the Speed3, and the reason is because it was AWD. If they made the Speed3 AWD the price would bump up, which would probably lead to less people buying it, and so on. Having said that, I think it would be awesome (doubt it would happen) if they offered a special edition Speed3 that was AWD and even more HP that you could special order from the factory for around 30K or so.

 

[GoFast]

i think that with that kind of thinking you will ultimately never buy any MS3. The next year will (almost) always be better than the previous year even if just by a little bit.

 

[Peter B]

What if the sky falls? What if the russians really did loose their nuclear weapons and one goes off and hits NY? What if Santa isn't fake after all, and is infact having an affair witht he Tooth Fairy?

I wouldn't worry. The new 2010 MS3 is going to have the same performance with a better suspension. It won't be heavier, not enough to matter anyway.


And yeah I wish people would give up on the AWD thing. I like my FWD and getting 30MPG highway.

As for speculation as to what Mazda might add to the 2011, 2012, well thas just silly. Lets face it, no one here has a clue. Maybe a few educated guesses, but thats it. I don't think anyone here rubs elbows much with the powers that be at Mazda, so really its a silly question and a silly thing to worry about. Hell, for all we know there might not even be a 2012 MS3. Thats 3 years away and a lot of things can change between now and then.
Worrying about what the next gen is gonna have is pointless, like someone said they are only going to keep making the car better, if you want the car, buy it. If the next gen is soo much better you MUST have it, then trade your car in.

And im pretty sure Subaru upped the power and suspension on the 09 wrx because the 08 sucked, and they were tired of getting spanked by the MS3 in car magazine reviews.

 

[J-Villa]

And im pretty sure Subaru upped the power and suspension on the 09 wrx because the 08 sucked, and they were tired of getting spanked by the MS3 in car magazine reviews.

QFT.

Although, a man can dream about AWD. (sssh)

 

[Fenrir]

Yeah except the new wrx(/sti)'s are oooooogly.

 

[Bravnik]

Yeah except the new wrx(/sti)'s are oooooogly.

So is the 2010 MS3 and MZ3.

 

[DaleNixon]

The only thing the 2010 will have that I will envy is better gearing and suspension.

 

[Sport6]

I doubt they will change it, but if they do? I am fine with it since I won't be buying the 2010 anyway.

 

[J-Villa]

Yeah except the new wrx(/sti)'s are oooooogly.

to each his own? I think they look real good in black, lowered, with blacked out tail lights (all those chrome catches your eye too much)

 

[GoFast]

+1 I personally think they look great.

 

[BayAreaMS3]

If these guys could do it DG Motorsports AWD Mazdaspeed Mazda3. Why can't Mazda? Source; Edmunds.com/insideline;
"The great miracle of it all, according to Jack Stavana, Mazda's director of accessory operations, has been that the Mazdaspeed 3 chassis required very few modifications to accept the all-wheel drivetrain. There was adequate room in the floorpan's central tunnel to sit the driveshaft just a hair below the chassis line thanks to a little fabrication. The Mazdaspeed 6 rear differential is supported by the stock Mazdaspeed 3 rear suspension, which DG says has proven more than adequate. The brakes received a minor makeover courtesy of new pads and rotors."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66Rn_shEBbs

 

[DublinDapper]

It has to be all about pricing!

This vehicle's performance is crazy good for the price against nearly all competitors!

 

[GoFast]

If these guys could do it DG Motorsports AWD Mazdaspeed Mazda3. Why can't Mazda? Source; Edmunds.com/insideline;
"The great miracle of it all, according to Jack Stavana, Mazda's director of accessory operations, has been that the Mazdaspeed 3 chassis required very few modifications to accept the all-wheel drivetrain. There was adequate room in the floorpan's central tunnel to sit the driveshaft just a hair below the chassis line thanks to a little fabrication. The Mazdaspeed 6 rear differential is supported by the stock Mazdaspeed 3 rear suspension, which DG says has proven more than adequate. The brakes received a minor makeover courtesy of new pads and rotors."

it's not that they can't do it, it's that they won't do it. The MS3 is incredibly successful because of the amazing performance at a very low price point. The extra that you would pay for the AWD would price the MS3 out of the target demographic that the car is geared to.