MS3@ Geneva 06.

[Newf]

Aftermarket FMIC -- problem solved.

some us like our warranty.

Some dealers don't like FMIC. Besides...what's the big friggin deal with Mazda and it's tiny intercoolers on just about all the mazdaspeeds that obviously do not work?

 

[Newf]

Newf and other MSP owners:

Those of you who drive your cars in the winter, how much does the LSD help in the snow? Assuming you would have winter tires on the car, how much better than a regular Protege or 3 is it in the snow?

If I bought a MS3 it would have to be driven in the winter, which is one of my major disappointments for no AWD. So just curious what it would be like in the winter?

To be honest it really doesn't seem to make a difference. What you really want in a car for winter ( besides AWD ) is traction control which actually kills power when your wheels spin. Limited Slip isn't quite the same, actually it's kind of the opposite.

I see some SRT4's here getting around just fine in the winter.

My biggest problem with my car is wheel spin in the winter. But a light foot is all you need. The car is also way to light and doesn't have enough on the front wheels which exaggerates the problem. Now, the problem will only get worse with 250hp . I wouldn't worry about it for myself, but when my woman drives the car and tries to get up the steep slippery hill to her mothers house....that's when I'll worry.

 

[goldwing2000]

The car is also way to light and doesn't have enough on the front wheels which exaggerates the problem.

That's the first time I've ever heard somebody say the Mazda3 is too light. (boom07)

 

[Newf]

That's the first time I've ever heard somebody say the Mazda3 is too light. (boom07)

Can't speak for the 3. Don't have one. only driven them on pavement.

the Protege however is light. Great for the summer, s**** for the winter. Second one I've had, two different sets of winters, same problem. i don't even need a handbrake to do handbrake turns if you know what I mean. And getting going on snow always results in wheels a spinnin.

 

[goldwing2000]

Can't speak for the 3. Don't have one. only driven them on pavement.

the Protege however is light. Great for the summer, s**** for the winter. Second one I've had, two different sets of winters, same problem. i don't even need a handbrake to do handbrake turns if you know what I mean. And getting going on snow always results in wheels a spinnin.

Gotcha. I missed some of the continuity of the thread and failed to notice that you have an MSP. (braindead

I agree that traction control is a better option than LSD for snow, though.

 

[Kansei]

The fact that they are releasing another car like the MSP to compete against the GTI etc, killed me. (Atleast that's what I see that the MSP competes against) I lost all hope for that car. AWD+turbo was it's last resort. I know it would somewhat hurt the MS6's sales, but it doesn't matter. It seems that Mazda will always stay low compared to making a "decent" awd car like Mitsu and Subaru. I would've bought this car, but I'm just over it now.

Mazda doesn't desire to be the honda of the world. Everything I have read has said that Mazda likes catering to the little niche they have.

Mazda doesn't need to blow the competition away in every aspect to win me over. The car needs to have character, to put a smile on my face whenever I see it, and to exhilerate me with it's handling characteristics when I drive it.

So far, the Mazda3 hatchback fails all three of those, so I'll be sticking to my Protege5 and waiting it out.

 

[1somamp3]

I find it looks exactly like the old Mazda 3. Atleast the MSP and MP3 had different body kits

 

[Smork]

It's not that I want them to put out a car like honda and try to be generic. It's good to have character.. but it seems they are putting out cars that are only mediocre. It's just bugging me even moreso for the future rx7. They keep putting out these "decent" cars. Nothing that anyone really notices imo.

 

[Kansei]

It's not that I want them to put out a car like honda and try to be generic. It's good to have character.. but it seems they are putting out cars that are only mediocre. It's just bugging me even moreso for the future rx7. They keep putting out these "decent" cars. Nothing that anyone really notices imo.

People notice the MP3/MSP/Protege5. I get complements about my car every day, even though it's covered with salt. I agree about the new models though.

I find it looks exactly like the old Mazda 3. Atleast the MSP and MP3 had different body kits

Well.. it's got a fake bigger grille. That's one (of a few) things that I can't stand about the WRX. it looks like it has a big lower grille opening until you get up close and realise that there's a big black bar (which undoubtedly has the actual metal bumper behind it) that is masquerading as part of the grille.

 

[dmitrik4]

i like it a lot. i like the hatch, b/c it gives the car actual utility. i don't mind the FWD, b/c that's a few hundred (mostly useless) pounds it won't be lugging around. it's not like a lack of AWD has relegated the MSP to mediocre handling. and i'll take decent snow tires on a FWD over all-seasons on an AWD any time. i haven't seen weather that FWD and good tires couldn't handle, that didn't also include snow to deep for any car, AWD or not, to drive through.

my only disappointment is the ducting to the intercooler. i can see why the MS6 doesn't have a scoop; it's aimed at looking more "grown up." but the MS3, esp since it's the hatch, is not. hood scoops don't have to be garish; look at the legacy GT and the saab 9-2.

BTW mikeyb, the Legacy GT wagon is off my g/f's shopping list; no more 5-speed turbo LGT wagons. boo.

 

[Mazda3]

Can't speak for the 3. Don't have one. only driven them on pavement.

the Protege however is light. Great for the summer, s**** for the winter. Second one I've had, two different sets of winters, same problem. i don't even need a handbrake to do handbrake turns if you know what I mean. And getting going on snow always results in wheels a spinnin.

Yeah, I was just curious if the LSD helped at all in the winter with 2 tires pulling the car instead of one.

 

[altspace]

It's not that I want them to put out a car like honda and try to be generic. It's good to have character.. but it seems they are putting out cars that are only mediocre. It's just bugging me even moreso for the future rx7. They keep putting out these "decent" cars. Nothing that anyone really notices imo.

Are you serious? The RX-8 is simply a marvel in design and engineering. Nothing else like it on the planet.

 

[TheJohnny]

Humm, might start a for sale thread on my parts.

that hood sure does look good....

 

[RODSCALIP5]

I'm wondering if the car will be built 100% in Japan?

 

[ZoomZoomH]

most certainly it will be, no silly 'at port' turbo installs!!!

this is a 'worldwide release', not a NA-only car like the MSP

 

[AzteCypher]

I still think the AWD would be possible by swapping it in from the MS6. Granted there might be some different mounting points but I don't think it would be anything that couldn't be fixed with some braces of sorts. Of course it's all relative to how much money you want to throw at it but I don't think it's as hard as we might think. Granted I'm not an engineer but I am a day dreamer!

 

[ZoomZoomH]

you don't want MS6's awd system anyway, half-time half-ass awd....

 

[DeadGeneration]

I like it

 

[Mgkdrgn]

I believe that is the same engine that is in my MS6 ... which will bring it in at 274hp. At the weight of the 3, that will be wicked quick.

any figures on power that bad boy has?????Nice front for a BIGGER intercooler.....any word on it being AWD


Jeremy

 

[Puckpimp71]

It's unlikely that it will have the same hp, but I will say this much... Supposedly Mazda engineers have the title of "fastest FWD production car" in the bull's eye.