Prospective Buyer here

[dpeat]

Hey,

I'm new on the forum. I am looking into buying one of these things. I was thinking about an Scion tC or Civic Si, but this machine seems unmatchable in value when the price is weighed.

So, any recommendations? Drawbacks? What are some of your personal experiences with it. At what rpm does the boost paste you to the back of the seat, at all? How is the interior? The transmission? Can you here the turbo spool? Do you here a blow-off when you floor it and ease up?

How about the muffler, is it loud? How does it handle?

Sorry for the deluge of questions, but I'm really interested in buying this thing.

Oh yeah, will there be a 2008 model, or will they be discontinued like other MazdaSpeed models?

Thanks,
Dpeat

 

[dread]

I assume you are talking about the speed 3 (ms3) and not a standard 3 (mz3). If so it is an Awesome car it pastes you back in the seat from 3000-5500 rpms. The interior is above average for an economy car, my buddy likes it better than his 06 g35. The tranny is ok, but rough going into second when cold, once warmed up its smooth as butter. You can not here the turbo or bov, but that can be fixed with a CAI, mazda is offering one that keeps your warranty intact. The exhaust is somewhat loud and burbly below 3000 rpm and if you floor it above that it just sounds like a jet engine. There is no droning on the highway and overall the tone is good but not as good as a g35 coupe. The handling is also above average but not as good as my 04 mazda 3 due to the extra weight. the traction and dynamic stability control help with that, especially when you floor it out of turn the car sticks to the road like its on rails. The wheels will spin through 3rd gear if you floor it. There will most likely be a 2008 model. You should look around this forum for more in depth answers to your questions and use the search function for specifics. There are also a few reviews you can find online from car and driver, motor trend and edmunds, they all love the car. Overall the ms3 blows away the scion and civic, IMO. Hope this helps and welcome to the forums

 

[MikeK]

I'm in the same boat, and am considering a Civic Si sedan in addition to the MS3. The MS3 has a lot more power, but the Civic Si, to me, has a tighter feel that reminds me a lot of my wife's RSX Type S whereas the MS3 feels a little less connected (my opinion only). I can get a loaded Si around here with Nav and everything for $22,400 which is at least $4k below a loaded MS3.

I'm about 60/40 towards the MS3 right now, but I just can't pull the trigger yet.

I'd like to hear from anyone that would like to compare the vehicles that dpeat asked about.

Mike

 

[Bakrauf]

DO you really need a loaded MS3? I bought a sport and I love it. I do not need leather, nav , and all the other junk. Power = fun. MS3 is very fun. I love everything about this car. Plus its a limited production. Why buy something that you can see everyday. I have yet to see a MS3 in my neck of the woods. I cant campare witha honda because i will never own one or drive one. But I grew up on V-8's and this is more of a car than any of them.

 

[dpeat]

I assume you are talking about the speed 3 (ms3) and not a standard 3 (mz3). If so it is an Awesome car it pastes you back in the seat from 3000-5500 rpms. The interior is above average for an economy car, my buddy likes it better than his 06 g35. The tranny is ok, but rough going into second when cold, once warmed up its smooth as butter. You can not here the turbo or bov, but that can be fixed with a CAI, mazda is offering one that keeps your warranty intact. The exhaust is somewhat loud and burbly below 3000 rpm and if you floor it above that it just sounds like a jet engine. There is no droning on the highway and overall the tone is good but not as good as a g35 coupe. The handling is also above average but not as good as my 04 mazda 3 due to the extra weight. the traction and dynamic stability control help with that, especially when you floor it out of turn the car sticks to the road like its on rails. The wheels will spin through 3rd gear if you floor it. There will most likely be a 2008 model. You should look around this forum for more in depth answers to your questions and use the search function for specifics. There are also a few reviews you can find online from car and driver, motor trend and edmunds, they all love the car. Overall the ms3 blows away the scion and civic, IMO. Hope this helps and welcome to the forums

Thanks a lot!

Yeah, I'm having in love with it more and more everyday...

I'm going for the grand touring version by the way.