Ugly 2010 killed my plan to trade on a new MS3: Where to spend my money now?

[BillTheCat]

But, it turned out, there wasn't a single thing i'd rather be driving that was worth a damn. Everything either costs too much, or isn't worth what you're paying.

That's the crux of it for me. There are cars I might rather drive, but the costs involved aren't worth it to me. And when I look at <$25k cars, there's very little excitement to be had. Said it before, and I'll say it over & over again- the MS3 is all about balance- balance of power, handling, practicality, economy and affordability. You can do better in every individual category, but not all at once.

Dunno if it was discussed here already, but this past week, Motorweek crowned its annual "Drivers' Choice Awards" winners. MZ3/MS3 were lumped into one model and awarded "Best Small Car" for 2010. Their take:

The second generation Mazda3 gets an evolutionary overhaul for both body styles, sedan and hatchback, along with a boost in power and a 10 percent hike in fuel economy. Ride and handling have also been improved, making the 3 more fun to drive than ever. Inside, the Mazda3 focuses on sportiness and practicality, especially in hatchback form. But for those in need of serious zoom-zoom, the revamped MazdaSpeed3 is the turbocharged ticket to ride. Indeed, this affordable little drivers' car series seems to have it all.

 

[///M Compact]

I have been bouncing through cars the past 5 years, and this is finally one I have a hard time getting rid of.

That's the thing; the MS3 was the first new performance car that I've bought for myself since 1995. I don't flip cars all that often so it's especially irritating to be tired of the thing in less than 2.5 years; that has NEVER happened to me before. I guess I'll unload it at Carmax ASAP and bank the money until I can find something I will enjoy driving.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

That's the thing; the MS3 was the first new performance car that I've bought for myself since 1995. I don't flip cars all that often so it's especially irritating to be tired of the thing in less than 2.5 years; that has NEVER happened to me before. I guess I'll unload it at Carmax ASAP and bank the money until I can find something I will enjoy driving.

With my past cars, i'd keep compromising things I really wanted in a car, for things I could afford. And because of that, each car i'd get, i'd be regretting something about it since day one and it was like a cancer, it'd typically eat away at me quickly.

What do you not like about the MS3? Thing I've discovered is, much of what we don't like, is changable.

I don't know if I'll ever get another turbo car again.

 

[///M Compact]

What do you not like about the MS3? Thing I've discovered is, much of what we don't like, is changable.

I don't know if I'll ever get another turbo car again.

Well, I bought the car to serve as my both my daily driver and my HPDE instructor car. After one event at less than 25K miles the LF strut blew.
I have a great dealer but it's 200 miles round trip to bring it in(the Louisville KY dealers are beyond hopeless).
Nearly all the local indie shops that deal with Japanese cars cater to the Fast and Furious ricer crowd.
The car is simply no fun to drive at 7/10ths and above.
Right now it needs front brakes, tires, and shocks- and I'm getting the CEL for insufficient EGR flow. So I'm looking at $1500-$2000 worth of repairs, even if I do most of the work myself. Add that $1500 to what Carmax offered me for the car and I'm only about $5000 away from a nice E30 or E46 M3.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Did you ever mod the car?

Well it sounds to me personally like it was the wrong car from the beginning. Every car has it's flaws. I don't know of any other practical daily driver that has combined capability on the track as well as our MS3 does.

 

[///M Compact]

Did you ever mod the car?

Well it sounds to me personally like it was the wrong car from the beginning. Every car has it's flaws. I don't know of any other practical daily driver that has combined capability on the track as well as our MS3 does.

All I did was fit a MSCAI.
I think that you are right about the MS3 being the wrong car for me. I thought that a very different type of car would be an entertaining change of pace from my usual RWD diet, but instead I'm just bored with it. Believe me, I don't enjoy taking a $12,000 hit on depreciation- but whats the point of keeping a car that you have no desire whatsoever to drive? I'm 53 years old and life's too short to spend time driving something you dislike.

 

[robin2660]

but whats the point of keeping a car that you have no desire whatsoever to drive?

taking a $12,000 hit on depreciation-

Sounds like you put too much emphasis on driving. It's <holds breath> just a car. (whistle) Think what other good things you can do with $12G.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Well, if you're in the position where you can financially make sense to trade her in and take the loss, I say go for it. I agree that life is too short. However, being someone who doesn't like to lose money, and being probably the last time I will ever buy a brand new car, I'm keeping this as long as I can.

I'd say you need a motor mount, short shifter, turbo inlet and downpipe, and you will really like this car..

