I think the MazdaSpeed3 will surprise alot on the road! :balls:

I agree....you will see some STI and EVO guys upset that Mazda made a car that can keep up now....

I love the sounds of it - especially at the price!!! But boy oh boy 268 HP to just the front wheels sounds like a recipe for tire smoke and bad launches, even with a good limited slip differential. But I guess enough so that Mazda had to calibrate the PCM to retard power in 1st and 2nd gear? :confused:

Fun, fer sure tho. :D

i get bad launches w/ 170HP, still get the stubborn wheel hop w/ stiffer motor mounts... another 100 horses... sounds like fun! - cant beat that price though.. lotta car 4 the money.

damn, i gotta get my 100 shot...I cant be getting beat by no stock mazda,lol :bt:

Im a bit bitter they stuck with FWD, if they truely want the mazdaspeed3 to compete with its intended competition(ie. STI and EVO) it should be AWD and be packin about 50 more hp imo. Im not gunna lie though im pretty excited to see how it competes, its curb weight is less than the EVO and the STI but its trailing the EVO by 35 hp/10 ft-lbs and the STI by 50 hp/50 ft-lbs.

Im pretty sure that stock for stock the EVO and STI will take the Speed3, but luckily the Speed3 is 8 grand less, so dollar for dollar, the Speed3 Kicks the shit out of the EVO and STI both.

about 10 grand 4 the sti :) $33,000 - evo starts @ $30,000

I love the sounds of it - especially at the price!!!
Ok. So how much is the price? About 23K?

Starting @ 22,835 according to Mazdausa.com

Dam I wish we had those MSRP prices out here in Puerto Rico a base SPEED3 will cost me $29-30g's.

i'd get one if it was a sedan...the hatch is too big for a small girl like me

I'd love to trade in my protege for a newer MSP3... but I couldn't live with driving a hatch, I'm sorry.. but I'm a 100% sedan only guy :(

same here, love the car but absolutely hate the hatches...on any car

MS3 will be awesome. It may even be faster than my MS6 but I needed a bigger car and the AWD will really help out if I decide to launch the car at the track.

it trails the STi by 20 lb/ft of torque not 50... and it trails the STi by 37hp.. and the STi puts down about 225 awhp due to the drastic drivetrain loss.. the MS3 should put down around 235-240whp i'm guessing because fwd's have less drivetrain loss than rwd too. The mazdaspeed weighs 3153 the STi weighs 3351 i don't see the STi romping on this car in anything really besides from a stop.. which is the only advantage..

We just put our deposit on the girl...Two in the family now...SP & MPS...

But there is only one thing that will make you mad, as it did myself. they will only be shipping 5000 of them here a year.

But there is only one thing that will make you mad, as it did myself. they will only be shipping 5000 of them here a year.

Yea...but in the Bay Area more people drive BMW's/Mercedes...sure you'll see them, the MPS...but not alot...same with our SP23...really don't see that many in the Bay Area...i've seen maybe half dozen...

yeah you dont see alot of them in the dallas area either, but the is really nohing special about the sp2.3. the only difference between the 2.3 and sp2.3 is little things like heated seats, rain sensors on the window, just little things like that. there is no performance difference thought. but yeah i still want a speed3 BADLY. but i probly will just go through the proccess of making mine turbo.

yeah you dont see alot of them in the dallas area either, but the is really nohing special about the sp2.3. the only difference between the 2.3 and sp2.3 is little things like heated seats, rain sensors on the window, just little things like that. there is no performance difference thought. but yeah i still want a speed3 BADLY. but i probly will just go through the proccess of making mine turbo.


Don't forget the major difference...the color is only in sp23...back to the MPS...I need turbo...

yeah im saving up for mine is gonna be about 5500 to turn mine turbo with full programing. but while in doing that im in the process of gathering up some reinforced internals.like the crawford forgeds pistons and rods, but i need to find some who makes a better crank. oh hey, have you seen the mazda3 gt wide body kit from brs?

the dealership in athens got a black ms3 yesterday :) - of course, i had to stop and look!

sticker price was $24900

let me know if you need an s-plan number....

^ I wish!

i already did :-D

i already did :-DDo tell! :bt:

it was tempty when I drove tested. But I rather just add a turbo and LSD to mine than to get the MS3 and I will need to change some of its parts in order to get it to my taste. But if you have not made any investment on your 3, I highly recommend to get it....I invested a bit on my 3 already.I love it..

Do tell! :bt:

Well I pretty much LOVE it.
I love the low rumble it makes. and I like the interior everything is great.
I have two beefs with it though.
1. 1st gear is really really low almost too low for normal launching at a stop light.
2. My sticker said I was supposed to have a 6 disc cd changer and 7 speaker bose system but I don't have it.
I have a Sport model and apparently it's not supposed to be on it and it was a mix up however it WAS something I was looking forward too and Mazda is sending me one to install.


I have another one thats not really a big deal.

