New to Mazda, new to Mazdas247.com

[Nowhere Man]

Good evening! My wife and I just bought our first Mazda, a Mazdaspeed3 GT. It was an easy choice, in seeking a replacement for my old VW GTI. We also considered the current GTI, Subaru Impreza WRX, and Chevrolet HHR SS. All had their strengths and weaknesses, but in the end, the MS3 was the clear winner.

Here are the requisite "home from the dealer" photos, which do not do justice to the Crystal White Pearl finish

For your reference, this is what got traded in:

Now, for the avalanche of newbie questions.

• Is the upgrade mirror (auto-dimming, compass, Homelink) easy to install yourself? I have experience with interior mods (on other cars) FWIW.
• Is it possible to replace the radio with an aftermarket unit, given how "integrated" it appears to be? (Otherwise, I'll just get Mazda's Sirius kit and iPod kit, and a Parrot handsfree kit.)
• I'm planning on getting the OEM Cold Air Intake and having it dealer-installed. This seems the only way to safeguard the warranty. Any reasons not to do this?
• Where can I find out more about adding a boost gauge?
• On my GTI, I got a hold of OEM European-market side view mirror glass, these were blue-tinted and featured outer "aspherical" sections that really eliminated blind spots. Any such animal from Mazda, anywhere in the world?
• What's the cleanest way to rig up a rear fog light? (Another easy mod on VWs.) We get some pea soup fog here sometimes!
• As our new MS3 is a daily-driver, would it be too dorky to get the OEM rear bumper guard (the two stick-on rubber pieces for the top of the rear bumper)?

That's all for now - glad to have found this site and looking forward to finding out more about this fantastic machine.

 

[SharkDiver]

Welcome...You got that tint on there fast I see,It looks great..

 

[GhostMercury]

rear bumper gaurds are awesome. look good and serve a purpose

 

[Captain KRM P5]

welcome to the forums

a few answers;
- the dealer sold cold air intake has been discontinued
- there are replacement panels available that allow for single DIN radio installs. if you have the BOSE option package you cannot mix and match OEM and aftermarket parts, you must replace all of it
- there are tons of threads on boost gauge installs, be sure to search
- the mirror install is not at all difficult

 

[Nowhere Man]

Some questions for your answers

• Seriously, no more Mazdaspeed OEM CAI? (headshake I better buy one while they still have some left!
• The GT models have Bose. Are you saying that I can't simply swap HU's? That said, can XM (not Sirius) be added cleanly to the stock system?
• Anything on those mirrors or fog light?
• Does the mirror come with installation instructions?

As for the tint, the dealer did that. Our MS3 was originally presold to someone else who also wanted the car tinted. He then backed out of the deal, so we wound up with a fresh-off-the-truck MS3 with free tint (cool)

 

[ms3kar]

It's not that the Mazdaspeed CAI has just been discontinued. They issued a stop sale on them meaning that the dealer is not allowed to sell or install them even if they have them in stock. Hopefully it will be re-released, but for now you're out of luck.

 

[jam_asian85]

IIRC, the Mazda dealersips are NOT allowed to sell or install anymore Mazdapseed CAI.

Reverse fog lights, username Haltech just did that install on his car, you can pm him.

In the european countries as well, the have this aero kit package that comes with some nice looking aero mirrors, you might be interested in that BUT I'm not sure if it comes tinted blue, sorry.

That's all I have for now. Good luck with your mods!

 

[SwampAss]

My last car was the same. I mean THE SAME. Right down to the color and wheels.

NO REGRETS.

My stock MS3 was quicker than my k04-001, FMIC, turboback, GIAC flash, CAI, and FORGE 007 BPV equipped GTI.

I put down a sweet 222whp/238ftlbs on a dyno. I've seen some stock MS3s beat that by a fair margin.

Once you start bolting on stuff....the sky is the limit.

 

[Akaveli]

welcome to your new home

 

[Sporty3]

Welcome! And great decision on your choice!

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Beautiful car man! Nice choice. You have plenty of options. Go to the mazdaspeed site and stick with all "Green" mods, you should be safe.

 

[SPEED3TYPE2]

congrats and welcome!

 

[MikeHTally]

Welcome to da group. Better guard your wallet.