Mazda Speed3

[ncage]

Ok guys im going to be in the market for a new car this winter sometime (probably Jan/Feb). I am strongly looking at a mazda speed3. Every review ive read about this pocket rocket has been awesome. I think its everything i want. Its fast, gets pretty good gas mileage (although you must use premium), the interior seems pretty good, and the price is descent.

OK now to the issues i worried about. My local mazda dealer does not sell the speed series. I called their service department and the guy i talked to said all their techs are speed certified and they would do routine maintenance and basic fixes on the car but he said if it got into anything complicated like the turbo or anything like that then they could not work on it. This then leaves me to the closest service station being a little over an hour away. 2nd have you guys seem shorter engine life with cars that have turbos? I mean i will be careful with it and probably use synthetic oil but i know a turbo spins very fast and generally probably have shorter life duration then a slow spinning (comparatively speaking) engine. What do you guys think. Do you think i should worry or not. Any advice would be appreciated.

thanks,
ncage

 

[theeedude]

That doesn't make sense. Doesn't the CX-7 have the same 2.3L Turbo engine? Do they not sell those either? Would be weird if Mazda dealership didn't sell Mazda's midsize SUV.

 

[ncage]

Originally posted by: senseamp
That doesn't make sense. Doesn't the CX-7 have the same 2.3L Turbo engine? Do they not sell those either? Would be weird if Mazda dealership didn't sell Mazda's midsize SUV.

Well ya i don't know. I only know what the dealership told me. I decided to call Mazda USA and ask them about it. They told me with their coverage they would tow the car (if it needed it) to the nearest dealership. The guy at mazda usa told me eventhough they don't sell mazda speed series that they have to service them. He said the dealership has access to a toll free number that the can call to help the diagnose and fix any problems that they can't handle. Hmm so im still feeling a little uncomfortable about how thorough of a job would be done. Maybe im just being paranoid here. Probably in most cases i could drive the car and ive heard very good things about the service center to me thats an hour away but that would, of course, require taking off of work.

Ncage

P.S. And what about turbo reliability? I guess i dont' know to many people with turbo cars so i don't know. Could you get 200k+ out of a turbo unit?

 

[fbrdphreak]

A turbocharged engine can be just as reliable as any other. There is more stress on the engine internals with a turbo, but mfr's build the engines to take that pressure AND the MS3 isn't exactly a high boost kinda vehicle. All you should have to do is just change the oil regularly, use whatever the factory recommends, and don't drive it at redline all the time.

Also I believe with turbo vehicles you will want to let it warm up more than usual before really flogging it, and some turbo cars keep the engine running for 30-60s after you park & shut it off so that the oil keeps circulating through the turbo & helps cool it down more. I've not heard of the MS3 using a turbo timer (keep it running after you take the key out), so if it doesn't have it from the factory you probly don't NEED it - however still a good idea. In the end, the turbo requires lubrication just like your engine. Let that oil warm up before you really get on it and esp if you've been driving hard, keep the oil running through it to cool it down before shutting the engine off.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Look after a turbo and it will last the life of a car. Basic rules are, follow oil change periods to the letter, don't use full throttle until the oil, not the water, is up to temp and leave it to idle for two minutes before shutting off after highway or spirited driving.

Do that and you'll get 200k from a turbo.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Look after a turbo and it will last the life of a car. Basic rules are, follow oil change periods to the letter, don't use full throttle until the oil, not the water, is up to temp and leave it to idle for two minutes before shutting off after highway or spirited driving.

Do that and you'll get 200k from a turbo.

Yep, you don't need a turbo timer just do what he said. Just take it easy the last couple blocks when you are getting home to let the turbo cool down. The reason why you see lots of turbo "performance" cars not lasting that long are because since they are performance cars, people will use them what they are for which obviously puts more of a strain on the engine. Just do your regular maintenance and you should be good to go.

 

[Arkaign]

Yeap, be ready to pay extra attention (and spend a bit more $$$ when something breaks) if you have a Turbo setup. For me, it's just too inconvenient to consider, as I just want to get in and drive how I want, when I want, and turn the car off, without having to think of any of that crap. But it's a performance vehicle (albeit not that fast stock, Zero's Neon SRT-4 eats it alive), so you sort of know what to expect before jumping into one.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Yeap, be ready to pay extra attention (and spend a bit more $$$ when something breaks) if you have a Turbo setup. For me, it's just too inconvenient to consider, as I just want to get in and drive how I want, when I want, and turn the car off, without having to think of any of that crap. But it's a performance vehicle (albeit not that fast stock, Zero's Neon SRT-4 eats it alive), so you sort of know what to expect before jumping into one.

