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Mazdaspeed 3 or Mini Cooper S - READ ONLY

54 messages,  Last post on Dec 09, 2008 at 5:33 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, MINI Cooper, Car Comparisons, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 6

#25 of 54 Re: Crossfire after 800 miles.... [smogdung] by roadburner

Dec 20, 2007 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: smogdung (Dec 20, 2007 4:07 pm)
This is some kind of illness I think......?
 
Join the club; I took my wife's X3 to the dealer for an ATF change and they had a stunning 2004 CPO M3 parked in front of the showroom. Must... resist...

#26 of 54 Re: Crossfire after 800 miles.... [roadburner] by smogdung

Dec 22, 2007 (7:11 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Dec 20, 2007 8:38 pm)
You want to see some real horror stories....go over to the Audi TT forums.....timing belts not chains.......engine replacements galore! People paid >$40K.....50K miles...boom!

#27 of 54 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 or Mini Cooper S [stevecebu] by mwiadro

Dec 23, 2007 (5:32 am)

Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 03, 2007 6:17 am)
I think for the performance oriented but value minded shopper, these two cars present a very difficult choice. I owned an 04' Mazdaspeed Protege for two years and gained a great deal of respect for Mazda's tuning division. The really know how to "screw" a car together and offer BMW 3-series-like steering and braking feel for comparatively little money. My biggest gripe was the lack of support for Mazdaspeed models by the majority of Mazda dealerships. While in CA, finding local dealer support was easy. However, upon relocating to PA, I was commuting 1.15 hrs to the nearest Mazdaspeed trained/approved dealer. This grew old quickly and was a major reason for buying an 07' Cooper S - as much to my suprise I had two MINI dealers within 15-25 miles from my home. Your local dealer support and network will undoubtedly enter into your buying equation, too. Driving the Cooper S provides daily grins, personally, and from the general public - something which never occured with my old Mazdaspeed except for the "in the know" crowd. I average 30 mpg in mixed driving - an unexpected benefit which is becoming more and more important given rising fuel prices. The Cooper S does give up some backseat passenger and storage space to the Mazdaspeed3, but I still find it provides enough space for my needs (which include wife, 6 yrs kid, & dog). As for buying advice, the ability to build to order your Cooper is amazing - and recommended. Choosing only the options you want goes a long way to avoiding the dreaded price creeping which is, unfortunately, part of the BMW/MINI sales model. Lastly, if your daily driving includes a lengthy commute, forego the sunroof and 17' wheel package...it pays huges dividends in keeping things quiet at high speeds. Cheerio!

#28 of 54 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 or Mini Cooper S [mwiadro] by roadburner

Dec 23, 2007 (9:43 am)

Replying to: mwiadro (Dec 23, 2007 5:32 am)
forego the sunroof
 
Thats another reason I liked the MCS and MS3...
NO SUNROOF!!!
In two years I'll bet we've opened the one on my wife's X3 no more than 10-12 times. And as my friend and racer TC Kline puts it, a sunroof provides the same effect as strapping a car battery to your roof- it adds more weight in the worst place possible.

#29 of 54 Perfect Debate by katierocco

Dec 30, 2007 (9:21 am)

This forum is perfect. I am looking for a new car right now and I'm literally stuck on a MINI or a M3S.
 
I haven't test driven either, but I have been researching them. I'm looking for a fun, sporty, and "different" kind of car, but I'm also going to be trading in an SUV (Ford Escape) so I'm already concerned about the size difference.
 
Both cars appear to be in my price range and both look like fun to drive. I still can't decide though. So far this forum hasn't either =/ I know the test drive is the most important, but what else should I look for/be aware of?
 
Note: this will be my first "new car".

#30 of 54 Re: Perfect Debate [katierocco] by smogdung

Jan 09, 2008 (5:40 pm)

Replying to: katierocco (Dec 30, 2007 9:21 am)
Drive them both, listen to both, price them both.....then go get a Mercedes Benz Crossfire for less! ($15K off sticker -Lifetime Warranty!).

#31 of 54 We Must Be Kidding by itssavvy

Jan 11, 2008 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: smogdung (Jan 09, 2008 5:40 pm)
The Crossfire guy sounds more like he's trying to convince himself than anyone else. No German car (BMW included) scores high on long term reliabilty in any publication. The marketing ploy of a "Lifetime Warrenty" by Chrysler is a desperate act of a company in serious trouble.
 
Now some maybe reading into this, "This guy hates Chrysler."
 
Nope. Dad owned a Polara, LeBaron, and a Cordoba. Mom and Uncle both owned a Dart. Same Uncle rebuilt a 1980 Aspen, and also owned a Valiant. Grandfather owned a Newport. Grandmother a Dart.Another uncle a Charger and a Challenger.
 
Getting the idea?
 
The Speed 3 killed at Nurburg. It's reliability is shown through data to be outstanding. The torque-steer is electronically quashed. Game, set, match.
 
If you want to LEASE a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, be my guest. They are sporty and well-mannered...for about 20,000 miles, so purchasing them should be something left to rental car companies.

