New from Charlotte, NC.

[SkipperNC]

Hey folks, just a quick introduction thread. I bought this MS3 used from a friend who kept it in great shape, always garaged, never wrecked, etc.

It's fairly stock for now but will be modded up before long, I have several items on the way already. This car is already putting a smile on my face as I drive to work each day. Zoom Zoom.

Thanks for the ton of info I've trolled off this site already, I hope to see some of you zipping by me here in North Carolina.

-Skipper

2007 Mazdaspeed3

 

[bazooka joe]

wlecome! heading down to the hunterville area to live someday....not soon enough!

 

[SkipperNC]

I actually live in Huntersville but work up in Statesville, if you see a TR MS3 flying by, that's most likely me.

This is a -great- place to live. The climate here is awesome for 3/4 of the year, but somewhat hot during the summer. I think you'll enjoy it Joe.

 

[DreSpeed]

Welcome, what kind of mods are you planning to do with the car?

 

[SkipperNC]

I have a CAI here now to install and planned on an ECU program next week sometime. I want to do an aftermarket exhaust, but being honest here, we have emissions inspections in this state and I have no freaking clue what is legal and what is not. I'm assuming anything cat-back is okay, but that's probably not exactly correct. I'd also like to tinker a bit with brakes and suspension, but the power mods first.

Beyond that I have some minor stuff planned, or minor to me anyway: rims/tires/tint, trying to add sat radio if possible, etc.

I have to keep this street legal, and although sporty, moderately good on gas and reliability, it's a 60 mile daily driver.

 

[Kain]

My condolences re: Bobcats and Panthers.

 

[Rotus]

If you want some advice on the upgrade path, I would suggest getting a rear motor mount first. Not sure if you noticed, but the car gets a bit squirrelly in 1st and 2nd. I think there was another thread on this, but I would do RMM, Transmission mount and springs/coilovers before getting into any power mods.

BTW, welcome.

 

[SkipperNC]

My condolences re: Bobcats and Panthers.

I know ... it's bad. At least the Carolina NHL team isn't horrible, plus we are swamped with decent college basketball teams. I used to attend every Panthers game though and it's horrible having to watch them play lately.

 

[SC_Mazda3]

Welcome to the Mazda world. I work in the Mazda store in Gastonia so if you need some help or anything swing down and see me. Have a great bunch of tech that work here

 

[SkipperNC]

Thanks for the tips Rotus, you're actually the second person to make a recommendation on the motor mount. I also already have an issue with my front sway bar bushings, similar to the video in this thread. So your recommendations hit home.

A quick question for you, have you been happy with those Yellow Speed coilovers so far? That is a -no joke- expense, I would want to make sure I looked long and hard at the brand I chose for it.

 

[SkipperNC]

Welcome to the Mazda world. I work in the Mazda store in Gastonia so if you need some help or anything swing down and see me. Have a great bunch of tech that work here

Awesome! Nice to find a couple of locals here. I actually bought and drove my car up from Atlanta, I don't even know where the local shops are, nice to know you aren't far away.

 

[bazooka joe]

my daughter works in gastonia

 

[ScratchNSniff]

carolinamazdas.com

 

[SkipperNC]

carolinamazdas.com

Awesome. I just registered and will drop a hello post. This will help a ton for referrals and finding meetups.

 

[SC_Mazda3]

Awesome! Nice to find a couple of locals here. I actually bought and drove my car up from Atlanta, I don't even know where the local shops are, nice to know you aren't far away.

yeah, it's Momentum Mazda. I'm in sales but like I said we have a awesome group of techs. One has done just about anything you can think of to a mazda

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Awesome. I just registered and will drop a hello post. This will help a ton for referrals and finding meetups.

There is a meet up in Charlotte this weekend at the Cars and Coffee meet...afterwards going to Draco's grand reopening...although definitiely not a majorly active board, we post all the meets there and usually have something AT LEAST once a month...the one for April is an AutoX/Car Show in Clemson, SC...

 

[SkipperNC]

I'm coming from a long line of Hondas that I've owned so hopefully I can catch up on the things to watch for on Mazdas, especially this model (MS3).

 

[Rotus]

Hey skipper, I am very happy with the YS coils, but, like all coilovers, they are stiff. What I really like is that I emailed their rep and he emailed me back. I have no doubt that if I ever had a problem with them, Protege Garage and Yellow Speed would back them 100%.

I just drove the car this evening and got on it pretty good in 3rd gear. Pulled straight with just a hint of torque steer. You have a good group of people there in NC and if you have a chance to drive a car with stiffer motor mounts and coilovers, you should try it. The feel is direct and immediate, but you do gain a bit of NHV.

I totally understand that the coils are a big investment, that's why I waited until one of my shocks blew out. Now that I have them, I wish I would have done it sooner. You will probably get most of the same usefulness out of a set of stiffer springs with the stock dampers if you wanted to save a little money.

If you do want to do the coilvers and motor mounts, email Ken at PG and ask him for a quote on those three items. I would reco the TRZ mounts with poly bushings (I got delrin and it's just too stiff). You should be able to get all 3 items for less than $1100 shipped.

 

[SkipperNC]

yeah, it's Momentum Mazda. I'm in sales but like I said we have a awesome group of techs. One has done just about anything you can think of to a mazda

Noted! I may have to check it out.

 

[SkipperNC]

I totally understand that the coils are a big investment, that's why I waited until one of my shocks blew out. Now that I have them, I wish I would have done it sooner. You will probably get most of the same usefulness out of a set of stiffer springs with the stock dampers if you wanted to save a little money.

If you do want to do the coilvers and motor mounts, email Ken at PG and ask him for a quote on those three items. I would reco the TRZ mounts with poly bushings (I got delrin and it's just too stiff). You should be able to get all 3 items for less than $1100 shipped.

Thanks for the extended info Rotus. I bought this car used just so I could play around with it, the expense isn't horrible, it was just more than I thought for suspension. But I will definitely try to find someone that has changed theirs out to give me a comparison.