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MazdaSpeed3: Styling Impressions

548 messages,  Last post on Aug 08, 2007 at 5:21 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Hatchback


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#438 of 548
Re: Komparisons of the Kompetition: Kudos & Knives [seanwms6] by aviboy97
Sep 12, 2006 (11:53 am)
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 12, 2006 10:04 am)

But it's a lot like the Motor Trend (?) review of the MS6 where the numbers show the MS6 to be 1 or 2 in the comparo and then they dismiss and put it in 4th/5th because they didn't like the interior. Very subjective and to taken with a grain of salt.
 
Ahhh, I remember that article, and the fiery debate in the MS6 thread. M/T also said the TSX and Accord V6 sedan handled better then the MS6, and the Jetta GLI came in first?. I'm wondering if they even drove the MS6!
#439 of 548
When Not to be Passionate ... [seanwms6] by autonomous
Sep 12, 2006 (1:23 pm)
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 11, 2006 6:09 pm)

I think the reviewers were consciously or otherwise biased against Mazda. Why else be so dismissive of what most other reviewers have found to be a great car?
 
The article did not seem biased to me. Unlike some other authors it sounded like this reviewer actually drove the cars and did not just quote back manufacturers marketing messages. In comparing "hot" "red-blooded hatches" Bill McKinnon may have become more passionate (rather than dispassionate) and emphasized certain aspects to illustrate the differences between otherwise excellent vehicles.
 
Several people here have been wondering what would happen if an extra 100 horses gets plunked into the Mazda3. Would there be torque steer? Would AWD be necessary? Would the fuel economy of the regular hatch be blown sky high? Would the price be astronomic? A review like this shows that Mazda and the other manufacturers listed were successful to varying degrees addressing these issues. Personally, I still think the Mazdaspeed3 is impressive but now I have something to check out in the test drive. Bring on the reviews! Bring on the test drives!
#440 of 548
Re: When Not to be Passionate ... [autonomous] by seanwms6
Sep 12, 2006 (5:25 pm)
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Replying to: autonomous (Sep 12, 2006 1:23 pm)

"The article did not seem biased to me. Unlike some other authors it sounded like this reviewer actually drove the cars and did not just quote back manufacturers marketing messages."
 
Sure, a personal test drive is always best, but I may be about to make the leap and try to secure a deal without a test drive. Here's why. There have been at least two US 1st drive articles that were clearly not just marketing echo: SCC and MT. They both drove the car at Laguna Seca where any kind of serious torque steer or other power management problems would have shown up and been noted. Instead, nothing but kudos for the system.
 
And the Oz article didn't just emphasize differences, they actually dissed the MSP3 and said they were glad to park it. That is subjective and personal.To show how important the personal preference/bias of those reviewers was, a second article in the same Oz publication gave the MSP3 the nod in a comparo with the much more expensive and refined R32. Again, one would think that any serious complaints about the MPS3 power management system would have been mentioned, especially in comparison to a smooth and powerful AWD V-6. Which Oz article was more credible, the first or the second?
#441 of 548
Re: When Not to be Passionate ... [seanwms6] by seanwms6
Sep 13, 2006 (3:21 am)
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 12, 2006 5:25 pm)

Correction to the above. I re-read the MT 1st drive article and there's not as much substantive comment on the drive as I thought and no mention of where the test drive took place. I now place it in the borderline marketing echo category.
#442 of 548
Re: When Not to be Passionate ... [seanwms6] by rorr
Sep 13, 2006 (5:40 am)
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Replying to: seanwms6 (Sep 13, 2006 3:21 am)

Here's another real "hands-on" review done here in the States (at Laguna Seca).
 
http://cars.ign.com/articles/730/730560p1.html
#443 of 548
Re: When Not to be Passionate ... [rorr] by daniel99
Sep 13, 2006 (6:34 am)
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Replying to: rorr (Sep 13, 2006 5:40 am)

Nice article, inline with the other Laguna reviews. First mention I've seen of upgrade options. I don't see anything on Mazda's web site, but I'm betting it is similar to the MS6 offerings.
#444 of 548
Re: When Not to be Passionate ... [daniel99] by aviboy97
Sep 13, 2006 (9:48 am)
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Replying to: daniel99 (Sep 13, 2006 6:34 am)

Seems like Mazda had a little pow-wow for journalists to tear up the Mazdaspeed3 at Laguna Seca, a pretty tough track I must say.
#445 of 548
Re: When Not to be Passionate ... [aviboy97] by rorr
Sep 13, 2006 (10:03 am)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 13, 2006 9:48 am)

makes sense they'd do it at Laguna Seca.....after all, it's not called "Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca" for nothing....
#446 of 548
Butt-Dyno test ... [rorr] by autonomous
Sep 13, 2006 (11:27 am)
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Replying to: rorr (Sep 13, 2006 5:40 am)

Definitely a positive review. I did not find it especially informative and sometimes almost amateurish (they did not take notes and forgot to bring a stopwatch?). Also, I found it hilarious that the Mazdaspeed3 has a faster cousin!
 
Mazda's MazdaSpeed parts department came up with a full catalog of parts for the MazdaSpeed3 -- and we drove it. We guess the official name of the car is the MazdaSpeed MazdaSpeed3, but we'll just call it "fast". The engine has been opened up, which gives the car a sweet blow-off valve sound and an extra 30 horsepower. The suspension has been stiffened and the tires have been swapped out for lightweight wheels wrapped in even stickier rubber. In our few laps behind the wheel of the MazdaSpeed MazdaSpeed3, we honestly couldn't feel an improvement in speed through our "butt dyno". That doesn't mean that the car isn't faster -- it's just so refined, the car still feels incredibly easy to drive.
 
The fact that it was on a track sponsored by Mazda may compromise the objectivity of the article. But, the article has definitely whetted my appetite for a test drive.
#447 of 548
Re: Butt-Dyno test ... [autonomous] by seanwms6
Sep 13, 2006 (12:32 pm)
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Replying to: autonomous (Sep 13, 2006 11:27 am)

"Definitely a positive review. I did not find it especially informative and sometimes almost amateurish (they did not take notes and forgot to bring a stopwatch?)."
 
Yeah, where do I sign up to be the car guy on About.com so I can go on test drive junkets?

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