Mazdaspeed 3

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:37 am

I noticed this is a Motor Trend mag (not sure what issue but it was a recent one. May maybe) anywayimagine a mazda 3 hatchback only with a 250hp turbocharged 4 in it (& other goodies)A 3 is what i intentionally intended to by but circumstances led me to the Vibe. I love my vibe but would drop it in a heartbeat for one of these (if I could afford it) It's coming out as an 07 model. There's not a whole lot on the net about so far. Why can't pontiac get the picture and do something like this? nevermind... it is pontiac that we're talking about here Note to self: start saving or keep dreaming*EDIT*link to some picshttp://www.fast-autos.net/vehi...eed_3/

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:58 am

yeaaaa mazdaspee 6 and 3 are awesome!!! 6 is AWD but i wouldnt mind a turbo 2.3 be a good race against my friends cobalt ss sc

SuperSpeedWagon · Post by **SuperSpeedWagon** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:07 am

Yeah they have been talking about releasing the new MazdaSpeed3 for about a year and half now its going to be sweet. It will be going head to head with subaru crazy stuff man. I would get it if I didnt have my vibe That car it going to fly man and to top it off its going to be AWD!!!! but I heard it was coming out this fall???? Well i could be wrong but its going to be a mean mutha lol

SuperSpeedWagon · Post by **SuperSpeedWagon** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:09 am

DDDDAAAAAARRRRNNNN It they changed the drive the specs from an AWD to a FWD NNNNNOOOOO sry I just read that WWWWHHHHYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! I dont want it any more it would have been way better AWD.

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:12 am

AWD or not I still want one

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:32 pm

I just put a deposit on a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3...and you can only test drive it if you put a deposit...and sale is pending test drive....let me tell you that the ride is fast man...you have to be careful on the gas...I have a vibe gt and because I have to "wait" to feel speed on my vibe...it was a huge shock as to how quick the turbo responds...it is awsome! can wait to drive it home...sale is going through by October 31/07test the car if you can... Cheers!Spyder

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:53 pm

damn your driving them already? We don't even have any yet in alaska. hopefully my co-workers at the mazda store will let me take one out for a spin with no deposite seeing as how I work for the same company... only different brand.

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:56 pm

Hey Mav. Not even the Mazda Sales reps are allow to test them out because of the power...so basically I had to put down 500bucks to test drive it. But it is very clear that sale is pending test drive since they cannot let everyone test drive a car that they only carry one or two of per dealership....next time you are in TO with your wife..we can drag her subie

high revin · Post by **high revin** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:00 pm

I've been itching to replace my Vibe Gt but just really havent found anything to compare to it for the power and convinence till now Mazda 3 here i come i just bought a mazda 5 in november last year andlove it but 155 mph with 4-doors ummm um sign me up , and the reason they didnt make an all wheel drive is for cost reasons to keep the price affordable to get into thank god dont need anymore weight to pull around, and i too considered the 3 at first before my vibe but wasnt impressed with the power! till now more torque than HP oh this sounds just like my kind of car just hope the insurance isnt to crazy take mine in Black yes plzzzz

NascarXprt · Post by **NascarXprt** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:24 pm

i was kinda un easy when they first brought them out cause i really wanted the protege 5 but they replaced them with the 3 but now the 3 has started to grow on me and since the speed 3 came out im lovin em!

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:28 pm

I love that car. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm 19 with a part time job, going to school, and have no money, I would get one. Step 1: figure out what to do with my life.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:34 pm

i'm hoping someone will have the speed 3 in Nov when i go to WA. I'm planning to finish my test drives with the Sube Spec B, Sti, and Speed 3. as long as the funds are refundable, i'll slap down $500 to make them feel better.... otherwise, give me the damn keys and let me drive the freaking car! of course, i'm taking my mom with me, so i hope she doesn't freak out! LOL

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:54 pm

Quote, originally posted by spyder Â»I just put a deposit on a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3...and you can only test drive it if you put a deposit...and sale is pending test drive....let me tell you that the ride is fast man...you have to be careful on the gas...I have a vibe gt and because I have to "wait" to feel speed on my vibe...it was a huge shock as to how quick the turbo responds...it is awsome! can wait to drive it home...sale is going through by October 31/07test the car if you can... Cheers!Spyderyou would have the advantage of due to weight, but you would still need to do some mods. according car and driver, looks like 1/4 ET is 14.4 by a prof driver. i'm consistently running 13.6's and with a TMIC should break into the low low 13's in my auto. no doubt, the speed3 is very impressive. and if you don't have any probs with the FWD VGT in winter or other road conditions, you'll probably be fine for driving the speed3. no can do here for me though. the last winter i had my vibe gt, i wasn't able to get around town much do to the icy roads and snow, plus i was driving a lot more than i used to. i have to have AWD. but like i said in another thread, the speed6 is impressive but it was a step down from my current set up. i'm looking to move forward.for the price on the speed3, you can't go wrong! if i didn't need AWD, that would be on the list of things to consider! i still want to test drive it though!

