Strut Bars Or coil overs

[FinalResort]

Hey everyone i just got a mazda 3 GT 2006 :] I love it but the suspension is a little loose compared to my Protege 5 i had what would yall suggest to Tighten it up a little. I dont have a ton of money but i dont mind saving some to get what would help the most? And if i go with the strut bars Should i go Gt Spec or Auto Exe? Thanks i did a little searching but thought i would go ahead and ask.

 

[fatti03msp]

from what i have heard, a strut bar really doesn't do much for the 3 since the strut mounts are so close to the firewall. So a strut bar is mainly a show piece.

look into picking up speed3 sways and saving up for some coilovers. Im currently using BC coils on my msp and i love them and they are about a grand shipped.

but the sways will be relatively cheap and stiffen up the suspension and the coils will be finishing touch. If you do a strut and spring combo make sure you pick up set of camber arms cause im pretty sure you will more negative camber then needed and your tires will wear very unevenly, not sure if BC have rear camber plates so you still might need them if you get coils.

but again i dont own a 3, i just have worked on a few of my buddies with them and have learned a thing a two.

grats on the purchase.

 

[FinalResort]

Thanks man for the advice! I will defently be looking at that for sure! cant wait to start moddin

 

[shaggylemur]

i ordered the hotchkins sway bars and i almost have no body roll
BC coilovers just got ordered!!

 

[thunder]

I have a strut bar (got it cheap) that I've used on my previous GT and re-installed on my new 2010 GT as well. It does make a difference. Not a huge one, but it tigthtens up a bit the front and makes steering even more precise. The Vibrant are inexpensive, so is the Corksports I think. If you can find one cheap, gor for it. It's a small improvement, but an improvement nonetheless and it takes minutes to install

 

[Stames]

Hotchkiss anti-sways and BC Coilovers are the way to go. If you want to pony up a little more and get the Inverted, you'll have better handling than the BR type. The only downside to the inverted is you have to change the Damper under the car. If you go BR, get the extenders so you don't have to pull out the back seats to adjust it.

IMO, BR is sufficient for the 3.