My first up-close look at an MS3

[dpeat]

Hey guys,

I just my first up close at a Red MS3 yesterday. The car is bad! I didn't test drive it, so I can only comment on how it looked.

Note: This post is for prospective buyers, like myself.

Here are some of my obsevations; The good first; bad later:
I didn't know it sat so close to the ground! This made for a mean look from the front of the car. The front body kit also reinforces the hellish look. I was just imagining what the car must look like when an unsuspecting GTI sees it through its rear view *drool*. The cockpit is very spacious. The red gaudges complement the black, leather bolstered seats to perfection. The shifter is just right; not to high up and the throw is short (compared to my Ford Focus *sigh*).

Now the bad:
If you seen members in the Engine/Performance section complaining about the rich A/F ratio, know that their protests are more than justified. The car I looked at couldn't have had more than 30 miles on it, and guess what? The exhaust pipe was black! Mazda knows its vehicle better than any of us, but why so rich? Anyway, the seats could also be improved. I saw the GT version, and the leather bolsters can't overcome the discomfort of the regular , crappy cloth. The car could use a sun/moon roof. A boost gauge is also curiosly missing among the dapper-looking pods.
That's all I can remember for now. I hope helps some of the prospective buyers out there, with regards to the cars appearanc atleast.

Derrick

 

[CTGrey02]

Not for nothing, but when was the last time your bare ass touched a leather car seat. I have leather in my mustang and I cant stand it. You slide around like crazy on them where as I always stayed planted in my focus and old probe. Making the parts you actually touch leather and the part that needs to hold you fabric was a great idea.

 

[h0rde]

I actually think the seats are quite comfy and supportive. I had leather in my RX-8 and I specifically didn't get it in my MS3 because it's more trouble than it's worth. As for the moonroof, I hear-tell it was nixed for structural rigidity reasons. I do miss having one, but I also like my cars not to be too wobbly.

 

[k-lea]

I'm not a MS3 owner, but I have been through some leather. Cloth seems to be a better idea just like CTGrey said. I slide all over the place in my leather seats and it's just not safe for those days you want to test the handling out. Also, both my Miata's have leather wear which is just nasty looking.

Leather is harder to keep looking nice. You have to buy all these different products to condition it, etc. I agree that the MS3 should have a "luxury" addition in a sense, but with a sports car, leather is not really a good idea. The MSM came in a leather and cloth seat option which was cool. Those who wanted the "quality car" would get the leather and those who didn't want to deal with it, the cloth.

As for the moonroof, totally agree. The MS3 should have been provided with one but I believe in recent discussion on this there is a bar that crosses the top that wouldn't make it possible.

The richness is Mazda, plain and simple. I believe all their turbos cars are rich stock.

 

[thaikim]

yea the first time I saw a MS3 up in person I was like "Dayum, Datz Hott Yo!" Unfortunately it takes after the rest of the 3's and doesn't seem to photograph well.

 

[dpeat]

Not for nothing, but when was the last time your bare ass touched a leather car seat. I have leather in my mustang and I cant stand it. You slide around like crazy on them where as I always stayed planted in my focus and old probe. Making the parts you actually touch leather and the part that needs to hold you fabric was a great idea.

I stand corrected; my bare ass has never touched leather car seats. LOL!

Anyway, there is no better teacher than experience, and I have never owned a such a fast car with leather seats. So you guys likely know more than I do on the issue.

The thing is though, I feel that Mazda are attempting to make people think that the MS3's seats are made up of more leather than they actually are. There is leather on the sides of the seats and on the head rests (if I remember correctly).

I agree with the you guys regarding the issues of keeping the seats in good condition; I have been looking at used cars, maybe 7 years old, with leather seats, and they look really worn out and wrinkled.

The seats aren't uncomfortable. I just thought they would be composed of more leater.

 

[dpeat]

yea the first time I saw a MS3 up in person I was like "Dayum, Datz Hott Yo!" Unfortunately it takes after the rest of the 3's and doesn't seem to photograph well.

I totally agree! On Mazda homepage (on the MS3's intro) the MS3 looks like a family car. Although I know Mazda wasn't going for the racey, Evo look, in pictures (from the front at least) the car resembles a cross-over; Too high off the ground and not agressive enough.

I guess it better this way and not the other way around, though.

 

[MadOzodi]

I have leather seats in my Mustang just like CTGrey02 does. And I, too, slide around like crazy in them. It's a combination of not the best quality leather and the fact that the SN95 Mustang seats just plain suck ass. I had leather seats in my '91 Eclipse GSX and those were damn nice and comfy. IMO, the combo of leather bolsters and cloth seating surfaces is perfect for those who want the comfort of leather and the grippiness and internal temp. reducing attributes of cloth. And full leather would make the MS3 cost too much.

2D pictures do not do the MS3 justice. It isn't until you walk around the vehicle and admire just how sexy, sultry and curvy they are. Oh yes...I'm in love!

 

[nonopr]

Bad????

What a lame opnion you have put in this post.

Hey guys,

I just my first up close at a Red MS3 yesterday. The car is bad! I didn't test drive it, so I can only comment on how it looked.

Note: This post is for prospective buyers, like myself.

Here are some of my obsevations; The good first; bad later:
I didn't know it sat so close to the ground! This made for a mean look from the front of the car. The front body kit also reinforces the hellish look. I was just imagining what the car must look like when an unsuspecting GTI sees it through its rear view *drool*. The cockpit is very spacious. The red gaudges complement the black, leather bolstered seats to perfection. The shifter is just right; not to high up and the throw is short (compared to my Ford Focus *sigh*).