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:06 pm

Quote, originally posted by spyder Â» I had to put down 500bucks to test drive it. well when you get it you could charge 100 bucks for ppl to drive it and get your money back in no time You had better take lot's of pics when you get it!!!

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:14 am

Quote, originally posted by spyder Â»Hey Mav. Not even the Mazda Sales reps are allow to test them out because of the power...so basically I had to put down 500bucks to test drive it. But it is very clear that sale is pending test drive since they cannot let everyone test drive a car that they only carry one or two of per dealership....next time you are in TO with your wife..we can drag her subie lol only thing wrong with that is I don't see us driving her subie to Ontario.I'd show $500 as well if its refundable though I really don't see what all the "car's got to much power for casual testdrives" is about. Sounds like they are treating it like an Evo test drive, or a STi. I believe they are FWD.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:50 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»So is the MazdaSpeed 3 FWD or AWD? Or does it have an option for AWD and how much? And then I am sure the comparison of true AWD systems will come into discussion of Subaru and so forth. Yep, FWD only. they wanted to keep the cost down. I suppose they figure if you want AWD, you can move up to the Speed6 with basicly the same engine and set up, just AWD and heavier. ??? still the price isn't bad. starts about $26K i believe on the Speed6 and goes up to $34K if you want all the goodies and options.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:08 am

the mazdaspeed 3 is like 23hp less than the mazdaspeed 6 but same torq, they wouldnt want the 3 to overshadow the 6 would they but since the 3,6 and cx7 all have the same engine/turbo setup you can pretty much get the same specs when to pimp zee ride, but they are all just different weights.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:51 am

well they can't make the speed 3 faster then the speed 6. If they did they would need to make the speed 6 faster. Which btw if you read the articles is at the moment slower then an Legacy GT despite the hype. Hope and I both drove one and thought the same thing. Still a great car though. But the speed 6 will always be faster then the speed 3... just like the STi will always be faster then the WRX.

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:30 am

stupid pecking order... I imagine aftermarket can fix that tho

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:44 am

well of course it can ANO, you just need to make sure you can get that power to the ground, fwd vs awd the fwd will want to break loose those tires more, so get some sticky icky tires and some suspension upgrades, although the stock suspension might be pretty decent. In theory you should be able to have the same spec's hp/torq wise as the MS6 as its the same engine/turbo. i think its just needs a tune.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:47 am

MAZDA SPEED performance will have many parts to upgrade the speed 3 to be faster then the stock speed 6 I'm sure. They already have parts for the speed 6 as well which comes with warranty which I think is pretty cool and how it should be.

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:53 am

did they take the hp down just to do it (i.e. make it slower than the 6) or is there an actual reason behind it?

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:59 am

Well its a completely different platform if you will... a smaller car. closest I can compare it to would be an impreza to a legacy. stock for stock, the non turbo impreza has less hp then the non turbo legacy. Same with the turbo impreza... less hp then the turbo legacy. Its intentional even though the STi smokes a stock turbo legacy. The STi is their performance beast.So Mazda is probably thinking the same way. can't have a cheaper vehicle more powerful then a more expensive vehicle... kinda defeats the purpose of having a more powerful expensive vehicle in the line up.

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:05 am

I see your point but it still seems silly The 6 could be more "up scale" and demand a higher price, but still performance being the main point about these cars it's logical for them to do that.... I guess

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:19 am

well it may seem silly... but its just how they work. It would also be like GM making one of their trucks faster then their silverado SS.

high revin · Post by **high revin** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:21 am

Just called today about a Speed 3 they have one on the lot and just happens to be Black my favoraite color lol $23k and yes they are faster than the 6 and the rx-8 beleive it or not thats what automobile magazine is claming and get this from what the slaesman told me they are only making these for one year i about **** when he told me that so better hop on them soon

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:27 am

well get down there and drive it before its gone eh? Faster then a speed 6 or RX-8? that I gotta see in a heads up compare. Anything is possible but that awd turbo speed 6 is pretty fast. Well seemed fast compared to my Vibe when I drove one the other day lol.

