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blakeZX3

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Well im kinda over my svt, I dont wanna dump 2k in having it painted the color I want it. Every one is like ehhh its a focus, and Its graduation gift time.

MS3 anyone?

Well there are a few things holding me back:

-It lacks a sunroof and apparently you cant get one.

-It doesnt look diffrent then any other Mazda 3 hatch. Besides the spoiler and a minor change to the fogs.

-It has such a cheap headliner (glaring at me because of a missing sunroof!)

- I dont want a sport (I think their garbage my fast car SHOULD have leather and HIDs)

-No touring models are avalible and the ones that are are 2 states away and the dealers have there heads up there ass thinking this thing is special enough to have a 3k mark up, hell no.

-Mazda 2.3s exploding, I have herd of several mazda 2.3s just blowing up 2 or 3 on here alone, this kind of worrys me alot, esp sence this has a turbo.

-Muted clutch. You dont get alot of pedal feel with this clutch it reminds me alot of an extremely hydraulic assisted clutch kinda like the power steering on an F150

-Not the hugest fan of the look

So in light of these turn offs I still kinda want one. But im wondering can any one suggest a good alternative, I want to stay in the 25K area and I dont want a huge wing pull me over please car.

Options, or ways to talk me into the MS3 more.
 
i dont even know WHERE TO START with your post, and frankly too twisted to try...

tomorrow night, and if im redundant by then im sry...but im gonna say it anyways.


-chris
 
-It lacks a sunroof and apparently you cant get one.

-It doesnt look diffrent then any other Mazda 3 hatch. Besides the spoiler and a minor change to the fogs.
those are two major pluses right there :thumbup:
 
This post is giving me the whole "I don't really want this car, but I do like the overall package and I can get pleather for under $25k brand new" vibe. I honestly enjoyed driving the less powerful Focus much more than my 3; perhaps that's because I walked into mine via a bittersweet course of events.

Options:
Purchase the MS3 and have the dealership install a sunroof
Purchase a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer (actually pretty hot looking and peppy for a 2.0L)
Purchase a used Pontiac GTO

-----------------
No matter what car you are going to get, you have to remember you won't get everything you want without purchasing a LR2. Oh wait. :p
 
lets see...
VW GTI & get a turbo back & APR reflash and your @ "240whp":dunno:

mini cooper S not as powerful but still good enough

subaru wrx wait untill Augest when the new one hits the show room and get the current 07 on a discount:thumbup: or a month after that.

but to be honest
the MS3 would be my choise:thumbup:

hope this helps

Bobby
 
Maxis24 said:
Purchase a used Pontiac GTO

-----------------
:p
i dont know about you guys but the pontiac web site still has the GTO in there then i find i dealership in my area & like 15 of them show up brand new but as 06 modles
i say if they have them in your area ask for a hugh discount since there 06 modles see what they say:D

Bobby
 
Sounds like you don't want a sports car.

Honestly, if you dont absolutely love it, stick with the SVT.

You don't deserve one anyway for questioning Mazda's creation of one of the best cars ever built.

edit: ^can you tell I love this car?
 
blakeZX3 said:
Well im kinda over my svt, I dont wanna dump 2k in having it painted the color I want it. Every one is like ehhh its a focus, and Its graduation gift time.

MS3 anyone?

Well there are a few things holding me back:

-It lacks a sunroof and apparently you cant get one.

-It doesnt look diffrent then any other Mazda 3 hatch. Besides the spoiler and a minor change to the fogs.

-It has such a cheap headliner (glaring at me because of a missing sunroof!)

- I dont want a sport (I think their garbage my fast car SHOULD have leather and HIDs)

-No touring models are avalible and the ones that are are 2 states away and the dealers have there heads up there ass thinking this thing is special enough to have a 3k mark up, hell no.

-Mazda 2.3s exploding, I have herd of several mazda 2.3s just blowing up 2 or 3 on here alone, this kind of worrys me alot, esp sence this has a turbo.

-Muted clutch. You dont get alot of pedal feel with this clutch it reminds me alot of an extremely hydraulic assisted clutch kinda like the power steering on an F150

-Not the hugest fan of the look

So in light of these turn offs I still kinda want one. But im wondering can any one suggest a good alternative, I want to stay in the 25K area and I dont want a huge wing pull me over please car.

Options, or ways to talk me into the MS3 more.
- yes the headliner is cheap, but as many people with Mz3 say - I rather have the cheap out on the headliner and invest more elsewhere
- if they do not have the options you want - order one - it is not a limited edition model ... they will build all those they can sell .. just find a good dealer that will sell at MSRP or Invoice .. not a hard feat.
- yes the Mazda3 clutch does not have the best feedback. .especially coming from SVTF
- no huge reliability issues with the 2.3l Engine (not sure about the DISI n the MS3) .. and if you are worried - get extended warranty

if it is not what you want do not get it .... there are plenty of other options at that price .. including the AWD Mazdaspeed6 and many other brands. ..

