Keep Mazdaspeed or trade in

[z1ggy]

Pricing sure is a whole lot more attractive on the genesis. Its a good looking car car too unlike the tiburon. I've heard they drive well, but haven't had a chance to drive one. One on my buddies owns one and likes it.

I own one. It's a pretty good car, I don't have any real complaints. Looks great, I get tons of compliments.

I can't remember the Z power and torque numbers off the top of my head, but I know people are pushing some pretty impressive numbers out of the 2.0T with just CAI, pipes, exhaust and tune. Pop on some coil overs and sway bar if you'd like, and it's a very good bargain per the performance you get.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That's why I have this guy already!

I do like the speeds goofy smile and hoodscoop. It's just a wild car but I've always liked the Z.
Oil consumption - heard about it, I don't think I'll be dealing with it until later in its life, which then I'll probably unload it.

See that's the rub.. If it only happened on older cars, or some sort of pattern, I would be ok with it too.

It seems to happen randomly. Break in, wear doesn't affect it. There are people adding 1/2 qt of oil pretty much every fill up and nissan considers it normal.

My suggestion is to have nissan pull service records first.

Also go to nissan.com, just to read about their business practices.

 

[ballmode]

On the 370z make sure to get the Sport package, you can tell from the rims. I would think tires would be pricey on it but again its a sporty/sports car and the LSD comes with the sports package.

On the 135i it has an open diff but it does have a backseat if its important to you. Modding it can yield huge results but ultimate the tires are narrower than the Z and its hard to put the power down without the right tires/conditions.

The Z is very loud on the highway but I found the rev matching downshifting fun. If the mustang GT wasn't as good as it was, I would be turning to the Z in my pursuit for another car

 

[Hellotalkie]

Update.

Bought a '14 ST3

 

[saratoga172]

Nice car! I've been eyeing an ST3 myself. How are you liking it compared to the MS3 and what made you go with the ST3 over the 370 you were looking at? Or really what made you decide to dump the MS3 and get the ST3. Comparable?

 

[Hellotalkie]

Nice car! I've been eyeing an ST3 myself. How are you liking it compared to the MS3 and what made you go with the ST3 over the 370 you were looking at? Or really what made you decide to dump the MS3 and get the ST3. Comparable?

I could get a brand new ST3 for less than a used 4 year old 370z
Plus it isn't a gas guzzler.

ST3 definitely feels more refined. Not as torque crazy as the MS3. The Recaro seats are awesome.

MS3, I guess the faulty turbo was a let down. Also the interior was already starting to show age. Creaks were noticeable. Otherwise I had minimal complaints for the ms3 and would get another one (or have kept it, if the st3 wasn't around). I got approved for DCUs 1.24%, which helped me with the decision as well.

So far my only complaint about the st3 is the awkward gas pedal placement and the lighter clutch. Power band seems to be more consistent that the ms3

 

[phucheneh]

Heh. You realize you bought the same car, right?

People will argue with that statement, but it's the same chassis/suspension, a lot of the same electrical, and the same basic engine design (derived from the Mazda 'L' engine family, same as the 2.0/2.3/2.5's in current Mazda products).

Granted, past the long block, it may be all Ford. But I wouldn't exactly be surprised if it had the same turbo setup bolted to it, too.

All I can say for sure is that them are some sweet-looking seats. =D

edit: I was curious about the turbos. Looks like they're both BW. MS3 is a K04, ST is a K03 (tiny little ah heck). They are both oil-cooled journal bearing turbos. You will have the exact same problems with your Focus if you are not careful.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Heh. You realize you bought the same car, right?

People will argue with that statement, but it's the same chassis/suspension, a lot of the same electrical, and the same basic engine design (derived from the Mazda 'L' engine family, same as the 2.0/2.3/2.5's in current Mazda products).

Granted, past the long block, it may be all Ford. But I wouldn't exactly be surprised if it had the same turbo setup bolted to it, too.

All I can say for sure is that them are some sweet-looking seats. =D

Yeah but interior is so much better. Got a really deal on the trade and the amount of rebates I got for the st3, made it an even better deal.

