attn speed3 GT owners.. if given 2nd chance, would u get sport model

tbone13

Member
hey everyone,

if given another chance, would anyone here have gotten the sport package instead of the GT?

i guess what im trying to get answered is.. is the quality of the upgrades over the sport worth the extra premium? when i say quality, i mean are the headlights that much better, is the leather decent quality, do the wipers work well, does the headlight adjusting come in handy, etc.

i should be picking a speed up in a few days so crunch time is coming up fast... cant wait to rip apart the first si i see..
(drive2)
 
hhmm...it depends on where your interest is in the car. Do you plan on modding your car?? Do you already wanna have certain features equiped in your car already?? HIDs, GPS, and the other various little features can be added onto your car later on down the road if thoughs don't interest you at the moment.
 
HIDs are great, and I would never settle for an aftermarket unit.

Leather is the worst I've seen in any car I've owned. I wouldn't even call it leather. >_<

Rain-sensing wipers are simply awesome, and all cars should have them.

Bose stereo sucks in my opinion only because music is very important to me. It should, however, satisfy the general public.

Trip computer: consistently inaccurate in my experience, and non-GTs can unlock them, too.

Bottom line, buying the GT trim was still worth it for me.
 
Getting the GT was the best thing I have ever done. The upgrades that was included was amazing and I wouldn't trade it for nothing.
 
I have the sport and could of gotten the GT but didnt.The only thing the GT has that I wanted is the HID lights, I can add them later.I dont need GPS or hard leather seats.Im happy with my decision.It saved me a few Ks...

Shark
 
I love the headlights and the wipers.
I find my seat to be quite comfortable, there's not that much leather on it.
The stereo isn't bad but I'm used to having two 12" subs behind me so I think I will eventually have to put more woofer power in.

I'm glad I got the GT.
 
I have a GT and it's definitely worth the extra money. I actually payed below MSRP, have Navigation and a 100,000 mile warranty. You can't fall to there whim, you have to make them sell you the car. I'm pushing my 40's so I have purchased a few cars in my time. It's what you wan't in a car and what you will do to it in the future. I know some say the leather sucks, I disagree. It only covers the side bolsters with normal cloth centers. If you treat it with say Lexol or any good leather treatment a few times per month it will last some time. The sport is awesome as well so........... just decide if you really want the extra features of the GT. Oh, and the stereo just depends on your music choice. The GT model has the Bose system and if you want more BASS then the little subwoofer under the passenger seat, then just add an 8" powered bazooka in the hatch and that is all you would need, unless you like to wake up the neighbors etc.
 
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I have a GT and wouldn't have it any other way... HIDs and Wipers are great, trip computer is nice to have, and I am not sure of others, but mine is fairly accurate, at least the avg mpg, which is all anyone uses anyways right? Bose speakers are a huge dissapointment, 6 disc cd changer is nice but I use the Aux input with my Ipod anyways, does sport have one of those? That and comparing the two dealerships that got an MS3 in at the same time, both were red, one was a sport, and one was a GT, the GT was actually less as the other dealership was marking up 3k the sport... so it was a no brainer for me!
 
GT is definitely worth it. I would not take back any decisions I have made so far...well maybe try to control my modding bug!!!!
 
Hikaru9 said:
HIDs are great, and I would never settle for an aftermarket unit.

Leather is the worst I've seen in any car I've owned. I wouldn't even call it leather. >_<

Rain-sensing wipers are simply awesome, and all cars should have them.

Bose stereo sucks in my opinion only because music is very important to me. It should, however, satisfy the general public.

Trip computer: consistently inaccurate in my experience, and non-GTs can unlock them, too.

Bottom line, buying the GT trim was still worth it for me.


I agree with this on all accounts. Esp. the stereo- worst bose setup I've heard in a car and I don't think that the others I heard were even that good. I'd be interested in hearing the stand. stereo.
 
I guess I was a GT owner for a short time. I had a GT on order, and went to test drive a MS3 Sport about a week after placing the order. I was one of those guys who ordered the car before test driving it. :D I had a Mz3 previously and knew pretty much what I was getting. The MS3 purchase was to be paid in full w/ cash in-hand. Anyhow....After the test drive I negotiated the price on the sport just for the heck of it. After about 15 mins of chatting, I had the choice of the GT w/ a 2month wait at MSRP or a Sport on the lot for $2500 cheaper. I wasn't expecting nearly $1100 from MSRP when I started negotiating, so I took the deal and opted for the sport. The $2500 difference didn't justify the extra cost for HIDs, auto wipers & headlights. Didn't care too much about the bose stereo or partial leather upholstery.

So...the extra $2500 that I originally budgeted for the GT model I have used to put mods on my MS3. Currently it has funded the tint, OEM HID projector retrofit, D2s HID system, H&R coilovers, gauges, and Mazdaspeed3 workshop manual. All that and I've still got $1k to spend, which will most likely be earmarked for a MS CAI and either the MS exhaust or TMIC upgrade.
 
thanks fellas. opinions are much appreciated. after much thought, i think im going to get the GT.. and the decision was much easier since i just found out that i can get x-pricing.

does anyone know exactly how much this comes out to in terms of a $ discount? i hope it will be a great deal which will make getting the gt w/ navi a no brainer.
 
Not an MS3 owner (yet). But If I were you I'd get the sport, and then get a Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake, and Exhaust system, with the money you save over the GT. the gains and changes in the power band in dynos I've seen seem impressive. Just my 2cents.
 
FI_FSDE said:
Not an MS3 owner (yet). But If I were you I'd get the sport, and then get a Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake, and Exhaust system, with the money you save over the GT. the gains and changes in the power band in dynos I've seen seem impressive. Just my 2cents.


Ok, and you get the same gains with the GT. He want's to know about features on the car, not what can or cannot be done to the car. Both cars are equally fast, it just comes down to your preference of features.
(drinks)
 
tbone13 said:
thanks fellas. opinions are much appreciated. after much thought, i think im going to get the GT.. and the decision was much easier since i just found out that i can get x-pricing.

does anyone know exactly how much this comes out to in terms of a $ discount? i hope it will be a great deal which will make getting the gt w/ navi a no brainer.


You cant get X (S) Plan pricing on the MazdaSpeed3, only the Regular 3.
 
CTGrey02 said:
You cant get X (S) Plan pricing on the MazdaSpeed3, only the Regular 3.

Exactly...

Xplan pricing (ford) = Mazda S-plan pricing

S-plan qualifies you to buy the vehicle @ invoice.

however CTGrey is right, currently the MS3 is not eligible for Splan pricing. and even if it was, honoring Splan is @ the dealer's discretion. You dont have to offer it. Youd be hard pressed to find a dealer willing to honor Splan even if it was offered from Mazda.
 
Alejo_NIN said:
one question, wouldn't you guys had preferred to get a sedan version instead of the hatch?

This has been discussed a million times, but hatch all the way for me! ^_^v
 
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