Igor
 
as for motor blowing up. The only motor i have heard o fblowing was in a speed 6 with a bigger turbo, tuuned ot 25 psi stock internals. When he had peaked at 33 psi. then the motor blew.

No dealer installed sunroof. But it has been done. there was discusion on it. and a member had a shop do it fo raround 1000, there are 2 cross braces held to the roof with like silicone glue.
I opted for the sport cause its the same power its all looks and some comfort diffrence but handling and powe rare the same.
The clutch i have had speed 6 owners drive my car, and wish there clutch felt like ms3. But it seams to eget better with milage.
Look around. I know here in cali, every dealer i talked to had no mark up. I just foudn the one that treated me the best.

there are a few peeps who have had problems. and think there problem form 5 people make it an official problem. But thats 5 people out of 5000 ms3 in the usa.
I have 5000 miles now and not one problem with my ms3 sport. love it.

The one thinkg is with this DISI motor and the way trhe car is it does run really rich. One thing with the plug and play computers in the works is leaning i tout. and gaining mpg and still claim and keep hp.
 
blakeZX3 said:
-Not the hugest fan of the look
This alone makes me wonder why you would even consider the car. You will be walking out to the car every single day thinking that you drive an ugly car. An ugly $25k+ car. I figure if I (personally) am going to drop that much money on a vehicle, or anything else for that matter, I damn well better have the "I NEED to have this" feeling. Spend some more time looking around until you find that "I NEED to have this" car, and you'll be much more prone to keep it long term. :)
 
My dads about to get a Mazda Speed 3, so here is what else was on his list:


-New Mini Cooper (turbo)

-Pontiac Solstice

-Saturn Skyy

-Mitsubishi Lancer

-WRX
 
mievil said:
This alone makes me wonder why you would even consider the car. You will be walking out to the car every single day thinking that you drive an ugly car. An ugly $25k+ car. I figure if I (personally) am going to drop that much money on a vehicle, or anything else for that matter, I damn well better have the "I NEED to have this" feeling. Spend some more time looking around until you find that "I NEED to have this" car, and you'll be much more prone to keep it long term. :)
*nods*

First and foremost, figure out what you want. Not a specific car, but what you want OUT of a car.

Does it need to hold five people? Does it need to be fuel economic? Does it need to be fast? Whats important?

And most definitely don't settle on something that doesn't pop out at you as "cool". I couldn't afford the year I wanted at the time, but one of the top contenders I liked was an 01 or 02 BMW M-Coupe. They didn't make a metric buttload of them, but if theres some in your area that would fit under the $25K pricerange (unless you buy from a BMW dealer... those guys need to support their cocaine habits and charge accordingly). Gotta shop around for acceptable mileage cars (too high and cost of ownership is stupid), but big advantage is that depreciation is very low on a couple year old car which can make an expensive car actually not that bad on cost of ownership all said and done. If I couldn't find one... I'd go w/ a C5 again in a heartbeat heheh, cept probably an anniversary edition 2003 with the F55 suspension... mmhmmm. Bet they'll drop a little in price again when the LS3'd Vettes show up at dealers. If it had to seat more and I couldn't swing a CTS-V (probably closer to $30K), I'd look for a used Audi A3 even though they are kinda on the porky side but at least they are luxo and sexy.

If it had to be new, and I could only buy one car to do everything, I think I'd probably go with one of those new turbo Cooper S's.
 
As listed before I really believe that you should take a long hard look on what you are really wanting the car to do. The new 08 Lancer Ralliart should have an upgraded suspension an interior, but if its a turbo or AWD you want you are going to have to either spring for an EVO or WRX. I wouldn't suggest the MS6, even though it has a little more hp and AWD I've heard it drives sloppy and is poorly balanced. I was in the same situation as you a few months ago. I decided that I wasn't 100% crazy for the car so I'm waiting, I suggest you do the same.
 
secondechomatt said:
For that kind of money, I'd pick up a slightly used evo, with some mods and really have some fun. :)
Used Evos and STIs should be on everyone's no-no list. You never know how much they were beat on. Seems like they are pretty much like an 89 Civic Si. Hard to find one that hasn't been molested or beat to hell, or both.
 
Wow this almost sounds like a troll thread.

My biggest turn off from the Mazda3 (not the MS3, havent driven one yet) is the electronic steering. Other then that, it's a awesome car all around.

But to me it sounds like you dont want a sports car. Leather? HID? Sunroof? Why the hell would anyone put that in a car that's ment to go fast around a track? All that crap slows down the car!

Maybe you should look into luxury cars. Like the Acura TL.
 
An Evo or S2000 doesn't make sense for a used car right now. Its old technology, but without the big price-drop that occurs when the next generation is actually available to purchase.

When they FINALLY replace the S2000 and the new Evo hits dealer floors in any numbers, thats when you shop for an S2K or Evo. :thumbup:

PS: HIDs aren't heavier though, and once you've gone HID you don't go back (real projectors that is, not cheapo bulbs). Its something you don't know you were missing until you have it, and then its like.... WOAH. :D
 
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