Not saying the ms3 was bad, both cars have their pros and cons. But now I don't have the clown smile

 

[toronado97]

I would have waited to see if Mazda has a Speed 3 for 2015 before I did that deal personally, but I like the Focus ST so I can't really criticize you for it. I would be shocked if you find that car as comfortable as the MS3 after owning it for a week though. The ST rides hard as hell.

 

[shabby]

edit: I was curious about the turbos. Looks like they're both BW. MS3 is a K04, ST is a K03 (tiny little ah heck). They are both oil-cooled journal bearing turbos. You will have the exact same problems with your Focus if you are not careful.

So one turbo failure means that they're all going to fail? A lot of cars have bw k03/04 turbo's, even mine does and i had no issues with it at all even with up to 30psi spikes.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I would have waited to see if Mazda has a Speed 3 for 2015 before I did that deal personally, but I like the Focus ST so I can't really criticize you for it. I would be shocked if you find that car as comfortable as the MS3 after owning it for a week though. The ST rides hard as hell.

The recaro's are hit and miss for some but they fit me pretty well. I think that accounts for a lot of the overall comfort even though the suspension is a little more rough in the ms3. I do like the xenon lights, MFT, heated seats, keyless entry and start, and moonroof, and nav.
Just a ton more "comfort" features with pretty similar power.

I did test drive an ST when I was searching for the MS3 but the ST was out of my range due to bring so new and no incentives or rebates. Settled for the MS3 since it was a bargain. Glad it retained it's value when I traded it in.

 

[Hellotalkie]

So one turbo failure means that they're all going to fail? A lot of cars have bw k03/04 turbo's, even mine does and i had no issues with it at all even with up to 30psi spikes.

Really think it was just a fluke and a factory defect. I know the disi engine is a solid platform. I just happened to have a factory defective one.

 

[toronado97]

It's a shame you didn't drive the '14 Mazda 3 to see what might be coming down the pipe shortly. I was dead set on a Focus Titanium 5-door, and drove the 3s GT and it absolutely floored me. It's more of what's in the Focus, but so much more refined. Far better transmission (not an issue in your manual obviously), even better steering feel (as much as you can get from an electric assist anyway), the cabin was a lot nicer place to be, and I had all the gadgets that the Focus had plus some more like the adaptive bi-xenon headlights and the heads up display (a gimmick for some, but my Grand Prix GTP has one too and I really like it). Not poo-pooing on your car though; my buddy has a 14 ST as well and it's a lot of fun to drive. I just think I'd get sick of it pretty quickly with the way it rides. Even in the city on relatively smooth roads it's like being in a horse-drawn buggy.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

It's a shame you didn't drive the '14 Mazda 3 to see what might be coming down the pipe shortly. I was dead set on a Focus Titanium 5-door, and drove the 3s GT and it absolutely floored me. It's more of what's in the Focus, but so much more refined. Far better transmission (not an issue in your manual obviously), even better steering feel (as much as you can get from an electric assist anyway), the cabin was a lot nicer place to be, and I had all the gadgets that the Focus had plus some more like the adaptive bi-xenon headlights and the heads up display (a gimmick for some, but my Grand Prix GTP has one too and I really like it). Not poo-pooing on your car though; my buddy has a 14 ST as well and it's a lot of fun to drive. I just think I'd get sick of it pretty quickly with the way it rides. Even in the city on relatively smooth roads it's like being in a horse-drawn buggy.

The ST stock ride is definitely softer than the MS3 stock ride and there's probably not going to be a Speed3 for at least another year or two (if not more) so no point in waiting for that.

 

[Midwayman]

Those ST3 are neat little cars. If I were looking for something a little smaller I would have considered one for sure.

 

[SearchMaster]

I just think I'd get sick of it pretty quickly with the way it rides. Even in the city on relatively smooth roads it's like being in a horse-drawn buggy.

Is your friend's ST stock? I don't think the ride on mine is rough at all - it actually feels a tiny bit "floaty" at times though it tightens up when you drive it harder. It can be a bit jarring on some speedbumps if you hit them too fast.

 

[SearchMaster]

Settled for the MS3 since it was a bargain. Glad it retained it's value when I traded it in.

You should note, however, that from what I've read the ST has not been holding its value very well. I keep my cars for a long time so it doesn't concern me.