GEN JUAN: Cosmic Blue '07 Mazdaspeed 3 GT

[WRXtranceformed]

Issue now is the cheap HIDs I bought to replace the one that burned out have destroyed two of my HID ballasts. I fixed it the first time by buying a whole new headlight off a guy on facebook. Worked great, then the ballast on that one burned out too. Narrowed it down to the super-cheap-and-in-hindsight-terrible-decision bulbs that I got. Gonna melt apart the headlights and replace the ballasts. Not looking forward to it, but w/e.

Call The Retrofit Source and buy once cry once. Such good experiences with them even when I had some issues with some of their parts. They just sent me the black t shirt for free for putting a write up on a couple of forums:

[jbails39]

Issue now is the cheap HIDs I bought to replace the one that burned out have destroyed two of my HID ballasts. I fixed it the first time by buying a whole new headlight off a guy on facebook. Worked great, then the ballast on that one burned out too. Narrowed it down to the super-cheap-and-in-hindsight-terrible-decision bulbs that I got. Gonna melt apart the headlights and replace the ballasts. Not looking forward to it, but w/e.

Call The Retrofit Source and buy once cry once. Such good experiences with them even when I had some issues with some of their parts. They just sent me the black t shirt for free for putting a write up on a couple of forums:

I will probably regret not buying higher-cost once again. Ordered some higher-priced ones off of Amazon last night, and if they screw me over too I will bite the bullet and get the good stuff from RS.

Additionally, last night I ordered a HID Igniter to replace my burned out igniter, hoping that the ballast itself isn't toast too. Bulb, igniter, lip, and rain guard will arrive on August 1, lets see what happens...

[jbails39]

Also maybe someone can recommend some good speakers for me? My passenger side is sounding like it has marbles in it when I get really bumpin' yo, and I know the stock Bose system in these cars is garbage.

[rherold9]

Mazda makes weird ass speaker size so you may not have a huge selection but I'd look at a new head unit like Kenwood or JL as well as speakers from them. Sonicelectronix is a good wholesale place for audio shit

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[ScottyB]

looks sharp!

[Senor_Taylor]

Depends on how much money you want to spend, but I'm a big fan of Sony Xplode's if you're looking for the cheapest speaker to replace it with. Speakers have diminishing returns with the more money you spend, so be careful.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Depends on how much money you want to spend, but I'm a big fan of Sony Xplode's if you're looking for the cheapest speaker to replace it with. Speakers have diminishing returns with the more money you spend, so be careful.

Seems a couple people here recently are recommending things based on "the only" things they have tried. Have you directly compared it to a pioneer? to an alpine? to a clarion? to anything but stock?

Not trying to bust your balls but I have seen this lately. Carry on :dunno:

When I worked at Circuit City installing cheap systems I preferred the pioneer products. Cheap/decent quality/no issues. FYI I still have a Pioneer Avic-Z2 navigation/DVD head unit from 2005 that works flawlessly while most Kenwoods/Sony/Alpines have fallen apart. Sony was the gimicky "look at me" cheap products that were meh in performance. That said I don't remember any of them coming back bitching about them blowing out.

[SlimKlim]

Every piece of kenwood hardware I have bought has been 100% flawless and I strongly recommend them. (I've also only bought Kenwood)

<3 you DJ. :wink:

[Ken]

I've had Sony, Pioneer and Kicker. Kicker was the best bang for the buck IMO (especially at SonicElectronix where you can find some good deals.) Also, just do components and do it right, don't try and do the 4-Way, 3-Way shenanigans.

[jbails39]

So Crutchfield has a bunch of stuff it says will fit my car, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.crutchfield.com/g_400/All-Car-Speakers.html?tp=105&l=C">http://www.crutchfield.com/g_400/All-Ca ... tp=105&l=C</a><!-- m --> (don't know if this link will work for everyone.) Could I just choose from this list a pair of speakers ~$50 and be happy with it, or are there other technical specs I need to take into consideration, i.e. amp, head unit, etc.? Not looking to do more than a simply swap of speakers.

[D_Eclipse9916]

So Crutchfield has a bunch of stuff it says will fit my car, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.crutchfield.com/g_400/All-Car-Speakers.html?tp=105&l=C">http://www.crutchfield.com/g_400/All-Ca ... tp=105&l=C</a><!-- m --> (don't know if this link will work for everyone.) Could I just choose from this list a pair of speakers ~$50 and be happy with it, or are there other technical specs I need to take into consideration, i.e. amp, head unit, etc.? Not looking to do more than a simply swap of speakers.

For what you are doing, pick one and go.

[jbails39]

So Crutchfield has a bunch of stuff it says will fit my car, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.crutchfield.com/g_400/All-Car-Speakers.html?tp=105&l=C">http://www.crutchfield.com/g_400/All-Ca ... tp=105&l=C</a><!-- m --> (don't know if this link will work for everyone.) Could I just choose from this list a pair of speakers ~$50 and be happy with it, or are there other technical specs I need to take into consideration, i.e. amp, head unit, etc.? Not looking to do more than a simply swap of speakers.

For what you are doing, pick one and go.

Excellent. I'll deal with all the major stuff next year when I'm in-country again.

[Senor_Taylor]

I recommend Sony because in a lot of Mazda's Sony is the only speaker that fits properly. Not sure about the Mazda 3. You're right though, I don't have much to compare it against.

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[jbails39]

Fixed the headlight by snaking through a new igniter from the bulb to the ballast and cutting away the old burnt up igniter. Hopefully this one lasts longer.

Additionally, installed dark smoked rain guards, which fit very well with the body of the car. Also installed the S204 STI lip last night. Not gonna lie, it looks sick. I'll put up a picture as soon as I get home, because apparently the firewall at work is a massive buzzkill.

This is the same lip.

[jbails39]

Photos: