Edmunds officially tests the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3

[Saskatchewan17]

I haven't seen this posted in the MS3 section so I'll post it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sht1IGHz57M&feature=fvw

It seems that they really like it... and so do I. All the improvements look spot on and it looks like an even better car than before.

 

[240ka]

its slower due to the weight...me no likey that

something how loud our cars are with stock exhaust...so deep sounding. got to love it

 

[boosted1]

It's a shame that Mazda didn't acquire the RevoKnuckle system from Ford and throw in a 2.5 DISI Turbo pushing 300 hp. With that and the handling improvements, it would be the "King Of FWD Performance"!

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Wait for the GTs to hit N.America. (birthday)

 

[Sport6]

I am not a fan of Edmunds, they are so inconsistent with their driving abilities that it makes comparing the numbers to the old one is a bit hard.

I am sure that the 0-60 and 1/4 are much closer than what they make it.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

yeah...but the smiley face in the front makes the 2010 speed fugly as heck.

 

[CWPspeed3]

i thought the front end looked weird in pictures, now moving holy crap. I like the fact that they addressed some handling but still hasnt grown on me yet.

 

[Shiroi_ms3]

I just got a call from a local dealer I might go check it out on Saturday maybe they will let me have test drive we shall see.

I just want to see it in person before I give my final appearance judgement.

 

[stageup]

so are we getting a GT model in 2011.5 ? also pearl white?

 

[Sergius64]

Motor Trend got the same acceleration #s as the older model:

"At the track, the new Speed3's performance was not all that different from what it was the last time we tested it (that one was a 2009 model). This year, the hatch reached 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is exactly as quick as last year's model. It completed the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 99.9 mph (as opposed to last year's 14.1 at 100.6 mph), and braking in both cases was 112 feet."

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0911_2010_mazda_mazdaspeed3_test/performance.html

So yeah... Edmunds #s for the old model seem too low.

 

[gonerogue]

Motor Trend got the same acceleration #s as the older model:



http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0911_2010_mazda_mazdaspeed3_test/performance.html

So yeah... Edmunds #s for the old model seem too low.

I am always irked by Motor Trend's review of the MS3...they say it won't top the GTI unless it alleviates the torque steer...I don't understand this point because the MS3 has 73lb more torque than the MKVI GTI and you can't evaluate them based on torque steer.

 

[BlackCherry06]

:20 "The 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 uses a direct-injection version of basically the same engine as its predecessor."

Anyone else find this statement to be false, in a backhanded sort of way?

 

[Sergius64]

:20 "The 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 uses a direct-injection version of basically the same engine as its predecessor."

Anyone else find this statement to be false, in a backhanded sort of way?

Yeah, sounds like the reviewer doesn't realise that pre-2010 Mazdaspeed 3s had DI engines or infact that those engines were exactly the same as the ones in the new speeds...

 

[gtlaw]

I wonder if the handeling improvment is partly from a change in tires

 

[Olestra]

Yeah, sounds like the reviewer doesn't realise that pre-2010 Mazdaspeed 3s had DI engines or infact that those engines were exactly the same as the ones in the new speeds...

Or maybe he's referring to the fact that it's tuned slightly different.

I wonder if the handeling improvment is partly from a change in tires

Likely and also probably due to the new chassis.

 

[Stotrupp]

I think they just "stiffened up" the 1st gen chassis. I don't believe it’s an entirely "different" chassis. I’m going to guess you can get a chassis brace and coil-overs on a 1st gen and be just as good or better so unless you can get a 2010 MS3 for less than the sum of those parts it would be pretty much pointless IMO. The handling would be the only reason to even remotely consider a trade in from 1gen to 2nd gen. The extra gadgets and smoother ride aren’t enough to justify a trade in losing thousands.