I am a bit disappointed...

[protegeV]

sorry, it was a trade...
"Haha- for those who have seen Bad Santa- "I ain't gonna be shitting right for a month".. Without going into too much detail- how many cars that sticker for $32k new (got it a bit below) do you know of that are only worth $14-$16k trade in a year later with 11k miles?!?!?!?!? Even selling retail, they are in the high teens, low $20's and are EVERYWHERE- so unless you are selling it dirt cheap, it isn't selling "

 

[FC3s Boy]

a 50hp shot of nitrous and some drag radials will bring those times down

 

[Replica]

What do you guys expect? It's a 3,000 lb car with 160 hp. Sounds like a low 16, high 15 to me. What were your 60 foot times?

 

[goldwing2000]

a 50hp shot of nitrous and some drag radials will bring those times down

Yeah... and send the engine up! (burn)

I'll post my 60-foot times later. I didn't bring the slip with me.

 

[protegeV]

They hold their value a little better than that.

That's beside the point, though.

edit: Found an '03 SVT Cobra, 540HP, 3 miles from my house for $25k.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=170435951&dealer_id=&car_year=2003&make=FORD&distance=50&max_price=&model=MUST&advcd_on=n&end_year=2005&min_price=&first_record=26&address=48125&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=2003&=&color=&cardist=3

damn, why didnt I buy THAT?(hand)
Must be cuz you live in MI...

 

[dulog]

this is a sporty compact car - not a sports car

There are problems with the delivery of the 160 hp on this car. I'm not saying that something is broken, I'm saying that some of the parts responsible to transfer the power to the ground are not either well designed or well suited for the engine/car. You just have to think about the 0-60 of this car and you immediately see that there is a problem. 8.8 sec (or 8.6 as I saw in a couple of articles) for a 160 hp little car like that is too slow.

8.8 seconds! Where did you see that? I'd be really surprised if it was a 2.3 5 speed Mazda3 (which I'd have to figure is what were talking about here because that's what Goldwing has). Even consumer reports got a better time than that for the 2.0 MT. The time I've seen that slow for a Mazda3 was for a 2.0 Automatic transmission. The numbers I've seen for a 2.3 5speed have tended to be right around 7.5 seconds. The highest I've seen has been from Road and Track and there's was 8.0 seconds. This is very similar to other cars with similar weight and power:

Focus SVT ($18,585 base retail)
170 hp, 145lbs-ft, 2750lbs
0-60 around 7.5 seconds to 7.8 seconds

Cicic SI ($19,000)
160 hp, 132 lb-ft 2744 lbs
0-60 in 7.6 seconds

Matrix xrs ($18,750)
180 hp, 130 lb-ft , 2800lbs
0-60 in 7.3 seconds to 7.5 seconds

Rolla XRS ($17,455)
170 hp, 127 lb-ft @ 4400rpm 2670 lbs
0-60 in 7.6 seconds to 7.1 seconds

Scion TC($15,950)
160 hp, 163 lb/ft, 2900 lbs
0-60 in 7.4 seconds to 7.5 seconds

The Mazda3 has an edge in touque over some of these but also tips the scales higher than some for that matter. What we are looking at here is real similar power, weight and acceleration numbers. I dont see what the big surprise is here. Automakers know that theyll sell more if things feel confortable, refined w/ decent mileage so the engine get tuned for easy real-world use.

Consider the base price of the Mazda3s is $16,615 it starts out less than most of the things linked up above. When you compare how it performs to the most popular cars in this class (Focus SE SES, Civic DX, LX, EX, Corolla LE, S) there's no comparison in performance. Mazda3 has an edge. If I was looking for a something within the same price range as the Mazda3 but with noticably better straight line performance I would have bought a spec-v. I hadn't heard good things about reliablity and resale and I'm not a fan of how they look. Overall I'm not disapointed with my choice 6 months down the road here. I knew I wasn't buying a race car or anything close.

 

[QBCERUS]

8.8 seconds! Where did you see that? I'd be really surprised if it was a 2.3 5 speed Mazda3 (which I'd have to figure is what were talking about here because that's what Goldwing has). Even consumer reports got a better time than that for the 2.0 MT. The time I've seen that slow for a Mazda3 was for a 2.0 Automatic transmission. The numbers I've seen for a 2.3 5speed have tended to be right around 7.5 seconds.

I found two canadian web sites, one in french, one in english with times around 9 sec. Canadian driver si one of them. Even Car and driver has something called street start (the meaning of it is not explained) with a 5-60 mph in 8.6 sec. and also Edmunds.com is giving the worst time I have seen so far which is 9.13 sec.

No matter which 0-60 time is right, I tested many other cars before bying mine. All of them were V6 because I didn't want another 4 cyls (not enough torque) and they were all a lot more powerful (go try a honda accord coupe V6 manual (6 speeds) it is a nice car). I also had a motorcycle (Honda VFR 800) before (if you want to know what is power, you have to try one of those racing bikes), mine was far from being the most performant and I was doing 0-60 in about 4 sec. without even trying hard. The Mazda 3 is not a very powerful car even if it is one of the most, if not the most powerful in it's category. I think that with a shorter 2nd gear, we would have more fun driving it.

 

[FrigginGLI]

Edmunds time was an automatic. The 3 is not just about going fast in a straight line, no economy car is. The average 0-60 time is around 7.8 for all magazines and published reviews, slow as that may be, it's still shitloads faster then my old P5.

You bought the wrong car if you want to bring it to the drag strip. Autox that bastard instead.

 

[goldwing2000]

damn, why didnt I buy THAT?(hand)
Must be cuz you live in MI...

It's possible. Rustangs are kind of a dime-a-dozen around here.

