Article Comments: The World's Quickest Hatchback

48 messages, Last post on Dec 08, 2006 at 1:53 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Hatchback

Article comments for Japanese First Drive: Mazdaspeed 3/Axela MPS - If Mazda ever needed a successful volume-selling car to ensure its survival, then the Mazda 3 is it. In just under three years, the popular hatch has sold more than 920,000 units worldwide and rates as one of the most competitive and best-handling hatches on the market. (more)

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#45 of 48 Re: I like the Si but prefer the Speed3 [drumbira] by eldaino Dec 08, 2006 (10:20 am)
Replying to: drumbira (Dec 07, 2006 2:58 pm) i> and i think Honda missed the boat here and should of put a air induction system in it like the Acura RDX, then it would really rock all the way to 8000. Hmmm....most cars have an air induction system. If you mean a forced air induction system then thats different. My reference to your post being hilarious was that all the cars you mentioned, (including the above rdx) are not compacts at all, but then you mentioned how much you loved compacts. I just found it funny. Honda prides themselves on the nat.aspirated engine, and they do good on it. I wish Honda would wake up and have a more serious tuner division such as Dinan for BMW or Nismo for Nissan or Speed for Mazda that covers upgrades under warrany You seem like a savvy tuner...have you not realized that most tuners don't really care about warranties? You do...ok thats fair enough, but most people would agree that much more is availble through the after market that is better performance wise and costs less than a dealer installed option.(Yes they are expensive). Now i guess honda realizes this, there are so many aftermarket parts available for pretty much any civic its ridiculous. Whereas the 3...well i guess i don't really have to explain to you the snub the aftermaket has given the 3. Unfair yes, but its the truth: there is very little available for it speed3 or otherwise. I guess in that case, you need mazda speed parts: They are the only ones who will make them for you. A buddy of mine is running about 19psi through an old b16 si motor that he has a stage 4 turbo on and it puts 320 hp to the wheels...just to give you an example. i wish they would give there customer more tuner options Kinda contradicts the concept of a tuner huh? Arent parts the tuners job? But again i realize there will be very little parts available so thats understandable. Also the Honda can only take apprx 8psi in boost without having to do some engine work to upgrade it, also the MAS sensor only will allow so much boost and the electronic throttle by wire has some tuners wishing this feature was left out Yeah a lot of them do wish it was out, but to say that it can only take about 8psi seems a litte underrated..again i'll reference my friends old b series engine... the k series is quite capable and even if it needs engine work...thats the whole part of 'tuning'. You don't just bolt on stuff whereever you want. On the 2nd day i had the Si i was troubled with the digital speedo, it was distracting to me and i felt it never worked for my liking, it was always in your face and moving. I no its supposed to be in your face , but it was bothersome after awhile.I actually thought to mysely i made a mistake here in buying the Si. My friends that have a Si and other civics respect this viewpoint, but 80% of them like it, but i do not. This was also a big reason for me trading it in as well as the warranty issue and power issue, probably the power isssue the least for the Si has enough you just have to rev it high all the time to get there, which is cool, but I prefer it to come on sooner, thats why i almost supercharged it. This whole entire paragraph makes me wonder why you even bought the si. The speedo is really out there; i love it, but most people who hate it realize it immediatley...you don't grow to hate it in this case. Did you even bother to test drive it? Another thing that a test drive would have revealed the FIRST TIME that it need to be revved to make power. Heck even looking at the specs on PAPER would tell you that a car that has only 139lbs of torque that peaks very close the redline isn't going to have a lot of initial grunt. Thats common sense.
#46 of 48 Im done here by drumbira Dec 08, 2006 (10:50 am)
Good luck with your car. Yes i test drove the si and initially thought the speedo was cool, but i was wrong. I made a mistake and other magazines, Car and Driver feels the same way i do, and also Spoet Compact Car also feels the si missed the boat without FORCED air induction so far as tuning the Speed 3 its fast enough stock.With a air intake and exhaust it will put out 290 hp and 300 lbs torque and thats enough for me.ALL WARRANTIED!! I test drive ALL cars that seem like fun but my preference is Compact Cars although i appreciate all styles. Replies to this message: eldaino (Dec 08, 2006 11:19 am) drumbira (Dec 08, 2006 1:53 pm)
#47 of 48 Re: Im done here [drumbira] by eldaino Dec 08, 2006 (11:19 am)
Replying to: drumbira (Dec 08, 2006 10:50 am) SCC should know better, forced indcution is sometimes harder to work around when tuning up a car, but whatever. Most reviews i have ever heard about the si indicate a huge return to form that exceeding expectations. I guess you can't please everyone. Those are impressive numbers for the ms3..just with a intake and exhaust, so impressive i doubt their validity. 300lbs of torque in a fwd car? Can you say torque steer? Replies to this message: drumbira (Dec 08, 2006 1:53 pm)
#48 of 48 Speed3 by drumbira Dec 08, 2006 (1:53 pm)
Replying to: eldaino (Dec 08, 2006 11:19 am) Anyway, read all the reviewes for the speed3. ALL the reviewes quoted that Mazda sent all the writers and Magazine reviewers to the track with a stock Speed3 and also a tuned speed3 from Mazda with there tuning package. Coilovers, exhaust,shocks, rims, tires, air intake. All the reviwers were quoted that a big difference can be felt in power as well as handling. Jack Stavana head of MazdaSpeed accessory dept was doing the quoting and all the writers seemed to agree as well as SCC Oct 2006 issue. I so far have not had a issue with torque steer although i do not race, i like to get up to speed 80 to90 in a hurry when the chance arrives, otherwise i get up to the speed limit quickly. Either way the Speed3 in fun and a great buy!! . As a last line on the Si, yes it has returned to form and gotton better, but i still enjoyed my older ones as well, although they were bashed as well....