Test Drove the MS3

[VTBimmer535is]

Overall, I thought it was fun. The exhaust is pretty loud for stock would probably be my only complaint.

The dealer let me drive a cosmic blue sport model, not like that makes a difference, but I wanted to drive the GT to mess around with some things.

Power seemeed nice and it reminded me a lot of my friends MSP. The ride was nice and tight and the exhaust kinda hums along on the highway.

Power was plentyful...I was at 80 in a heartbeat, kinda crazy.

Not sure about over quality, some things felt a little cheap and the salesman seemed a little cramped in the backseat.(I had a friend come with me)

After leaving the mazda dealership I was all for the MS3 like everyone says, but then i went and test drove a TSX and the new GTi and the MS3 just felt about average.

Ranking, I really like the TSX even though it wasn't as powerful, it was just gorgeous through and through. Everything was great and the manual tranny was smooth as can be. Acura really put a lot of thought into building their cars and that shows in the 28k price tag... =*(

The GTi I think i liked the best. Classy, yet still help to the its roots of a hot hatch. I wouldn't mind driving my boss around in it. (not sure if i would in the mazda)

Seems like the MS3 is aiming for a different group of drivers younger and ricier(for lack of a better adjective but you guys might see where i'm coming from)

The mazda is still in the running, but I'm gunna take a look at a 4door GTi and maybe a used WRX. But boy was the mazda fun to drive! I can see where you guys fall in love with that car instantly.(cool)

 

[fkmp5]

FWIW: i absolutely love my TSX. Silver/Blue exterior. Silver Leather Interior, with the brushed aluminum look accents. Definately doesn't feel "cheap" or average.

And it's a great ride.

 

[FlyinMSP]

I test drove a 6 speed manual GTI (3 doors, w/ 18') and, besides the engine (lovely!), I wasn't that impressed. I was happy to hop back into my MSP (a little noisier and of lower quality, but feels more connected and a lot sharper)

 

[clos561]

thats too bad when u see a ms3 pull up next to u ...your gona wish u got the ms3(screwy)

 

[Hikaru9]

thats too bad when u see a ms3 pull up next to u ...your gona wish u got the ms3(screwy)

Good point, but not everyone is a Top Fuel drag wannabe. *^_^*

 

[clos561]

not jsut the speed ..the car breaks necks...some tint if u must and a nice set of wheels.....yea your right but...tsx vs ms3? come on tsx is 6k more ..even tho its more luxury...my preference is obviously a 23k ms3 gt

 

[blue2turbo]

I was trading in an 06' Civic Si when I bought the MS3, I had test drove a GTi, MS3, Infiniti G35 Sedan, and a Nissan Sentra SE-R... instantly the SE-R was out the door, and the G35 was almost 7k more then I could spend, so it came down to the GTi and the MS3... Reason the Civic was going bye bye is because my girlfriend has a 2 year old (it was her car) and we needed more room... plus the lack of torque was super depressing...

I liked the GTi, rode great, nice amount of power for its size, little amenities here and there, but the problem was the price tag... a 4 door GTi at my local dealer was more then the MS3. The other major problem, while the car technically seats 4, if you have 4 passangers in there, you have also used up a huge majority of the hatch space, so again it wasn't going to have enough space for my needs.

Drove the MS3, the power was awesome, the handling was lacking compared to the Civic, but I am a fan of the interior on the MS3, its simple and plain, I felt too much "school boy racer" feel in the Civic. Overall for me, the MS3 had plenty of room, all the features I needed, gobs of torque (what a pleasent feeling) and decent suspension for a 4 door, ricer killing grocery getter.

 

[blue2turbo]

not jsut the speed ..the car breaks necks...some tint if u must and a nice set of wheels.....yea your right but...tsx vs ms3? come on tsx is 6k more ..even tho its more luxury...my preference is obviously a 23k ms3 gt

Perfect point, you can't really compare the 2... they are in totally different price worlds... if I was going to have 28k to spend on a car, I would be lookin towards 05' G35 Coupes, 05' EVO's or STi's, etc. I think the MS3 is a great car, not necessarily geared toward "younger, ricier" crowds, but more towards the middle class people who want power, want performance, but can't afford the high dollar 28-32k performance cars. For ~23k out the door (if you swindle the salesman) the MS3 is a hell of a deal.

 

[Hikaru9]

not jsut the speed ..the car breaks necks...some tint if u must and a nice set of wheels.....yea your right but...tsx vs ms3? come on tsx is 6k more ..even tho its more luxury...my preference is obviously a 23k ms3 gt

*note to self* - marry a chiropractor.