There are lots of regular m3 hatches driving around so mine dosnt relaly stand out .
However cops see it as an econo car lol :Kill1:

i'd get one if it was a sedan...the hatch is too big for a small girl like me
I doubt that. My wife is 4' 10" and she can reach the hatch.

actualy the HB gives you a more compact feeling compared to the sedan. Speacialy for women they can make better stimate on how much room they have to back up....

actualy the HB gives you a more compact feeling compared to the sedan. Speacialy for women they can make better stimate on how much room they have to back up....

Those rear tri window's suck for blind spots on the Hatch...FYI...

Those rear tri window's suck for blind spots on the Hatch...FYI...

i disagree, i came from a compact sedan and drove several rental cars in between... but from day one of driving a 2006 3 5-door (and now the 07 ms3) i have been completely comfortable with the visibility to my side and behind me. always had a good feeling of distances between other cars around me. also, i've never heard anyone else complain. do you drive the 5-door as well? not sure how i'd feel in a p5, never driven one before. we have an explorer at work in one of those vinyl wraps. that makes my feel uncomfortable, vinyl wrap is hard to see out of and the explorer in general is not something i'm used to size-wise...
anyways, if your mirrors are set correctly and you are paying attention, you shouldn't have to worry about not knowing if someone is in your blind spot. imo, i have no blind spots, just people around me who don't know how to drive wasting space on the highway. :asian:

Owners, where can I find pictures and input about the new Mazdaspeed3

Speaking of driver visibility, today I was messing around with the seat adjuster and wondered what it would be like to drive with the seat at it's highest position.
So I raised it as high as I could and I could see everything! I felt like it was an advantage I didn't know about... However I drive with the steering wheel and the seat at it's lowest because I prefer it. I'm not that tall but I just like it, so I put it back down.
Also, having the seat up that high, my head almost touched the roof and the car felt alot less roomy.

So it's all about how you adjust your seats, wheel and mirrors. That is one of the things that attracted me to this car is being able to adjust the driver positioning in so many ways (not to mention lumbar support).

Go Here...

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=116868/pageNumber=1Owners, where can I find pictures and input about the new Mazdaspeed3

35K at Mazda of roswell for a MazdaSpeed 3. It made me cry.

That is so far BEYOND absurd that it's insulting. I hope they get in trouble with Mazda for it.

well Jim ellis is the same-- the sad part is they are selling!!!!!

i got mine with jim ellis @ msrp... both were offering msrp when i checked. seemed offended when i mentioned other dealers selling over. thinking of trading the rx8?

p.s. i could watch that avatar all day

You guys have to check this site. Its sort of like MYSPACE but you its Automotive driven.
Not many mazdas. Could use some support...Check it, you also can challenge other profiles vehicles and other members select which one is better on a showdown. Take a peak
http://www.Carster.com

So I picked up my MS3 this Friday...it is Awesome!

I'm not really into Hatches either, but I made the exception for this car and I am lovining it. It handles great and it is fast as shit! A lot of fun.

I payed about $300 below MSRP so don't let your local dealer screw you too badly!

I'll post some pics if you guys want.

I'll post some pics if you guys want.Love to see 'em - go for it. :bt:

if i ever somehow manage to blow my engine on my 3 (base model sedan) i think it'll be sweet to drop a ms3 engine into it...that car would be a complete sleeper!!...

It's already a sleeper...the thing looks no different than the 5door except for the wheels and the grill. Most of the differences are very subtle. I'm gonna take some shots of it as soon as I get out of work today.

[QUOTE=Flammable71]It's already a sleeper...QUOTE]

EXACTLY.

Find me someone other than an enthusaist who can tell the difference ....

The ricer who's looking at the rear end as it pulls away from him (if he is paying attention that is!).

Same thing for my Speed6. No one knows what it is, nor do they know what it is capable of. I am very glad Mazda went down the path of restraint. No doubt there will be some who trash the appearance in the name of whatever they call performance, but I will just be cruising along under the radar.

i always just look at the exhaust tip on the speed3's....cuz the stock 3's have a small, polished tip, while the speed3's have the nice, 4 inch tip (right?)
and then theres the wheels, but when your moving, you dont really notice them...

Here are a couple of photos of my Speed 3. If anyone is thinking about getting one or is just curious and wants some specific shots of anything just let me know and Ill take pics.

i wish i had more money when i signed the lease for my 3...i got mine complelty base (except for a/c)...
maybe i'll do a trade-in in a couple years when im working full time

Tomorrow is going to be MZR Monday for me ... I'll be test driving a MS3, MS6, and a CX-7. One of them will be a replacement for the Tribute, which has served us exceptionally well. Let's hope the sun comes out, so I can take some pictures for all to enjoy :)

So the check engine light came on yesterday...I took it in this morning and the error code came back as "evaporative exhaust." They said it will be at least a day before i get it back so im driving a ... Pontiac :barf: G6.

So, long story short, has anyone experienced this? Does anyone know what that code means?

Hi Everyone!

