amen from the choir
Looking at getting a MS3
- Thread starter SVTtoMS3
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amen from the choir
Adammazda06
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- Mazdaspeed3
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- Mazda RX7 '87' & Hyundai Tiburon GT '05'
Ford Racing has a really nice Supercharger from Jackson racing, and they also have an LSD. The MS3 is better because it's a newer chassis designed for the power. However the SVT chassis was made very powerful in Europe, look up the RS/ST. But I agree the MS3 is very nice.
Hello, I just registered myself, but have silently read up on the forums for the last few months. I am the owner of a 2007 Black Mica Mazdaspeed 3 GT going on about 6 months now. I figured I post here first since this thread hits really close to home for me. I traded in my 2003 Silver SVT 5 door for the Speed 3. I had most of the meaningful power adders added to my SVT short of forced induction such as CAI, high flow cat, and ECU tune. I really loved my SVT, so much so that I was able to forgive it's anemic power in comparison to cars like the SRT-4 simply because it was such a balanced package over all. For the longest time, I was hoping for the newer ST to come to the states, one for the awesome power train and the C1 platform. I had seen regular Mazda 3's in person and was impressed by the fit and finish compared to my focus, but wasn't too psyched about downgrading to a less performance oriented package. Ultimately, I came to the same dilemma of deciding on forced induction for the SVT, but then the MS3 appeared. Ultimately this completed what I felt was lacking in the balanced package that the SVT was. The power in this car makes a night and day difference between the it and the SVT. Simple as this, the car has some things that I thought were done better on the SVT, but overall the MS3 has way more to offer. Not only are you looking at better fit and finish, but the Mazda engine has way more potential than the zetec engine can provide. This is further emphasized by many reputable tuners in the Focus Community. As far as the SVT being faster than the MS3, you simply have not become accustomed to launching the Mazda the best way possible. The MS3 shares that similarity with the SVT in that finding the launch technique takes quite a bit a practice. While the SVT was limited by it's undefeatable traction control and lack of useful power due to gearing, the MS3 experiences the opposite because of shorter gearing and lots of power on tap (even though it's limited in the first 2 gears to help combat that problem). I learned to drive my SVT pretty well and was able to overcome other cars that would have definitely defeated me power wise from digs. I would have to say that it was definitely hard to squeeze every ounce of power out of the SVT to at least make it quick. The MS3 obviously doesn't have the problem. If handling is your only concern, you can just do some suspension modifications to help that aspect. The MS3 doesn't handle as well due to the platform being slightly larger and heavier, but in my opinion is a superb platform in terms of comfort and safety while still providing awesome room for performance. If any kind of comparison can put it into perspective for you, compare the older Focus RS to the newer Focus ST. If I'm not mistaken, the ST actually completed the same test track faster than the RS by some considerable margin even though its handling characteristics were still below that of the older RS.
There are many correlations I can make to compare to the SVT to the MS3, but look at it this way. You now have quite a few former SVT owners that have told you they are very happy with their purchases. Perhaps your tastes are pretty similar to ours if your considering this move. Perhaps our experience will be similar for you. It's your taste and your choice in the end, but you definitely have my recommendation on going for the MS3. I love my MS3. I miss my SVT some times. I gave up the SVT for the MS3, but I could never give up my MS3 for the SVT.
There are many correlations I can make to compare to the SVT to the MS3, but look at it this way. You now have quite a few former SVT owners that have told you they are very happy with their purchases. Perhaps your tastes are pretty similar to ours if your considering this move. Perhaps our experience will be similar for you. It's your taste and your choice in the end, but you definitely have my recommendation on going for the MS3. I love my MS3. I miss my SVT some times. I gave up the SVT for the MS3, but I could never give up my MS3 for the SVT.
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good to hear that our cars compare so favorably, dave...it would be pretty embarrassing if an SVT focus could rather easily blow us out of the water with a turbo kit...=/
btw...how fast were you guys hitting 60mph and the 1/4 mile with your SVTs? i read a car and driver review and they only gave it credit for 7.8 sec and 16.1 sec, respectively on a stock car.