If you really want to find one, I'd be happy to help ya out. (thumb)

 

[Airman Jack]

*lol* GW, good on ya for taking your car on a track and having some fun with it! But what's with all this bragging about straight line times.... go on a track, then you'll see how the 3's handling REALLY shines!
She'll do quite nicely on the back half of Shannonville in Belleville, Ontario, even with a novice driver behind the wheel..... one of Canada's top 15 drivers was only 6 seconds faster than said novice driver You shoulda seen the tires afterwards though.... the bead was rolled over about 2mm on either side!! ah well, the crapyears are going soon.... on...the car...that was there... not mine, of course

 

[jaman]

Why are people so concerned with 1/4 mile times for cars not meant for drag racing? The overal performance of the Mazda3s is much higher than most compact car out there.

Are you upset about not getting a Mustang? Geee, some people don't give much thought to what is important to them before spending $18k on a car.

 

[goldwing2000]

Why are people so concerned with 1/4 mile times for cars not meant for drag racing? (blah)

Because it's damn fun, that's why!

 

[jaman]

Being concerned is fun?

Okay, going down the track is fun, but what difference does it make if you finish it in 15.9s or 16.3s?

I guess some people imagine that they are proffessional race car drivers and every 0.1s counts.

 

[goldwing2000]

Okay, going down the track is fun, but what difference does it make if you finish it in 15.9s or 16.3s?

The difference between beating the guy next to you or not, of course!

Not that any of my runs were even close.

 

[QBCERUS]

Okay, going down the track is fun, but what difference does it make if you finish it in 15.9s or 16.3s?

I guess you have never experienced any type of race competition before, you should try, it's very fun. I did a little bit of carting. There is no good or bad answer to that question. Everybody has it's own reason. For me it's simply personal satisfaction. I don't think I'm a professional,
I just want to try to beet my own limits. I personally don't like drag racing, but I would track race anytime even if I was alone on the track and with any kind of car, it doesn't matter. Going as fast as you think you can on a track and then the next lap discover that you are able to improve your line in this corner and that one is the only reason why I'm so passionate about cars and bikes.

So find a carting place close to your home and go try it. It's not expensive and you will have a blast. You will probably be able to understand goldwing better after that.

 

[jaman]

I guess you have never experienced any type of race competition before, you should try, it's very fun. I did a little bit of carting. There is no good or bad answer to that question. Everybody has it's own reason. For me it's simply personal satisfaction. I don't think I'm a professional,
I just want to try to beet my own limits. I personally don't like drag racing, but I would track race anytime even if I was alone on the track and with any kind of car, it doesn't matter. Going as fast as you think you can on a track and then the next lap discover that you are able to improve your line in this corner and that one is the only reason why I'm so passionate about cars and bikes.

So find a carting place close to your home and go try it. It's not expensive and you will have a blast. You will probably be able to understand goldwing better after that.

I have autocrossed before.

What you're talking about is something totally different to what I was saying. Pushing yourself and your car to the max, I'm all for it. But who cares if at the max, your car will do the 1/4 in 15.9s or 16.3s?
Don't get me wrong, I can definitely see a Mustang Cobra owner bitching if he/she could do the 1/4 in only 15s, but a Mazda3?

 

[Airman Jack]

Don't get me wrong, I can definitely see a Mustang Cobra owner bitching if he/she could do the 1/4 in only 15s, but a Mazda3?
[/size]

The fact that GW went out and DID it is a credit to him! Not a reason to bash someone for saying that they were unhappy with their performance. Some people enjoy NHRA, others think the British Touring Car Championships are more entertaining. All depends on what you enjoy!

I just like to be the devil's advocate sometimes with all the attention being placed on dragging. I was happy with my own performance on the track my first time, but in retrospect there are things I'd like to do to my own skills and also to the car in order to get the times down.

For example, 1:30.4 was my fastest time on the Ferni track at Shannonville, though I was riding shotgun when a pro driver did it in 1:24.2, so I KNOW that the car is capable of more! So combined with increasing my own experience... and maybe some work on the car, I'll be faster still!

What's the whole point of me replying? If you've never actually gone out and enjoyed the performance of the car in a controlled setting, you'll never know how much fun it is, and how much faster you always want to go! (ricer) (headbang)

 

[goldwing2000]

Thanks, Jack.

You're exactly right. The type of car you have has absolutely zilch to do with wanting to go faster.

Hell, there was a guy there in a Chevy Monza running 10s and a Maverick not far behind him. (rockon)

jaman, your hypothetical Mustang Cobra owner would be just as jazzed about the difference between 12.9s and 13.3s. It's not about the actual numbers, it's about knowing that the potential is there and doing everything in your power to reach it.

 

[jaman]

Damn... I really thought this thing would be quicker than that. Not to mention all the heinous smashing sounds coming from the front suspension and motor mounts.

*sigh* (ripped)

Maybe I'll trade it in, now....

The quote above is the reason for my posts. From the above it seems you're not happy about the 1/4 mile performance of the Mazda3 in general and latter you mention something about the fact that you could have gotten a Mustang instead.

IF your concern was "geez I know the Mazda3 can run a 16 flat but I could only get 16.3", then I would agree with your dissapoitment 100%. But from the above that doesn't seem to be the case.

Anyways, enough of this, I hope in the future you can enjoy your Mazda3, oh and PLEASE don't get a Mustang!!

 

[Protege52003]

True enough but I had hoped to get better, since it's not completely stock. A CAI should have netted me at least a tenth or two and the lowered suspension should have helped with launches and wind drag.

It's funny... I can go out right now buy a Mach I Mustang on A-Plan from Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor for $26,470 and run 13s all day long.

i hoped to get better than stock times on my PR5. I have new clutch, flywheel, intake, shorty header(had), and axle-back MSP exhaust. I ran very close to stock times on my best runs.

Oh-well.......my next car will be faster......