Autoweek Mazdaspeed3 Review

http://cwimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pb...=1065&maxw=490

Here's something that's not a Honda. OMG, it's even a Mazda! ::Clown::

With a turbocharged, direct-injected 2.3-liter four-cylinder making 263 hp at 5500 rpm and 280 lb-ft at 3000 rpm, the new Mazda will dust the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si—two of the Speed3’s major competitors—in a drag race. Mazda claims sub six-second 0 to 60 mph times, and in our first test of the car we found it to be a tire-smoking ball of fun to drive. Spool up the turbo, drop the clutch and it will smoke the 18-inch sport tires all the way through first gear, give you a loud chirp when you grab second and another when third is engaged. If you don’t like the short first gear, select second, rev up the engine, dump the clutch and leave your friends in a cloud of blue smoke. The car is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Sounds pretty bitchin' to me!

S.

Having buyers remorse pre-delivery?

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Originally Posted by Titus

Having buyers remorse pre-delivery?

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Oh heavens no. The Si is exactly what I want, but the MS3 looks like a great ride in its own right. I know the MS3 will destroy the Si in a straight line, and I strongly suspect it'll be faster on-track, too, but as an ownership proposition, the Si has its advantages.

* 300 lbs lighter
* zingy i-VTEC engine with 8,000 rpm redline (you either get the Honda engine thing or you don't)
* Honda reliability (not knocking Mazda here)
* Honda resale value
* better brakes (if early reviews are any indication)
* universally praised handling that Mazda is going to have to work very hard to beat
* spiffy coupe styling (we already have one 5-door in the garage)

It's chocolate and vanilla -- different people prefer different attributes in a car. I'm sure the MS3 will be freakin awesome, but remorse? No way. ;)

S.

god, I want one of those so bad. What do those things invoice?

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Originally Posted by Titus

Having buyers remorse pre-delivery?

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Being that he hasn't taken delivery yet, He should be able to get out of purchasing the car if he realy wants.

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Originally Posted by srivendel

* zingy i-VTEC engine with 8,000 rpm redline (you either get the Honda engine thing or you don't)

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8000 rpm? That's all? Sounds like a truck motor. ::Bleh::

(RX-8 fuel cut is 9500 rpm :wink: )

I think I would have to find a way to re-route that intercooler on the car, though. Mini had the same thing and has gone away from that design on their 2007 model due to inefficiencies. The 2007 Mini Cooper S is also going to be TURBO charged. :burnrubr: (need a burn rubber icon with smoke getting in the smileies face)

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Originally Posted by altiain

8000 rpm? That's all? Sounds like a truck motor. ::Bleh::

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Everything is relative, I suppose, RX-8 boy! ::Clown::

S.

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Originally Posted by srivendel

Everything is relative...

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Are you from Arkansas? ::Clown::

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Originally Posted by srivendel

Everything is relative, I suppose, RX-8 boy! ::Clown::

S.

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Originally Posted by channelmaniac

Are you from Arkansas? ::Clown::

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Ah, yes, the famous family shrub.

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Originally Posted by Radio-Active

Being that he hasn't taken delivery yet, He should be able to get out of purchasing the car if he realy wants.

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Ding ding ding! We have a winnah! :mrgreen:

But I don't really want. A Fiji Blue Si w/o Nav and w/summer tires is EXACTLY what I want.

S.

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Originally Posted by srivendel

* universally praised handling that Mazda is going to have to work very hard to beat

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You post this on a miata forum full of miata owners?!

haha jk.

But damn I still love the styling of the new SI... Plus I bet the exhaust will still sound cooler on the Honda!

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Originally Posted by TheChadVIII

You post this on a miata forum full of miata owners?!

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::Whisp:: He isn't real bright. ;)

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

::Whisp:: He isn't real bright. ;)

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Seems to be going around lately...

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Originally Posted by Radio-Active

I think I would have to find a way to re-route that intercooler on the car, though.

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Paging TDR... Paging TDR...

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

::Whisp:: He isn't real bright. ;)

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God, that's more true than you realize. :oops:

S.

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Originally Posted by TheChadVIII

You post this on a miata forum full of miata owners?!

haha jk.

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Mazda may well trump the Si's handling. I hear they know a thing or two about making cars handle well. ;) But unlike the previous Si, this one will take some work to beat.

S.

I like it. A lot. Maybe even enough to trade "down" from the TSX...

Speed

I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.

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Is there supposed to be one at Zoom Zoom this year or not?