Mazda speed 3
- Thread starter NEPTR
- Start date
DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Member
To the OP some valuable advice: My Mechanic and my friends dad have one so I kinda know what I'm talking about. These cars can be fun but they have 3 fatal issues:
1: They torque steer like a motherfucker. Like seriously a lot of torque steer. Like you will get wheel-spin at 70 overtaking on the highway, loose rear end grip, and go off the road torque steer (why my mechanic doesn't have one anymore)
2: Due to said torque steer, wide tires, and low ride height, they don't do snow. Don't even try.
3: Very expensive to run. They burn oil, get shitty gas mileage, and break down a lot.
My advice is check out the mazdaspeed6 all wheel drive, WRX/STI, or the Focus ST if you're set on FWD.
1: They torque steer like a motherfucker. Like seriously a lot of torque steer. Like you will get wheel-spin at 70 overtaking on the highway, loose rear end grip, and go off the road torque steer (why my mechanic doesn't have one anymore)
2: Due to said torque steer, wide tires, and low ride height, they don't do snow. Don't even try.
3: Very expensive to run. They burn oil, get shitty gas mileage, and break down a lot.
My advice is check out the mazdaspeed6 all wheel drive, WRX/STI, or the Focus ST if you're set on FWD.
El.Guapo
Active member
In the long run the gti will be more expensive to maintain because it's a euro and everything is expensive. also hard to find a manual 4 door. You can get a nice ms3 for like 8k and it's a 4 door. Just as fast as a wrx except on launches. Cheaper all around. Ford focus st is another one to look at tho
LoathesRaisins
Active member
Save more money and buy a better car.
Dragonslayer101
Member
Dont have much input, but opening day last year as we where coming down in my friends mazda 3 we decided to do some drifting in a neighborhood about .5 a mile from the base. Long story short he spun it around, front wheel hopped the curb and got stuck on the A-arm (no sidewalk as the concrete wast still being poured), back wheel slammed said curb, we were stuck for a good 3 hours.
That was also the day i tore my ACL and didnt think it was torn so i was in a lot of pain at the time
That was also the day i tore my ACL and didnt think it was torn so i was in a lot of pain at the time
trap_god_3
Member
get a subaru forester, they are great in the snow and can be found for pretty cheap with low miles on them
plyswthsqrrls
Member
honestly I find the speed3 to be a bit of a waste at this point. unless you want to wait for the 3rd gen speed to come out, which will be AWD and run better numbers (not sure anything has been released yet though). it's hardly a hot hatch now, and even fully built they aren't THAT fast. if you want to track it, then sure it's a fun car to have, a bunch of my buddies drive them, but they all wish they'd bought something with more to work with
if I were you, I'd just get a regular 3. I've driven my 2010 3 across the country and its a beast. Never had any issues with it at all. solid fuel efficiency (600km or so per tank), has enough power to make it fun, and I find the hatch to be pretty roomy. My trunk is full because of the airlift tank / compressor / management, but I still fit two people with full ski gear in very comfortably. without a useless hatch, you could load it down with 4 people + ski gear no worries
the only thing people notice with mazdas is that they rust like a motherfucker, but I guess I'm just lucky because I have no rust at all after 5 years, minus rail dust and such. they're a well built car, can't really go wrong with one
as for snow, my car handles great in ontario and bc winters, just always have snow tires and you're set.
if I were you, I'd just get a regular 3. I've driven my 2010 3 across the country and its a beast. Never had any issues with it at all. solid fuel efficiency (600km or so per tank), has enough power to make it fun, and I find the hatch to be pretty roomy. My trunk is full because of the airlift tank / compressor / management, but I still fit two people with full ski gear in very comfortably. without a useless hatch, you could load it down with 4 people + ski gear no worries
the only thing people notice with mazdas is that they rust like a motherfucker, but I guess I'm just lucky because I have no rust at all after 5 years, minus rail dust and such. they're a well built car, can't really go wrong with one
as for snow, my car handles great in ontario and bc winters, just always have snow tires and you're set.