I'm in Australia & I just bought a brand new Mazda 3 MPS (what you guys call the 'Speed') I was wondering, does anyone know any good mods to do to it? I can't find anything on the net for it ...

So Mazda says the error code points to a faulty purge valve in the emissions system...

hey Zoom Zoom1 can you take a photo of your badges. I wanna see what they look like.

Flammable - never seen that code yet on a Mazdaspeed 3. Have seen cold weather related P2006 (Intake Manifold Runner Control) Bank 1 Stuck, and P0300 Random Misfires. Both are cold weather related problems with the MSP3, the P0300 only happens if you don't drive it, and it sits and idles constantly.

You might already know this, but make sure that your gas cap is ALWAYS tightened to 3 clicks or more. A loose gas cap can create all sorts of evap emmisions codes. (usually P04**)

And if I remember right, there is a new calibration for the PCM available, have the service dept. check into that and reflash it too, while they are fixing the Evap DTC.

Hope you are enjoying your new 3!

I have found that they have no good traction in 1st gear (especially on cold/wet/snowy streets). Once it's hooked up it feels about as fast as a MSP6. I'm sure this may be attributed to the fact that while it is lighter than the 6, it also has less HP.

I am wondering if this can be fixed with a simple reprogram of the PCM using the as-built data from a 6? The motors/sensors/etc are identical correct?

Yeh sure Flammable71 - will do that for you ASAP - am at work atm so can't do it right now - but will do it for you :)

my mazda 3 had tha same problem, was your car studering, like it was fluding out? thats the way mine was acting. mazda replaced my spark plugs and the purge sensor. this may sound wierd but it was a result of using to high of octane gas i was using premium, but now that ive went to regular it has not messed up anymore.

No...My MS3 was running perfectly, check engine light came on so i took it in. the MS3s require premium gas, I use chevron. It wasnt the gas cap thing, but I am going to make double sure to close it tight.

I would have thought the MS3 is faster than the MS6 with both at stock. It's all the same equipment but the 6 is bigger and has AWD. I Know the 3 is de-tuned a little, but maybe you're right, just flash the chip with the 6's program and it may fully tune up to the 272 bhp.

Anyway, they called me today and said it is ready to pick up... I get my baby back tomorrow!

We see alot of purge valve problems on the N/A 3. There is an updated version that fixes it. I've installed quite a few of those purge valves. When I said that it was not common, I meant on the Mazdaspeed 3. I believe they already come installed with the new version, the main change is the layout of the formed hose to it, not the actual valve itself, but it all gets replaced together. Apparently, the flow was not right going through it at times.

Hope you are enjoying the 3!!

I want to start seeing some track times, stock, slightly modified, and with nitrous and/or an upgraded turbo. Hopefully something will get posted on the internet soon.

:bt:

Yes! I am planning on taking it to the track in about a month. It will be stock when I run it and I have never run on a drag track before so my launch times will probably be bad, but I will be posting time slips as soon as I get them. I want to wait to do any mods to the car until I see what other people are doing and what is working/not working.

For the future though... I will probably do a down pipe and a boost controller to start with. As well as turbo timer / boost guage.

You might want to find out if the PCM cuts fuel at a certain boost level to prevent overboosting, because if you boost beyond the stock specification it may do this, would could be potentially damaging on your motor. There is probably some sort of boost cut elimenator that you can purchase to solve that. Just remember that the Mazda dealer may not warranty a clutch or anything else that fails due to racing.

Yessss!! Im Geting The Speed3!! I Cant Wait

I would love to pick up a ms3, but I really like my p5. I know that the ms3 would run circles around the p5, but I can't get myself to part with it. Maybe if I ever make it in to test drive one I will change my mind, but I just can't fathom the idea of another 5 years of car payments.

I would love to pick up a ms3, but I really like my p5. I know that the ms3 would run circles around the p5, but I can't get myself to part with it. Maybe if I ever make it in to test drive one I will change my mind, but I just can't fathom the idea of another 5 years of car payments.

Get a 3 year payment plan like the MS3... lol ;)

tempting on the ms3, but i heard a few problems alrdy, so im a bit hesitant. I already bit the bullet on the rx7.

tempting on the ms3, but i heard a few problems alrdy, so im a bit hesitant. I already bit the bullet on the rx7.

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about problem reports on forums. The way it works on forums is people only post if there is a problem, things don't break and they don't say anything ;) There's no better combination of price, performance, and practicality on the market than the MS3.

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about problem reports on forums. The way it works on forums is people only post if there is a problem, things don't break and they don't say anything ;) There's no better combination of price, performance, and practicality on the market than the MS3.

I'll be one of the happy ones who don't remain silent. 21,000 miles on MS3, no problems, 28MPG (if you sort of keep your foot out of it), it hauls 5 people, hauls some stuff, really hauls ass, and has really really really good brakes. The Cosmic Blue ones don't attract much unwanted attention. You decide.

hmmm im very tempting.