Pre turbo best i could get out of her was a 14.63... sticky tires and jaw breaking hop on the line. Did heads and the cam, got to 13.88. Turbo with LSD got me the best of 12.66 with mid power dropping, eratic throttle response, popping and sometimes fuel cut. With the Euro ECU out of the Focus RS, the car made better power but was tuning limited. It was time to just let it go and start fresh with a factory turbo. I dont know what the 0-60 was because the dragstrips out here dont measure that. Although in the handling dept its not a SVTF, the MS3 is a better overal platform with much better quality. With the addition of coil overs and sways, this car will give the SVTF a run for its money on any track. Were just getting started. Get out while you can!
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ok guys im doing it im selling the fofo back home (im in the army stationed in alaska) and will try to buy the ms3 in the next two months...im trying to get 13000 out of the svt...it is a 03 with 35k on it with hids new tsb clutch...i also have a set of enkie rims and a AEM CAI? to much or does that sound right
I agree Ford had much to be desired as far as bringing more power to the focus stateside or at least an awesome handling car in stock form, with power to match. Unfortunately, Ford isn't too dumb thinking that the Mustang is their meal ticket. It does sell considerably better than the SVT did. We have to remember that Ford took a big hit when they released the SVT Focus to the market. Unfortunately, I think it is more so because they did not market as well as they could have and partly due to considerable problems with a good amount of SVT's in the first model year. Honestly, the meal ticket doesn't lie with the mustang, but in the truck/SUV models that Ford heavily marketed. Fortunately, they've reaped the benefits of putting most of their eggs into that basket, speaking sarcastically of course.
It won't happen unless you get lucky in the private market. Check blue book values. You'll probably see 10k easy, but no higher than 12k as most dealers already sell around that already.
Sacrilicious
boom boom!
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- Cosmic Blue MS3 of hawtness!
how much did they offer you? did you try to bargain with them? for me, they tried to lowball me with 8500 on a civic with a kbb of 10k, but after i stuck to my guns and just told them that the only way i was going to sign anything was for the 10k, they just gave up and gave it to me...after just one trip back to think about it! oO that's what happens when it's 9pm on a friday nite and they just want to go home! 
in the end, although many factors come into play (dealer stock, customer demand, storage space, time of year/month/week/day, freakin color of your socks), i think the single golden rule that they follow is: 90% of the time, you will never see a customer that walks out the door again. in other words, make clear your requirements for a definite sale, and they will do their utmost to meet them...make them vague or don't stick by your guns, and they will do their utmost to make you meet THEIR requirements...oO
in the end, although many factors come into play (dealer stock, customer demand, storage space, time of year/month/week/day, freakin color of your socks), i think the single golden rule that they follow is: 90% of the time, you will never see a customer that walks out the door again. in other words, make clear your requirements for a definite sale, and they will do their utmost to meet them...make them vague or don't stick by your guns, and they will do their utmost to make you meet THEIR requirements...oO
flipstylex
Member
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- Mazdaspeed 3, Cosmic Blue sport
This is the way i see it. when you drive a focus, it seems like you're more focused on the road. when you drive an ms3, you feel the speed on the road (butt) lol jk
But yea, boost the focus , and you'll drive a focus, with no warranty, and potential problems down the road. If you buy an ms3, it's warrantied, so you can't lose .
And if you really compare the 2 , ms3 looks better , ya know ?
But yea, boost the focus , and you'll drive a focus, with no warranty, and potential problems down the road. If you buy an ms3, it's warrantied, so you can't lose .
And if you really compare the 2 , ms3 looks better , ya know ?
Sacrilicious
boom boom!
- :
- Cosmic Blue MS3 of hawtness!
oh dang...that's right, you don't have it with you...=/ well, i guess that makes the whole situation a lot harder...^^;
ElBartoRex
Member
you guys do realize that Ford essentially owns Mazda and the MS3 platform is shared by the (new) Focus and the Volvo S40 right?
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- Mazda RX7 '87' & Hyundai Tiburon GT '05'
Not the USDM model focus, just the euro one. The C30, S40 and 3 do share the same chassis platform though as you stated.
