Again?!?!

We talkin bout r 3rd gens!

 

How about some 3rd gen pics to keep this thread on track? These are from a meetup with Boostdprotegelx from mazdas247. If I had my new drop on at the time, the third pic would be my favorite. It's my current laptop background.







And a meetup with flyinhawaiian and Liquid_ag in Frederick:

 

A couple things. First, I had a buddy shake my car while I peeped behind the left rear wheel--loose endlink nut! The one that connects to the strut. I'll tighten that badboy up tomorrow and rid myself of evil clunk.

Second, I made my P5 a little jealous by taking my neighbor's Speed3 out on some twisty backroads:




Ho




ly





****.




No one should have that kind of raw, unadulterated power. It's absolutely sick how fast that car is once it hooks up. In 2nd gear I hit the rev limiter only because I was afraid to look down at the tach, trees were flashing past so quickly. It was really smooth even at redline. It required a bit of effort to keep it going straight on the narrow 2-lane road. Torque steer ftl. A little turbo lag, but not bad. Totally useable power--you could drive around in 3rd gear all day. I also checked the motor mounting while cruising in the parking lot--not perfect, but a lot tighter than my P5.

The suspension is very nicely tuned--feels like my car only rolls (and clunks) less. A bit of understeer keeps you out of the weeds. The chassis is so stiff there's no problem going over crappy roads even with the stiffer suspension. Nice isolation from vibes. It's almost worth the extra weight.

I'd be dead really soon if I had that kind of power.

 

Nice pics! I think I see two different suspension setups there.

Sorry to get off topic, but I had to talk about my MS3 experience.

 

I officially hate you Josh.

 

Yes, a before and after of my suspension setup.

The MS3 is indeed fast, I got to testdrive one and was scared to push it to the handling limits. Us 3rd gens will never be that fast (well, maybe me after the new engine and hiboost kit )

 

^^ don't MS3s dyno not much over like.. 230hp? they're also 4-500 pounds more than a Protege5.. I'm not worried

with thousands and thousands of dollars dumped into a Protege5 you can keep up with a stock mazdaspeed3 and look much nicer doing it lol

 

That hate could be easily remedied at your local MazdaSpeed dealer.

Chris, you make a valid point. But no Protege will ever acheive the MS3's combination of speed, refinement, and reliability. That's where it really impresses.

 

It would cost a lot of money.. and while the 3 has a refined (read: cushy.. read: not what I want in a car at all) ride, the ergonomics on the interior are a bit.. odd. Plus I told myself my next car has to have a nicer steering wheel the 3.. no way

Nobody makes a car that is what I want in a car (lightweight, cheap wagon with decent power and excellent fuel economy, with a nice interior and just absolutely great handling.. and really, really pretty)... so I modded my car to fix the one thing in that list it didn't have. I don't think I could reduce the weight of the MS3 enough, and I know that it would cost a ton to 'fix' the exterior appearance.. the interior it's just not happening.

It would be easier for me to get a Mini Cooper S and take it from gaudy hell (outside and in) and make it look classy.

 

Don't read "cushy" when I write "refined." MS3 suspension is excellent--far from cush. The chassis is rigid enough to handle the suspension--that's refinement.

Say what you will about the ergonomics. I found everything I needed.

True, it's got a bit more heft, but the engineers have done well to disguise it.

 

which nut? i was worried about that when i saw the people that did your original setup used non stock nuts without lock washers. i would invest in 4 lock washers to prevent that from happening again

 

I think the MS3 is nice and all, but if I'm going to be spending 30k on a car, I'm going to looking for something beyond the 'sport compact' level.

For that price range, it's all about the Speed6 imo. Feels like you get alot more for your money in that package.

 

yeah if I wanted a heavier car I'd go all out and get the MS6 :P it's like 3600 pounds of fury lol

 

I love my MS6. It is an awesome car. I have to install the adjustable front upper ball joints and get a good alignment, with the springs I have that should really wake up the handling.

 

When I took the MS6 on the track for the time trial at zoom zoom live, I was pleasantly surpsied at how well it handled stock. I don't know if it was the suspension or the boatloads of traction but it just felt awesome