Hey I'm new and I have a few questions.

[Aaron2112]

I'm going into the military and I want a new car! Im currently driving around a crappy Chrysler sebring lxi and its just a sad sad car. But hey it gets me too and from for now.

So with my shipping inevitable and a nice paycheck comming soon with no bills to really pay for I have been searching for a car. Not just a car though, it's gotta be fun and fast, not to riced out lookin, or just bland either, and good on gas with gas prices going up with no real end in sight.

So when thinking about the possiblites I remembered the sweet Mazdaspeed 3. I've been pretty much what you could call in love with this car since I first read about it. It's fast, it has just the right amount of agressive styling while staying under the cops radar, thankfully with a modest wing and body kit.

Now there are a few other cars out there on my radar as well though, and I'm sure I will be flamed for this but the 2008 cobalt ss is very nice with a very cool no lift shift tranny and 260hp out of its turbo 4.

Not to mention the GTI and the new C30 from volvo.

So heres the question to the speed3 owners out there...

Why should I chose this car(speed3)? what do you like about it and what do you not like? Is it as good on gas as the magazines say they are? Does it really handle as well as it is said it does? Does it attract attention from cops if you are just driving by?

To tell the truth from just numbers the Speed3 is untouchable except for maybe the new SS. Im a huge fan of the Mazda but I HATE Ford, Any responses are appreciated.

 

[ragindark]

Mazdaspeed 3 for the win all day long!!

http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...pec-v-vs-2007-mazdaspeed-3-grand-touring.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...r-srt4-v-mazdaspeed-3-v-volvo-c30.html?al=144

http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...-caliber-srt4-v-mazdaspeed-3-v-volvo-c30.html

 

[LENNY127]

go to a dealer and get inside one, the interior alone will sell you. Then test drive one and that will sell you more. then remember it is an import so it will outlast the competition. then buy it and enjoy it. (in all honestty, coming from a hardcore chevy guy that has owned several muscle cars , this car is roomy , quick , nimble and decent gas mileage) it's a good buy!

 

[ZooMIN3]

I'm going into the military and I want a new car! Im currently driving around a crappy Chrysler sebring lxi and its just a sad sad car. But hey it gets me too and from for now.

So with my shipping inevitable and a nice paycheck comming soon with no bills to really pay for I have been searching for a car. Not just a car though, it's gotta be fun and fast, not to riced out lookin, or just bland either, and good on gas with gas prices going up with no real end in sight.

So when thinking about the possiblites I remembered the sweet Mazdaspeed 3. I've been pretty much what you could call in love with this car since I first read about it. It's fast, it has just the right amount of agressive styling while staying under the cops radar, thankfully with a modest wing and body kit.

Now there are a few other cars out there on my radar as well though, and I'm sure I will be flamed for this but the 2008 cobalt ss is very nice with a very cool no lift shift tranny and 260hp out of its turbo 4.

Not to mention the GTI and the new C30 from volvo.

So heres the question to the speed3 owners out there...

Why should I chose this car(speed3)? what do you like about it and what do you not like? Is it as good on gas as the magazines say they are? Does it really handle as well as it is said it does? Does it attract attention from cops if you are just driving by?

To tell the truth from just numbers the Speed3 is untouchable except for maybe the new SS. Im a huge fan of the Mazda but I HATE Ford, Any responses are appreciated.

Just so you know, if you're going into the military, unless you're a commisioned officer, you probably won't be able to afford the car payments and auto insurance alone because the base pay is pretty low for the enlisted side when you get out of basic/boot camp.... but that isn't to say you couldn't do it.


Go test drive the cars you're interested in, then you decide. Good luck.

-J

 

[Aaron2112]

thanks for the replys.

When I enlist im going to be active duty, and will be living and eating on base so there are no bills as far as that goes so i could basically be paying just 3 things a month cell, car payment and insurance. Base pay for E1 is just a little over 1300 a month. Im not going to just walk out of basic and buy the car i will wait for a while until i have around 10k give or take to put down, with that payments will be around 400 a month( a little less but im over shooting to find a comfy budget) and insurance im going to go high with and say 400 a month as well leaving me with around 600 a month to put in the bank and use for gas and what not. so its a little expensive but not horrible, now this is all just plans for now and things could change i see that with 6 years of service i can handle it since i wont be at base pay for those 6 years i would be getting more as time went on.

also how good are the trannys in these things Ive driven a few sticks im my life but im not gonna lie i dont have a lot of experience in one are they stong enough to handle someone getting comfortable with manual? Im not a lead foot though so its not like Im gonna romp on it a lot and abuse the tranny.

