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2008.5 MAZDASPEED 3 - READ ONLY

94 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2010 at 6:33 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3, Mazda

Messages Page 4 of 10

#25 of 94 Re: Good for you [indydriver] by aviboy97

Jun 17, 2008 (8:26 am)

Replying to: indydriver (Jun 16, 2008 6:24 pm)
Times are tough over here too. Gas is $4.47/gal for 87. These CX's are not selling as well as they once were. However, the Mazda3's, Mazda5's, Mazda6's and MX-5's are selling very very well.
 
Like I said, $500 under invoice is not common practice. A dealer may be inclined to let one go at that if it helps him reach a volume objective set by Mazda. Who knows! $300 under is definitely a good deal. How are you liking your 2008.5?

#26 of 94 by tripiiiex

Jun 27, 2008 (6:48 am)

Hey guys. I'm just ready to pull the trigger on the Speed3. What are the differences between '08 and '08.5? How are you guys liking the car in comparison to others that you were or are driving? STI is not in a budget right now so Speed3 is the next best thing for my.

#27 of 94 Re: Good for you [aviboy97] by indydriver

Jun 27, 2008 (8:54 am)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jun 17, 2008 8:26 am)
I finally got it last Friday. I drove off the lot straight to the tint man, then spent the whole weekend in the garage stripping, washing, clay barring then multiple coats of Zaino polish and glaze. Also removed the door moldings. Now, driving it is a blast! It's a lot smaller, lighter and more powerful than my last car. I also love being back in an MT. In summary, I'm thrilled with it. It has really brought excitement back to driving for me. It reminds me of my old motorcycle days with the way it dispatches traffic. And the Potenza RE050s stick like glue. It is very difficult to find the limit of this car on the street. Anyone thinking about getting one should do it now. They won't be around forever.

#28 of 94 Re: [tripiiiex] by indydriver

Jun 27, 2008 (9:00 am)

Replying to: tripiiiex (Jun 27, 2008 6:48 am)
See above. Just buy it and don't look back. I guarantee you won't be sorry. The differences are fairly minor and are entirely related to interior changes (seat fabric, dash and steering wheel trim (piano black) plus the addition of white and gray exterior colors and the dropping of silver and blue. So, first off, if you're looking at a silver or blue car, it was made prior to Jan. '08. I'm not sure I would want one that has sat on a lot that long, but that's just me. Mechanically, they are identical. PULL THE TRIGGER!!!!!

#29 of 94 by tripiiiex

Jun 27, 2008 (9:47 am)

Thanks a lot. I am getting a nice offer from the dealer. Although, the value on my '05 Xterra is terrible on the trade. O'well, it will be even worse next year. Thank you for the update. I am looking at the gray or red color. I have to drive it one more time and will most likely do it. Thanks indydriver.

#30 of 94 Re: [tripiiiex] by indydriver

Jun 27, 2008 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: tripiiiex (Jun 27, 2008 9:47 am)
Go for it. It will literally change your life, especially getting out of an Xterra.

#31 of 94 Re: [tripiiiex] by roadburner

Jun 27, 2008 (7:58 pm)

Replying to: tripiiiex (Jun 27, 2008 6:48 am)
How are you guys liking the car in comparison to others that you were or are driving?
 
After one year and 18,700 miles behind the wheel of my MS3 I am about 95% certain that I am going to sell it in favor of either an E36 or E46 M3(preferably fitted with the Competition Package). Prior to the MS3 I had never owned a FWD car; I bought it because thought it would be fun to try something different. Well, in my situation, different was definitely not better. I've grown sick and tired of the torque steer, wheel hop, and inconsistent power delivery. I'm going to give the sled one last chance on a road course in a few weeks, but I don't expect my opinion to change much- if at all. To be fair, the car has been absolutely trouble free, and my selling/servicing dealer(Kings Mazda, Cincinnati) has been great. The car just isn't a good fit for me.

#32 of 94 Re: [roadburner] by indydriver

Jun 28, 2008 (6:57 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jun 27, 2008 7:58 pm)
Yeah, if you're a RWD sports car fan, you'll really never be happy with FWD. I'm coming out of a series of large four door FWD sedans with 230-250 hp and AT. I'm used to FWD and the MS3 is so much lighter, quicker steering and faster that it's pretty thrilling to drive to me. It would be better RWD though. I find the torque steer kind of fun actually. I haven't experienced any wheel hop yet--is that from dropping the clutch on wet pavement? But, I've got a cp-e rear mm sitting in the garage (which reportedly solves it). Glad to hear its been trouble-free.
 
Hey before you hit the track, be sure to watch the Nurburgring videos on U-Tube. I figure when I develop the talent (never) to drive the MS3 like that, then I'll complain about its shortcomings.

#33 of 94 by roadburner

Jun 28, 2008 (8:01 am)

I haven't experienced any wheel hop yet--is that from dropping the clutch on wet pavement?
 
Nope, just accelerating on wet pavement- at anything more than 1/2 throttle. And it happens in the first three gears. It sounds like someone is hitting the firewall with a ten pound sledgehammer.
 
Hey before you hit the track, be sure to watch the Nurburgring videos on U-Tube. I figure when I develop the talent (never) to drive the MS3 like that, then I'll complain about its shortcomings.
 
That was actually kind of a secondary reason for buying it. I instruct at a few BMW CCA driving schools every year, and I thought that accumulating a significant amount of seat time in a FWD car would help me assist students who drive FWD cars. I guess I've learned about all I can stand...

#34 of 94 Re: [roadburner] by indydriver

Jun 28, 2008 (9:15 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jun 28, 2008 8:01 am)
Have you investigated the aftermarket rear motor mounts? They are claimed to eliminate wheel hop. Many of the early ones had polyurethane bushings which are stiff and transmit a lot of vibration through the shifter. cp-e introduced one recently that has an EPDM (rubber) bushing in a massive (and beautiful) CNC machined, billet aluminum body. Users are proclaiming it the best yet in terms of minimal vibration and elimination of wheel hop. The raves were so good, I bought one before I got my car! I haven't installed it yet, I'm waiting for the first oil change to get under the car. If wheel hop is spoiling your enjoyment of the car, I would highly recommend checking out aftermarket rear motor mounts.

Messages Page 4 of 10

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