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:33 am

that's another thing that perplexes me about mazda; why only offer these cars or a year (or so)? I know the performance market isn't the biggest but most other manufactuers have their performance versions offered every year just like a normal car. an article I read said that 5000 would be available per year. So I'm guessing they will be availabe as and 07 & 08.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:33 am

they should be making them more than 1 yr, but they will only be that cheap for the first year. this first year they arent making a ton, and they are making them cheap after that run of them i think they said they will hike the price up some.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:44 am

Maybe to feel the market out a bit and see how well they really do? You don't want to flood the market with a new build even if interest seems high. I still have my doubts about all that power to two front wheels lol

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:48 am

oh, ye of little faith in the FWD

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:12 am

Quote, originally posted by ANO_Vibe Â»oh, ye of little faith in the FWD lol I drive a front wheel drive Vibe with an intake/exhaust and unichip... I'm pushing maybe 155 HP at WOT and I can break my front wheels free/spin/hop/bounce very easily. I also autocross with that set up and it makes things interesting to say the least.I have also gotten rides in a FMIC turbo Vibe with well over 220 HP to the front wheels and though it was a quick car, struggled to get going. So my experience with powerful fwd cars just makes me skeptical when it comes to what they are claiming with the speed 3.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:31 am

well i saw on speedchannel about the mazda3 and thats where i heard the first yr production on them is cheap then they think they will bump the price up.

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:58 pm

Hey Mav. I can tell you that you are pretty close to correct with the FWD issue. The MS3 can spin/chirp the tires even in 4th. Mazda has programmed the MS3 to not give full throttle power in 1st and 2nd more because of torque steer than poor lanch. I have tried many combinations and it is pretty quick of the mark as compared to my Vibe GT with 14lbs rims (which I am trying to sell ) but once you are in 3rd HOoLLY $h!T it kicks. Prior to my vibe I had a grand prix gtp supercharged car and I always noticed the "pull" feeling in the accelleration....the MS3 beats that "pull" feeling by 50%. I will give you guys a fill review and pics when I get my car in a couple of weeks. AWD or RWD would have been better but according to Mazda....the MS3 is presently considered the fastest FWD compact production car in the world. That just gives me chills...Cheers!

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:32 pm

hellz yea MS3 is bad (removed), im still waiting on the specs/times for the srt4 caliber....it will have more HP but wonder about its 1/4 time....

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:37 pm

I don't think the caliber will beat it only cuz it is a heavier car. and as for the horse power...Mazdaspeed has a breather and exhaust for the ms3 that brings the hp to 303hp. I tried to order it for my car but the dealer here and their parts website does not list it at this time. light cars also make a difference in performance and the caliber reminds me of my Grand Prix GTP...tons of muscle in a fatass car.Cheers!Spyder

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:48 pm

remember, this is the same argument and thinking behind the S/C for the base vibe. it's not that it isn't capable of more power and tq out of the box vs a GT, but then the GT owners would scream and yell (like we did) about it. obviously, aftermarket and modifications change everything! and the speed3 is a very lightweight car in comparison, i doubt there is much turbolag. after driving the speed6 and the redline, i was disappointed in both. i hope that i will not be disappointed in the speed3 with all the hype. perhaps it's just unfair in comparison to the Evo9MR, but really... i was expecting a lot more get up and go off the line from both cars. my auto LGT kicks the speed6 (removed) with almost no modifications. and with similar numbers to the Evo, it made it that much more of a disappointment to me. i love the styling, but the performance seemed lacking to me. but again, i'm driving around a car that gets up and goes 0-60 in about 4.6 sec and running 1/4 mile times in mid 13's without much modified. once i slap on my TMIC, I'm sure it'll be even faster with faster spooling and strong top end. if only i'd gotten the 5 spd, i'd be even faster. i'm glad mazda is listening to what people want. they have the option for a FWD turbo'd vehicle and an AWD turbo'd for those who want it. it's a nice mixture and i see them doing very very well! i'm praying there is a speed3, spec B, and sti available for me to test drive next month in Seattle. someone has to have one somewhere! LOL

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:18 pm

mazdaspeed has sweet parts to buy too?! god i need to get a MS3...uh uh yessss then i can romp on my friends cobalt ss. yea im glad mazda is listening...others should follow..oh yea ford fusion 2.3Turbo 2 door should be pretty cool once its out.