 

[Mocoso]

The ONE thing all of us will ding the MS3 on and its really the only thing is the damn tranny is one unsmooth shifting b****... it just doesnt cut through gears like butter....

Having said that it should do just fine with your getting used to manual - like you said you arent dropping the clutch at 4000 rpms etc...

To specifically try and answer your questions in addition to what others have said:

Not to mention the GTI and the new C30 from volvo.
Ok I wont mention them - GTI is overpriced and underperforms but does have better interior
C30 isnt in the same performance level and interior is well a Volvo....
In short: if your goal is performance value neither come close to MS3... C30 and GTI are only going to win in the very personal area of looks and that only you can decide - cost and performance the MS3 eats them alive... and reliabilty wise Ill gamble on Mazda over Volvo and VW any day....

Why should I chose this car(speed3)?
Because you will be hard pressed to find a bigger bang for the buck when it comes to performance/price ratio and still have a practical every day car...its been solid #1 in every comparison and review across multiple magazines... in short: its the king of the road in its class without the price premium.....

what do you like about it and what do you not like?
I loved the price/performance/practicality/sleeper characteristics
I dislike the torque management/shift feel/sleeper characteristics

Is it as good on gas as the magazines say they are?
For the performance package its decent... Im getting 25 MPH in mixed LA traffic with quite a few stomps
Does it really handle as well as it is said it does?
I clinch my teeth more with the vette then I do with the wild child... its more docile at its limits and Im still surprised such a docile suspension on the kidneys carves as well as it does... it is fun throwing the rear end loose and knowing it will follow the front... def. a change from the beast...

Does it attract attention from cops if you are just driving by?
No but that is somewhat skewed on my part given the beast has Borla Stingers...it isnt ricey looking (EVO) so if ya arent driving like an ass it shouldnt atract any attention whatsoever (see sleeper comment)

 

[Va6li]

My experience:

I knew I had to buy the MS3 for the quality/price.
Did not even test drive my Mica. Bought it and took it home.

 

[08Hell_Raiser]

Hey bro, I served in the Army for 8 years.
From my experience you will still be hurting. I had a Ford Ranger with a $ 280 monthly payment and about equal insurance a month.
I was by no means stupid with my money. I didnt party like most of the guys.
It really comes down to that you will not have much money. There were many who did what you planned on doing. They ended up not even having enough money for gas sometimes.
Are you getting any bonuses? If you really feel you need a car then try to put down as much as possible without breaking the bank.

I remember one soldier who saved for about 3 years. Still had fun and all, just didnt buy a car. That fool had enough to pay cash for a brand new car, then the same day went and out new rims on it. He was still fine, had plenty saved up.

Oh, and you will be around hundreds of others thinking what your thinking.
So it will be easy to bum rides. Your probally going to hang out with the same group for a while, so you probally do everything together.

One more thing. If your going into the army then you will probally be in a war zone within a year or so. So your pay will get alot higher than your used to and you wont have anything to spend it on over there.

Many guys are buying cars and doing stuff to them that they would never have been able to with out all that hazard duty pay.

 

[Hikaru9]

Does it attract attention from cops if you are just driving by?

During the past 12 months, only one 350z blipped his throttle once. I get absolutely no attention from anyone. I think 99.5% of the general population doesn't know about this car.

I gave up trying to explain to my friends about the car, so I've been telling them that I own a Mazda 3. >_<

 

[AutoXRacer]

If you want to get one...remember that 2008 is the last year they will be produced...

 

[Aaron2112]

Wow thanks for the replies they have been a huge help. I was planning on saving for around a year before going for it and I was also gonna go with a used one.

Didnt know 08 was their last year thats kinda sad. I am glad to hear that they are sleepers and got get to much attention at the stop light, I dont care for street racing since i know someone who is pretty much lucky to be alive from a screw up, he wasnt driving but got hit by street racers and it nearly killed him the guy is only 22 and he wont walk right ever again he has to use a cain. So a fun car that I can enjoy at a track or backroad that wont get to much attention in the city is good for me.

gotta say its really a tie right now between the 08 SS(i do like the two door look) and the speed3 but im thinking that coupes are really impractical and the hatchback will be pretty useful. I dont care for the GTI but its in the same price range as the 3 so i considered it and im just not a fan of volvo really either so those two are deff out.