Dragonslayer101
Member
13317911:cool_name said:
forget to put " " around drifting. I know you cant actually drift a fwd car, but with the e-brake and some snow you can at least pretend
I have a 2011 mazda 3. It's good on gas and decently comfortable, It has 90000kms on it and hasn't had a problem yet. I have a set of great winter tires on it and it works well in the winter. the rear seat can split and both sides fold down so you can fit a few pairs of skis inside. It's basic, but gets the job done.
comeatmebro
Active member
13318408:plyswthsqrrls said:
Please tell me how fully built they aren't THAT fast? Interested in your reasoning besides your gay ass buddies said so.
Anyways op, I have an 09 Mazdaspeed 3 that I've owned for 5 years now. They are an awesome car and the best bang for your buck on any of the turbo 4 cylinders out on the market right now. With winter tires it is a damn good car in the snow, I used to take mine to the mountain for years with no issues whatsoever as long as winter tires are on it.
Power wise, they're easy as hell to make good power with simple bolt ons and a tune. And fairly reliable if you keep up with general maintenance and don't beat the living piss out of it. They will destroy any of the wrx/sti fanboy cars with similar mods if you throw an e85 mix in them. And they are 10k+ cheaper.
I have a "fully built" speed at this point and I can still say it is an awesome car that I still only have $30k in and will walk c6 zo6's on the highway without issue. Seems like a decent car to work with to me....
comeatmebro
Active member
13317441:DIPED_IN_SAUCE said:
you will not get wheel spin in a stock speed3 at 70 mph, or 50mph or fucking 40mph you are an idiot.
1. My speed3 has 500whp and i have no issues holding onto the wheel and keeping it straight. Anyone complaining about torque steer on a stock speed3 is a complete pussy.
2. My speed3 has seen 4 winters with no issues whatsoever. Never got stuck once. Winter tires do wonders for almost any vehicle.
3. I average 26mpg, city/hwy combined in my speed, It burns under a quart of oil per 3000 miles (and that's with a built engine doesn't have as tight of clearances) it actually burnt less with stock motor and the only time it was down was for turbo swap and engine build.
kshaughn
Member
13318841:comeatmebro said:
There is absolutely no chance you are running 500whp on a daily driver front wheel drive car and not having serious issues. Until I see a dyno for your car, I'm not believing it. My brother used to have a 500+ hp gti. He tried to use it as a daily driver and it was a disaster- it broke at least 5 axles because there was too much torque on the car.
dispatchQ_main
Active member
13318841:comeatmebro said:
Why would you even want 500hp in a mazda speed?
plyswthsqrrls
Member
13318829:comeatmebro said:
well, instead of just saying I'm wrong, how about you post a dyno proving it? would love to see your 500whp numbers, because I have yet to see a speed push that much horsepower to the wheels.
my reasoning is that my club which has worked on this platform since 04 have all widely agreed that as far as track cars go, the speed3 lacks, as much as you would argue otherwise. I personally have never owned a speed, so I can't say from personal experience, all I can use is my club's widely held opinions.
and for the record, your "highway street races" do not qualify as proper tests.
Like I said, mazdas are great cars, they're well built and I have zero complaints. All I said was if you're looking to build a track car, there are better options out there.
Mr.Huck
Active member
13317441:DIPED_IN_SAUCE said:
I am still a big fan of sticks. We test drove the Mazda 6 this fall and it was pretty fun. Handled great. I am now on my second Mazda 5 and I love it. I have the sport model with 6 speed manual transmission. Every time I go into the dealership I beg them to send feedback to Mazda to make a Mazdaspeed 5. That car would be the shit. 6 passengers up the passes at 80MPH plus on either side in any conditions. I hope they eventually do that. I would be proud to drive around in a "Soccer Mom from Hell" vehicle.