isaaclud · Post by **isaaclud** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:43 pm

That Speed3 is one interesting vehicle...Edmunds.com said Mazda is only sending5000 of those over here though. That strikesme as somewhat silly. Or insanely smart, oneof the two.

high revin · Post by **high revin** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:39 pm

A Black MS3 Sure would look nice next to my new Mazda 5

Attached files

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:21 pm

This is kindof a FI question but here it goes...I read that the MS3 has a top mounted intercooler. Now, apparantly it's not neccesary for an intercooler to have alot of airflow but I'm just wondering why they didn't put a scoop on the hood. Wouldn't that have helped the IC? probly for aesthetic reasons... but I think one like on trdvibe's LGT wouldn't look that bad. The reason I ask is b/c I thought ICs had to have alot of airflow to help them work effeciently. Just being curious

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:03 am

That is a good question. Have you seen how the air is channeled in the MZS3? it actually has a wind channel in the hood to force air through the intercooler and the battery (I guess for gases from the battery) Asthetically it really does look nice but I agree with you the it seems more practical to have it right by the front grill. in the manual it says even if you do some hard driving, you only need to let the car idle for 30 seconds to allow the turbo to cool. I can't wait, I am picking up my MSZ3 in a couple of weeks!Cheers!Spyder

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:05 am

IT IS necessary to have a lot of air flow for the intercooler. that is why a FMIC is much more powerful than a TMIC. now, Mav and I test drove the Speed6 and took a look under the hood to see how they did it (we were curious). there are openings under the hood grill and the air is then directed to the TMIC. if they are using the same type of system (i'm sure they are) then the TMIC is pretty large in comparison to my stocker. however, I'll be upgrading mine to almost twice the size which will net me about 20+ hp once i retune the car. the opening for the hoodscoop on the LGT is much smaller than the front opening on the Speed6, so I imagine it allows for larger amounts and cooler amounts of air.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:08 am

let me also add, i like the "stealth" look to the Speed6 vs mine with the hood scoop. the scoop is a dead give away for the cops and they do like to pull over anything with one. even a FMIC is pretty noticeable unless you cover it up with some sort of mesh or grill. the Speed6 is very well built all around from what we could tell. That should be an indicator about how well the Speed3 will also be. I am still wanting to drive one to see how the front wheels chirp with so much power only to the front wheels.

GrayFox · Post by **GrayFox** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:34 am

so it's a subtle ram-air type thing then. thank's for the info. hey spyder, genvibe member get special considerations for test-drives, right?

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:39 am

I will have to think on that cuz the clutch is a big change from my vibe gt...the mazdaspeed3 clutch just clamps on and if you gas like I would on my vibe...I keep lighting up the traction control light on the mazda dashspyder

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:50 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»lol I drive a front wheel drive Vibe with an intake/exhaust and unichip... I'm pushing maybe 155 HP at WOT and I can break my front wheels free/spin/hop/bounce very easily. I also autocross with that set up and it makes things interesting to say the least.I have also gotten rides in a FMIC turbo Vibe with well over 220 HP to the front wheels and though it was a quick car, struggled to get going. So my experience with powerful fwd cars just makes me skeptical when it comes to what they are claiming with the speed 3.Hey Mav - It comes stock with an LSD. That would help a LOT

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:47 am

LSD would most definitely help, however I don't see it getting rid of all the wheel hop or torque steer. even when I launch my AWD I have gotten all 4 wheels to chirp. I don't have LSD but i have the Variable Torque Distribution (VTD): Quote, originally posted by Subaru.com Â»Models equipped with 5-speed automatic transmission utilize an electronically controlled variable transfer clutch in conjunction with a planetary-type center differential and a viscous-type limited-slip rear differential. Torque distribution is normally configured at a performance-oriented rear-wheel-biased 45/55 split front-to-rear. Sensors monitor parameters such as wheel slippage, throttle position and braking to help determine torque distribution and direct it to the wheels with optimum traction.as for ECM, i'm sure they will have some sort of aftermarket engine management. Mazda seems to be great at offering support that even includes a warranty.

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:58 am

Tried it. No wheel hop but there is definitely torque steer but not anymore than our vibes

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:37 am

well, that's one of the things i hated about my VGT. the torque steer was pretty bad imo. i don't have any of that in the LGT. still, i'm sure it's quite impressive. i really hope there is one in WA next month while i'm there.

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