Prices on the MS3 are really good. Thinking about picking one up for DD and light AX. Feedback? Front tire eating FWD Mini want-a-be but with more power?
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Prices on the MS3 are really good. Thinking about picking one up for DD and light AX. Feedback? Front tire eating FWD Mini want-a-be but with more power?
I've always liked the MS3. It will eat tires and they're not cheap tires either. Other than being FWD I think they are great cars. I'm trying to convince the wife she needs one.
I got a price of $25185 drive out from Melvin at Hiley Hurst yesterday for a Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring.
Seemed like a decent price. Was it???
But I have changed gears yet again on a replacement for my 4Runner......
"What can we do to put you in a car today!"Quote:
Originally Posted by POS Racing
Chris
Only if you're a sucker who buys new. :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by POS Racing
A friend of mine (TypeSH on the S2k forum) just bought an '07 MS3 GT from Scott P. at Honda of McKinney. He paid $16,800 for one with 13,600 miles. He really likes it. He had it out at MSR a couple of weeks ago and said it did pretty good for a bone stock car.
I drove one at Harris Hill a few weeks ago and came away pretty impressed. The seats aren't quite as supportive as they look (although they are comfy), and the front tires are asked to do an awful lot, but I thought it was a really fun car to drive. The motor is a little flat on top, but has great mid-range torque and good throttle response. Truth is, if I could buy an "MX-8" from Mazda with that engine in an RX-8 chassis, I'd buy one tomorrow.
Ken,
I am thinking about an MS3 as well. I drove Mark's this past Saturday and it was a hoot. It really can get around the track. Shannon Macmasters told me that an Austin Mazda Dealer had 5 MS3s for $20K. I guess 2008 or 2009. I have to get this one job first and then I will buy one. How about you letting me help pick the color and upgrades on yours and then I can buy the car from you?:D I think it is a great car. Fair amount of room. Great gas mileage and proven reliability. Tons of aftermarket parts and accessories. Plus, open up the air induction and add some more horsepower!!!! Instead of trailering the miata to go and instruct, I could just drive the MS3 to the track until I get my CTS-V.
Alan
Here's an '08 GT with < 5K miles for $16KQuote:
Originally Posted by altiain
LINKIE
That price seems awfully high IMO.
I like em a lot considering how useful they are for the 99.99% of the time you drive a car when it's not on the track.
Ken you selling the M3 already?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sammm
Too high for a salvage title.Quote:
THIS IS A REBUILT VEHICLE THAT WAS SALVAGE AND IS NOW A REBUILT VEHICLE, WITH A REBUILT TITLE
I didn't catch that and I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
Several local dealers are right at $22K for a new MS3 GT.
Used is a great deal, but I need as few miles as possible.
M3 is safe in garage. I might put a bigger radiator in it. Bye-bye STU.
I'm also looking to get a MS3. Looks like I can get a good deal on '07 with 18K miles on it. Seems to be in really good condition (4.75/5.00) at an auction.
I really want a daily driver with some carrying capacity and its between a MS3 or a WRX wagon (which are hard to find).
Only problem with the MS3 is that its red ;)
Anybody know what is the best setup for sways - Racing beat or what ever else? And maybe some springs?. I'd like to track it a little here and there when I want a break from the Miata - but I don't want to go crazy with modifications.
Can't speak on the MS3, but I find the RB springs/Koni shocks combo to be a very nice comrpomise between street comfort and trackability on the RX-8. Moderately lower (~1/2") and moderately stiffer (~20%). Call it a trackable street car instead of a streetable track car.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2K Miata
I was about to order a set of RB swaybars as well, but opted to buy Progress swaybars instead. I'd love to tell you how they work, but they've been on backorder for 4 weeks now. :(
From cars.com
Someone should beat $22k.
Should be able to get one for 20K or so new. Wasn't the MSRP only about 22 for the Touring? I got 10K off my RX-8, shouldn't be hard to get 3-4 off a MS3.
MSRP is right at $26K on the one I am looking at.
Is that with the technology package?Quote:
Originally Posted by ken o
Did not see that as an option.
Per Mazdausa.com:
Mazdaspeed3 Sport- $23,410
Sport Options:
SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO $430
COMPASS/AUTO-DIM MIRROR WITH HOMELINK $275
COMPASS/AUTO-DIM MIRROR $200
PEARL PAINT CHARGE $200
ALUMINUM FUEL DOOR (CHROME) $100
ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS $78
WHEEL LOCKS $50
CARGO NET $40
Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring- $25,125
Grand Touring Options:
NAVI AND SAT. RADIO PKG $1,950
SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO $430
COMPASS/AUTO-DIM MIRROR WITH HOMELINK $275
COMPASS/AUTO-DIM MIRROR $200
PEARL PAINT CHARGE $200
ALUMINUM FUEL DOOR (CHROME) $100
ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS $78
WHEEL LOCKS $50
CARGO NET $40
I love mine so far other then being wrong wheel drive and got is brand new 2009 sport for 21.5k. i like new cars for the fact i want to know whos been beating on it and how hard and if the maintance has been done. i have seen some messed up stuff from people not taking care of cars properly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken o
I have not looked at the details. When we bought our CX-7, it came with a 'technology package'. I should not have assumed.... Get a red or white one with black wheels and polished lip and then I can buy it from you later...
Picked up a Black '07 Mazdaspeed 3 GT last week. Fun little car, well not so little but it is a lot of fun to have some power on the street again.
