Might be returning the M5GT for a Speed3 with/Tech Package

[dieseldriver]

Well, so the long story short, I need something with a lot more power / torque. So I've contacted the dealer to possibly returning the M5GT and with minimal loss, pickup a MazdaSpeed3 instead. We'll see how it goes, worst case, I'd have to wait a few years -- and get a WRX.

UPDATE:

Dealer is cooking up the numbers, probably will be picking up a gray 2012 Speed3 with a Tech Package. Ooo hoo!

 

[vinisterz]

you know with the CX-9, you won't need the Mazda5 Zoom zoom for you yayyyyy.

 

[dieseldriver]

Yeah, plus, I missed that darn manual gearbox. Also, my wife won't let me drive the CX-9 except for family outings (she refuses to take the M5GT for anything ). I told her I needed something with manual tranny and she said we need the M5 in an emergency.. heh???

So that makes me a very dull boy!

So I need some opinion: red or gray? Not a huge fan of red, also, it used to race my heart when I had the red 1988 Mustang GT.

Gray, it looks like the color of my rabbit (real rabbit, not VW Rabbit LOL).

you know with the CX-9, you won't need the Mazda5 Zoom zoom for you yayyyyy.

 

[manualist]

If Mazda would just make the Speed5, the world would be much simpler place

 

[dieseldriver]

Yeah, with a 6speed manual of course.

If Mazda would just make the Speed5, the world would be much simpler place

 

[vinisterz]

red of course or if you go grey, grey with red interior

 

[dieseldriver]

Red is a better match with that red-like seat inserts. Liquid silver which looks grey looks so nice and classy too. Oh well, we'll see. Dealer told me that they have both, one in red and the other in gray. I test drove the red one two weeks ago. I wasn't so much impressed with it then but we'll see. Hope they just prep one and let me know that ___ colored 2012 Mazda Speed3 is ready... LOL

Now here's a big problem; my brother has an '07 GTI -- did I just hear someone say "a duel?"

red of course or if you go grey, grey with red interior

 

[dieseldriver]

Okay guys, I didn't want to do it but I did it anyway. I went to the dealer today and picked up the MazdaSpeed3 in Velocity Red. Now that I think about it, I should have went with liquid silver but it's too late now. I have to live with the red one at least until the loan's all paid off. I loved the Mazda5 GT, I really did want to keep the car. I should not have gone to the dealer today but wanted to test drive the MS3 -- and I pulled the trigger. Almost $0 loss on the trade as it had only 1900K miles or so. Dealer gave it to me on invoice plus they threw in the all season mats. I got the MS3 with the tech package so it has navigation built in but no heated seats which I am going to miss. I might have an aftermarket put in that looks just like the factory ones. Other than that, this is my new car for the next 5-6 years or so I better start liking it.

It's 6speed manual and it handles like it's on rails, plus it has too much horsepower, and hitting above 31 for fuel economy, can't figure that one out. I guess it's because it may be lighter than the M5GT.

 

[manualist]

Wow. Congrats on the new car. I know first hand how tough it is to live with a car you don't truly love The red color is great. Silver is a bit boring to me. I'll take this as a lesson and try my very best to avoid test driving any Speed3

 

[dieseldriver]

Thanks Manualist. Here's the quick shot I took of the car at the dealer. It was already closed by the time I was pairing my phone and adjusting the mirror for the drive back home. Salesman already took my M5GT back to the rear lot :'( and I was alone at the dealer when I took this shot.

I am really going to miss the M5GT, if I could have afford it, I would have kept the M5GT as daily driver and the MS3 as the weekend car. I got used to the close ratio shifter and the soft clutch already. It handles like no other so I have to be very careful. Either today or Saturday, Valentine1 gets re-wired on this car first as I am already pushing 75+ MPH on this car out the lot. Power delivery is "on tap" and it just goes so I have to respect it. I noticed that when I am behaving, I am seeing 31+ MPG average fuel consumption which is awesome.