08 Hell Raiser, Im a little torn between the AF and the Army not sure where im actually gonna go but I am talkin to recruiters from both. Im not a partier either really (not that a good party is a bad thing by any means) so thats not a real problem, But if I do buy the car I would like to be able to afford to drive it lol so thats something to think about. Im going in for Avation mechanics so for the army the bonus is only like 3 grand since AIT is 16 weeks(well at least he told me that since it was a longer AIT that I got a little less since the Army was spending more to train me).

Oh and yes i really do need a new car the thing i have now makes me angry to just look at it, Its a slow(16 sec 1/4 mile) under powered overweight coupe with a crappy auto tranny that i literaly have to let off the gas to get it to shift(think of shifting with out the fun) and with all of that no fun business it also get HORRIBLE gas milage, as in like maybe 17 HIGHWAY(a 160hp V6 gets that??) its pretty much just a money pit thats no fun at all.

 

[Demi]

08 Hell Raiser, Im a little torn between the AF and the Army not sure where im actually gonna go but I am talkin to recruiters from both.

Really? Trust me, i have worked with Army, Navy, and Marines. We've got it good by comparison in the Airforce. There is alot not to like about the Airforce as far as it being less militant in some regards, but i will take 4 month deployments over 6-12 month deployments any day of the week. The bases are nicer and the housing is better. Just dont go Security Forces (cop) or Services (chowhall worker/hands out basket balls at the gym, ect.) no matter how cool those damn recruiters make it sound. And for the love of all that is holy dont go open general. They will put you in whatever job has the highest demand for bodies.......so Security Forces basicly. Im an aircraft maintainer, and while i love my job, i spend most of my time in the rain, snow, what have you working 12 hour shifts. Loadmaster is a good job. Their job is easy, they calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft loads, fly with the aircrew, get flight pay and go to some awesome places. We sent a bunch to Normandy for a week to not too long ago, and Italy and England before that. Or if your the hardcharging type Combat controller is always looking for folks.

 

[ZooMIN3]

Really? Trust me, i have worked with Army, Navy, and Marines. We've got it good by comparison in the Airforce. There is alot not to like about the Airforce as far as it being less militant in some regards, but i will take 4 month deployments over 6-12 month deployments any day of the week. The bases are nicer and the housing is better. Just dont go Security Forces (cop) or Services (chowhall worker/hands out basket balls at the gym, ect.) no matter how cool those damn recruiters make it sound. And for the love of all that is holy dont go open general. They will put you in whatever job has the highest demand for bodies.......so Security Forces basicly. Im an aircraft maintainer, and while i love my job, i spend most of my time in the rain, snow, what have you working 12 hour shifts. Loadmaster is a good job. Their job is easy, they calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft loads, fly with the aircrew, get flight pay and go to some awesome places. We sent a bunch to Normandy for a week to not too long ago, and Italy and England before that. Or if your the hardcharging type Combat controller is always looking for folks.

^^^Airforce has a bunch of hot babes too! lol At least from what I've seen.... but for some odd reason, you mention BARRACKS to them, they get this disgruntled/disgust look on their face....

They do get sweet "Dorm Rooms." Its like being in a studio apartment! (almost). Their chow halls are the s*** too, even over in the sand box!

To Aaron,

With the Army, you're pretty much guaranteed a ticket to the sand box. Unless for some odd reason you get out of it? But with all the helo's being deployed for a year or so at a time, you'll be over there a lot. But who knows? Also, you're going for an aviation mechanic job, great skills to learn, you'll be valuable to the civilian sector if you choose to get out. Did you get a chance to ask ALL the recruiters who is offering the biggest bonus for the job you're getting into? If not, you should ask. What harm can a question do?

In the Army, unless they just got fixed wing aircrafts, you'll be working on helos.

If you go in the Air Force, you'll be working on fixed wing.... unless you get to work on their version of the Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey.

