Rivulent

NOTE: The first 3 paragraphs are just myself introducing myself. If you don't like reading just to read, theres not much point in reading it.

Hiya, my name is Matthew. I go by Rivulent on the forums/games/etc. I am over from www.mx6.com. I currently have a '93 mazda mx-6 LS. It's got 210k miles. It runs well, but something is wrong with the front end (getting torque steer as well as "pops" when I turn left. I am thinking it is from my cv axels but I just replaced them a few months ago, don't feel like going through it again.).

Basically, I bought the car (my first) a year ago and I made the mistake of spending a thousand dollars less and getting one with high miles. Tip for any other kids out there, unless they have records or lots of replacements over the last few months, don't buy a car with high miles becuase it's cheaper . Either way though, I love and respect my car in all it's dieing glory. Owning one, I convinced my parents (I'm 17, by the way. About to go off to college in August), to buy an rx-8. Great car, although it's automatic .

My mx-6 is manual so I have been tought on that and won't be going to an automatic any time soon. Manual gives me so much control, plus it's fun driving unless it's stop and go traffic .

So anyway, yesterday I went off to an orientation with my parents to University of South Florida (where I am going next year, may transfer to FSU depending if my friends go there or not). Driving on I-75, my steering is acting up, blah blah blah... my parent's agree that it's time to dump the lemon (again, I love the car - but I have to face it, it's a black hole in my pocket). I am looking at Mazda 3s since I can't afford the monthly payment of $400+ of a Mazda 6. I am looking at the msrp range (not that i'm paying msrp, HAH!) of around 18,5, which translates to about $300 a month after trade-in/repeat customer rebate/interest.

Now for some questions.

1) If anyone has driven a MX-6 LS (160hp as well), how does it compare to the M3? I will be test driving one later this week, but for the sake of conversation..

2) If I chose to go with cloth, are the "upgraded interior" parts the same as if I went with leather? The option goes away if I chose leather. If so, than what is the difference between the "normal" interior, and the "leather" interior parts, other than the seats (obviously)? My brother can do a custom leather interior for me, and I suspect the leather quality isn't top notch on an econocar. Then again, the M3 definately surpasses what all other econocars offer.

3) On the 2.3L, how much space is in the engine compartment? When I took a look at a few days ago, it slipped my mind to look at the space in the compartment. Good room for aftermarket support? Turbo is never not a possibility

4) The MP3 player does not have a text display does it? I have a JVC KD-LH3100 in my mx-6 and I'm spoiled browing folders and seeing what I'm listening to. Has anyone made a retrofit kit so that a conventional radio can fit, if it's even possible?

5) How is the beam pattern of the non-xenon lights? My mom's rx-8's HIDs are hella nice, but I don't know if 900 dollars is a worthy investment. Do the headlights look at all different (the actual assembly)? Could I just do a HID conversion for 500 dollars?

I may have more later, but I hope with time (and the purchase) I can be on the other end of the questions! Thanks!

bludj95

Get the m3..no question asked..its worth it..i got all the packages except the leather.... and do u know its sharing the underpinning and h frame of the volvo s40....Me and my wife r enjoying the drive of this car and one time at the gas station is checkin it out my car...even my neighbor who jus bought the toyota matrix...but they will consider getting the mazda 3 later this year.