What do you dislike most about your Speed 3?

[enganear]

No rattles and I like the light clutch. I did not like the stock shifter position, too far rearward, so I took it out and bent it further forward and to the left and I like it now. I do not like the effort required to keep the shifter to the right during the 5-6 shift and avoid an unintentional 5-4 shift.
-enganear

 

[rc50cal]

No rattles and I like the light clutch. I did not like the stock shifter position, too far rearward, so I took it out and bent it further forward and to the left and I like it now. I do not like the effort required to keep the shifter to the right during the 5-6 shift and avoid an unintentional 5-4 shift.
-enganear

I don't much like the effort required to make that shift either.

 

[Colleptic]

Hmmmmm…

I think Mazda might actually want to read this thread regarding the shifter/clutch/tranny complaints. Even in other forums the same issues pop up. Plus, many of the posters here who have not put the tranny as their main issue seem to say they had to get “used” to it, put up with it, or it is difficult...

I had the opportunity to drive my buddy’s 2005 Mustang GT with about 35,000km on it. What a difference in gearing and the clutching in first and second was soooo smooth and most importantly EASY! Now yes it is RWD, but still it was night-and-day regarding clutch feel, responsiveness and I could hold the gear longer under hard shifing, making it way easier to shift quickly under hard acceleration.

I also recently drove my other friend’s 2006 Mazda 3 GT with the 5 speed manual. Once again, it was so much easier to drive and shift through 1st. He let me torque it a couple times…once again, the gear seemed longer. I am not a transmission expert, but I really think our 1st gear was improperly manufactured/tuned. I bet the MS3 would be an even faster car with a mere tranny change/tweak.

 

[robsSpeed3]

Stupid (how could this get by in the second year of production - I have an 08)windshield rattle as well as loud noise from wheel compartment - brake??? when turning hard right and breaking at very slow speed bellow 5mph.

However, I only really hate the key fob bumping around the steering wheel column during normal ops. Wish it had the nice RX8 one piece key deal. Need to get a custom key chain bumper...

Auto up for the window would be nice, and the climate control can't be controlled without turning on the fan.

Still, I adore this car! Them 260+Hp under the hood make you forget all of these little annoyances.

Merry Christmas to all! (and Happy Holidays!)

 

[AeroSquid]

how else would you change the temp in the car (aka climate control) without using the fan? i don't know of any cars with radiant heating lol.

 

[sfalexi]

speaking of climate control, it does annoy me that I can't decide where the air comes from if I put it on "auto". I would prefer "auto" just takes car of the temperature and it doesn't FORCE me to output air from the defroster rather than vents, or from under the dashboard instead of a mix of two things, or whatever.

 

[Kurt07]

1. Cheap thin paint. I am getting an estimate in the spring to get the hood repainted.

2. The oil fiter. That thing is a PITA. That why I replaced it with the adapter kit from PG.

3. The service department at Lancaster Mazda. It sucks. They use a team system. You are pretty much out of luck if your "team" isn't there.

Thats all the complaints that I have.

 

[~JoJo~]

apprently the squeaking noise from the inside I am experiencing is normal for the speed3. what the heck kind of noise is it?

 

[Young Roids]

2. The oil fiter. That thing is a PITA. That why I replaced it with the adapter kit from PG.

I don't think the filter is that bad I just hate the plastic cover that needs to be removed to get to the filter.

 

[Kurt07]

I don't think the filter is that bad I just hate the plastic cover that needs to be removed to get to the filter.

What is your trick that you use to get the cover off?

 

[Young Roids]

It is seven bolts and two plastic push pins. To remove the push pins get a screwdriver an pry out the center part, that will release the push pin so the outer part will come out as well.

 

[Kurt07]

I know all of that. The black plastic cap is a PITA. The pin on oil filter is so much easier. Also I like the fact now I can prefill the filter.

 

[Young Roids]

Ok I thought you were wondering about something else. The black cap part I used one of those one size oil filter wrenches that goes on a socket. Then just a screw driver to get the O-rings off. I have heard people complain about the O-rings but they are easy to do.

 

[red6spd]

rattles/noise

I love the care but yes every car something.

1: Key banging on colum: should have a switch balde key but I put some foam pads on the steering colum cover and now no more noise.

2: Horrible squeek from cowl area when cold, but goes away when warmer outside or driven for a few miles.

3: Needs Better quaility to interior in general

4: Doesn't have a normal double din radio opening so I have a crappy fitting kit to put in a real radio.

5: No Boost gauge, but that's an easy fix

6: Absolutley nothing matters when the boost is on so who wants a quiet perfect car with no sole. If I wanted that I would have bought a Lexus.

 

[2ManyCars]

The software that controls the automatic headlights. Makes them worthless because when the sun rises, the lights stay on for 20-30 minutes and the gauges are unreadable if left that way...

 

[Mocoso]

The software that controls the automatic headlights. Makes them worthless because when the sun rises, the lights stay on for 20-30 minutes and the gauges are unreadable if left that way...

You know you can push the dim button and it will switch the gauge lighting to daytime... just an fyi... I agree the lights shouldnt stay on for 20-30 minutes afterwards tho (dont have that issue given I have the sport)

 

[2ManyCars]

You know you can push the dim button and it will switch the gauge lighting to daytime... just an fyi... I agree the lights shouldnt stay on for 20-30 minutes afterwards tho (dont have that issue given I have the sport)

Hey - I did not know that. I guess it would have helped if I had read the manual... Thanks

 

[dan1101]

speaking of climate control, it does annoy me that I can't decide where the air comes from if I put it on "auto". I would prefer "auto" just takes car of the temperature and it doesn't FORCE me to output air from the defroster rather than vents, or from under the dashboard instead of a mix of two things, or whatever.

If you push the button and the "auto" light comes on, that's totally automatic climate control, which for some reason loves to use A/C and defrost. However, the auto isn't an all-or-nothing thing. You can change the fan speed, A/C on or air distribution and all the rest remain auto. Really I like to control everything and just let the temperature stay auto. Actually I guess there really is no choice on the temperature part.

 

[speed3driver]

Get the new fuel pump from protege garage. It will let the throttle plate stay open longer and let you hold boost to a higher redline.

 

[naddie]

I hate that I have to buy NOW and can't really wait for the 8.5 Boo hoo, right?

Would have been nice to get the Gray color and MP3 playback...