Wow. Congrats on the new car. I know first hand how tough it is to live with a car you don't truly love The red color is great. Silver is a bit boring to me. I'll take this as a lesson and try my very best to avoid test driving any Speed3

 

[dieseldriver]

Update: I still have the MS3 but I'll know tomorrow if I get what I want in terms of financing. If I don't I get my M5GT back no questions asked. At least I've had fun so far in the Speed3. I think Mazda spent most of the money on tuning the suspension and engine/transmission. Interior however, in my opinion, not as nice, or should I say my M5GT was much better in terms aesthetics and functionality. Speed does have the Navigation built in and some other nice amenities but again, interior displays does not integrate well from screen to screen. Colors are off on the two displays, and I wasn't too impressed with the Bose audio that came with the car. My wife's CX9 beats the pants out of the Speed's Bose system hands down.

Anyway, tomorrow will be very interesting..

 

[manualist]

You should be able to get the same terms as with the 5 right? How's road noise on the MS3? That maybe what keeps the sound quality down. In terms of design, I think the 2012 Mazda5 designers put in it some thoughtful creativity - everything comes together in a consistent theme. People often critique individual elements on the car, but overlook the design as a whole.
The MS3 is all about the drivetrain though, and it's pretty amazing what they're able to put in there. I kept hearing complaints about torque steer but never got to test drive one, so I don't know how bad it's actually is. My 2003 Spec-V was bashed a lot for that too, but it wasn't much of an issue in daily driving. Only when I floored the pedal in 1st or 2nd.
Good luck with the deal and hope you'll end up with the Speed3.

 

[dieseldriver]

Well, yeah, that's what I told them and the salesman agreed "yes yes, then you'll take the car home right?" -- and then last night, story kind of got changed so I was somewhat disappointed at the new finance guy. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd return the MS3 if the deal isn't what they said it would be. Also getting tired of going back and forth to the dealership after work. I really like both cars, but at the end of the day, it would be wonderful if I could keep both cars in my opinion.

Also, on the MS3, mileage: wow, this thing gets over 32MPG with all that horse power. Also, the gear ratio is such that the car pulls like my 88 Mustang GT on 1-3. Also on that 6th speed where you have to pull back.. I haven't got used to and I really don't see the benefit of having the 6th to be honest, I think 5th will do just fine. Finally, the close ratio gearbox, that's really nice. In traffic onto out in t the open, didn't even realize I was in 5th already... that's definitely a plus.

UPDATE: Well, I turned down the deal. After the salesman told me I'd be in almost the same payments as my current Mazda5, they jacked up the payment over $100 a months. No way I said, they're going to have to do better or the MS3 was coming back. And came back it did. I was so relieved to be back in my M5GT, this is a more civil car than the speed demon MS3. I thought it was a cool car, handled like no other, and way too much power. But I was happy to get my M5GT. I found out that the M5GT is the right car for me when I missed it so much after getting MS3. Oh well, sometimes, the pasture always looks so much greener on the other side!

You should be able to get the same terms as with the 5 right? How's road noise on the MS3? That maybe what keeps the sound quality down. In terms of design, I think the 2012 Mazda5 designers put in it some thoughtful creativity - everything comes together in a consistent theme. People often critique individual elements on the car, but overlook the design as a whole.
The MS3 is all about the drivetrain though, and it's pretty amazing what they're able to put in there. I kept hearing complaints about torque steer but never got to test drive one, so I don't know how bad it's actually is. My 2003 Spec-V was bashed a lot for that too, but it wasn't much of an issue in daily driving. Only when I floored the pedal in 1st or 2nd.
Good luck with the deal and hope you'll end up with the Speed3.

 

[Nurburgringer]

LOL sorry but this was a strange thread from the get go when you said you need "need something with a lot more power / torque".
Is this your only car?

I can totally understand what you mean about having too much of a good thing.
About 6 years ago I test drove a Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works. Ended up buying a 1986 CRX Si off craigslist for about 1/8 the price. Had a CRX in the early 90's as one of my first cars and stupidly crashed it into a telephone pole :/ It was as fun (and raw) as I remembered. Will never sell, nor hopefully crash, this one!
Then about 3 years ago I wanted something a bit more exotic (with a targa top, ideally mid-engined) so test drove a new C6 vette. Same thing as the Mini: too much power and grip to ever reasonably use on the street, so I ended up buying a 1985 Ferrari 308 for about 1/2 the price. Any new V6 minivan will easily beat it 0-60, but NONE will get the hair on my neck standing up racing towards redline in a tunnel or kicking out the back end at 50mph through on ramps.