 

[Jchouin1]

I traded in a 350z touring on my MS3. I can admit that rear drive was a blast, and the suspension was really dialed in on the Z, which made it effortless to drive fast. Although I can't drive sideways in the MS3 like I could in the Z, I can drive through snow! Another thing the Z couldn't do is put me back into the seat like the MS3 does. I figure roughly 3300.00 in power mods, and another 500.00 in a tuning gave me a substantially more powerful vehicle than a lot of cars out there claiming to be more prominent sports cars. In my Z, I couldn't get into a supercharger or turbo kit for 3300.00 which is what I would have needed to move as well as I do in my MS3. I don't think any one vehicle is able to satisfy all desires at once when it comes to driving, at least this is how I feel after a decade of trading cars every 2 years!

 

[Wurf]

You're bored with the speed?
Maybe what you need is something like a 2003 Mustang "Terminator" Cobra with Kenne Belle conversion and meth injection. That car will make you go pee pee in your pants. You won't be bored and it has IRS and handles pretty well.

 

[LovinMyMS3]

Add that $1500 to what Carmax offered me for the car and I'm only about $5000 away from a nice E30 or E46 M3.

And you have some kind of guarantee that there won't be any problems once you get another car. You're not going to need brakes, tires or suspension on another car during your lifetime? You sound more like a very involved troll than a automotive enthusiast. Please sell your car or at least avoid the forums, you're the biggest downer on the site. You talk about how poorly the car handles and I get guys in Ferraris wanting rides after I hang on their tails.

 

[meicalnissyen]

Let me ask, have you driven the 2010 MS3 yet? Because that will change your mind personally. It isn't "faster" with any "push you in the seat" power, but the car feels more controlled, more confidence inspiring, and the gearing feels better.

It's tough trading up for the same car basically - you really gotta love the car. If it financially made sense to trade up, I would have the first second I drove the 2010 MS3.

A lot of people have switched up for STI's and EVO's. I'd say those are significant improvements from what we have, at significantly higher prices. For a closer price to ours, you could get into a 2010 WRX but I still consider that a pretty lateral move as well. You'll only be gaining AWD which isn't an absolute must, just something to obsess over.

I'd say, it's in your best interest to wait. 2011, 2012, there are a ton of new cars coming into the market. Nothing is worth their asking prices right now. For what we paid for our cars, it's a steal. Anything else is the same price for less.

I'm considering waiting for the Focus RS (which will not be an RS basically, but more of an SVT/ST level of car for the US.) Then again, my personal needs may change and I may not be able to downgrade into a coupe like I'd personally like to. Or, I may keep my car and once it's paid, pick up a used 2003 Nissan 350z Track Edition.

+1 on the RS, ford would sell a shitload of those corvette killers.

you are right, Ford would likely screw em up on the way over the pond, but we can hope

 

[boosted1]

+1 on the RS, ford would sell a shitload of those corvette killers.

you are right, Ford would likely screw em up on the way over the pond, but we can hope

From what I have read, if a Focus RS-type vehicle makes a US appearance, it will be built in the US.

 

[///M Compact]

And you have some kind of guarantee that there won't be any problems once you get another car. You're not going to need brakes, tires or suspension on another car during your lifetime?

Of course any car I get will need repairs and other consumables, but why should I invest more money in a car that I don't like?

You sound more like a very involved troll than a automotive enthusiast. Please sell your car or at least avoid the forums, you're the biggest downer on the site.

Wow, you've got me there; I've only been an HPDE instructor for going on 14 years, and I've also managed to pick up a few autocross trophies as well. Pretty darn good for an "involved troll", huh?
And anyway, doesn't your keyboard have a "Page Down" key?

You talk about how poorly the car handles and I get guys in Ferraris wanting rides after I hang on their tails.

It must be sooo freaking cool to be you. I'm envious...(bowdown)

 

[gonerogue]

+1 on the RS, ford would sell a shitload of those corvette killers.

you are right, Ford would likely screw em up on the way over the pond, but we can hope

Focus RS is a Corvette killer? I hope you're not talking about any C5 or C6 'Vette.

I'm with ///M on this one (no pun intended) as I'll be looking for a Z4 M coupe in a year or two. Driving my friend's E46 M3 for a weekend sort of changed my perspective on what kind of car I want to be driving.

I don't need the practicality of the MS3 right now, but it's definitely a great car. So, OP, go drive different cars to really find out what you want.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I bought my MS3 with the hopes of having practicality along with speed. I was shopping Caliber SRT4's and I enjoyed how roomy those were, but wasn't sure if the shittiness was worth the asking price considering the GOBS of plastic everywhere on the car.

