Totalled a 05 GTO on 2-15-08. Shopped and drove a lot of cars, GTI, Bullit, WRX, etc. First drive in MS 3 was enough, lots of bang for your buck. Got an 08 Metro Gray, out the door for $23,500. First drive, started attracting "racers". Two Mustang GT's, and a WRX. The Mazda is surpriseingly fast. It's also smooth, quiet, comfortable, and well put together. After reading lots of internet posts, installed a Mazdaspeed CAI, $336.00 from the dealer. It works fine, noticeable HP/Torque gain, lag time reduced and it boosts really fast. Aluminum shield rattles at 3000 RPM to 6000. Haven't figured out a way to stop that, and it's annoying. At 300 miles, dumped factory oil and filter, changed to Mobil 1 [0-40] synthetic. Small, but noticible gain in HP, and it's very high quality oil. This car could use a better shifter, maybe I'll try the Mazdaspeed shifter kit. Stock exhaust is quiet and seems to flow really well. Other than the rattle, and the shifter, I'm pleased with this car. So far, 18mpg with 91 octane Chevron.