You should let any engine's oil warm up before you beat on it - turbo or not. IMO having a turbo wouldn't mean "inconvenience" - you should be being nice to the vehicle anyway. Treat it right and it will treat you right. Don't get me wrong, I flog the shit out of my Goat - but I let her warm up first and treat her right when it comes to maintenance.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Yeap, be ready to pay extra attention (and spend a bit more $$$ when something breaks) if you have a Turbo setup. For me, it's just too inconvenient to consider, as I just want to get in and drive how I want, when I want, and turn the car off, without having to think of any of that crap. But it's a performance vehicle (albeit not that fast stock, Zero's Neon SRT-4 eats it alive), so you sort of know what to expect before jumping into one.

You should let any engine's oil warm up before you beat on it - turbo or not. IMO having a turbo wouldn't mean "inconvenience" - you should be being nice to the vehicle anyway. Treat it right and it will treat you right. Don't get me wrong, I flog the shit out of my Goat - but I let her warm up first and treat her right when it comes to maintenance.

From what I have heard, you can drive very lightly right away and be fine which lets the oil move throughout the engine until it warms up fully.

 

[Zee]

the oil always moves throughout the engine.

 

[TheSlamma]

Originally posted by: ncage
Ok guys im going to be in the market for a new car this winter sometime (probably Jan/Feb). I am strongly looking at a mazda speed3. Every review ive read about this pocket rocket has been awesome. I think its everything i want. Its fast, gets pretty good gas mileage (although you must use premium), the interior seems pretty good, and the price is descent.

LMAO... compared to what, a D-9 Dozer

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: ncage
Ok guys im going to be in the market for a new car this winter sometime (probably Jan/Feb). I am strongly looking at a mazda speed3. Every review ive read about this pocket rocket has been awesome. I think its everything i want. Its fast, gets pretty good gas mileage (although you must use premium), the interior seems pretty good, and the price is descent.

LMAO... compared to what, a D-9 Dozer

I agree about the price. It descents very rapidly once purchased.

 

[ncage]

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: ncage
Ok guys im going to be in the market for a new car this winter sometime (probably Jan/Feb). I am strongly looking at a mazda speed3. Every review ive read about this pocket rocket has been awesome. I think its everything i want. Its fast, gets pretty good gas mileage (although you must use premium), the interior seems pretty good, and the price is descent.

LMAO... compared to what, a D-9 Dozer

Compared to even mid-size 6cyl sedans. No im not saying its great but its not horrible either. Consumer reports did a mixed driving test with it on a 150mil basis and got 28mpg overall. No im not saying it gets civic gas mileage but its not bad either. Compared to what i drive right now the gas mileage will be excellent (2003 F150 5.4L 4x4). Of course when any car you can make it get bad gas mileage but if you take it easy you will get descent gas milage and when you want to have fun it won't be so great .

 

[ncage]

ok and for the "Idiot" that put a rating of "terrible" on this thread. What the hell, i was thinking on buying a car and just wanted some advice this isn't a info thread for everyone to read why in the world would you put a "terrible" rating on it. Some people are so stupid.

 

[SearchMaster]

There, I offset his "terrible" with an "excellent". Feel better?

I wouldn't be that concerned about it being a turbo. I had a turbo'ed Mitsubishi Eclipse that was still running solid at 160K miles when I sold her a couple of years ago.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: ncage

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: ncage
Ok guys im going to be in the market for a new car this winter sometime (probably Jan/Feb). I am strongly looking at a mazda speed3. Every review ive read about this pocket rocket has been awesome. I think its everything i want. Its fast, gets pretty good gas mileage (although you must use premium), the interior seems pretty good, and the price is descent.

LMAO... compared to what, a D-9 Dozer

Compared to even mid-size 6cyl sedans. No im not saying its great but its not horrible either. Consumer reports did a mixed driving test with it on a 150mil basis and got 28mpg overall. No im not saying it gets civic gas mileage but its not bad either. Compared to what i drive right now the gas mileage will be excellent (2003 F150 5.4L 4x4). Of course when any car you can make it get bad gas mileage but if you take it easy you will get descent gas milage and when you want to have fun it won't be so great .