If you go Marine Corps, you'll be working fixed wing or helos,

Same for the Navy; helos or fiixed wing, but you may end up on some aircraft carrier, being on a boat sucks; unless you're into that kinda thing. I'm not... lol

If I were you, go with the Speed3 since you'll find the space for your gear when you have to move. Unless you go with a truck..... a 2 door will just be a pain in the rear when you move, believe me, I know! ;-) Which ever you decide, just be sure you're happy with your decision.

-J

 

[redspeed]

08 Hell Raiser, Im a little torn between the AF and the Army not sure where im actually gonna go but I am talkin to recruiters from both. Im not a partier either really (not that a good party is a bad thing by any means) so thats not a real problem, But if I do buy the car I would like to be able to afford to drive it lol so thats something to think about. Im going in for Avation mechanics so for the army the bonus is only like 3 grand since AIT is 16 weeks(well at least he told me that since it was a longer AIT that I got a little less since the Army was spending more to train me).

Aaron, please don't believe the recruiters. They make it sound so cool, just to get you to sign for what THEY want. That s*** about AIT is garbage. The bonus is based on MOS strength, not AIT length.

Just so you know I'm active Army, so PM me if you want all the dirt.

 

[aaronc7]

Air Power!!!

 

[Aaron2112]

Yeah im not trusting them, i have heard the horror stories.
AF sounds great, yeah they are less militant but i dont necessarily want to go shootin sh*t all day long either. AF also has rotory craft (helos) usually its just mercy mission black hawks out to pick up wonded and search and rescue.
Not only that its a 6 week basic compared to a 13 week for the army. So army has a lot going against it right now however they have one thing i love, and thats the ability to fly a bird without a college degree which i dont have if im warrant officer (which is obtainable without a degree but its not easy). But then again the AF has the F-22 and that thing is beyond amazing.(In all its test flights it was "killed" a staggering 0 times by enemy planes if you ever get to see one in action it is simply awesome)

Yeah that cargo space is really helping the speed3. Which i will be moving to any other state than Fl since i really hate being here so im sure ill need it.

 

[redspeed]

Officers in the AF fly, and to be an officer you need a degree. You can go to warrant officer school in the Army without a degree and be a helo pilot. Also is more difficult to go up in rank in the AF. How do I know, well, because of all the airmans that switch to the dark side. Actually my current PLT SGT is prior AF, so he told me how it works.

 

[Aaron2112]

thats why im thinking ill do AF first if all else fails from what i hear its possible to get transfered to the Army while still in the AF so if i dont like it im still open to that. I looked into the other branches...and i dont want to do the marines since they are very much infantry despite MOS if they need a rifleman your it even if you push paper, and im just not a fan of being on boats for that lenght of time i was on a cruise once for a week i about went nuts. and thats a cruise ship not a military ship.

 

[Demi]

Officers in the AF fly, and to be an officer you need a degree. You can go to warrant officer school in the Army without a degree and be a helo pilot. Also is more difficult to go up in rank in the AF. How do I know, well, because of all the airmans that switch to the dark side. Actually my current PLT SGT is prior AF, so he told me how it works.

This is very true, you can get promoted much faster in the army. Its also true about the "blue to green" program. If you want out of the Airforce to go into the Army you will have no problems getting there. Basic blows if your in a good flight. Which sounds weird but you will understand when you get there. Our basic is more "head games" and weird crap than all out PT. There is plenty of PT, but i think they take bets on how many kids they can get to freak out. lol. Ive compared stories with some Army buddies, and they looked at me like i was crazy. Our drill instructor planted a candy wrapper in the barracks and gave us 5 minutes to fess up to who did it or the entire flight was getting "recycled". IE sent back to week 0. Weird crap like that. Its not hard just a bad place to be. Talk to your recruiter about some tips for getting through basic, it helps alot because for the first two weeks they only use negative reinforcement. They dont tell you what to do at all, they just jump in your ass for doing something wrong, so its pretty crazy lol. PT part is cake though.
Yeah only our officers fly.........booo, but the Warrant officer program is pretty cool. Ive thought about joining the dark side a time or two....

 

[AGM130]

AF Does have flight positions for Enlisted, you have crew chiefs on heavies (large cargo planes) flight engineers, AWACS geeks, Pararescue, gunners on helo and AC130 gunships, in-flight refueling boom operators, and im sure there are a few im forgetting.

I'm an AC mechanic on fighters, have been on F-15C's & E's for 11yrs now.
Heading to Germany to work A-10's next month.

If you have any questions send me a pm.