On Saturday I took it down to MSR for a session on the 1.7. The car really did well considering the ambient temperature and running stock tires. I haven't driven a FWR drive car that hard since my '84 GTI. I'm figuring the FWR drive will be murder on the front right tire. But with a rear sway bar and playing around with tire pressures it should help the car rotate better and lessen the understeer (which wasn't as bad as I expected).
I also picked up some 18x8 Rx-8 wheels from craigslist for a real steal and was wondering what tires would be good match for doing occasional sessions at MSR. I'm keeping my '00 Miata for a dedicated track car, but the MS3 might be good for when I'm chasing my brother in his STi on the 3.1.
I've always had good luck with Azenis but the Nitto NT-01 looks like it could be a good tire also. So does anybody have any thoughts or heard anything about the NT-01 as a track day tire. I don't want to go to the expense and hassle of R compounds (RA-1s, etc.). I do like the idea of having a non-directional tire because I can see me rotating tires between sessions at the track to keep the front right from being destroyed.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Mike
http://www.trackdogracing.com/websit...s/MJP_4595.jpg
Looks good Mike.
What kinda times was it running? Just curious how quick a stock MS3 is.
As for tires, I really like the new Kumho EcstaXS for Street and Track use and they aren't directional.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....model=Ecsta+XS
It looks like they have some pretty wide sizes for 18's (too bad only one size in 15). How wide can you go on an 8 inch wheel, 265?
I don't know how these would compare to the NT-01 though.
Any big power plans for the Miata now? Gonna gut it or cage it up?
Chris
Mike,
The NT-01 is an R compound. Similar to the Toyo R888 or RA-1.
A 245 is probably ideal on an 8" wide wheel, but I have no idea if that will fit under an MS3's fenders.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
the issue with a 245 on a 8" wheel is that the sidewall will bulge (especially with the current crop of cheater width tires), so you won't get as much lateral support.
245 star specs on my 8.5" stock wheels was a little bulgy. The NT-05's which run more "true" are "just right" looking.
I guess it depnds on the tire. I've got 245/40-18 HTRZ-IIIs on my OEM 8" wheels, and if I'm not careful when I set them down the wheel rim will still hit the ground before the tire.Quote:
Originally Posted by goofygrin
Talking to Fair this weekend the AD08's are even wider than the star specs in the same size (and the star spec is wider than most). *cough* cheater tire *cough*
Thanks for the tire information guys. I wasn't sure if the NT-01 was an r-compound or not. But its priced more like a street tire in the sizes I need. So I'm looking at this tire seriously. I'll be switching out tires if I take the Speed 3 to the track, so these tires might be the answer for me. The MS3 is not going to the track that often but when I do I hate to kill my street tires.
So any report on how the NT-01 holds up doing track events?. I'm thinking of going with 235-40-18 on the 18X8 RX-8 wheels. It shouldn't rub at stock height but if you drop the car and inch or so there might be some rubbing at the rear - but I can't find a definite answer from the forums yet.
Chris, no big power plans for the Miata. Door bars and some race seats and mild gutting of the interior, but some creature comforts are staying.
I personally feel that adding horsepower is great for drivers who can't figure out how to go fast with stock power.
I look at this way - the lap record for a spec Miata is 1:24:XX or somewhere around there on the MSR 1.7. When I get down to those lap times then maybe I'll consider going forced induction. But I've got a long way to go to get even close to those times. To me its more fun driving the snot out out a naturally aspirated car than to be always messing around and worrying about a boosted car on the track. I've been there and done that in the past when I had a SC Miata with 210 RWHP. I have a lot more fun with 116 RWHP and I learn more about how to make up time on the track than just pressing on the right peddle to make up time on the straights. You don't learn anything doing that.
But hey I'm a ::Bum::::Clown:: so what do I know.
Emilio, on 949 racing, says that 225 rs2's run faster times on 9 inches than on 8 inches. 225's looked a bit stretched on 8's and 9's IMHO, but lap times don't lie.Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
Chris
my plan was to go 235-40-18 on 18x8 later on
Are you staying at stock ride height for this tire/wheel combo. I'd like to know for sure that they fit under the car without rolling the fenders. And I was wondering if you do lower the car will they still work. Can't seem to find a definitive answer for this combo (235-40-18 on 18x8).Quote:
Originally Posted by dark shadow
Thanks for any information you can provide.
i really dont know yet for now i probably will but its going to be awhile and got more research to do.
Grassroots Motorsports had a blurb about their MS3 in this month's issue. Seems they added 235/40-18 Yoko AD08s on 18"x8" OZ wheels (no mention of offset) and lowered the car ~1". They said they had to roll the rear fenders, and even then they still get some rub in the back with 4 people or a full load of stuff in the back of the car.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2K Miata
Thanks for the information altiain. Thats the kind of solid information I was looking for. I really don't want to be rolling fenders if I can help it.
I'll have to get the latest issue of Grassroot Motorsport.
Remind me, and I can bring our issue to MSR on Saturday. It's only a little blurb about the MS3. I think the next issue will have an in-depth report on the suspension mods they made...Quote:
Originally Posted by 2K Miata
Ken-o, oh Ken-o!! Have you decided on the MS3 yet? Again, I suggest a red or white GT and then get the larger intercooler, air intake and exhaust. Perform these upgrades as soon as you get the car. I will buy the car from you a month or two after you complete these upgrades....;-)
Nah. Lucky I was over it before I bought it. I have decided that FWD is just a freak of nature and we should chase all FWD cars down with torches and pitch forks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by smartmx5
Yet out of all the cars you've bought in the last couple of years, the only one that has lasted longer than a month is FWD... :scratch: