SPEED3 Owners thread

I thought it might be cool to start a thread for those of us that have been lucky enough to get a "wild thang". Please feel free to post your thoughts about anything concerning the S3.

I will begin by saying that I did find a small problem with my car. I had the car about 5 days, when I noticed some scratches in the hatch glass. There are 3. 1 large, almost circular one, and 2 other smaller, more horizontal ones. I took it back to the dealer, and they are going to replace the glass. I am sure they were there when I bought the car, because it has been in my garage since the day I bought it. The few times I drove it, it was never out of my sight. Because of the window tint, it is difficult to see them on the outside. But if you open the hatch and look out, you can see them immediately.

I have looked over the paint, and it looks real good, almost flawless. I think Mazda has improved the paint from previous years, because I remember looking at an RX7 (some years ago), and all I remember is the amount of "orange peel" the paint had. My S3 is pretty slick for a factory paint job.

The paint is still weak a pebble hit my hood this morning and now I have a fning chip

Damn man! Sorry to hear that. I know it makes you sick.

I have not identified any problems yet, except that the heater fan sounded like it had a small leaf or something caught in it for a few days. Have not heard it lately, though. I have not washed it yet or spent any time really checking it out other than driving it. I'll do close to 4500 miles the first month with a trip to SC for Thanksgiving.

This car is pretty stiff, the way I want it to be, but I can't see it being the right car for lots of people. My only criticism is that I think the steering ratio is too fast. Sudden movements caused by the car just following the road can make your arm move enough to steer the car off of your planned trajectory. Driving with one hand is no longer possible where it was in the Contour SVT that this car replaces.

That said, I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoy this car! It responds instantly and powerfully to steering inputs. The brakes are some of the best out there. Recently I saw a test showing 60 to 0 in 111 feet. It's my first 4-banger ever, and my first turbo. Contrary to statements all over the place declaring that there is no turbo lag, I feel some turbo lag, so I guess those claims are made relative to other turbo cars. It's not a problem for me by any means; I just have to expect not to have the FULL power until about 1/2 or 2/3 of a second after the loud pedal goes down. Then, it's like being shot out of a cannon.



VASpeed3

Wannabe,
Thanks for starting this thread, great idea! Also, congratualations on the delivery of your new Speed3, I'm sure you are digg'n it. I recently placed an order for a true red GT w/navigation and have been told by my dealer I can expect delivery around March of 07. In the mean time, I've had the rare opportunity to take two test drives in Speed3's and each time I have been totally astonished by the cars performance...definitely the most bang for the buck on the market today. Over the course of the last few months I've read countless articles written on the Speed3 purposely looking for someone to write something bad about the car...haven't found one yet. This coupled with the two test drives I have taken as well as actual user feedback from forums like this one continues to fuel my excitement. It is a long stretch between now and March, I'm hoping my dealer is wrong and I actually take possession of my Wild Child much sooner. As this is my very first post to this group - I just registered minutes ago - I am looking forward to learning from each of you as you each take possession of your fourwheeled, turbo charged beast, as well as contributing experiences of my own.

XLR8R

Finally someone started this thread.....


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I live in central NC, and it has been cold and raining for the last few days. But today it is a BEAUTIFUL day here (64f), and I just got back from a cruise.

Each time I drive this car, I like it more. Almost impossible not to have a big smile when I feel that little monster growl. I also like the fact that they didn't make the car too flashy. You know big wings, and graphics. I like the stealth feeling. Unless somebody has researched this car, they will have no idea what a rocket it is. I work with some guys that are pretty big car buffs, but none of them knew anything about the S3 until I drove it to work.

Yes, the steering is a little "crisp", but I like it. BIG difference from my Explorer. Also, when I drive that thing now, I feel like I am pulling an anchor. LOL!! I promised myself I would only drive the S3 a couple days a week, to keep the mileage low. But that is gonna be difficult. I will certainly drive the Explorer if the weather is crappy.

Hey VA, about the turbo lag. Have you tried turning off the traction control? It does limit you quite a lot in 1st and 2nd gear. I have owned 1 turbo car before, and comparatively, this car has almost no lag.

