Back in the spring of '08 I test drove several '08 MS3s before I finally settled on an '08 Civic Si coupe. I ended up trading the Civic for an '09 Accord coupe. I then traded the Accord for an '09 Mazda5 GT and gave it to my fiancee.
At the time that I was driving MS3s, they felt rough to me. Quick, but sort of cheap with rattling, a weird shifter with too long of a throw, a grossly unsettled suspension, generic steering, and outdated dash. Overall, while the car was faster in a straight line, there was no question that a really good driver could smoke an MS3 in a Civic Si with tires. Yes, I'm sure many will argue against that, but that's what I believe. The Civic Si got the nod on steering, suspension composure, overall fit and finish, and just "tightness".
Today I test drove a new '10 MS3. All I can say is that this is what the MS3 wanted to be all along. It is now a vastly better car than the Si, hands down. I like that because I always believed that the MS3 had the potential with more focus on making a SOLID car. This thing is seriously solid.
The steering is just awesome. I love it. It dramatically changes the feel of the car. The shifter, regardless of what anyone says, works way better and feels far more connected to the driver. The shifter is not as sloppy as it was. The suspension, I just cannot say enough for how solid and composed it felt. The interior is light years beyond what it was. There was not a single rattle anywhere, yet the car felt stiffer, like it would rattle worse.
Overall, I feel like the MS3 is finally what it can be. Composure and tightness for a performance car is redefined for this price segment. The bar is a lot higher now and the MS3 owns it. I'm seriously looking at getting one. Good job Mazda. You nailed it.
At the time that I was driving MS3s, they felt rough to me. Quick, but sort of cheap with rattling, a weird shifter with too long of a throw, a grossly unsettled suspension, generic steering, and outdated dash. Overall, while the car was faster in a straight line, there was no question that a really good driver could smoke an MS3 in a Civic Si with tires. Yes, I'm sure many will argue against that, but that's what I believe. The Civic Si got the nod on steering, suspension composure, overall fit and finish, and just "tightness".
Today I test drove a new '10 MS3. All I can say is that this is what the MS3 wanted to be all along. It is now a vastly better car than the Si, hands down. I like that because I always believed that the MS3 had the potential with more focus on making a SOLID car. This thing is seriously solid.
The steering is just awesome. I love it. It dramatically changes the feel of the car. The shifter, regardless of what anyone says, works way better and feels far more connected to the driver. The shifter is not as sloppy as it was. The suspension, I just cannot say enough for how solid and composed it felt. The interior is light years beyond what it was. There was not a single rattle anywhere, yet the car felt stiffer, like it would rattle worse.
Overall, I feel like the MS3 is finally what it can be. Composure and tightness for a performance car is redefined for this price segment. The bar is a lot higher now and the MS3 owns it. I'm seriously looking at getting one. Good job Mazda. You nailed it.
