S2000 for Mazdaspeed 3?

[Baylorguy]

Hey guys,

I am new here and just want some of your input. I have owned my S2000 for a couple of months now but am really getting tired of the lack of space. It's funny - I thought I had it figured out prior to buying it, but having one as my daily driver is starting to take its toll; not to mention the cost of routine maintenance. These are not cheap cars to maintain.

Anyway, it's a 2004 S2000 with only 10,200 miles on the clock. I want to get something more practical but still very fun to drive. Though I will only be going to the track a few times a year, I will be happy in the 13's. Now...

- Do you guys thing the Mazda Speed 3 will be sold at sticker price?

- How is Mazda's reliability? Owning an RSX Type S and S2000 I have been spoiled in the reliability area, so this is obviously something that is very important to me.

- Do you think there will be basic bolt ons to be had? For instance - exhaust, intake, BOV, etc?

- Do you think insurance will be less for a MS3? I have a perfect driving record, 25 years old and good credit. I currently pay $120 a month for the S2000.

Finally, what is your overall opinion on trading an S2000 for a MSP 3?

Thanks guys

 

[1sty]

Hey guys,

I am new here and just want some of your input. I have owned my S2000 for a couple of months now but am really getting tired of the lack of space. It's funny - I thought I had it figured out prior to buying it, but having one as my daily driver is starting to take its toll; not to mention the cost of routine maintenance. These are not cheap cars to maintain.

Anyway, it's a 2004 S2000 with only 10,200 miles on the clock. I want to get something more practical but still very fun to drive. Though I will only be going to the track a few times a year, I will be happy in the 13's. Now...

- Do you guys thing the Mazda Speed 3 will be sold at sticker price?

Don't know if there is anything solid yet but I suspect~$23K

- How is Mazda's reliability? Owning an RSX Type S and S2000 I have been spoiled in the reliability area, so this is obviously something that is very important to me.

Honda/acura has better reliability hands down and this will be a first run mazda model so expect problems like all mazdaspeed models have had.

- Do you think there will be basic bolt ons to be had? For instance - exhaust, intake, BOV, etc?

If it shares common parts with the regular 3, like exuast placements atleast, then yes but it will probably take several months to a year to have a decent selection. Or if its been like other mazdaspeeds, you'll just have a sea of crap to choose from and you may never see your money again.

- Do you think insurance will be less for a MS3? I have a perfect driving record, 25 years old and good credit. I currently pay $120 a month for the S2000.

Yes. The crash ratings on the car is great. It will be less to repair/replace and it has 4 doors so you should sneak under companies radar.
Also, the mazda 3 has no where near the honda theft rate. I am very suprised you have that low of a payment. Who is your provider?

Finally, what is your overall opinion on trading an S2000 for a MSP 3?

Thanks guys

I understand your need for versatility over sprot, thats why I have my tundra. You may want to hold off on the ms3 though as 1. mazdaspeed models are usualy very late to debute. 2. They start out charging $2K over stick and end up with $2500 in rebates. If I can suggest an alternative, try digging up a P5 for private sale as a daily driver. They are as utillitarian as the MS3 but mutch better millage and you can keep the S2K. Don't bother looking at a dealer as they try to charge more for the p5 used then it sold for new.

 

[VermZ06]

Well from all the consumer reports the 3 is rock solid in terms of reliability. Right up there with honda. Toyota is having some issues with their reliability as of recently from what I hear. Regardless of the car make, as long as you treat the car right and maintain it correctly you should'nt have many issues at all.

In terms of paying msrp for the car. The dealers I have spoken to are selling the car at the same price as Mazda is advertising them for on the Mazdausa website. $22,835 for the sport and $24 and change for the GT. Many dealers tried marking up the MS6 $4K and that didn't work out very well. In fact many dealers are stuck with plenty of 2006 MS6's that you can practically steal from them. Not that the MS6 is a bad car, it's not at all, but Mazda just didn't market them the right way.

If you're looking for more room, the MS3 is the way to go. You should check out the previous issue of Sport Compact Car Magazine. They take the MS3 to the track and fit four race tires and a car jack with room to spare. Copious amounts of space for your typical driver.

As far as performance goes it's right up there with the S2K. I believe the Honda is 240 hp whereas the MS3 is 264. The big difference, however, is in the torque department. Hondas have never been known for having torquey engines and the MS3 pumps out 280 ftlbs. Caliber srt-4 will only have 260 tq. One thing to note is that the MS3 does have a torque limiter for the first couple gears which lowers boost and initially torque. Mazda did this because front drivers with that much power to the front wheels only tend to be very difficult to drive. Reveiwers say that the car pulls perfectly with very little hint of tq steer, so looks like it won't be an issue. Official number have not been recorded, but look for 13's in the quarter and 0-60 between 5.3 and 5.8 seconds.

The MS3 has revised suspension all around and body strengthened even more so than the standard 3. You even get an limited slip and traction control standard. I wouldn't be surprised if it whoops the sk2 around the track.

 

[Scott]

Hey guys,

I am new here and just want some of your input. I have owned my S2000 for a couple of months now but am really getting tired of the lack of space. It's funny - I thought I had it figured out prior to buying it, but having one as my daily driver is starting to take its toll; not to mention the cost of routine maintenance. These are not cheap cars to maintain.

Anyway, it's a 2004 S2000 with only 10,200 miles on the clock. I want to get something more practical but still very fun to drive. Though I will only be going to the track a few times a year, I will be happy in the 13's. Now...

- Do you guys thing the Mazda Speed 3 will be sold at sticker price?

- How is Mazda's reliability? Owning an RSX Type S and S2000 I have been spoiled in the reliability area, so this is obviously something that is very important to me.

- Do you think there will be basic bolt ons to be had? For instance - exhaust, intake, BOV, etc?

- Do you think insurance will be less for a MS3? I have a perfect driving record, 25 years old and good credit. I currently pay $120 a month for the S2000.

Finally, what is your overall opinion on trading an S2000 for a MSP 3?

Thanks guys

Cost of maintenance? How do you figure? The S2000 is cheap to keep running fine as long as you didn't get suckered into Honda's "suggested service plan".

And the insurance question is one you should take up with your insurance company. When I traded my Mazdaspeed Protege for my S2000, my insurance went down.

I feel you on the cargo space. But it really comes down to if you are able to adapt or not. I was able, and I love every second of having the car. Mazdaspeed cars handle nice, but it's never going to truly handle as well as the S. Most notable because it's FWD. And the combination of FWD plus relatively big power means a tougher time. So no, it's not going to whoop any s2k's around the circuit.

 

[Baylorguy]

Cost of maintenance? How do you figure? The S2000 is cheap to keep running fine as long as you didn't get suckered into Honda's "suggested service plan".

And the insurance question is one you should take up with your insurance company. When I traded my Mazdaspeed Protege for my S2000, my insurance went down.

I feel you on the cargo space. But it really comes down to if you are able to adapt or not. I was able, and I love every second of having the car. Mazdaspeed cars handle nice, but it's never going to truly handle as well as the S. Most notable because it's FWD. And the combination of FWD plus relatively big power means a tougher time. So no, it's not going to whoop any s2k's around the circuit.

You call it being "suckered" but someone like me figures Honda recommends things for a reason. The S2000 is a great car, but is not a daily driver. And I know hands down the MS3 will not beat it on a circuit course. That is where the S shines.

 

[Scott]

You could do the work yourself such as oil changes, valve adjustments, and belt tensioning and save A LOT of money.