I certainly live by the motto "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow"

Hope you enjoy the M5 more than ever. I certainly look forward to driving ours whenever I can prise the keys from my wife's hands
(drinks)

 

[manualist]

Nurburgringer, CRX is one of mine favorites. A friend of mine had a 91 Si and I just loved it. But then I fell in love with a 92 Sentra SE-R. Somehow it felt just right to me - I like the simple look, the power of the 2.0 engine, steering feel, and very comfortable seat. I liked it so much that years after it was totaled, I bought a new 2003 Spec-V - that car was fun too, but the build quality was questionable at best. Since then I haven't seen anything I'd like from Nissan. And I've been a little upset seeing Honda losing their sporty way lately too.

 

[manualist]

I found out that the M5GT is the right car for me when I missed it so much after getting MS3. Oh well, sometimes, the pasture always looks so much greener on the other side!

Sliding doors rule! Glad to have you back on the more mature side of the forum As long as you don't go test driving a Miata Enjoy your 5 while it's with you. The next car will come soon enough.

 

[dieseldriver]

Well, this is my daily beater, and wife drives the new CX9 GT. I had a second car which I bought used, a 1999 BMW 328iC manual. One day I had an itch to get a stick, and picked it up for $10K. Had to sell it when we moved to a smaller house closer to NYC but still in the "burbs" and also because we now have a single car garage.

I guess that "itch" came again and not realizing that there's no such thing as having my cake and eating it too! MazdaSpeed3 is a nice car, but for me right now, M5GT is what I need. You just told me something that I hadn't realized in years -- going fast in slow car is better than going slow in a fast car. So true. That reminds me of the car that I had.. a 1992 BMW 318i in midnight blue -- a five speed car which I loved spooling up the M52 4banger. That car really defined the term "handling" for me. It was slow, but yet, it was one of the car I had the most fun in. Then thinking I needed to have more power to "have fun" I traded in and got the 1999 BMW 328i in silver / five speed and it wasn't the same. Chassis dynamics is completely different .. I was no longer having fun but rather just going fast when I can.

Yup, I totally agree. Maybe in a few years, when I have the extra garage, I might be looking for a used 1994 Mazda RX7 or even a late 90's Z3 Roadster -- with a 2.5l or smaller engine with a manual. We'll see.

EDIT: Maybe once I put in a decent compact subwoofer, I will at least have fun listening to my favorite tunes on the way and back from work. I will let you guys know which one I wind up putting in. I am currently leaning towards a powered JL or Rockford Fosgate.

LOL sorry but this was a strange thread from the get go when you said you need "need something with a lot more power / torque".
Is this your only car?

I can totally understand what you mean about having too much of a good thing.
About 6 years ago I test drove a Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works. Ended up buying a 1986 CRX Si off craigslist for about 1/8 the price. Had a CRX in the early 90's as one of my first cars and stupidly crashed it into a telephone pole :/ It was as fun (and raw) as I remembered. Will never sell, nor hopefully crash, this one!
Then about 3 years ago I wanted something a bit more exotic (with a targa top, ideally mid-engined) so test drove a new C6 vette. Same thing as the Mini: too much power and grip to ever reasonably use on the street, so I ended up buying a 1985 Ferrari 308 for about 1/2 the price. Any new V6 minivan will easily beat it 0-60, but NONE will get the hair on my neck standing up racing towards redline in a tunnel or kicking out the back end at 50mph through on ramps.

I certainly live by the motto "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow"

Hope you enjoy the M5 more than ever. I certainly look forward to driving ours whenever I can prise the keys from my wife's hands
(drinks)

 

[dieseldriver]

I agree. Also, something that was weird on the MS3 was that it had a pretty good chunk of turbo lag. Kind of reminded me of the 88 Lotus Esprit Turbo one of my coworker had. It was such that you can count "one mississippi ..two.." boom! I am glad that at least I was able to test out the MS3 before even got a chance to sign the loan papers.

Sliding doors rule! Glad to have you back on the more mature side of the forum As long as you don't go test driving a Miata Enjoy your 5 while it's with you. The next car will come soon enough.