New Mazdaspeed 3 owner

[vhayne]

I should be picking up my 08 Black Mica Speed 3 GT tonight. I splurged for the Nav option as well since I'll be using it daily.

You'll probably think this is crazy, but I'll be using it for work. I'm a copier tech, and currently drive a company truck around all day. The truck is used so it can hold all the parts we need. But we're losing the truck fleet, so I decided to go out and buy something more compact, room for parts with the seats folded down, and somewhat "peppy". I was worried a bit about wear & tear on the car, so I also upgraded the warranty.

From the test drives, this thing rocks. I've owned a few minor sporty cars in the past (Fiero GT, '90 RX-7, and 2 Talons), but nothing even compares to the power this car has. It's amazing to me.

So anyway, can't wait to get it tonight. Just thought I'd say hello.

 

[DaleNixon]

Welcome bro! (2thumbs)

Sounds like you made the perfect choice!

 

[jdm justin]

your not crazy, your lucky i think it sounds like a great car for you.

 

[mdavis]

i love my nav! It hides nicely when you shut it off and its accurate. i couldnt imagine sticking something to my windshield

also i remember reading something on here awhile back about someone saying that his local racetrack was on the nav system. which is just kinda cool

 

[mdavis]

ohh yea....welcome!! and enjoy!

 

[chief_wiggum]

Just make sure you strap down all those parts -- don't want to impale yourself while you're zoom - zoomin'!

Welcome and enjoy!

 

[DaleNixon]

Line your hatch/over rear seat area with this stuff:

Ain't nothing gonna slide around on that!

 

[AAMguy]

welcome man!

 

[blueamcat]

Congrats! Awesome car. And welcome!

 

[vhayne]

Line your hatch/over rear seat area with this stuff:

Ain't nothing gonna slide around on that!

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

Yeah, I was planning on actually cutting a piece of thin plywood down and covering it on both sides with something (not sure what yet). See, as a copier tech, we have to carry toner and stuff sometimes. I'd hate for that stuff to leak (thankfully it vaccums well) all over the back interior. I was told by another co-worker looking at the Mazda 5's that there is a "cargo mat" or something that might work well instead of plywood. I don't want more extra weight haha.

My supervisor at first seemed kindof skeptical that I could carry enough parts in this thing. But I told him it would be enough. A couple minutes later I could see what he was thinking.....his eyes sortof glazed over, and he started telling me stories of his childhood and sports cars. I believe he was considering getting a Speed as well lol. Anyway, I think this car will be alot of fun, and make the work much more enjoyable. Everyone thinks I'm nuts, but I'm sure once I make it work, they'll be following my lead. And I'm going to direct them straight to the nearest Mazda dealer.


I have a couple of questions for ya though.

I was considering getting some of the Mazdaspeed accessories, like the CAI and exhaust. But since this is for work, and I don't want a car "too" loud pulling into the businesses I need to go to, would something like the exhaust be too loud?

As for the CAI, the way I understand it.....It adds more horsepower and torque (290+ hp, 310 torque?) and can help with mileage. However, due to the sound it makes (no clue what it sounds like), you're more likely to get on the gas more so you can hear it, which lowers your mileage hehe.

So any clarification you guys can provide on those will help alot.

Thanks again.

 

[Kain]

Spray Rhino lining all up in the interior and take pics for ensuing hilarity.

 

[vhayne]

Spray Rhino lining all up in the interior and take pics for ensuing hilarity.

Haha, I want to be able to trade/sell it sometime later.

 

[mckraut]

I was told by another co-worker looking at the Mazda 5's that there is a "cargo mat" or something that might work well instead of plywood.

I think this is what you're talking about.

Bigger picture for detail

 

[vhayne]

Mckraut -- Yep, that's the cargo mat. Talked to the dealership today about it. Unfortunately, it's not big enough. I need it to extend the full length when the back seats are folded down. I have to utilize all of that space. Sucks, cause it looks nice.

 

[djthom]

Printer tech eh?
Oce? Xerox? IBM?

The speed3 will def get you out to those service calls within the SLA window!

Congrats on a fun lil car!

 

[phillyb]

congrats and welcome

 

[vhayne]

Well I just got home from picking the car up. WOW!! What alot of fun!!! This thing is insane. Need to overtake that car at the light because your lane ends 100 yards away? No problem! So much fun. I feel like i'm 17 again haha.

So my wife sends me on a couple of errands tonight, which I'm happy to do, since I get to drive more. I get stopped 2 different times by strangers asking about the car. "What is that?", "Wow that thing is beautiful!" It really makes you feel good. hehe


Now for the negatives. For some reason I was thinking the Nav system was touch-screen and had the 3D image capability. I was kindof disappointed in that (nobody within 100 miles had a speed with Nav for me to look at before-hand). But actually after using it, I'm more than happy about it. Being my first GPS system, I find it amazing! It will come in SO handy with my job.

Blemishes -- So I'm getting ready to drive off the lot, and I open the driver door. I look down, and notice this line on the door. I try to wipe it off. It doesn't come off. I start to panic, and start inspecting the whole car. I found a very faint scratch on the driver-side rear door. And in about 12 different spots on the car I found what I thought were just simply water spots. After trying to wipe them off, I realized they had a slight texture to them, and wouldn't come off. I immediately went and showed my salesman, knowing I'd never prove to them it wasn't my fault once I drove it off the lot. He got the Sales Manager involved, and now the guy that picked the car up from the other dealership is gonna get in trouble. Sorry dude.

Anyway, Monday I'm scheduled to take it in for a complete inspection looking for any blemishes and figure out what to do at that point.

Aside from all of that. Wonderfully, wonderful, beautiful car. I love it already.

 

[ZooMIN3]

Nice!! Gratz on the ride!

You got the sickest color of the bunch too! ;-)

I was never a fan of the NAV, so I didn't get it...one cost, and two; I like my TOM-TOM a lot better....its both 3d and 2d settings along with touch screen are well worth my 230...lol good stuff!!

Oh yeah, "Velcome to the club! MUAHAH!!!"

 

[MSP SuperStreet]

Welcome.
Looks like you caught ZOOM ZOOM fever!!(yippy)

 

[vhayne]

Well, I had a serious scare yesterday. Got a call from the finance manager at the dealership saying the loan we had supposedly been approved for wasn't going through because they couldn't verify my wife's income (self-employeed, working from home, web designer, paid though Paypal).

Talk about a depressing moment. Drove the car all weekend, thinking everything is fine, and the car was mine.



But later in the evening, He called me back and said everything is fine. He got another loan thank god.