In the mean time I am also going to keep an eye out for the Mazdaspeed 6. Have to admit that before your post, I didn't know Mazda made a speed version on the 6. I'm drooling just thinking about it. So it sounds like they haven't made one in a few years, but it is rumored that there will be a 2016 model. As long as they don't change the formula too much, it should be a great car. Upgraded interior, sport suspension, awd, manual tranny and turbo for about 24k. We test drove the VW CC and it was quick, but I think Mazda 6 suspension is tighter and more fun.
comeatmebro
Active member
13318906:plyswthsqrrls said:
lol not even going to argue with somebody who obviously knows nothing about the speed platform. this video is from 2 fuckin years ago of a speed making over 700whp. countless cars pushing way more than 500whp. do some research. nothing new, and nothing hard to do. 500 ain't shit bud. don't need to prove myself to you anyone who knows me knows it's true lol.
and to the other guy, i don't dd my car and never said i do. don't assume.
plyswthsqrrls
Member
13319194:comeatmebro said:
yeah I've seen that video... most people have seen that video. if 500whp ain't shit, why are you in here bragging about it? and I'm not sure why you're so opposed to posting your dynos, I'll be happy to acknowledge your accomplishment with your build, because 500whp really is impressive on this platform.
my original comment wasn't really taking actual "race cars" into consideration, because it sounds like OP is looking for a dd that he can take to and from the mountain, and run all year through snow. And I'll say it again, fully bolted (short of a BT swap) the speed3 is not THAT quick.
for the average autocross enthusiast, who does't want to go through a big turbo upgrade, a speed3 (while a great car) isn't the best option in my opinion. not sure why you're getting so defensive over it, no one here is saying the speed3 is a shitty car because its not. All I said was that there are better cars for autocross, and if you're not interested in autocross, then a regular 3 with a GT package should be plenty to fulfill OPs needs.
NEPTR
Member
13319343:plyswthsqrrls said:
yeah pretty spot on... i have an 07 highlander right now with like a 130k so I'm looking for something that will get me to and from the mountain in all conditions but is still fun to drive... most hatches I've looked at are fwd except the impreza but that is out of my price range, I'm looking to sell my highlander this spring for around 10k and maybe put a couple grand down on a nice hatch
plyswthsqrrls
Member
13319670:kbonr said:
if that's the case then, I'd definitely go for a regular 3, only thing you're missing out on is boost. Take the money you'll save on a speed and put it towards a roof rack with a box / ski rack, it's the one thing I wish I had.
my 3 is a blast to drive, tons of fun and zero issues. you won't be disappointed (just make sure you get the 5/6-speed manual)
plyswthsqrrls
Member
13319674:kbonr said:
my regular 3 is 6-speed, comes on the 2nd gen GT package. but there really is no replacement for boost lol, so if that's what you're after then the speed is definitely a solid economic choice as far as boosted dailys go
YoungWookiee
Member
500whp on a FWD is lame i'm sorry hahahaha! speed3's are girl cars get an evo
assatrailz
Member
Is this even a question you should obviously get a 240 Volvo wagon
Titus69
Active member
13320409:kbonr said:oh i didn't know... I'm really looking in the 10 - 15 k range though like this is a strong possibility if he still has it in the spring
God damn theyre good looking, still prefer 1st gen ms3's...unless youre all for the 2nd gen model id go for a cheaper 1st gen speed3 or even a speed6, cheaper, same hp and awd just no hatchback
SkiTheYeast
Active member
i was considering a ms3 but really wanted a wrx. so i went with a standard impreza and could be happier. i saved a shit ton of money, it still has enough power for what want it to do and it gets good mileage. id say save your pennies but thats just me.
assatrailz
Member
People in this thread need help if there hating on Volvo wagons
Mr.Huck
Active member
13319071:Mr.Huck said:
Sorry to self quote, but I was at the Mazda dealership today. Spoke with my guy who always gives me the latest inside dope. No Mazdaspeed 6 on the horizon. They are discontinuing the 5 all together and there probably won't be a new Mazdaspeed 3 until 2017. Their execs are idiots.
SapperDaddy
Member
Go with a GTI. I love mine. Never had an issue with it. Alittle expensive to take care of but well worth it. So much fun to drive too. I have an 2007 MKV. Go with the DSG transmission too its faster then the 6 speed manual.
No.Quarter
Active member
13320779:SapperDaddy said:
I now hate you