#32 of 54 Re: We Must Be Kidding [itssavvy] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2008 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: itssavvy (Jan 11, 2008 1:55 pm)
The Crossfire guy sounds more like he's trying to convince himself than anyone else. No German car (BMW included) scores high on long term reliabilty in any publication. The marketing ploy of a "Lifetime Warrenty" by Chrysler is a desperate act of a company in serious trouble.
 
Sounds like someone is a bit envious...
 
If you want to LEASE a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, be my guest. They are sporty and well-mannered...for about 20,000 miles, so purchasing them should be something left to rental car companies.
 
Wow, thanks for the heads up! Hmmm... I currently own a Mazdaspeed3 as well as two BMWs- a 1995 3 Series that I bought new as well as a 2004 CPO X3 I picked up in 2005. The maintenance and repair costs for my 3 Series have averaged less than $45/month over the life of the car. And that figure includes ALL maintenance and repair expenses as well as three sets of 16" Z-rated rubber. I've replaced one set of pads/rotors, the serpentine belts and idlers, the timing chain tensioner(DIY $55 and 10 minutes), a brake light switch and a thermostat. That's it. Did I mention that it also sees several track days per year? As for the X3, the sole defect has been a SRS sensor replaced under warranty. At 56K it looks and runs like new- and I've spent a grand total of $23/month on maintenance over the two years I've owned the car. You see, I've found that the majority of people who chant the "BMWs are gosh-awful expensive to fix" mantra usually aren't owners. In most cases they have no personal experience with owning or maintaining a BMW. They're just relying on second, third, or fourth-hand information- "My cousin's dentist had a patient who knew a friend that talked to some guy at a party, and the guy told him that he overheard somebody at Walmart say that they read somewhere on the internet that it cost $1500 to change the oil in a BMW."

#33 of 54 Re: We Must Be Kidding [roadburner] by itssavvy

Jan 11, 2008 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 11, 2008 7:44 pm)
Not even a little envious.
 
Isn't interesting as you listed the numerous repairs to your vehicles (supporting my argument), along with the pasting of my argument, you forgot to paste pretty crucial thing.
 
"No German car (BMW included) scores high on long term reliabilty in any publication."
 
You will never find me or any friend of mine (Acura and Infiniti owners) talk about our personal experiences with BMW. Why? Because we were smart enough to do our homework first. I honestly don't care about the cost of oil changes or other repairs. Makes no difference to me. My issue is frequency. How can I enjoy my 3 series or my Passat, or my SLK, when it's spending more time at the shop than it is with me?
 
I'm sorry you felt the need to buy for status sake. I honestly hope you get over it. Maybe the Speed 3 will put you over that hump. If you have, or know someone that has had good luck with them, great. You just won the lottery. You're driving around in the exception to the rule, but it is a rule and the data supports it.
 
Argue with me all you want, but arguing with data is a waste.

#34 of 54 Re: We Must Be Kidding [itssavvy] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2008 (9:46 pm)

Replying to: itssavvy (Jan 11, 2008 9:07 pm)
Wow! So much incisive commentary to address. I'll have to give it my best shot...
 
Isn't interesting(sic) as you listed the numerous repairs to your vehicles (supporting my argument), along with the pasting of my argument, you forgot to paste pretty(sic) crucial(sic) thing.
  
"No German car (BMW included) scores high on long term reliabilty in any publication."
 
I didn't mention it because it's simply false.
 
You will never find me or any friend of mine (Acura and Infiniti owners) talk about our personal experiences with BMW.
 
Ah yes, reverse fanboy snobbery. Your lack of experience invalidates any of your statements about BMWs.
 
Because we were smart enough to do our homework first.
 
Let me guess- today in 7th grade study hall?
 
I honestly don't care about the cost of oil changes or other repairs. Makes no difference to me. My issue is frequency. How can I enjoy my 3 series or my Passat, or my SLK, when it's spending more time at the shop than it is with me?
 
Well, my BMWs get serviced every 7500 miles. My Mazda sees the shop every 5000, primarily because the 2.3 DISI turbo motor pretty much wears out the oil in less than 6000 miles- based on UOAs performed by myself and others. That's not a knock on the MS3, just a fact.
 
I'm sorry you felt the need to buy for status sake. I honestly hope you get over it.
 
This from someone who prefers Acuras and Infinitis over Hondas and Nissans. Oh, wait- they ARE Hondas and Nissans. And I doubt I'll "get over it" any time soon; see, I've owned eight Bimmers going back to 1983. And I've driven them in HPDEs at venues such as Memphis Motorsport Park, Motorsport Ranch, Mid Ohio, NHIS, Putnam Park, and Sears Point. I also have a few autocross trophies as well.
 
You're driving around in the exception to the rule, but it is a rule and the data supports it.
 
Look, I don't know if you are eight or eighteen, but you've admitted that you don't have any experience with BMWs whatsoever, so it's pointless to argue with you- particularly in this topic. Why don't you post some of you irrefutable arguments over in one of the sports sedan comparison topics? In the meantime, enjoy your rebadged Honda or Nissan(assuming you actually own one).

Messages Page 4 of 6

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