- #31 of 90
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Re: [tripiiiex]
by roadburner
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Jun 27, 2008 (6:58 pm)
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Replying to: tripiiiex (Jun 27, 2008 5:48 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.
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- #32 of 90
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Re: [roadburner]
by indydriver
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Jun 28, 2008 (5:57 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jun 27, 2008 6:58 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.
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- #33 of 90
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by roadburner
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Jun 28, 2008 (7:01 am)
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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... 
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- #34 of 90
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Re: [roadburner]
by indydriver
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Jun 28, 2008 (8:15 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jun 28, 2008 7:01 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.
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- #35 of 90
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Comparison to GS-R
by wayde
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Jul 03, 2008 (6:17 am)
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Hey -
Just curious if anyone on here had owned an Integra GS-R in the past? I owned a 98 and it was the best, most fun car I have owned to date. I miss that thing! Anywho, if you have, how does the MS3 compare?
I own a TSX now (auto) which is quite nice and I like it alot, it just doesn't have the "soul" the GS-R did. I was looking at the MS3 when I got the TSX, but didn't like any of the colors... now they have my favorite - white!
Love reading this board, keep up the posts. Oh, and if you have another forum to talk about MS3 please let me know... my profile should have my contact info in it. 
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- #36 of 90
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Re: Comparison to GS-R [wayde]
by indydriver
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Jul 03, 2008 (7:03 am)
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Replying to: wayde (Jul 03, 2008 6:17 am)
No GS-R experience here but interesting that you are comparing the MS3 to the TSX. I loved the original one and nearly bought it. The car was (is) so good, it can get away with only 200 hp. I had signed up on the Acura site for updates on the new one thinking for sure they would drop the turbo'd 250hp+ motor in there. I was really disappointed to find out it was heavier, had no more power and an ugly snout to boot. Anyway, I got an indepth survey from a third party firm representing Acura as to why I didn't buy one. And, I let them know in no uncertain terms. I think Acura will be puzzled to find that their potential customers are going downmarket to get more car for $5,000 less. I only test drove the original TSX so I don't have a lot of time in them but I remember it fondly. The MS3 has a little sharper steering and much grippier tires so its limits are higher than TSX. Its easy to induce torque-steer, but its kinda fun and not really a nuisance to me. Of course the greater acceleration is always fun and useful. I think you'd really enjoy the MS3 if you are looking for much higher performance levels and can tolerate a stiffer suspension and a little less overall refinement.
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- #37 of 90
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Re: Comparison to GS-R [indydriver]
by wayde
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Jul 03, 2008 (8:19 am)
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Replying to: indydriver (Jul 03, 2008 7:03 am)
The reason I compared the two was because of past experiences with prior products in each line (GS-R and 2 Protege5's). I loved both cars. I am more set on handling with some comfort than on pure luxury or pure sport (ie: STI) and liked the balance of these in each of the two cars. Yes, the TSX dips a bit more on the luxury side than the MS3, but it's sporty enough to keep me happy. (I love the seats and it corners great for a four door sedan.) It's quieter than the P5 for sure, but by no means quiet like other luxury cars.
I do not like the new TSX at all. This was cemented when I saw in person this weekend... All I can say is "ICK". Where did all of the Honda/Acura designers go from the 80's and early 90's??? Now all of the designs look so contrived. I loved the 80's/90's Preludes, the 93 Civic Coupe is the best of any that they've had (imho), and the CRX... ahh... Although Honda seems to have come back a bit with the new Accord Coupe. (I like the styling alot but don't think I would ever get one myself.)
I'm only 15 months into a 36 month lease, so not sure I want to take the hit to get out of it... at the same time I'm not sure what the future of the MS3 is... Hopefully they'll continue making them in the new body style (??).
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- #38 of 90
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Re: Comparison to GS-R [wayde]
by indydriver
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Jul 03, 2008 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: wayde (Jul 03, 2008 8:19 am)
Mazda is making '09 MS3s now. How long they will make them is uncertain. At some point they will stop to convert the production line to the new 2010 3 model and that will be the end of the Speed 3. Press rumors are mentioning a new Miata-speed and perhaps a 2 speed when they bring that car to the states. So, if you want a Speed 3, you're going to have to get one of the '09s before they disappear.
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- #39 of 90
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Re: Comparison to GS-R [indydriver]
by wayde
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Jul 03, 2008 (11:01 am)
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Replying to: indydriver (Jul 03, 2008 8:28 am)
Hey, thanks indydriver, I didn't know that they were going to make 09 MS3's! Knowing that I can wait until next spring and get out of my lease just a year early... depreciation is tracking pretty good, so I will probably (hopefully) "breakeven" next year!
So, is the 09 the same as the 08.5 that you know of?
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- #40 of 90
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Re: Comparison to GS-R [wayde]
by indydriver
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Jul 03, 2008 (12:18 pm)
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Replying to: wayde (Jul 03, 2008 11:01 am)
AVI-can help here since he works at a dealer. I believe the 08.5 is exactly the same as the 09's, except: A dealer told me Mazda was discontinuing black mica so that 09 colors would be white, gray and red, but I haven't confirmed this. One caution: Just because there is an "09" model doesn't mean they're going to be producing them or that they'll be available all next year. Since they are planning for the model changeover to the 2010, they could complete production of the '09 Speed late this year or early next year. This is just speculation on my part but my point is, don't wait too long or they will be gone.
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