competition to the ms3?

[redheaddstpch1d]

About Acura possibly producing a car that would be in competition with the Speed 3, you know they would charge way too much for that kind of car. Look at how expensive the RSX Type S were.

I thought GM was the company that had stake in subaru...not toyota.

 

[shalezoom3]

I had the % wrong.... but this should explain everything.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1195330

 

[MS6S2K]

About Acura possibly producing a car that would be in competition with the Speed 3, you know they would charge way too much for that kind of car. Look at how expensive the RSX Type S were.

I thought GM was the company that had stake in subaru...not toyota.

You are right. The RXS-S is a fabulous car, so if they built something up to compete with the the Speed 3, it would more expensive, and in a higher class. However it would be a better car IMO, but better car for the money, probably not.

SHALAZOOM3: I don't see Mazda ever coming close to Honda in USA, and that's where the overall numbers really shine bright for Honda. This is Honda's bread and butter, and they'd definitely fight back with a fury if Mazda did ever start to pull close in this country. I think they sell well over 200,000 Civics consistently a year in the USA. I think the Corolla sells even more then that. I don't think the Mazda 3 is anywhere close to that in USA. Further proof in the fact that you see Civics and Corollas like 20 times a day. They have the potential to make a better performance car IMO for the same amount of money, but they will not excersise it if not needed. However, the car is building popularity, and there's enough room in the market for them to grow, and not be a threat to Honda. It's a battle I don't think Mazda would ever want to get into in the USA. It would not be a smart move.

Amazing though isn't it. If the Civic and Corolla were only to sell 100k models in the USA, that would be a complete and utter failure, but if the 3 sold 100k models a year, that would be a complete and utter success. Just goes to show you how big Honda and Toyota are in this country.

 

[ptperformance]

Wow not much talk about the SRT4 Caliber. Nice find on the AWD focus and that will be the next car that I get after we decide which one to get rid of first.

 

[dpeat]

^^ in other countries the 3 is getting closer to over taking the civic.. Canada is a good example. Read an article just the other day on another form that the Mazda 3 is only a little bit behind the civic...and that is with a three year old body style.

But over all, the Honda name will still draw more people.

It's funny that you mention the 3 overtaking the Civic; At my university people drive more 3s than they do Civics. I think the 3 is definitely taking away people, who would normally buy Civics, from Honda.

 

[SuperStretch18]

That would probably be a smart move for Ford in terms of getting the younger crowds back into their showrooms, but let's be honest. This is Ford we're talking about. They aren't even selling the newest platform base focus here. Instead, the U.S. is getting a re-skinned version of the current platform (protest) . Ford probably thinks that an awd 300 hp hatch would cut into sales of their precious mustang. I know that Ford has a stake in Mazda, but at least mazda brings over some desirable vehicles that are affordable and fun to drive...

I hope they realize that the person who would buy that focus probably wouldn't dream of buying a crustang! Yeah, unfortunately, most American companies send their best products overseas! The 2007 Euro Focus is VERY nice. Unfortunately, we will never see it state-side. Probably won't see this one either(argh)

I don't know if you can totally blame Ford though (yes you can, but). I think that they sell too many crown vics in the states, which is throwing off their perception of the market. (Sorry, I work in advertising, so these things are very interesting to me...)

But yeah, outside of the home market, Ford and Chevy have some nice products!

 

[dpeat]

I hope they realize that the person who would buy that focus probably wouldn't dream of buying a crustang! Yeah, unfortunately, most American companies send their best products overseas! The 2007 Euro Focus is VERY nice. Unfortunately, we will never see it state-side. Probably won't see this one either(argh)

I don't know if you can totally blame Ford though (yes you can, but). I think that they sell too many crown vics in the states, which is throwing off their perception of the market. (Sorry, I work in advertising, so these things are very interesting to me...)

But yeah, outside of the home market, Ford and Chevy have some nice products!

So, why don't they sell those cars here?

 

[jhowey]

I think that if Mazda keeps up with the new models and doesnt pull a move like they did from 95-97 and totally ruin there business market there will be a shift in the tide and I dont believe Honda or Toyota can get a car out there of the same quality as a 3 for 13k starting but we will see because Mazda will take the civic corrolla market if something doesnt change.

Just look at the past 3 years, Mazda went from almost bankrupt to a selling machine, if I remember right in the 3 years Mazda has sold over 250k 3's I know that still doesnt touch Honda, but Mazda wasnt selling any cars that much even the Protege's so Honda feels the dent I promise.

 

[dark3]

cut your nails dude!

nah im cool

 

[KOSMOS]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpapers/Video.aspx?AR=224464&page=1&Mode=B

 

[zoom-zoomhatch]

3 stock exhaust says FOMOCO on it too

As does the speed 3 dipstick, I just saw that the other day.

 

[ND4MSP]

Some of you guys are really underestemating the 3. Maybe honda/acura really can't out do the 3/ms3. I owned a 3 sedan for about a year or so before my wife wanted a mpv. It was a damn solid vehicle compared to my msp (but thats a whole different thread I'm sure). I'd take a base 3 vs a base civic at the same price any day of the week, and the same for the tuner versions. I couldn't imagine owning the a 3 with 100 more horsepower with even more balance than the base model already has. I purposefully have been staying away from the dealer because I'm determined to pay my speed off.

 

[MS6S2K]

Some of you guys are really underestemating the 3. Maybe honda/acura really can't out do the 3/ms3. I owned a 3 sedan for about a year or so before my wife wanted a mpv. It was a damn solid vehicle compared to my msp (but thats a whole different thread I'm sure). I'd take a base 3 vs a base civic at the same price any day of the week, and the same for the tuner versions. I couldn't imagine owning the a 3 with 100 more horsepower with even more balance than the base model already has. I purposefully have been staying away from the dealer because I'm determined to pay my speed off.

I tell ya. I am definitely not underestimating the Speed 3 or the 6. With proper tuning, this engine is deadly fast, and up there with the best of them. I can feel my Speed 6 saying, this tuning is off, and this exhaust is too restrictive. OPEN ME UP, AND TUNE ME THE RIGHT WAY. lol

America is brainwashed into Honda, and I just don't see that changing. The only Honda I'd ever own is the S2000 which I do own. I do believe though if your sole purpose is to get from point A to point B reliably, you trade in your car every 4 to 5 years, and depreciation matters to you, Honda is your best bet. For those of us who prefer power and torque, better looks, and better bang for the buck, and don't care about those other things many Americans care about, then Mazda is ultimately the right choice. With the exception of the S2000, Honda is just not cutting it for me as an enthusiast. They are safe and cautious, which isn't a bad thing. They sell more cars, so myself or anyone else should not disrespect them. Mazda makes more interesting cars though, no doubt. Gotta love Mazda.

 

[TheFa1isOutdone]

Currently I own a 2006 Civic (LX, boo). The 06+ models are the newly redesigned civics. Recently I test drove a 2.3l Sedan and hatch.

Let me tell you.. the civic comes NOWHERE NEAR the mazda3. The three even has a nicer interior than the civic's highest model (the SI). The three was so solid, comfortable, etc. The interior is absolutely amazing - in truth, I'd say it's on par with my dad's EX accord (an 05), which ran him around 30k. That's quite unbelievable.

People are just in this mindset that the civic is the end all be all car, and refuse to look further. I'm 190238210% convinced that if a prospective buyer test drove both, and had some common sense, they would take the 3. The reason I got the civic is because my parents are the people I mentioned above, thinking the civic is the best. That and we had no dealers around us at the time (mazda).