Noob with a new car

D

dano285

Member
:
2010 MS3
Hey guys, just joined up tonight. I am far too excited to sleep as I am picking up my black mica 2010 MS3 tomorrow evening. It's getting seat heaters installed and a good detailing first. I've had heated seats in everything I've owned the past few years, can't live without it now!

This is my first new car. Just graduated last year with my BSN (nursing) degree and after paying down a ton of debt since graduation I figured it was time to treat myself to a new toy. I got a killer deal on the thing too, 1.5K under MSRP after all fees!

I'm a big electronic music fan, especially progressive house and trance. I rarely do live shows, but might do a guest spot for a friend now and again. Monthly or bi-monthly I'll crank out a mix of my own. I have posted them on other forums and people love them. Any EDM fans here?

Well that's my intro. Glad to be aboard!

And can anyone recommend a good short-throw shifter? I already know I'm going to hate it after having had short throws in my 5.0 and both SVT Focus' I've owned.
 
Yes sir, have been my entire life.

And as much, looks like I'll need a good set of winter tires as this is my DD. Apparently Blizzaks come in 18" tires, I'm surprised.
 
you should def. ditch the stock airbox but i wouldnt do anything until after your first service. if you ever take it back in for work make sure that you take off any mod cause most dealers are quick to void your warranty. from what ive heard as far as sri's go corksport is one of the best. you also could look at the cai option ive heard good things about injen and aem, or go the safe route and get the mazdaspeed cai and have it installed by the dealer. they dont a very good argument when it comes to voiding a warranty when its their product installed my their guys lol
 
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Welcome, and somewhat agree with what is above. I did discuss the rejection of warranty claims with the dealer and what would/would not be securitized. I was safe before the turbo and after the cat, I have added a CS SRI and TIP. I looked at the CAI but if you do your homework, the temperature differential is minimal. I was more concerned with high water in Houston, hydrolock, than a couple of degrees on the inlet.

I would give serious thought to a change of the RMM and shifter bushings, these are small items that will help you fell the car.

As a note, the dealer cannot void a warranty, they may reject a warranty claim, the dealer must also prove that any aftermarket parts have caused the issue to reject the claim. The following is helpful to understand some issue, http://www.me-mag.com/Upload/magmoss.pdf.

Happy Modding and enjoy the car, I am

Z
 
Congrats on your new car!

Since you are in the market for some winter rubber I'd suggest dropping down a size or two.

17" will allow you to run a narrower tire thru the snow and will cost less than an 18" snow.

16" will decrease both width and cost more than 17". I would double and then triple check wheel fitment if you go this route. I know the 1g MS3's could run a 16" wheel but offset was key for clearing the front calipers.
 
Wahoo...another RN! Congrats on the new ride and the new degree. I've been a nurse for 30 years in the area of Cardiac Surgery. My Mazda 3 is the first Mazda I have owned. Loving it!
 
Well I tossed a few bucks at the DDM Slim Ballast HID Kit (35W, 5000K). The DDM's were a steal at $50 shipped. They are apparently slow with shipping, but I won't be installing them until after my first service (good point man). I figure after the first service I can do my own oil changes and rotations, unless changing oil on this car is some PITA I'm unaware of.

Also picked up some Hoen Endurance fogs. I had them on my old SVT and loved them, very good output and a nice clean yellow. I have the Hoen Xenonmatch bulbs in my '06 Focus that I ordered by accident, it's the same order page and I must have been tired, but the light output from them is pretty blah compared to the Endurance bulbs.

CTt3P5 said:
Congrats on your new car!

Since you are in the market for some winter rubber I'd suggest dropping down a size or two.

17" will allow you to run a narrower tire thru the snow and will cost less than an 18" snow.

16" will decrease both width and cost more than 17". I would double and then triple check wheel fitment if you go this route. I know the 1g MS3's could run a 16" wheel but offset was key for clearing the front calipers.
Click to expand...

I agree. 18" Blizzaks are priced out of this world, and there's no give to the tiny sidewall. 16's would be ideal, but who knows on the clearance. I've got a few months to do research on that still.

mtwedt said:
Wahoo...another RN! Congrats on the new ride and the new degree. I've been a nurse for 30 years in the area of Cardiac Surgery. My Mazda 3 is the first Mazda I have owned. Loving it!
Click to expand...

Medical ICU here. Still looking at going back, I've taken my post-Bach prereqs for either program, but it's either going to be ACNP or CRNA. Definitely want to get it done before I'm 30 with kids and a house and zero free time or money.
 
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CorkSport-Chris said:
Congrats on the new car. Let me know if you have any questions on any of the mods you want to get done.
www.corksport.com
Click to expand...

I'll definitely be in touch sometime! Like mentioned above, I'm just going to sit by until after the first service and get a little more research done. I'm thinking of the SRI and airbox at this time. Any recommendations to accompany those modifications?
 
You can also look to add the Mazdaspeed CAI. I kept the one I had on my 07 MS3 and had it switched over to the gen2. No warranty concerns since any MZ dealer will install without issues. IT's covered! I am running 18" Blizzaks for the winters on the 07 MS3 rims and had no issues with them last winter. I think I paid $120 per tire, which isn't that bad for 18s.
 
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