Considering MS3 - Need Current Owners' Thoughts
 

Hi guys... Apologies if this is posted in the wrong section...

I've generally been a Honda mark for most my life, but did venture into a '03 Mazda6s 5-speed when they first came out. I really liked my experience in that car, and it actually changed my perception of Mazda as a whole. In any event, I got the itch for a little more "refinement", and ended up getting an '05 Acura TSX 6-speed. The TSX has been my daily driver and side project (much to the chagrin of my wife :) ), and I can honestly say it's been everything I've ever wanted out of a car, except for the lack of some real giddy-up...

SO, I've been curious about the MS3 for awhile now. I have yet to read a negative review about this car in any car magazine from a performance standpoint(enthusiast or otherwise). I'd obviously gain A LOT in terms of HP and TQ... and with the LSD, I'm quite sure the lighter MS3 will handle just as competently as my modded TSX --- even better if I work on the suspension. I'd probably even gain some interior cargo space which is great when I start going up to the hills with friends to snowboard, etc. I guess my real concern is whether or not I'd miss any of the interior creature comforts that sold me on the TSX, such as the user-friendly voice rec nav system, which is also integrated with the handsfree BT system, real-time MPG calculator, XM radio, etc. I even have an RGB converter and media player that allows my nav screen to double as the display for my DVD player. It's VERY easy to find aftermarket Honda/Acura support, and while I had my Mazda6 (1.5 years), it seemed the only worthy support was coming via imported Mazdaspeed items. Anyway, I appreciate any feedback anyone has...

i doubt mazda's nav has anything on honda/acura's nav system... not sure if you can even convert the newer (06/07) mazda's nav screen's to watch dvds... not sure if anyone has done it although i've seen plenty with older models. i got my ms3 without nav and just decided if i need it, i'll get an aftermarket one

If you want more speed AND refinement you need to snag up one of the last few Mazdaspeed6's on the lots. They are going for a song right now and have plenty of pep. Also, AWD which is very handy as I'm coming to realize.

Another thing to point out is that a base model MS6 will have more options out of the box than a loaded MS3.

speed6 comes standard with HID's, AWD, 274hp/280tq, Bose 6-disk + sub, etc etc etc.... I personally believe it to be the best bang for the buck on the road. Even if the MS3 is a touch faster stock for stock they both mod well and the MS6 will always have the AWD launching ability and no ecu torque control to help it get off the line faster.

Hey Roddimus... thanks - that's a very helpful post. I may have to give both a good test drive. I'd LOVE AWD; I live in NJ, so it would be mighty helpful in the Northeast winter. I haven't decided yet whether I'll definitely get out of my TSX, but I'm tempted. I always buy a car with the intention of keeping it a fair amount of time (5+ years), but somehow that's never happened. I've had 3 cars in the last 3 years... luckily, I haven't really taken a bad hit on any of them, but I need to stop doing this!!! My wife will kill me :cookoo:

<~~~6 cars in 6 years. I got ya beat!

I'm on pace then! :bt:

1 car for almost 3 years now .. I'm in LOVE! :inthebum: :3way:

I posted on the various Acura and TSX forums that I'm on, and surprisingly, a lot of the guys really view the new MS3 as a great deal. We all argue (yes, we are biased) that the TSX is the best bang for the buck in the entry lux market; but they all agree the new MS3 is the best bang for the buck in the sport compact market. One of the Mazda dealerships by me finally got another MS3 in, so I'm going to try to scope it out... anywho, just thought you blokes would like to know that even a good share of the loyal, devout Honda lovers give Mazda their props...

I was almost a honda owner.
Glad i'm not hahah

yeah me too....oh wait a sec, yeah i was...and it was a very costly mistake.....i bought the POS '92 civic hb for $5500 (didnt know it was a POS at the time) and traded it in for $1500 3 weeks later at Mazda.....at least i have a kicka$$ M3 now!!! ZOOM-ZOOM!!!

< ~~ i think i'm 4-5 in last 3 years :)
'94 toy pu -> '03 pro lx -> '03.5 msp -> '03 msp (mine)
'92 pro dx -> '97 honda ody -> '01 pro es (wife)

I think the feel of driving the MS3 will destract you from the lack of neat-o features. I love that steering.


5 car in a year and a half! Sunfire, focus, accent tiburon Speed 3. ha!

I can honestly say that my experience so far in the Virginia winter (sleet storms, slushy crap that slicks up at night) has been that the MS3 sucks for winter driving. Last night I went skiing and had a hard time getting out of my parking space because of the ice build-up. I also had an incident a few weeks ago where the LSD pushed me off the road a little when the right tire was on ice and the left caught traction.

I have no regrets on my MS3 except that it uses a little more fuel than I expected. Lots more if you hammer it some. Closing in on 11,000 miles now, no problems so far.
Every minute is an act of discipline to keep my foot out of it, but every minute is a thrill to be there.
I plan to hit the track at VIR this spring or summer. Yeager, if you're in Richmond, i'm right down 95 about 25 minutes (15 if you're in the S3). We've had no snow, but I drove the beater to Richmond the two days this year it snowed up there. My MS3 is blue (as is yours?) -- I have yet to see another MS3 anywhere yet.

Oh, I saw on another forum that real snow tires make a huge difference on any 3. I rarely see them around here though except on trucks. We have so little snow I can just stay put until the roads are plowed.