mazdaspeed 3 edmunds full test

[OS]

link

1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.2 @ 100.1

slalom about as fast as civic si, both of which outhandle GTI

search sucks so i can't find if this already posted

 

[vi edit]

Have the SRT-4 numbers off hand? I fear to see what the dealer "market adjustment" will be on these things.

 

[iamwiz82]

SRT-4 was high 13s, IIRC.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Have the SRT-4 numbers off hand? I fear to see what the dealer "market adjustment" will be on these things.

SRT4 article

they had 14.9@94.3 for the old model.

c&d article

they had 13.9 at 103 mph for the newer model, which added a little more power.

I notice edmunds numbers used to be high/slow and now about inline with other publications, I don't know if this is just perception or if anything actually changed with their methodology.

but yeah what you're getting at is the performance of the mazda although good, isn't anything uncharted. The SRT4 was supposedly quite underrated and also lighter than the mazda.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Have the SRT-4 numbers off hand? I fear to see what the dealer "market adjustment" will be on these things.

SRT4 article

they had 14.9@94.3 for the old model.

c&d article

they had 13.9 at 103 mph for the newer model, which added a little more power.

I notice edmunds numbers used to be high/slow and now about inline with other publications, I don't know if this is just perception or if anything actually changed with their methodology.

but yeah what you're getting at is the performance of the mazda although good, isn't anything uncharted. The SRT4 was supposedly quite underrated and also lighter than the mazda.

Then there's the quality and ergonomics of the MS3 compared to SRT4. Mazda3 compared to Neon, hmmm....

 

[Cattlegod]

Failure of server APACHE bridge:

haha, edmunds just went down

 

[thirdeye]

Sharp little car.

Comparing it to the Evo/STi are some pretty bold statements though.

 

[OS]

06 WRX review

14.2 @ 95.6

slalom 64.90

ET as fast as mazda, but significantly lower trapspeed, typical AWD result.

slalom significantly slower than mazda or civic si.


one more thing, the mazda seems to have better brakes than the wrx, gti or civic si

 

[Cattlegod]

right now i have a mazdaspeed protege. man, if they made this car in AWD, i would have my order in already.

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: OS
06 WRX review

14.2 @ 95.6

slalom 64.90

ET as fast as mazda, but significantly lower trapspeed, typical AWD result.

slalom significantly slower than mazda or civic si.


one more thing, the mazda seems to have better brakes than the wrx, gti or civic si

SRT-4 Caliber is getting the 2-Piston calipers from the 300C/Charger R/T

These two cars are going to duke it out and I'm stoked

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
right now i have a mazdaspeed protege. man, if they made this car in AWD, i would have my order in already.

it says they're only going to sell 5000, presumably for the year. That's a pretty limited run, anyone is going to have a hard time buying one, especially without a mark up.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: thirdeye
Sharp little car.

Comparing it to the Evo/STi are some pretty bold statements though.

evo and sti

for reference

 

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by: OS
06 WRX review

14.2 @ 95.6

slalom 64.90

ET as fast as mazda, but significantly lower trapspeed, typical AWD result.

slalom significantly slower than mazda or civic si.


one more thing, the mazda seems to have better brakes than the wrx, gti or civic si

While we are comparing stock still, it's also a well known fact that the stock re92s on the WRX are complete garbage for handling or any sort of performance.

 

[vi edit]

As much as the GTI and MS3 compete, I think they hit at two different age groups.

I think the Mazda is hitting at the under 30 group and the GTI is going for the over 30 group. The GTI is just a much more "mature" car with more attention to comfort than performance. It's a car that a guy can sell his wife on and not feel like he's completely losing his youth

Not to say I wouldn't mind some serious time in the Mazda, but the GTI is just more of a daily driver with some zip instead of a go go racer with hatch functionality. The inclusion of DSG without killing performance makes it a good option to those that have to share with others that don't drive manuals (AKA wives).

 

[maddogchen]

Damn, why can't these come in a 4 door or a coupe?

 

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: thirdeye
Sharp little car.

Comparing it to the Evo/STi are some pretty bold statements though.

evo and sti

for reference

That's called not being able to drive. The 13.3 is close for the Evo IX but not quite. A 13.6 for an STI is just piss poor driving.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: thirdeye

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: thirdeye
Sharp little car.

Comparing it to the Evo/STi are some pretty bold statements though.

evo and sti

for reference

That's called not being able to drive. The 13.3 is close for the Evo IX but not quite. A 13.6 for an STI is just piss poor driving.

indeed, that is a joke of a review...R&T did 4.9 in the STI 0-60, C&D did 4.6 iirc. R&T did 4.6 for the EVO MR.



edit: it was 52 degrees outside when edmunds did that test...

 

[thawolfman]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
Damn, why can't these come in a 4 door or a coupe?

Agreed.

Although I'm debating trading in my 06 3 sGT for one of these...

 

[randomlinh]

these reviews are hurtin me... i didn't think mazda would actually put one out so soon. i shouldn't have bought my car... haha.