Just bought my first Speed3!!!!

[skallen]

As you can see, my old car was an 09 Mazda 3 GT Hatchback...I LOVE my Speed3...HUGE difference in clutch and suspension...It's an 07 without leather and sunroof..CWP...Now time to do some mods...Any suggestions??? I wanna start small and cheap (I spent a bundle)..Pics will be coming in the next few weeks as I go to work when it's dark and I come home when it's dark!!!

 

[ohioan]

CONGRATS ON THE CAR! I love mine so much, but don't go too crazy on mods. Think them all through.

 

[anitx]

Congrats! Nice choice on the CWP! (2thumbs)

 

[not yellow]

i used to have a mazda3 hatch and am thinking now about picking up an MS3. obviously the MS3 has more power... but i'm curious to hear more about the side by side comparison?

 

[skallen]

The clutch difference is huge...It's like driving a TOTALLY different car..But give it about 20-30min and you have it down..2nd and 3rd gear pull is absolutely retarded...It is so friggin quick it should be illegal!!! But I wouldn't give it up for nuthin!!!

 

[skallen]

The suspension is noticeably stiffer, but not harsh...The exhaust has a bit more growl to it (you can actually hear the shifts)...The interior is almost identical, except for the seats...Which I think are a MAJOR improvement...I had a Nissan SE-R Spec V and I LOVED those seats...The ones on The Speed are almost identical..Other than the climate control, this car is the same (interior-wise)...Also the flip key versus the standard key. Oh..reverse is up and to the left!!! That's it!!

 

[skallen]

I just want a simple exhaust, intake, and suspension upgrade...not to mention short-shifter and rims.. For now...My stereo should be installed by the spring

 

[not yellow]

cool... sounds like fun! i test drove one at a dealership last year, but haven't really gotten to see what it can do. sounds like you are already enjoying yours.

 

[ohioan]

*sad kid face* i wnat a flip key

 

[bigdaddy]

Yes. I know what you mean by the clutch feel. I drive my friend's Mazda 3 sedan with the 2.3, and it was sooooo strange. The clutch is soo forgiving, and feels like mush next to mine, also the shifter feels like it is a butter churn. It has no power either. lol.
But good luck on your car and just be careful

 

[MaikuMS3]

start off by getting some light mods like intake, bpv, turbo inlet and boost gauge.

go easy on MS3 or you will go zoom zoom boom!

 

[mr_mazda329]

I would get intake, BPV, RMM, and a Dashhawk as well. If you get the turbo inlet, you will need to get colder plugs because this increases the quickness of our cracked out turbo, giving more air sooner and yielding more KR. Suspension is tough on this car. We are currently trying to get "Shaik" from Fat Cat Motorsports to do some devlopement on our car with Bilsteins and bumpstop testing. Bumpstops (shock travel) seem to be a big problem on this car as well as crappy struts. Hold off on suspension until something good comes around. You can also do a Cobb rear swaybar in the meantime. Unless ride comfort is of no issue, go with KW coilovers. Happy motoring

 

[bigdaddy]

start off by getting some light mods like intake, bpv, turbo inlet and boost gauge.

go easy on MS3 or you will go zoom zoom boom!

not true. dont drive like an animal all the time, but this car is no different than any other cars...

 

[not yellow]

^ maybe he meant go easy on the mods?

 

[backpacker6]

Congrats man!

 

[liquidflem]

i used to have a mazda3 hatch and am thinking now about picking up an MS3. obviously the MS3 has more power... but i'm curious to hear more about the side by side comparison?

I also had a Mazda3 hatch back before getting my speed 3. I always regretted not getting the speed first.

Few things:

POWER from completely different motor and transmission ( i get about 4mpg less average than i did with the regular 3)
much more comfortable and supportive seats
completely different clutch, stiffer with much stronger grab (due to amount of torque the car has) - took me a while to learn to drive well/smoothly where as the regular 3 could be driven by a monkey
Suspension is much better, stronger, and easier to drive (stable) at high speeds
speed limited to 155 and not 112
1" lower
larger and wider tires/rims

 

[not yellow]

wow, a 4 mpg hit isn't bad considering the huge difference in power...

 

[liquidflem]

wow, a 4 mpg hit isn't bad considering the huge difference in power...

Thats what i thought. I got about 26/27 average with about 50/50 city/highway driving and 87 grade fuel

I get about 22/23 or so average with this car and 93 grade fuel... the direct injection really does help

 

[NCZ13]

So far ive done a ventpod/boost gauge and CPE nano SRI. Super pleased with how it sounds now, and the extra horsies and torques is definitely noticeable.

Im done modding for awhile, at least until summer.

 

[skallen]

I for sure want an intake and exhaust...I had that on my regular 3 and loved the sound...I was thinking an AEM intake (just cuz I've used them with every other car I owned) and maybe a Vibrant exhaust. I've heard nothing but good things about the Vibrant exhaust. But for now I am going with the Viper remote start/alarm combo with turbo timer and tint all the rear windows at 5%...I need to make sure my car stays MY car...After that I will start with the performance...Thanks guys for all your suggestions...But I do want some more feedback for mods..Keep in mind this is a daily driver and I have a 4 year old son, so nothing too crazy. I would like to reach around 270 WHP though without changing internals. Is this do-able?