Just test drove a MS3 :)

[tranzformer]

What a great experience. I just fell in love with the car. The pickup and speed is amazing and it handles as well as my P5. Now all I have to do is convince the lady that I need a new car.

Once issue that I had is that the clutch was noticeably stiffer than my clutch on my P5. I am guessing that this is due to several reasons, my P5 has 70k on it and is nicely broken in. Also doesn't the MS3 have a stiffer clutch to handle the extra hp? Should I expect the clutch on the MS3 to lighten up a bit over time? That is the one thing that I really didn't care for was the stiffness of the clutch, but maybe it is something that I would get use to? The salesman that I was talking to said that Mazda is only going to be making 3,000k MS3 and that this was the only year for them. Is that true, or was he pulling my leg?

 

[Newter]

I went from an MP5 to MS3 and it just takes a little bit of getting used to.

 

[abun24]

They are making 5,000. But, I haven't heard about the status of future years.

 

[Newter]

They are making 5,000. But, I haven't heard about the status of future years.

Yeah what I heard from my dealer is that they are only getting 5 more this year.

 

[ZoomRedZoomGT]

They are only sending 5000 to N America this year. Hadnt heard anything about this being the only year or what the total number of the model run will be.

 

[nazgul350r]

Total model runs depends on the demand.

 

[dread]

I heard 5000 in the first year, but there will most likely be a 2008 model as well.

 

[BlackJack]

Yeah, if more MS3s get off the lot, then the chances of it reproducing again would increase.

 

[Betelgeuse]

They'd be stupid to not release the ms3 for at least another year. If they could produce the ms6 for over 2 or more years despite their lackluster sales, they could surely ship more ms3s.

 

[Karma_hunden]

you shouldve test droved an MS6 if you were bitching about the MS3's pleasant clutch. hehe.

 

[BlackJack]

I keep hearing that they called off the MS6s because of the low demend. :/

 

[jmv]

when i drive my moms 3 hatch and get into my msp the clutch feels stiff as hell, all it takes is a few minutes driving it and it feels totally normal again.

 

[NeedforSpeed3]

Stiff Clutch?

Interesting. I have a 6 speed Mini Cooper S Convertible and it's clutch is WAY stiffer than my Speed 3's. Strange.(bump)

 

[CTGrey02]

I didn't notice any stiffness on the two I test drove. Nor did my wife. It felt identical to the clutch in my focus. My mustang on the other hand has a heavy clutch to depress.

 

[camrycev6]

I went from a Mazda 3i to a MS3...I noticed only a slight difference in the clutch.

 

[TheDutchGun]

Does anyone know when the whole 3 line is scheduled for a redesign?

 

[MadOzodi]

I didn't notice any stiffness on the two I test drove. Nor did my wife. It felt identical to the clutch in my focus. My mustang on the other hand has a heavy clutch to depress.

(yes)

Driving my MS3 after driving my Stang is UGLY. Stalling, bucking...basically I'm a n00b. Driving the Stang after the MS3 isn't quite as ugly, I just end up using too much gas. My MS3 clutch reminds me of my GSX clutch. I have yet to drive a FWD manual with a heavy clutch.

 

[Vixen]

(yes)

Driving my MS3 after driving my Stang is UGLY. Stalling, bucking...basically I'm a n00b. Driving the Stang after the MS3 isn't quite as ugly, I just end up using too much gas. My MS3 clutch reminds me of my GSX clutch. I have yet to drive a FWD manual with a heavy clutch.

Husband has the same problem. He drives his Cobra then drives my car and he has issues. Well he always has issues, but that's a different thread.

 

[MadOzodi]

Oooo, what year Cobra?

 

[Vixen]

Oooo, what year Cobra?

It's a 93.
You can see pics here:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123661731

It's a few posts down.