Trust me about gas mileage with a car like this. If you go into boost just once it kills your gas mileage horribly and with a car like this it will be a VERY hard task keeping it out of boost.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: ncage

Compared to even mid-size 6cyl sedans. No im not saying its great but its not horrible either. Consumer reports did a mixed driving test with it on a 150mil basis and got 28mpg overall. No im not saying it gets civic gas mileage but its not bad either. Compared to what i drive right now the gas mileage will be excellent (2003 F150 5.4L 4x4). Of course when any car you can make it get bad gas mileage but if you take it easy you will get descent gas milage and when you want to have fun it won't be so great .

Trust me about gas mileage with a car like this. If you go into boost just once it kills your gas mileage horribly and with a car like this it will be a VERY hard task keeping it out of boost.

You're part right. The fuel economy does suck when you thrash the car, but I can average 24ish mpg (100% city driving) in my MS3 if I really baby it. The only reason it's hard to drive economically is because it's just so fun to plant the accelerator.

 

[BeauJangles]

I'm going to ask a slightly tangential question, if that's alright.

Why do so many "performance" cars use premium gas? MS3, GTI, Civic SI, etc all use premium gas. As a counterexample my friend's Saab 9-3 2.0 liter is an incredibly fun fast car to drive and operates on regular gas.

It's probably a stupid question, but I've always wanted to know.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
I'm going to ask a slightly tangential question, if that's alright.

Why do so many "performance" cars use premium gas? MS3, GTI, Civic SI, etc all use premium gas. As a counterexample my friend's Saab 9-3 2.0 liter is an incredibly fun fast car to drive and operates on regular gas.

It's probably a stupid question, but I've always wanted to know.

My understanding is that it's to allow a higher compression ratio (and thus more power from the same displacement) while preventing knock.

As for MS3 mileage, I'm able to average around 25mpg as well. Keeping the engine speed below where the turbo really spools up is the key here. Honestly, the speed and acceleration you get if you're driving the thing in the turbo band all the time isn't really suited to in-town driving anyway (nevermind the safety or responsibilty factors).

 

[Subbaculcha]

Another MS3 (2007) owner here. I get 26 mpg, 50% stop and go, 50% long stretches at about 50 mph. I don't baby it, I drive it enjoyably.
It's a great car, I couldn't be happier. Hauls the family, great for Home Depot runs, economical, surefooted, great braking and fast.
Torque steer will catch you off guard a couple times until you're used to it.
Even Consumer Reports thinks its a great car.

 

[Subbaculcha]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
I'm going to ask a slightly tangential question, if that's alright.

Why do so many "performance" cars use premium gas? MS3, GTI, Civic SI, etc all use premium gas. As a counterexample my friend's Saab 9-3 2.0 liter is an incredibly fun fast car to drive and operates on regular gas.

It's probably a stupid question, but I've always wanted to know.

Not stupid, it's a great question.

Gasoline engines are designed to "burn" the air/fuel mixture, not explode. When people talk of "pinging" or "detonation", "knock", all terms meaning the fuel is exploding. This is undesireable as the engine can be damaged and fuel economy and power will suffer.

Higher performance cars will usually have a higher compression ratio (when the valves are closed and the piston is traveling upward -- the compression stroke), average cars are in the 8.5:1 or so range, performance cars 10.5:1 and higher. The higher the compression ratio the higher the risk for "knock".

Pump fuel has an octane rating, which measures the fuels resistance to detonation or knock. So the higher the number the more resistance to knock, hence you can run at a higher compression ratio, and get more power out of the engine.

Normal engines "suck" the air into the cylinder, a turbo or supercharger (forced induction), forces compressed air into the cylinder, -- detonation in this scenario can have serious consequences on the engine internals.

In a nutshell, higher octane (premium) allows a higher compression ratio without detonation.


Sidebar-- Then there's diesels. Diesel fuel, if it had an octane rating would be about 25. A diesel engine runs at very high compression ratio, 16:1 or so and higher. Diesels do not use a spark to ignite the fuel, the fuel ignites without aid under the extreme pressure. Diesels are noisy because they are designed to "knock", the fuel detonates.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Subbaculcha
Another MS3 (2007) owner here. I get 26 mpg, 50% stop and go, 50% long stretches at about 50 mph. I don't baby it, I drive it enjoyably.
It's a great car, I couldn't be happier. Hauls the family, great for Home Depot runs, economical, surefooted, great braking and fast.
Torque steer will catch you off guard a couple times until you're used to it.
Even Consumer Reports thinks its a great car.

Yep the MS3 really is the new sport compact king now. Since the Neon SRT-4 is gone and the Caliber SRT-4 is a dud, the MS3 takes the crown.