RE: Mazda3 Speed

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RE: Mazda3 Speed

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RE: Mazda3 Speed - 11/5/2006 8:24:11 PM

zoomzoomwannabe

Posts: 237
Joined: 10/2/2006
Status: offline

I am STILL waiting on my Speed3 to come in. Hope this gets the thread back on track

(in reply to mazda guy)

Post #: 41

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 11/22/2006 5:00:16 PM

VASpeed3

Posts: 85
Joined: 11/21/2006
Status: offline

If the skidpad numbers are similar for the MS3 and the new GT, which would do better in the slalom? Recently I also read the MS3 brakes 60 to 0 in 111 feet. Very few cars of any kind can do that.

I sure hope the new Mustang handles a lot better than the last gen. I test drove a GT in November of 2004. Wonderful V8 sound -- I've laways loved the way FORD makes the Mustang sound. But the handling was not inspiring to me at all. It had good grip, but responsiveness felt sloppy compared to my Contour SVT; the whole package felt clunky.

sstlaure, I'm glad to see a Ford engineer on this board. I wish you guys made a version of the Fusion that moved like the MS3. My MS3 replaces one of the first Contour SVT's built. I bought it new, and it now has 275,000 miles on it. I dont let anyone tell me American cars don't last.

Also, (I hope you see this and reply) what's up with the window sticker showing 95% Japanese content, but the brakes come from Volvo (I saw "FoMoCo" inside the front rotors when it was on the rack last weekend), and the platform is Volvo/Ford? Is it the S40 chassis, just stamped out in Hiroshima?

Regards,

VASpeed3

(in reply to zoomzoomwannabe)

Post #: 42

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 11/22/2006 8:19:46 PM

sstlaure

Posts: 2364
Joined: 11/28/2005
Status: online

I believe the Speed3 is manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan, as are all Mazda3's. In some cases there are components shared across platforms (Ford/Volvo/Mazda) and those would most likely get the FoMoCo branding regardless of where they are manufactured. We require our suppliers to put that branding into the tooling to avoid them using the tooling we paid for to make aftermarket parts for their profit. Sometimes parts are produced in one place and sent to multiple plants, sometimes they are made all over the world. Just depends on the situation.

There is some commonality between the Mazda3, Volvo S/V40, and I believe Euro Focus chassis, but they aren't identical. Sheetmetal is locally produced and assembled for each market based on a ton of different factors (import/export fees, currency rate exchanges, labor rates, etc.)

This year the Lincoln MKZ (Formerly Zephyr, platform mate with the Fusion) gets AWD and a 263hp 3.5L V6. Performance should be around that of the Speed6. I'm pretty sure the Fusion/Milan got AWD with the 07MY, but I'm not sure if they got the new engine.

FYI...The Fusion/Milan/Zephyr was called a best buy and scored higher in this years Consumer Reports magazine than both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. That is HUGE as CR tends to be incredibly anti-American Mfg.

(in reply to VASpeed3)

Post #: 43

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 11/24/2006 12:49:15 AM

Nor_3_Cal

Posts: 27
Joined: 11/20/2006
Status: offline

I believe in the back of Car & Driver under Car Test Digest it claims the MS6 at 5.4 0-60...Motortrend also claimed that number...That's with the traction off...I also believe they said the same for the MS3...They are testing with traction on which is slowing it down...But they also said that it's hard to launch with that off...

(in reply to sstlaure)

Post #: 44

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 11/24/2006 12:54:23 AM

Nor_3_Cal

Posts: 27
Joined: 11/20/2006
Status: offline

Has anyone sat in the new Stang or even the older ones...UGH...Well hello plastic...I like waterfalls of plastic don't you...

< Message edited by Nor_3_Cal -- 11/24/2006 12:55:10 AM >

(in reply to Nor_3_Cal)

Post #: 45

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 11/27/2006 12:34:08 PM

sstlaure

Posts: 2364
Joined: 11/28/2005
Status: online

The interior of your beloved Speed3 is made of the exact same materials. Polypropylene (PP) and Acetyl Butyl Styrene (ABS) As are all vehicle interiors across all brands these days.

Oh yeah, and those silver panels across the middle of the dash on the new Mustang are real aluminum, not plastic.

(in reply to Nor_3_Cal)

Post #: 46

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 7/4/2008 2:17:47 PM

Sky1

Posts: 1
Joined: 7/4/2008
Status: offline

There will always be a car on the road faster no matter what you are driving.

It''s not always about street racing.

(in reply to zoomzoomwannabe)

Post #: 47

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 7/4/2008 2:54:11 PM

virgin1

Posts: 5201
Joined: 3/15/2007
Status: offline

Here, here!!
And welcome Sky1!!
Are you a pilot also?

I personally make no bones about my NA 3. It''s fun to drive, gets good mileage, but when a V8 comes up next to me and wants to play... he''s playing alone.

I KNOW when I''m out-classed.

Also, and for the record, I only play on clear roads and only to the speed limit, or +10 at the most.

_____________________________

"There is no tool you can buy that will replace experience." - Josh Mills, C.K.DeLuxe

(in reply to Sky1)

Post #: 48

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 7/8/2008 10:36:24 AM

Grady

Posts: 2
Joined: 7/8/2008
Status: offline

Interesting thread, as a owner of both a 2 month old 08 Mustang Bullitt and a 5 day old 08 1/2 Speed 3. I have to give the nod to the Mazda on the fun-2-drive scale.

Actually my Son is buying the Bullitt, but it is in my garage, and I have put more than a few miles on it or in it. They are both GREAT cars. But each have their own category. They will both make you smile

And by the seat of the pants meter, they are both close in performance, I think the Mustang will pull ahead in a true race, but the Mazda seems easier to whip around in, very nimble.

_____________________________

08 White Speed 3
08 Green Bullitt
02 Yellow Protege5

(in reply to virgin1)

Post #: 49

RE: Mazda3 Speed - 7/8/2008 11:45:02 AM

wineye

Posts: 251
Joined: 9/10/2007
Status: offline

well, i dont'' own either, so i''ll comment from a road side observer''s perspective......MS3 is MS3, and Mustang is Mustang.
even if MS3 could do 0-60 in 5 seconds or less, it''s still a MS3. the two cars represent different things....prestige, image, of their owners (if you see it that way). Mechnical merit is one thing, perception (or sentimental merit) is another, and we all know perception is reality, isn''t it. if i had a mustang, i would not trade with MS3, no matter how fast it does in 0-60, or in 1/4 mile, etc etc......

(in reply to virgin1)

Post #: 50