Holy torque steer Batman!

Peter B

Member
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2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3
So I read all the reviews and what not about this car and the torque steer issue came up in a bunch of them. Anyhow I never really noticed it for the first few months owning my sport or GT. Then as I started pushing the car a little more it did come up from time to time. Nothing bad though

The other night I was headed home from sailing after work, and I was trying to get onto 290. Well the people to my left were playing that game where they won't let you into their lane because they fear the millisecond they would loose off their travel time would make them so late Jesus ******* Christ would descend from the heavens to personally call them a sinner, and slap them across the face.

But I digress....

Anyhow I needed to get over and since the mile long line of cars was full of douche, I opted to get in front of them at the next light. Light turns green I take off in first... pretty quick but nothing special. Then I jump to 2nd and get on the gas hard... really hard! Well holy wet panties Robin! She took off like a bullet and torque steer was NUTS! I was dancing back and forth all over my lane for a good couple of seconds, and grabbing on to the wheel like my life depended on it. I thought I had experienced the torque steer issue before..... I was wrong. This car still surprises even me at times!

Whats more.... is I loved every stomach turning second of it! Felt like I was trying to tame the beast within!

Oh and yeah... needless to say I made it over into the lane and was able to make my turn with no problems :D

-Pete
 
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I do enjoy wrestling the car into a straight line. Gives it that chaotic feel. Call me nuts, I like it.
 
the only issue I have is that when the torque steer happens you cant really tell if your steering inputs are transferring to the wheels... it can be a little hairy for a few seconds...

but yeah, its freakin fun as hell!
 
Yea, torque steer is actually one of my favorite things about this car. Makes you feel like you're riding a bull. It's also funny as hell if you ever have friends drive it, scares the s*** out of them. Get an upgraded rear motor mount, you'll still get torque steer, but not nearly as bad, just enough for it to still be fun.
 
Lol, great post!

However I disagree with all you crazies -- I hate the dramatic dance this car puts me through when I push it hard. If you drive a good RWD car, you appreciate how amazing it is to have your throttle inputs removed from your steering inputs (aside from the normal weight transfer effects).

I had a situation similar to Peter's getting on the freeway: one wheel caught a bit of asphalt patch and twitched the car to the side in the usual fashion that most of us are probably familiar with. Unfortunately for several parties, the Jeep Commander in the right lane (into which I was trying to merge) apparently didn't appreciate the way my car seemed to be violently serving towards him. He overreacted and swerved away from me. Unfortunately the space into which he swerved was already occupied by a Malibu. The Jeep sent the Malibu right into the center divider and totaled the car, not to mention how messed up his driver side got - he had to exit on his passenger side. I escaped with no damage at all but I felt horrible and pulled over to try to help. The cop that arrived said that I was probably at fault for the crash, but he was friendly and didn't write me for anything, saying he was glad I had stopped to help.

I have no love for torque steer.
 
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Hmmm, I kinda like it too, but I never had it really bad. After bacarl's post though I dunno what to think. Guess I'll be more careful when I decide to go WOT.
 
It is lucky the cop didn't write you up for anything. I hope everyone was ok. That is an bummer of a story. Glad you and your car were ok :)
 
yes, you have to really watch it... i am much more used to over throttle conditions in a rear wheel drive car than our little mazda rocket, but i just drive carefully. different pavement can make it act in a totally new way... and ruts or other 'tire grabbers' are really touchy with this car.

i've had a bit of trouble getting it to run straight under the throttle after turning a corner... hang on!!! :)
 
the only issue I have is that when the torque steer happens you cant really tell if your steering inputs are transferring to the wheels... it can be a little hairy for a few seconds...

but yeah, its freakin fun as hell!
A split screen video of us on the wheel and the engine in the bay might be interesting(enguard)
 
Oh yeah Squid, the ruts and exiting corners is a whole other challenge! The freeway exit near my house is a pretty rutted, and has a decent left hand turn, then a light at the intersection where I turn left. I usually snick it into third gear and power through that corner, then stay on the gas if the light is green. It's a good spot to practice smooth downshifts. :)

But the ruts make it tricky, then as the wheel returns to center out of the corner you can feel the boost amp itself up, and the car just likes to bounce back and forth between the ruts. Gnarly, but I still don't like it.
 
I too enjoyed the original post. Actually, this MS3 is a lot of fun, but 3rd gear is where this car really amps up. The occasional torque steer does make the MS3 quite entertaining, in a good way!(eekdance)
 
once you get used to the car (takes about 1 hour) you will know exactly when your gonna get torque steer... so you'll be ready for it.
and all of you getting scared about it, dont its not THAT bad, and besides when ur turning and getting on teh throttle the car will actualyl hold back on power, making the torque much less. so dont worry your not gonna fly off the side of the road into a tree.

oh and boosted1, I call 3rd gear "fun gear" (nana)
 
wait what? Who is afraid of a lil torque steer? While this incident was more intense then what i was used to, or come to expect, I still don't consider torque steer to be a "problem" per say. More of a feature... or challenge.(headbang)


Yea, torque steer is actually one of my favorite things about this car. Makes you feel like you're riding a bull.

Exactly! Or like a really feisty 19 yr old co... uuhhh never mind. (sssh)
 
whats torque steer?
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wait what? Who is afraid of a lil torque steer? While this incident was more intense then what i was used to, or come to expect, I still don't consider torque steer to be a "problem" per say. More of a feature... or challenge.(headbang)




Exactly! Or like a really feisty 19 yr old co... uuhhh never mind. (sssh)
Hmmmn? (sssh)
 
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