Mazdaspeed3 as a daily driver?

[slowchildmiata]

You are stalking other people now..... I thought we had something special....

I get busted way too often.

[onething]

What was the OP's question again?

[jbh]

Check out a GTI too. They are not as fast but quick and very nice and quiet inside, the interior is nice. You can buy a tune to bring the power close to the MS3, but then you can probably do the same with the MS3 to get it quicker too.

I really am not a fan of FWD and I hate torque steer but I wanted a hatch that would get 30+ mpg hwy, which ruled out the MS3 and WRX. I found when I had my Z4M I could rarely use the 330hp just driving around town. I do believe in the saying, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Probably why the miata is fun too. If someone would make a RWD hatch with 200-300hp I would be all over it.

All are fun cars, just depends what you want of course.

[slowchildmiata]

I found when I had my Z4M I could rarely use the 330hp just driving around town. I do believe in the saying, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Probably why the miata is fun too.

You are missing the chance to become friends with the local police and fund the city.

I've actually found I drive faster cars slower on the street than slower cars... some reverse logic.

[CosmosMpower]

You are missing the chance to become friends with the local police and fund the city.

I've actually found I drive faster cars slower on the street than slower cars... some reverse logic.

True, I used to run the miata to the rev limiter all the time and I was still only barely breaking the speed limit. 335, run it through a few gears getting on the highway and you're doing 120 all of a sudden.

[OZMDD]

If someone would make a RWD hatch with 200-300hp I would be all over it.

[wrx74]

So? Whacha gettin', sammm?

[altiain]

I really am not a fan of FWD and I hate torque steer but I wanted a hatch that would get 30+ mph hwy

30 mph! Slow down son! What's your hurry?

[OZMDD]

30 mph! Slow down son! What's your hurry?

[sammm]

So? Whacha gettin', sammm?

Nothing German, thats for sure!

[jbh]

Ah, but those are wagons.

[jbh]

30 mph! Slow down son! What's your hurry?

Fixed it, damn iPad autocorrect.

[EricJ]

Nothing German, thats for sure!

That's probably a good idea.

First drive of the 318ti Wed night and the drivers side window came off track and wouldn't go up. Reading on the web, it's a common problem with the 318ti's.

[762]

I had zero issues with my MKV GTI

[sammm]

I had zero issues with my MKV GTI

Is that why you sold it and bought a StooK?

[762]

Nah, bought the Stook to learn how to drive a manual transmission, RWD sports car. That and the whole more exciting, fun, faster, classed competitively thing.

[altiain]

Random observation - my parents are in town this week and they have a '11 Mazda3 rental car. It's not the Mazdaspeed, but damn if this car doesn't have one of the cheapest, shitty interiors ive seen in a while. It's like nine different colors and textures of crappy hard plastic, none of which compliment each other.

I've driven several first gen Mazdaspeed3s (and base models as well), and I don't remember them having such a craptastic interior. They're no Lexus, but I was genuinely surprised at how bad the interior is on the new 3.

[juxt3r]

Late to the game, here. Sorry about that.
I've admired the Gen 1 Speed3 for quite some time. When a buddy at work bought a new '08 model, he let me drive it around on a lunch break.In stock form, the earlier versions are very fun on the streets and highway. Oddly enough, they are also extremely practical. Both of these things are, I imagine, pretty dang obvious.
My only issues with the car were a somewhat vague shifter, soft springs, and body roll that I really didn't care for at all. Granted, this is coming from a guy who drives a Miata, so the shifter and suspension stuff is almost a given with lots of typical cars.

Soon after, said friend dropped in a Cobb shifter (sadly now discontinued), a big rear bar, stiffer springs, lighter wheels and better tires. He let me drive it again while on break. What an amazing vehicle! I simply can't test drive one now, as I'll need to have one (and I've been shopping the pricing on them recently...dammit). He's been taking the car out to MSR now & again over the last couple of years and apparently doing pretty well.

With just a couple of aftermarket tweaks, these cars are real gems. Even in stock form, hey, they can be wonderful.

I have no comments on the interior, really. It's fine by me. I'm not used to really nice interiors, so unless I'm in a Caddy or something, I really don't notice. The 3 in general suits all of my needs. Give it 250+ ponies at the wheels, and I'm totally sold. The gf has a 1st gen base 3 sedan, and it's a wonderful commuter. The seats are even pretty comfy.

If you're looking for a white version of the Gen 1 ilk (just like me) as I hear, CarMax has a few nationally. One is fairly low miles, coming in at about 24k. Pricing is right around $18k for that example...plus a small transfer fee to get it here from Kansas or something.

You're keeping the truck, though, right?

[POS Racing]

So what did ya get Sammmmmmmm?

[sammm]

So what did ya get Sammmmmmmm?

I got this sweet '95M! (I'm still looking, but my current ride isn't that horrible for a 15 mile commute and it's paid for)