Autoweek Mazdaspeed3 Review

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09-12-2006, 06:33 AM
srivendel

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.
09-12-2006, 07:18 AM
Titus

Having buyers remorse pre-delivery?
09-12-2006, 07:35 AM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Having buyers remorse pre-delivery?

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.
09-12-2006, 08:29 AM
SirHustlerEsq

god, I want one of those so bad. What do those things invoice?
09-12-2006, 08:43 AM
Radio-Active

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Having buyers remorse pre-delivery?

Being that he hasn't taken delivery yet, He should be able to get out of purchasing the car if he realy wants.
09-12-2006, 08:44 AM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

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

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

(RX-8 fuel cut is 9500 rpm :wink: )
09-12-2006, 08:48 AM
Radio-Active

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)
09-12-2006, 08:50 AM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

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

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

S.
09-12-2006, 08:54 AM
channelmaniac

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Everything is relative...

Are you from Arkansas? ::Clown::
09-12-2006, 09:03 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

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

S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by channelmaniac

Are you from Arkansas? ::Clown::

Ah, yes, the famous family shrub.
09-12-2006, 09:52 AM
srivendel

Quote:

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.

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.
09-12-2006, 10:20 AM
TheChadVIII

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

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

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!
09-12-2006, 10:21 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChadVIII

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

::Whisp:: He isn't real bright. ;)
09-12-2006, 10:24 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

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

Seems to be going around lately...
09-12-2006, 10:48 AM
redmenace

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio-Active

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

Paging TDR... Paging TDR...
09-12-2006, 10:55 AM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

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

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

S.
09-12-2006, 10:56 AM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChadVIII

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

haha jk.

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.
09-12-2006, 03:38 PM
miataspeedracer

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

Speed
09-12-2006, 03:43 PM
tailchaser

I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.
09-12-2006, 03:49 PM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.

Is there supposed to be one at Zoom Zoom this year or not?
09-12-2006, 03:53 PM
tailchaser

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

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

The official site doesn't seem to think so... Any rumors out there?
09-12-2006, 04:04 PM
Radio-Active

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

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

Dallas, TX
September 23-24, 2006

Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
09-12-2006, 04:19 PM
Radio-Active

Mis-interpretted the question at first. It does'nt say anything about a MS3.
09-12-2006, 04:29 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

The official site doesn't seem to think so... Any rumors out there?

This is the info I got about the differences from last year:

Quote:

The MazdaSpeed Course (MS6 for the first 3 cities and then the MS3 for the remainder) is where you'll get your photo taken that you can download for free. The CX-7 Target Hunt uses a laser reflector to determine how close you came to running over the Bulls-eye of a series of 12" targets. The pace will be fast, just not too fast. The MX-5/RX-8 course is not a school with instructors this year but rather a free drive to help accomodate maximum throughput.
09-12-2006, 04:32 PM
tailchaser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

This is the info I got about the differences from last year:

Cool... I thought I'd seen a favorable rumor somewhere. We'll hold your toes to the candle if it doesn't pan out.
09-12-2006, 04:38 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

Cool... I thought I'd seen a favorable rumor somewhere. We'll hold your toes to the candle if it doesn't pan out.

I am torn... I really would love to see the MS3 at speed, but I would also like to see the MS6 at speed and I think there is a bigger chance of a MS6 in my future (however small).
09-12-2006, 04:44 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

I am torn... I really would love to see the MS3 at speed, but I would also like to see the MS6 at speed and I think there is a bigger chance of a MS6 in my future (however small).

$7,000 OFF! ::Clown::

BTW: Titus, I really think it's time for a new avatar. What started out as mildly irritating has now crossed over into incredibly annoying. Maybe if she were farting, or something, it would be sort of funny-ish, but the dancing is just, well, irritating. :|

S.
09-12-2006, 04:47 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

BTW: Titus, I really think it's time for a new avatar. What started out as mildly irritating has now crossed over into incredibly annoying. Maybe if she were farting, or something, it would be sort of funny-ish, but the dancing is just, well, irritating. :|

S.

Talk to the mods... I didn't pick it. ;)
09-12-2006, 04:54 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Talk to the mods... I didn't pick it. ;)

Here's a suggestion:
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/custo...tar4658_18.gif

S.
09-12-2006, 04:54 PM
tailchaser

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

$7,000 OFF! ::Clown::

BTW: Titus, I really think it's time for a new avatar. What started out as mildly irritating has now crossed over into incredibly annoying. Maybe if she were farting, or something, it would be sort of funny-ish, but the dancing is just, well, irritating. :|

S.

How about now?
09-12-2006, 04:55 PM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

How about now?

MUCH improved! :clap:

S.
09-12-2006, 05:20 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by tailchaser

How about now?

:clap:
09-12-2006, 08:20 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Here's a suggestion:
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/custo...tar4658_18.gif

S.

That's freakin' hilarious! :clap:

Titus' new avatar ain't half bad, either.

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