Now the bad:
If you seen members in the Engine/Performance section complaining about the rich A/F ratio, know that their protests are more than justified. The car I looked at couldn't have had more than 30 miles on it, and guess what? The exhaust pipe was black! Mazda knows its vehicle better than any of us, but why so rich? Anyway, the seats could also be improved. I saw the GT version, and the leather bolsters can't overcome the discomfort of the regular , crappy cloth. The car could use a sun/moon roof. A boost gauge is also curiosly missing among the dapper-looking pods.
That's all I can remember for now. I hope helps some of the prospective buyers out there, with regards to the cars appearanc atleast.

Derrick

 

[dpeat]

What a lame opnion you have put in this post.

You're entitled to your opinion, as am I, but why be so rude about it?

Every car can be improved in some way, and the MS3 is no exception to this. I put down my observations, and the other guys responded analytically; they broke down what I wrote and replied in a constructive manner. You basically said, "Your post is lame." Can't you muster anything better than that?

If there is something that you see in any of my posts that you disagree with, quote me and write a response.

 

[TheDutchGun]

Not for nothing, but when was the last time your bare ass touched a leather car seat. I have leather in my mustang and I cant stand it. You slide around like crazy on them where as I always stayed planted in my focus and old probe. Making the parts you actually touch leather and the part that needs to hold you fabric was a great idea.

I decided to stick with cloth in my Mustang. Love it, hate leather.

 

[Vixen]

I think for the price of this car, the interior is just fine. I would not want all leather, especially with how fast I take corners. The seats are very very comfortable. I drove a Ford Escape with all leather seats for five years and the seats sucked compared to these. Yes I know, it was a Ford. Whateva.
If they added more luxury to it, it wouldn't have the same character. At least I don't think so.
I don't really care about the dirty tailpipe. Once I get behind the wheel, and push on the gas, nothing else really matters. All I know is that I get permagrin everytime I go for a drive.
Oh, and I think my MS3 is very photogenic

 

[nonopr]

Not rude.

The way you presented the opinion at first seem to me like you had found something way wrong with the car. But after I read the post. You opinion on the car was not even on the car, was about the material of the seats. I found that lame. I was not rude, I was just dissappointed with your review because it was not even a review. It was just nothing good to say or either bad.
Sorry, but it was lame.

You're entitled to your opinion, as am I, but why be so rude about it?

Every car can be improved in some way, and the MS3 is no exception to this. I put down my observations, and the other guys responded analytically; they broke down what I wrote and replied in a constructive manner. You basically said, "Your post is lame." Can't you muster anything better than that?

If there is something that you see in any of my posts that you disagree with, quote me and write a response.

 

[dpeat]

The way you presented the opinion at first seem to me like you had found something way wrong with the car. But after I read the post. You opinion on the car was not even on the car, was about the material of the seats. I found that lame. I was not rude, I was just dissappointed with your review because it was not even a review. It was just nothing good to say or either bad.
Sorry, but it was lame.

I said at the begining of the post that I didn't drive the car; So obviously this was not a complete review.

I listed the good that I saw in the car and the bad. I also critiqued more than just the seats. Did you read my entire post?

In any case other members responded to the advantages of having leather/cloth seats. I didn't comment any further, because I don't own the MS3 yet, and I don't know how it feels to slide around in leather seats.

Anyway, if saying this post is lame isn't rude, then what is? In any case you entitled your opinion and that's that.

 

[nonopr]

yeah, bye!

I said at the begining of the post that I didn't drive the car; So obviously this was not a complete review.

I listed the good that I saw in the car and the bad. I also critiqued more than just the seats. Did you read my entire post?

In any case other members responded to the advantages of having leather/cloth seats. I didn't comment any further, because I don't own the MS3 yet, and I don't know how it feels to slide around in leather seats.

Anyway, if saying this post is lame isn't rude, then what is? In any case you entitled your opinion and that's that.

 

[Newter]

Got to agree about the leather... The car I first test drove was a GT and the leather was already getting creases from people sitting on the edge of the seat. Cloth ftw.
As far as the engine burning rich, there is this thing known as the break in period. My car off the lot had 5 miles on it. And according to the trip comp was getting low 16's for average consumption. Now at 300 miles its low 18's. I suspect I should be at the est. mileage within 1500 miles.
The boost gauge isn't needed since the turbo is on lockdown by the comp. Unless you flash the comp you don't need a boost gauge... unless you really want to watch it go 14psi over and over again.

 

[TheDutchGun]

I don't understand the reason for any hostility in this thread. Some people just forget their coffee sometimes I guess.

 

[dpeat]

I don't understand the reason for any hostility in this thread. Some people just forget their coffee sometimes I guess.

(attn)

 

[maduhbee]

i'm not too fond of the front end, but then i don't hate it either. I just think they could've done a better job. In fact, i like the older style better where they had 2 lines in the front grill, and the fogs were rounded.

 

[clos561]

i prefer leather....jsut get leather wipes and wipe it down, keeps it shiny and it doesnt crazk....i dont slide arouind because the middle of the seat has meshy cloth that grips ur backk and lower body in the seat. same with the back. my tailpapie gets black after few minutes driving, its normal for a trubo car