MS3 Test drive

[msp35]

Well, yesterday I had to pick the g/f after work. As it turns out she works right next to Knoxville, Mazda. I decide to cruise the car lot and wouldn't you know it. They have a black Mica MS3 sitting there. We get out and start eyeing it. Of course within 20 seconds of being out of her car we are approaced by 2 salesmen. We chat for a bit then he goes to get the keys (woohoo). He procedes to open the car for us. The first thing I look @ is the engine bay....wow it's cramped. Not much room to work, but anyways she start it up, and I'm damn impressed by the sound of the exhaust. If I had to compare it to anything it sounds like the 03 VW R32. Sick deep rumble, then when you open it up it just sounds MEAN. No boost gauge but you can tell there's virtually now lag. The interior is far superior to the MSP, clutch and shifter took a second to get used to but after about 1/2 mile....I was ready to give her hell(glare) Shifting is a joy in this car as opposed to the MSPs where you gotta have a lil foreplay to get it right into gear. We find a good straight and I start to play, 1st was okay, 2nd a little more power, 3rd HOLD ON(shocked) . Once you hit 3rd gear this car just takes off. And by then I was up to traffic 5:30 pm on Monday. Afterwards we hit a few twisties and from the limited seat experience I've now had, it holds just as well as the MSP (IMO) despite the weight displacement (60/40?). Bigger tires are a must though. On the way back to the dealer I come across a fairly beaten road and it takes it like a champ. Little to no unwanted rattles/shakes/vibrations. Ths car just loves to go. I don't know how many times the tach just shot up to redline with so much ease. However there is a noticeable power drop after 5000rpms...maybe an exhaust or something will help that lil turbo breath all the way to redline.

And black is by far the sexiest color on the MS3....

 

[Donas64]

I gotta go drive one.

 

[SeanMSIII]

Well, yesterday I had to pick the g/f after work. As it turns out she works right next to Knoxville, Mazda. I decide to cruise the car lot and wouldn't you know it. They have a black Mica MS3 sitting there. We get out and start eyeing it. Of course within 20 seconds of being out of her car we are approaced by 2 salesmen. We chat for a bit then he goes to get the keys (woohoo). He procedes to open the car for us. The first thing I look @ is the engine bay....wow it's cramped. Not much room to work, but anyways she start it up, and I'm damn impressed by the sound of the exhaust. If I had to compare it to anything it sounds like the 03 VW R32. Sick deep rumble, then when you open it up it just sounds MEAN. No boost gauge but you can tell there's virtually now lag. The interior is far superior to the MSP, clutch and shifter took a second to get used to but after about 1/2 mile....I was ready to give her hell(glare) Shifting is a joy in this car as opposed to the MSPs where you gotta have a lil foreplay to get it right into gear. We find a good straight and I start to play, 1st was okay, 2nd a little more power, 3rd HOLD ON(shocked) . Once you hit 3rd gear this car just takes off. And by then I was up to traffic 5:30 pm on Monday. Afterwards we hit a few twisties and from the limited seat experience I've now had, it holds just as well as the MSP (IMO) despite the weight displacement (60/40?). Bigger tires are a must though. On the way back to the dealer I come across a fairly beaten road and it takes it like a champ. Little to no unwanted rattles/shakes/vibrations. Ths car just loves to go. I don't know how many times the tach just shot up to redline with so much ease. However there is a noticeable power drop after 5000rpms...maybe an exhaust or something will help that lil turbo breath all the way to redline.

And black is by far the sexiest color on the MS3....

That is the best in-a-nutshell review to date.

 

[CTGrey02]

LOL, Glad ya enjoyed it. That's SOOO the reason I'm ordering one and taking it off the truck, lol

 

[msp35]

One other thing worth mentioning is that the car had 88 miles on it. I thought about this after realizing that my test drive took only 4 miles. So that is atleast 20 testdrives theoritically. As soon as the sales manager came up he immediately told me 'This car is a rocket'.....so obviously they've all had their turn with that car. I told them that if it we silver, for the g/f I'd definately work out some #'s with him. They'll get 5 more throught out the next several months and atleast 2 he said would be silver.

 

[Funkycoldg]

Nice review. I am excited to see what its like in another 3weeks or so. I also really want to hear the exhaust because so many people have said something about it. I just wish somewhere around here had one or even the brochures.

Thanks again,
John G.

 

[Mazda3Driver]

Nice, thats where I bought my 3, and was waiting for them to get the speed in. Now I can drive down there and test drive it!!

 

[msp35]

Nice review. I am excited to see what its like in another 3weeks or so. I also really want to hear the exhaust because so many people have said something about it. I just wish somewhere around here had one or even the brochures.

Thanks again,
John G.

Western, PA MS3's available
http://**********************/index.php?topic=59932.0
m a z d a 3 f o r u m s . c o m

Stupid ******* forum rules

 

[jbiird317]

One other thing worth mentioning is that the car had 88 miles on it. I thought about this after realizing that my test drive took only 4 miles. So that is atleast 20 testdrives theoritically. As soon as the sales manager came up he immediately told me 'This car is a rocket'.....so obviously they've all had their turn with that car.

man, there is one reason I'm glad I pre-ordered mine.

And btw, your review of the car is dead-on, especially the sound part. When i fire it up in the garage it sounds similar to my dads v8 bmw (not quite that nice, but still, its close). Also, 3rd gear is probably the best gear on the car, 1st and 2nd seem to have a lot of torque, til u get to 3rd, then zooooooooom, you really see what the car has to offer

 

[protegeV]

I test drove one today. it was a loaded out touring model with NAV. Lemme say that thing MOVES. When I got out I looked at the sticker and they had it marked up $2K. Funny, Im sure they'll be diiscounting em by spring if the MS6 was any indication. So after the test drive we go back in and the salesman tried to introduce me to the sales manager but I just wanted to get out of there. The salesman was cool but the mgr was a dick. he acted like I had no business test driving the car because of the truck I was driving, then he tried to pressure me like I can't wait for a gunmetal one to come in becuase they are preordered 4 months in advance...uh, I don;t see the one I just test drove with 100 miles on it presold...

 

[VermZ06]

Like many others I had the privilege of test driving the new ms3. Nice fit and finish and real solid car. Just as solid as the MS6, but much better reflexes. Took the curves pretty well, but still, the car is heavier than the msp and feels like it leans a little more than the msp in the curves. Probably because the MS3 has a bit higher center of gravity. The car is FAST once you get past that torque limited first and second gear. I can understand why Mazda put that limiter in there for less wheelspin and durability, but without it this car would feel MUCH quicker through first and second. Once you hit 3rd the car rips...no doubt about it. Power comes on smooth as silk. I couldn't hear the turbo, but the exhaust sounds mean as hell with that massive pipe sticking out back. I wish the msp had exhaust like that. Nice and throaty.

Interior is on par with your standard 3. Didn't have a chance to listen to the Bose, but i'm sure it sounds nice. Seats feel nice, hug you a bit more than the msp and the embrodered seats look great. Shifter is just like the ms6's, and gets to the gates with ease. Throws were a bit longer than the msp. I thought the clutch pedal would feel a bit different than the ms6, but it's pretty damn close although it's light and catches well.

All in all it's a great package that will toast the competition. I test drove a GT model and I was surprised that there were no heated seats even in the GT model, which I thought was part of the package. I guess that was a mistake by mazda to show it on their website. IMO the gt package isn't worth the extra $$. You get no sunroof, or heated seats and the leather inserts are meehh. Xenons are cool, but they're just lights. Save a couple grand and go with the sport package.