SP23 in the USA?

[Howdy]

Read this from a poster on Edmunds.com:

The special Edition MZ3 will be in production from Dec-May and will be known as the SP23. Available in the 's' sedan and 5 door.


It starts with a car with the Sport Pkg and Leather....then you add the SP23 features


1. 17'' alloys with high gloss finish
2. auto on/off headlights
3. Rain sensing front wipers
4. SP23 badging
5. Carbon Gray Mica (only avail color)
6. LED rear combo taillights (5 door only)
7. Leather seats and door panels.(saddle brown or black)
8. heated front seats
9. pollen filter for a/c
10. Bose 5000 series dig amp w/5 channels 7spkrs
11. In dash 6 disc changer
12. sirius compatible radio
13. inst panel trim inserts
14. steering wheel trim inserts


Option pkgs...
SP23 security pkg...
--ABS w/ EBD
--Dual seat mounted side airbags
--side air curtains
--TPMS
--Theft deterrent


stand alone options


Auto trans
Moonroof
Navigation

Pricing is yet unknown but probably add another $1500 or so and there you'll have it is my guess.

 

[dulog]

Interesting, but in a way disapointing. The rumors of a more powerful awd mazdaspeed version is what I was hoping to see happen, and I'd think the latter would be less likely if they were also doing this.

 

[goldwing2000]

The only things that has that I would want over the regular 5-door are the heated seats and auto headlights.

And maybe the audio stuff.

 

[protegeV]

doesnt sound like a big deal(shrug)

 

[Loose]

Ooooo...

Auto headlights, Ahhhhh.

 

[Airman Jack]

I thought the SP23 was the aussie designation for the Mazda 3 anyway?

 

[wongpres]

I thought the SP23 was the aussie designation for the Mazda 3 anyway?

Yes, it is, but this new special edition US-spec SP23 has different equipment than the Aussie-spec SP23 (it just happened MazdaUSA wanted to name it SP23 as well). It'll be interesting whether or not the US-spec SP23 special badging is the same as the SP23 badges they put on the Aussie models.

These are the badges I'm referring to. They're placed on the doors (where the 2.3 badge is placed on the N. American-spec Mazda3).

 

[RHAGEL]

I just got my new Road & Track yesterday and their sources say that the only new option for '05 model is the Sirius radio. That would be nice if they are wrong and the sp package is available. Especially the saddle brown leather and the stereo upgrade. The other stuff is pretty much useless and a waste of money.

 

[wongpres]

I just got my new Road & Track yesterday and their sources say that the only new option for '05 model is the Sirius radio. That would be nice if they are wrong and the sp package is available. Especially the saddle brown leather and the stereo upgrade. The other stuff is pretty much useless and a waste of money.

R&T are wrong, everything Howdy posted above is legit, US-spec will be getting this package. Someone I know who works on ordering systems for auto manufacturers received the SP23 spec sheet from Mazda earlier this week.

However, pricing is not known yet, exactly as Howdy says.

 

[bvmazda3]

I wonder if the audio options and the pollen filter could be retrofitted into other models... Here's to hoping! (drunk)

Then again, unless I bought someone's equipment that was upgrading, it would probably be a whole lot cheaper to just buy a/m audio stuff.

 

[RHAGEL]

R&T are wrong, everything Howdy posted above is legit, US-spec will be getting this package. Someone I know who works on ordering systems for auto manufacturers received the SP23 spec sheet from Mazda earlier this week.

However, pricing is not known yet, exactly as Howdy says.

For my sake I hope your right. I should have a new car by april/may next year and if it isnt a 6 a sp23 looks pretty good.

 

[sbxxxvipats]

so far

What I know as I'm ordering mine this week, It's priced 990 over the 3s As far as options you guys are dead on, although the Bose system has a powered subwoofer + EQ, the LED's are not availible on the 4dr (argh) , Other than that it say's it has side stills extensions, BUT I need an opinion, Should I get the Nav. system for 1750 it seems a little steep but I'm getting every other option @ this point? Dealer also says the color is a little different than the 6's steel gray. thanks

 

[wongpres]

What I know as I'm ordering mine this week, It's priced 990 over the 3s As far as options you guys are dead on, although the Bose system has a powered subwoofer + EQ, the LED's are not availible on the 4dr (argh) , Other than that it say's it has side stills extensions, BUT I need an opinion, Should I get the Nav. system for 1750 it seems a little steep but I'm getting every other option @ this point? Dealer also says the color is a little different than the 6's steel gray. thanks

The Mazda3 Carbon Grey is very dark - almost like a black.

 

[RHAGEL]

What I know as I'm ordering mine this week, It's priced 990 over the 3s As far as options you guys are dead on, although the Bose system has a powered subwoofer + EQ, the LED's are not availible on the 4dr (argh) , Other than that it say's it has side stills extensions, BUT I need an opinion, Should I get the Nav. system for 1750 it seems a little steep but I'm getting every other option @ this point? Dealer also says the color is a little different than the 6's steel gray. thanks

So you can actually order them now? Do you know how many they are goig to make?

 

[sbxxxvipats]

So you can actually order them now? Do you know how many they are goig to make?

The way my dealer talked about it, he didn't sound like there was going to be a limit to production, Although he didn't say. Thanks for letting me know how dark that color is, The brochure color looks about the same as the black mica and I was wondering if it represented the Gray Mica correctly so it sound like it does.

 

[wongpres]

The way my dealer talked about it, he didn't sound like there was going to be a limit to production, Although he didn't say. Thanks for letting me know how dark that color is, The brochure color looks about the same as the black mica and I was wondering if it represented the Gray Mica correctly so it sound like it does.

Production for the US-spec SP23 begins in November and will start reaching dealerships around the Jan timeframe. This is why the SP23 is 'late availability'.

Production-wise, this special edition isn't really limited to a set number of units - so in that respect it can be treated like any other trim. However, this SP23 trim will be modified, removed, or replaced for the '06 model year (so it's limited with respect to the '05 model year, but not the production numbers).

 

[RHAGEL]

Cool, I cant seem to find anything about the SP23 online. All of it is for the Australian version. Is there info at dealers? I am looking to buy a car in March/April so this may work out pretty well. I am worried about having a dark car though. After a few years it is going to look like s***.(mj)

 

[sbxxxvipats]

Is there info at dealers? I am looking to buy a car in March/April so this may work out pretty well. I am worried about having a dark car though. After a few years it is going to look like s***.(mj)

Not a whole lot of info out there on it, so far all I've seen is a printed brochure off the dealers computers, And why would it look so bad. If you take care of it.

 

[BETRTHNU]

doesnt sound like a big deal(shrug)

yeah nothing really that special...