P5 compared to 3 Hatch handling?
June-18th-2007, 11:36 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 239
P5 compared to 3 Hatch handling?
I have an '02 P5 with 59K miles, and I'm thinking of trading for a Mazda 3 hatch. I test drove one and it seemed a little more powerful than the P5, but I'm worried about the handling. At low speeds, the 3 handled really well, similar to the P5. But when I got out on the highway, I shook the stearing wheel back and forth to see how well it recovered. The rear end was wobbly and took its time settling down. When I shake my P5 like that, the rear end follows perfectly, like it's on rails. I don't want to give up that stability.
Have any of you gone from a P5 to a Mazda 3, and did you have the same impression? I noticed the 3 hatch has no strut tower braces. I would like to get your opinions before I decide to buy one. I really don't want to take a step down in handling.
Thanks
Have any of you gone from a P5 to a Mazda 3, and did you have the same impression? I noticed the 3 hatch has no strut tower braces. I would like to get your opinions before I decide to buy one. I really don't want to take a step down in handling.
Thanks
June-18th-2007, 12:18 PM
#2
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Rochester, New York
Posts: 2,517
You have good reason to be concerned. I don't know why, it is quite wobbly. One of my roommates had a Mazda3 (he still does.. we just kicked him out, so he's no longer a roommate) hatch and I drove it quite a few times. It always felt big, heavy, and mushy to me. That being said, my P5 was lowered before I ever drove his 3, but lowering my car (at least with my first set of lowering springs) didn't make the car feel much different at all. .. it isn't just that the 3 leans more, the steering feels so numb and unresponsive. From what 3 people have told me, the 3 is so well designed that a strut tower brace is totally unnecessary, but who knows.
All this being said, I'm sure with a few thousand dollars dropped on the suspension of the 3 it could feel like the p5 (just heavier and with numb steering).
it still sure as hell beats the competition (civic, corolla, focus, matrix, sentra, etc) in terms of handling, steering feel, general 'connectedness', etc.
All this being said, I'm sure with a few thousand dollars dropped on the suspension of the 3 it could feel like the p5 (just heavier and with numb steering).
it still sure as hell beats the competition (civic, corolla, focus, matrix, sentra, etc) in terms of handling, steering feel, general 'connectedness', etc.
June-18th-2007, 02:53 PM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 239
Thanks for that assessment, though it's not what I hoped to hear.
Does everyone else here at the forums concur with Kansei?
As for a few thousand bucks to make it feel like a heavy numb P5... well, I think I'd take the money, forget about the handling and go get a Mustang GT. Of course I'd be violating my long time Chevy hotrodders loyalty code, but I always secretly liked the old '68s and that's what the new ones look like..
Does everyone else here at the forums concur with Kansei?
As for a few thousand bucks to make it feel like a heavy numb P5... well, I think I'd take the money, forget about the handling and go get a Mustang GT. Of course I'd be violating my long time Chevy hotrodders loyalty code, but I always secretly liked the old '68s and that's what the new ones look like..
Last edited by Rusty; June-18th-2007 at 02:59 PM.
June-18th-2007, 10:38 PM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 1,332
Test drove a Speed 3, and it feels more responsive on the handling than a normal 3. Then again, it has better sways, and mazdaspeed springs.
You get what you pay for.
Some people won't agree, but it seems like the 3 was designed to be more of a comfort/luxery compact, while the Protege line was more of a fun and lively series.
The 3 doesn't give me a 'weeeee' feeling when driven, but I think it would be much better for long trips as it's 'mushyness' would make it road noise and vibration less noticeable. The 3 is very smooth. Feels like a mini Camry to me.
I drive a Protege now, and I'd agree with you that it is much more spirited (yet slower) than the 3. Just feels... funner I guess.
You get what you pay for.
Some people won't agree, but it seems like the 3 was designed to be more of a comfort/luxery compact, while the Protege line was more of a fun and lively series.
The 3 doesn't give me a 'weeeee' feeling when driven, but I think it would be much better for long trips as it's 'mushyness' would make it road noise and vibration less noticeable. The 3 is very smooth. Feels like a mini Camry to me.
I drive a Protege now, and I'd agree with you that it is much more spirited (yet slower) than the 3. Just feels... funner I guess.
June-19th-2007, 06:31 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 6
The Mazda 3 obviously has a newer suspension design and setup. The downside is that it is much heavier than the P5. At the same time your also getting 30 more horses out of the motor and larger tires.
Personal preferance. Keep in mind there are a ton of suspension options for the Mazda 3 from sway bars to springs.
Personal preferance. Keep in mind there are a ton of suspension options for the Mazda 3 from sway bars to springs.
June-19th-2007, 06:43 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 1,332
I don't know if it's a newer setup, just a different one really. Seems to be meant more for a comfortable ride than a 'car on rails' feel.
Not thats its a bad thing, like I said, I'd love to take an M3 on a trip as you wouldn't feel the road as much.
Not thats its a bad thing, like I said, I'd love to take an M3 on a trip as you wouldn't feel the road as much.