I immediately knew the MS3 was smaller inside, and the back seat is pretty much useless imo. It's better only for kids, and I have none (although it's definitely possible in the next 3 years). I don't want to be one of those guys who gets into a less practical vehicle, only to have to give it up because of kids and s***. So I figure, the MS3 is the safest choice.

As i've said before, the Focus RS is coming and it WILL be built in the US (Wayne, MI to be exact). But it won't be an RS, and it won't have the same power (to keep costs more competitive).

I know the Z isn't as "fast" or as much of a "thrill" with power. I'll tell you what, it handles like a freakin dream and the exhaust note alone makes me wet. I'd almost be willing to snatch up one and supercharge it. I found a 04 with 4500 miles on it for $19k and an 04 with 23k miles for $16k. Pay down the car slowly then mod it, why not? Like I said, i'm a lot less willing to mod a brand new car from now on.

But for now, the MS3 is kicking serious ass with my Cobb SRI/TIP and MSCBE. I am really enjoying the s*** out of the car. Just can't wait for it to warm up so I can put my stockers back on, and maybe install my FSB!

Not to take this off topic, but considering you guys seem to know about other cars, and cars in general, FSB? Bought it, haven't installed due to horror stories of how it ruins the car. Small sidebar discussion please?

 

[Saskatchewan17]

And you have some kind of guarantee that there won't be any problems once you get another car. You're not going to need brakes, tires or suspension on another car during your lifetime? You sound more like a very involved troll than a automotive enthusiast. Please sell your car or at least avoid the forums, you're the biggest downer on the site.

Although I don't agree that you're a troll... I agree with everything else here. If you don't like the car and want to gripe about it here is not the place to do it. This is a forum for Mazda enthusiasts who want to enjoy their cars. Every car has their problems like lovin said. I think your posts are extremely negative and I think I speak for a majority of the MS3 community when I ask you to stop posting so negatively (verging on bashing) about the car. We don't want to hear that you haven't driven the car in 3 months and only fired it up once in that time because you dread driving it and it's boring to you. Sell the car to someone who will hopefully love and appreciate it and move on to something else... might I reccomend a CPO 330i? Or newer 328i or better yet a 335i. You seem to be a big bimer nut.

 

[I`m Batman]

All I did was fit a MSCAI.
I think that you are right about the MS3 being the wrong car for me. I thought that a very different type of car would be an entertaining change of pace from my usual RWD diet, but instead I'm just bored with it. Believe me, I don't enjoy taking a $12,000 hit on depreciation- but whats the point of keeping a car that you have no desire whatsoever to drive? I'm 53 years old and life's too short to spend time driving something you dislike.

Do you even know what this car is all about? It's all about affordable bang for the buck. Name one NEW car that can perform as well as this car for this price. Name one NEW car that can handle as well as this car for this price. Name one NEW car that make as much power as this car for this price. I don't know how much you paid for your MS3. I doubt that you can get a car that can out perform a MS3 for the same price. So, I don't really know what you're complaining about.

As far as your repairs, this is a STREET car not a race car. Sure, it will perform but it's still designed for the STREETs. You can only push it so far until something breaks because it wasn't design to do what you're doing to it. If you're going to use it on the track, you will need to make proper modifications/upgrades. Take any other street cars and I'm sure you will have he same problem.

Oh and as far as loosing your money... ITS A CAR (worst investment you can make), you loose money the second you drive it off the lot. If you don't want to loose a lot of money, by a use car... then take it to the track without proper modifications and break it because it's a street car. Unless you buy a Lotus Elise or something that's somewhat designed to be used on the track. I'm sure Mazda or any other car manufacturer for that matter have something that states that they will void your warranty if you take your car to the track because it's not designed to do that. You're 53, you should know better.

 

[gonerogue]

Do you even know what this car is all about? It's all about affordable bang for the buck. Name one NEW car that can perform as well as this car for this price. Name one NEW car that can handle as well as this car for this price. Name one NEW car that make as much power as this car for this price.

Not to be a downer, but the Cobalt SS/TC. Outperforms the MS3 and it comes in cheaper. Not saying that I'd every buy one...

 

[I`m Batman]

Not to be a downer, but the Cobalt SS/TC. Outperforms the MS3 and it comes in cheaper. Not saying that I'd every buy one...

Yea, but it's ugly... and I'm sure it'll break at the track too... lol

I wanna see a new M3 for the same price as a new MS3 though...