Yeah... TSX and MS3 are completely different animals targeted towards very different groups of people. I drove the TSX quite a lot while I had my RSX because the dealership always gave me one of those when I had my car in for service. A really sweet ride, and if Acura had something with the TSX quality/ reliability with a hatch and more power, I'd be the first one in line to get one. *^_^* (I don't really care how much it costs)

 

[clos561]

what makes u think mazda isnt reliable? mazda is the BEST car company IN THE WORLD!lol mazda cars are reliable and acura are jsut over priced and targeted to old people with big wallets

 

[Hikaru9]

what makes u think mazda isnt reliable? mazda is the BEST car company IN THE WORLD!lol mazda cars are reliable and acura are jsut over priced and targeted to old people with big wallets

I never said Mazdas were unreliable, and as the MS3 is my first Mazda, I won't know for few years.

BTW are you calling me old? -_-++

 

[Ms3InMd]

what makes u think mazda isnt reliable? mazda is the BEST car company IN THE WORLD!lol mazda cars are reliable and acura are jsut over priced and targeted to old people with big wallets

Definately true!(dance)

 

[FlyinMSP]

what makes u think mazda isnt reliable? mazda is the BEST car company IN THE WORLD!lol mazda cars are reliable and acura are jsut over priced and targeted to old people with big wallets

Ever since my 3 years old MSP has lately started to rust in front of my eyes, I'm having second thoughts about this great Mazda quality....

 

[M3_Zoom]

thats too bad when u see a ms3 pull up next to u ...your gona wish u got the ms3(screwy)

Noted! Fact: The MS3 is a "de-tuned" rocket waiting to respond to the aftermarket world and the GTI is a 4 cylinder with a turbo if you get what I'm saying. Also the 4-door GTI is only 30 pounds less in curb weight than the MS3 and it has allot less HP and torque. I think if your looking for "in your face" performance in the long run, chose no other than the MS3. If you hesitate remember they are limited and only a two year deal. The quality is great! Those saying its not, need to compare it to an equally priced car, not one that's $5000 - $10000+ more. Lastly, if your not into noises STAY AWAY from Subaru. I didn't purchase an STI for that reason. They are super fast off the line but they have more rattles and clunks than I would ever except in a daily driver. Just my .02 cents.

Check out May 07 Car & Driver

 

[Betelgeuse]

If you had 2 people in the car with you, then you really haven't felt the power of the ms3. Anyway if I had 28k to 30k to spend I'd easily skip over the overpriced, overhyped TSX or GTI for something a little higher end and a lot faster: g35 sedan (or coupe), 350Z, or possibly an STI. For the price the ms3 is unbeatable and I have to agree with the posters above that made the points on practicality and simplicity of the interior.

 

[jersey_emt]

not jsut the speed ..the car breaks necks...some tint if u must and a nice set of wheels.....yea your right but...tsx vs ms3? come on tsx is 6k more ..even tho its more luxury...my preference is obviously a 23k ms3 gt

What's wrong with a TSX?

It's an amazing car. I love them.

 

[M3_Zoom]

what makes u think mazda isnt reliable? mazda is the BEST car company IN THE WORLD!lol mazda cars are reliable and acura are jsut over priced and targeted to old people with big wallets

Let's see 2007 TOP 10 Cars:

BMW 3 Series
Chevy Corvette
Chrysler 300
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Infinity G35 Sedan
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda Mazdaspeed 3
Porsche Boxter & Cayman
Volkswagon Gti

To be compared with BMW, Corvette, Infinity and Porshe says allot about this Mazdaspeed 3. To rank in the top 10 with cars that cost 2 - 4 times as much as the Mazdaspeed 3 speaks V-O-L-U-M-E-S!!! Not to mention 3 Mazda's (MX5 Miata, Mazda 5 & Mazda3 series) were deemed in the top most reliable. Here's a quote from J.D. Power & Associates initial quality, "Yes, just like Toyota's and Honda's, Mazda's are American made and Japanese made and are as reliable as those other two car manufacturer's."

(rockon)

 

[M3_Zoom]

What's wrong with a TSX?

It's an amazing car. I love them.

Acura's are really nice but WAY over priced. A loaded TSX is in BMW 3 Series territory and BMW would certainly receive my money first. Also let's not loose sight that Acura's are Honda's best just like Lexus & Toyota and Infinity & Nissan. Again, Acura's are fantastic cars but I would chose my MS3 ten times over a TSX. It's all up to what your looking for...

 

[matsuda]

what makes u think mazda isnt reliable? mazda is the BEST car company IN THE WORLD!lol mazda cars are reliable and acura are jsut over priced and targeted to old people with big wallets

Now if only they could catch up to Kia...

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/brand-ratings/

 

[matsuda]

If you had 2 people in the car with you, then you really haven't felt the power of the ms3. Anyway if I had 28k to 30k to spend I'd easily skip over the overpriced, overhyped TSX or GTI for something a little higher end and a lot faster: g35 sedan (or coupe), 350Z, or possibly an STI. For the price the ms3 is unbeatable and I have to agree with the posters above that made the points on practicality and simplicity of the interior.

It isn't always about power. Don't you get it?

Yes the MS3 has better acceleration but there is so much more to driving (and enjoying) a car than that.