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Depends on what the definition of "stiff" is. I would expect slightly heavier steering in an MZ3 vs a Honda Fit, Mazda always makes their products more "sporty road" friendly. MZ3's also use electric power steering, is their a warning light on the dash that looks like a steering wheel? As for...

My 2007 mz3 has a crunchy 3rd gear. If I decide to just swap it out, does a ms3 6 speed work without any mods, or am I being stupid to ask? (I'm not really stupid, Mazda owner/autocrosser since 1993!)

What he said! It is want. 184 horse pressures and high 20's city/ high 30's highway MPG is a nice combo. And the 18" wheels really fit the car. Thanks to all who responded. I am definitely going to make the jump, and although I'm a "3 pedals" guy I guess the automatic is really sweet, so I might...

I had always heard/thought it was closer to 80-100 PSI on the boat ride over, like you said to prevent flat spotting. But yeah, either way, they certainly bleed them off and don't exactly do a careful job of it. I had the opposite happen to my mom when she bought a brand new 1982 Toyota Pickup...

I was unaware any of them were being built in Mexico. From what you see is it a brand new "clean-sheet-of-paper" chassis or a further evolution of the Mazda/Ford C-1 global platform?

I have a 2007 Mazda 3s HB with a stick. I am thinking of buying a 2014 Mazda 3s HB, definitely a 2.5, and preferably a 6-speed stick if they do indeed appear. Should I or shouldn't I? I remember seeing posts about how if you like your 1st gen you might be let down by the 2nd gen. What will make...

Tire choice plays a HUGE role in how quiet a car is, along with how worn they are.

I know the chassis is identical across the model lineup, but in the past (Protg BJ chassis) there were differences in strut valving depending on the model, and also differences in the springs themselves. The DX and LX struts were different internally from the ES, and the PR5 had it's own part #...

My 2007 3S HB needs new front struts. The right front actually occilates while under hard power in even gentle RH bends in the road. Any advice on good prices for something OEM, or as close to OEM ride and handling as I can get? The car is not lowered, no bigger sway bars, nothing modded...

What about the violent banging under the hood? You can almost feel that something is jumping up and down. Could the anti-freeze (what I'm told is in there) have leaked out and the mount APPEARS fine but isn't?

My 2007 MZ3 HB (bought used)has suffered from horrible R/F wheel hop and banging from under the hood when you spank it from a stop. While having the front brakes done I had my very reputable mechanic shop check the motor mounts, as I hear the fluid filled Passenger side mount is a weak spot. He...

Do NOT buy "reconditioned" RX8 wheels off of eBAy. I made this mistake, and while cosmetically perfect, they would not balance, each wheel requiring over 8 ounces (!) of weight. The car was undrivable over 35-40 MPH and felt as though the car was going to shake itself apart. The seller's only...

Holy cow, now SCCA has novice groups for all the existing classes? SCCA is ruining the sport by trying to have so many classes so that "nobody loses." Nothing personal to anyone who enjoys Auto-X, but everyone was a "novice" at some point. You go in there, learn and go faster, and fight it out...

Like bbrich said, RF wheel well, pull the side splash shield, two 8mm bolts, slide it down. I've read elsewhere that it takes a while for the ECU to "accept"(?) the new setting and indeed the difference did not materialize until later. To clarify, I ran the tank low, did the mod, THEN filled up...

I finally got around to doing the 3 free mods, the TB ground, the coolant bypass, and the timing advance. I did them all in the span of two days. The TB ground: Maybe better response, certainly no increase in power. but the annoying way the RPM's would "hang" on the 4-5 upshift is gone. The...

Still for sale? And is it for N/A Mazda3? I only ask because of the username containing "MS3"

To update, the light returned after about 2K miles. Maybe it's time to change the plugs anyway (60K)

Look at the photo. The strut's end-link mounting points are way different, one is just above the hub mounting bolts, the other right under the spring perch. This seems to be a 1999-2000 compared to 2001-2003 difference. Another source of front clunking is that the O rings (looks like a rubber...

Not sure if it's related, but I believe our cars have electric power steering. The taxi company I work for uses 4 cylinder Ford Escapes (AKA Mazda Tribute), they also have electric PS and this warning light. Occasionally on start up, the power steering does not function. When a driver calls in a...

That pulley replacement recommendation is why car mechanics get lumped in with trial lawyers and loan sharks in public opinion polls. Sounds like pure "upselling" on the part of the mechanic. I've heard they get a piece of the pie when they "upsell" more repairs than the customer asked for.