Also, do you guys know, if is there a way to get the mods to make this thread a "sticky"?

So if you turn off the traction control you dont feel that lag, also yeah you cant really drive with one hand lol

Hey everyone...Just picked up our MS3 to add to the Mazda family...

here's more pics...

Congrats, and welcome aboard!

Knowing what I know now, I would ABSOLUTELY LOOSE MY MIND if I had to wait until March to have the car after having had a taste of it. I have to force myself not to make up reasons to run out and drive it.

I had to snap up a car that the guy who ordered it found he could not fit in comfortably. I would rather have had silver than blue, but I ain't bitchin' about it much. If you're like me, any car you drive just becomes an extension of your body -- you get nerve endings right down to the contact patch. This car to me is like the bionics they gave the 6 million dollar man..... A Camry, for example, would make me feel fat and clumsy.

ZOOMZOOM, i'll try turning off the traction control and let you know, but I feel some lag in every gear. I'm not sure if it's perception or something peculiar to my car. If you're in NC, maybe we should think about meeting up at VIR sometime next spring?

Hey everyone. I just drove home with my MS3 today. All I can say is wow! What a car. This is my first time buying a car with this much power. My only question is, does my Bose stereo have a subwoofer, and if so where the hell is it located?

Va,

Sure, we can keep in touch and plan getting together.

The only time I feel any noticable lag is if I am at a low rpm. This will always be the case, as the turbo has gotta have some speed to do it's job effectively. If you had driven just about any turbo car from a few years ago, I think you would agree that the perceivable lag in this car is very minimal.

Winter tires. Hated to do it, better safe than sorry..


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Hey guys,
Im new here, I joined because i am thinking about buying a speed3.
I am 6'6" and have not sat in one yet, do you think i will fit comfortably?

I am selling my 97 bmw m3 and the mazda is one of my choices for cars.
Other than the mazda i am looking at:
subaru sti used
vw gti new
the mazda speed3 which i mentioned, new
corvette used

Any thoughts on which is best for a nice daily driver? I sit very comfortably in the gti so that is a big plus. I dont mean to hijack this thread

You can go sit in a regular 3 and get a pretty good idea about the head and legroom. I am only 6', and I have my seat pretty much all the way back, so you might have an issue there.

Oh, 1 other thing. I too was thinking about a GTI, but I was concerned about mechanical problems. A friend at work, bought one last year, and has several problems with it. In fact, just last week, the starter just went out on it. I thought that Vdub had addressed their quality issues, but perhaps not.

hey new to this site. i had a mazda 3 sedan, and someone recently fell alseep at the wheel and totalled my car. fortunatly my shattered collarbone is recovering. anyways i am going to most likely be putting a desposit on a mazdaspeed 3 tomorrow, and am very excited. I too have not been able to find any negative reviews, and after enjoying the most basic mazda 3 possible I am pretty sure I will love the speed 3.

would be great to hear more opinions and see more pics from people that already have theirs. Also one dealership told me a lot of people are opting for the sport b/c they are mostly interested in the engine and dont care as much about the creature comforts. the way i see it is without getting the navigation, the GT is only $1500 more and it includes the bose system, leather on the seats and better headlights. seems like a very good deal to me.

Actually its 1750 but I went with the sport due to the fact that I can get HIDs in the long run, not interested in the others things.


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Here are more pics


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how much boost can this car handel safely and 1.4 mile times

Get the GT. It is well worth the extra money.

So far I have read no negative reviews about the S3. All I can say, is that I really enjoying driving the car. Every single person that I have taken for a ride, has been totally impressed. It really is a lot of car for the money.

Has anyone found/searched for perfromance parts for the MS3? I want to get one, but being an avid autoxer i know I will need stiffer dampers, better brake pads and possibly a beefier RSB. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I've spoken with Koni, Hawk, Tein, Hotchkis and AEM and no one has anything in development or planned (actually Koni specifically said they are exluding the MS3 parts from development!).

I put a deposit on a black GT today, very excited. expect to get it first week in january. only things i am thinking about doing are blacking out the wheels and putting a 12 inch sub in the back