Will I be disapointed?

[Pizooper]

Hey all, whats up?
I've been lurking here for a while trying to learn all bout the speed 3. I have had a test drive and I really like the amount of acceleration but was not able to really test the handling.

My dd is a '90 miata with a few suspension mods(Flyin miata springs,kyb agx shocks(set on 8)and flyin miata syay bars)but no preformance mods other than a bump in timing to 14.

I'm looking to add the speed 3 as my dd and save the Miata for the track.
What do y'all think? will I have to mod the heck out of the suspension to get the handling I'm used to? Did I say I really liked the acceleration of the speed 3?

Thanks.L8rssssssssss

 

[Captain KRM P5]

similarly modified, a front wheel drive mazdaspeed3 will never handle as well as a rear wheel drive first generation miata. people here can flame me all they want, they'll still be wrong

mazdaspeed3s handle well stock. with springs or coilovers as well as swaybars they handle even more superb. i have a miata and regular access to a mazdaspeed miata. with good suspension work, those cars are slot cars, period. i have no complaints about the MS3, it is what it is and its good at that. but its a heavier FWD car and mod for mod the miata will handle better. lighter, better balanced, RWD and purpose built.

i don't think, as a daily driver, you will be let down. its a fun car, a fast car. accept it at face value and then modify it

 

[BillTheCat]

Ken summed it up nicely. The only car that I have ever driven that compared to my '90 MIata for handling is the '05 MINI Cooper S I just traded for my MS3.

The handling of the MS3 is not quite as responsive out of the box as a stock MCS, but it's not that far behind. With a few easy mods, I suspect it will be a lot of fun to toss thru the twisties at Deal's Gap.

Only been in the MS3 for 2 weeks now, but I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed with its handling as a daily driver.

 

[intak3_bLkMs3]

i think the ms3 handles pretty damn well in its class.. my friend had a s2k no comparison to that but yeah rwd track car vs a fwd fun car? of course its not gonna handle as well but its definetly fun

 

[lestat13]

My Integra handled really well and for a while I thought the MS3 felt more like a minivan, albeit on rails. I drove a bunch of my friends cars this weekend and then got back into my speed3.... it does handle SUPERBLY compared to most of the other cars I drove. I think maybe I am just so used to the speed3 by not sometimes you can lose perspective......

 

[mr_mazda329]

You will not be disapointed in the handling in the MS3. I too have a miata that is now mainly a track/weekend car. The MS3 is a great DD with great acceleration and handles pretty well for a FWD car. One thing is for sure, mazda definately does their homework on suspension/handling and driver feel on all their cars.

 

[Pizooper]

Thanks for the reply's all...

I guess I'm not looking for the speed 3 to mimic the Miata's handling but to be great at being a Mazdaspeed 3. Does that make sense?

In looking for a new car I've driven the S2000,350Z,Z4,MX5 Miata and the Mazdaspeed 3. I know the Speed 3 doesn't really fit with the rest of the Roadsters but for some reason I'm drawn to it.

Man do I wish Mazda would put the Speed 3 turbo and engine setup in the MX5. What a ride! Maybe for 2010??

Thanks again

 

[strytnyne]

i doubt you will be anywhere close to disappointed to the least bit

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Thanks for the reply's all...

I guess I'm not looking for the speed 3 to mimic the Miata's handling but to be great at being a Mazdaspeed 3. Does that make sense?

you will be happy

Man do I wish Mazda would put the Speed 3 turbo and engine setup in the MX5. What a ride! Maybe for 2010??

Thanks again

this idea was floated then quickly nixed due to clearance issues

 

[coololddude]

i traded in a 2006 MX5 for my MS3. other than tight twistys, a MX5 can forget about me going on his kill list!!

 

[ZooMIN3]

You will be disappointed...

disappointed because your miata will just sit there, and collect dust no matter what you say about tracking the miata....that car will not see anymore TLC because you'll have forgotten it, and disowned it all because the MS3 has gotten your full attention.....

in that case, give me your miata... =)

you'll definitely have a blast in the MS3!!!! Go for it!

 

[Nismothecat]

Thanks for the reply's all...

I guess I'm not looking for the speed 3 to mimic the Miata's handling but to be great at being a Mazdaspeed 3. Does that make sense?

In looking for a new car I've driven the S2000,350Z,Z4,MX5 Miata and the Mazdaspeed 3. I know the Speed 3 doesn't really fit with the rest of the Roadsters but for some reason I'm drawn to it.

Man do I wish Mazda would put the Speed 3 turbo and engine setup in the MX5. What a ride! Maybe for 2010??

Thanks again

i went out looking for cars and test drove an S2k, 05 GTO, and the MS3 i went home in an MS3. on paper the MS3 seems to be the worst but it felt so much better than the GTO and the S2k isnt very practical (although it was very nice). in all im happy i chose what i did.

 

[Iceman24]

I don't see how you can be "disappointed" with the handling of a stock MS3. Although the handling won't be as good and your miata (taking everyones advice, never driven one), the whole point of your 3 is to be a daily driver so its irrelevant if it handles as good as your miata. What it is, is an incredibly well handling FWD hot hatch who's handling characteristics have been raved about by every car magazine since its inception. Its no secret that it has taken other car companies over 3 years to produce anything in the category that is (arguably) as good. On this front, you will not be disappointed.