[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I didn't trade the BMW but rather added a new car. I picked up a 2012 Mazdaspeed3. Great little car and a LOT of fun to drive. I used to own one back in 2008 and they've made some great chassis adjustments. The car handles so well...better than my 335 in fact. The steering ratio is a lot more aggressive and makes for a very responsive ride with great turn-in.

Of course it's no where near the refinement of my 335, in fact the Mazda isn't something you'd call "refined" at all. However that's whats so charming about it.

Once it's broken in, and modded up I'm going to have a friend line up with me so I can do highway pulls with both cars. I'm expecting the Mazda to actually be able to pull on the 335 (x-drive) once I have intake/exhaust, tune, and fueling upgrade. :thump:

[sanf]

the stock MS3 sounded pretty good. I heard one taking off the other day

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Originally Posted by sanf

the stock MS3 sounded pretty good. I heard one taking off the other day

It's got a pretty aggressive stock exhaust. From what I've read in the Mazda forums it's pretty free-flowing (i.e. upgrading the exhaust won't yield much HP *not counting the DP)

[az34]

ZOOM-ZOOM

[Artmasterx]

I look forward to a more detailed review. This is a car that is on my potential list. Is the torque steer as bad as is reported?

[BKap08]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

I look forward to a more detailed review. This is a car that is on my potential list. Is the torque steer as bad as is reported?

not trying to to thread jack but to answer your question, my brother has a Mazda 6 and the torque steer in that thing is HORRIBLE. I was actually amazed at how bad it really is. Not sure if the Speed3 will have as bad torque steer but it definitely does look like a promising car

[mmm def]

love these little guys! Almost sold my 335 for one but couldn't get over the fwd. It's cheap, FAST and fun.

BKap-torque is limited in 1 & 2 by the Ecu, maybe even 3rd i can't remember. Torque steer is still there but I wouldn't call it awful.

Bubba post up some more pics and reviews, would love to hear. This car is on my short list for when I need something cheaper and fun. Cool

[Artmasterx]

Also, one other question: Is there any reason to go with a 2012 over a used 2011 or 2010 (other than because it's new)? I don't seem to recall any major changes since 09.

[sanf]

the $ between a new 2012 vs an used 11 is probably pretty small. for a thousand or two more it's better to pick up a brand new one. imo

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Hey guys- thank you all for responding. This actually isn't my first Mazdaspeed3. I had one back in 2008 (gen1) and loved it. The only reason why I traded it was for a steal of a deal on a lightly used SRT6. That's an amazing car in it's own right which I went on to run a 12.1 @ 114 on stock tires and pump gas and 2k in mods. Here's a shot of the engine bay...


But I digress....

The Gen2 MS3's have been tuned quite a bit from Mazda from the Gen1's. They are intact a bit slower to 60 due to increased torque management in the first 3 gears. Yes you won't get full torque till 4th! However a simple Cobb AP off the shelf tune will unlock all that extra torque if you want it (just be sure you are running slicks on the front).

The bigger changes they made were to the chassis and handling. I haven't pushed it very hard yet apart from a few spirited turns and highway exists but it is incredibly flat through turns. It's so well composed I almost feel like adding sway bars, and suspension bits won't improve it but maybe make it worse. I really feel like the Mazda engineers nailed it in the handling department. Would love to lower as it has the typical OEM 4x4 stance. However, again, I worry about messing up the suspension geometry because, quite honestly, it's sooooo darn good stock!

I don't know if any of you have driven an Evo or a Honda S2k. The steering ratio in this car is very akin to those cars. Very small inputs yield fast responsive turns. I tend to vacillate over power and straight-line acceleration when, honestly, the way the car steers/tracks, and handles is a big part of the equation as well. In this case I feel they hit a home-run. I'd venture to say...at the time I'm writing this (on my second day of ownership) the Mazda is more "fun" to drive than my 335xi. Granted the 335xi is wayyyy more car, silky smooth, and vicious torque and grip on take-off (thank you x-drive!).

The Mazda isn't anywhere near as refined- you won't forget you are driving what's essentially an econobox with tuned suspension and a turbo. However that's not to say it hasn't made quite a bit of improvements from the Gen1 cars all around (except in power).

Speaking of power- I haven't really gotten on it yet as it's less than 100 miles on the odo. I want to do a mild break-in but I can already feel how difficult it will be to get off the line. I was at a light today and didn't realize the light had changed to green so I did one of those quickly shift into gear and take-off before people started beeping. Well, I didn't do a clutch drop launch or anything like that- just a mildy brisk take-off. Even then the front tires broke loose and traction control engaged. I can only imagine how rough it will be when actually trying to launch it hard. To the car's credit though- it's running Bridgestone Potenza Summer performance tires and it's around 40 degrees today. Certainly not optimal temps for high-performance rubber.

On the highway it's quite impressive. Again, I haven't run it hard but I've done some mildly brisk acceleration from 40-70 and it pulls hard on the highway. After all it doesn't have any par acidic loss from an AWD system, or extra weight- I believe the new MS3 weighs in around 3200lbs, quite a bit less than my porkster 335xi.

Overall it's going to be a good mix of cars to own. So absolutely different in every way, and have strengths in completely different areas as well. I don't know the numbers so I may be wrong but judging from the "feel" so far- the 335 won't be able to keep up in the corners.

I've very happy with the purchase, it's not an expensive car and theres a pretty decent aftermarket out of them including HPFP internal upgrades to address fueling when doing larger mods like cattless downpipes and aggressive tunes. They can easily be tuned for over 300whp and close to 400wtq.

If you guys are interested I'll try to get more photos and post. However bear in mind right now it's bone-stock.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Originally Posted by sanf

the $ between a new 2012 vs an used 11 is probably pretty small. for a thousand or two more it's better to pick up a brand new one. imo

Absolutely- it was laughable how much dealers were trying to sell low milage 2010's and 11's for. Literally within a thousand (and sometimes hundreds) of dollars difference between them and a factory fresh brand new one. Of course I chose the latter.

[mmm def]

mm i love this car. If it had AWD I'd be driving one and Suby would be very afraid. They should be as it is now.

[rdub315]

what up mmm def...? didn't you just get back into a BMW? looking to switch it up again?

[mmm def]

Originally Posted by rdub

what up mmm def...? didn't you just get back into a BMW? looking to switch it up again?

Yo man!! I got my E90 M3 in September, loving it. I'll be holding onto it for a while, I just have a soft spot for little pocket rockets. Maybe when the time comes I'll sell the M3 to Chase and then he can sell it to you 1 month later