Review, Mazda 3s.

[CaptainHenreh]

Ok, so I got this thing in my email telling me I could test drive a Mazda and they'd give me a 25 dollar gift card.

So I was like "WOOT! Speed 3! Gonna beat on one!"

Not so fast, Junya! Brown FFX Mazda wouldn't let me drive the Speed 3. Some douche burned out a clutch on a test drive, so he ruined it for everyone...or at least, that's the story I got.

So, they tell me, I can look very closely at a Speed 3 and drive a regular 3.

I liked it, I liked it alot. The salesman was a fellow brother in speed, and took me the long 'way around, out to near MM House #2. And I beat on the thing. I mean, BEAT on it. And it took it. And liked it. It was fairly neutral, not a whole lot of understeer, although I did catch a little air on the driver's front tire, which was cool.

The seats were nice, the shifter felt really good, and the steering wheel was awesome. The steering had an excellent feel to it, and while the brakes never faded, they did get hot and start to smell. On the other hand, it was pretty new, so I imagine it hadn't had a workout until I got there.

I'd give it a...7/10. It's a little pricey for what it is, but probably worth it, if that makes sense. I liked the 5 door utility, and I think they look double sharp. The Engine was adequate, and you can tell it's simply a much better version of the engine in the Focus.

Anyway, sad that I didn't get to drive the Speed 3, but at least I'll get 25 dollars out of the deal.

[Maengelito]

i got that same $25 deal. i'm gonna go at some point to use and abuse an mx-5. i havent driven one of the new ones yet, so i figure its about time they paid me to try it out.

and rex, the only way you could've beat my mazda3 story was to put it on track. i already autoxed a rental mazda3 down at vmp.

[Beej]

Good review.

I've always dug the wagon version. A girl I used to date got one and though I never drove it, I was pretty impressed with the quality for the price. If the Mazdaspeed 3 was around when I bought the STi, I would've seriously considered it.

[NTIman]

I want to drive a Mazda 3. I like my focus, but the Mazdaspeed 3 is really attractive in just about every way, without leaving the "Ford" family.

Oh well, I guess one day I will go look at them, but winchester mazda never has them. Guess I'll have to wait a whilet o get a closer look.

[ScottyB]

wait, Mazda pays you $25 to beat up a car? how did i miss this?!

nice review btw. i have always been attracted to those cars for no particular reason. they seem like a nice fun but economical hatch for the price.

Rex, would you say it's worth a test drive even if they didn't pay you?

[Goodspeed]

The MazdaSpeed 3 is a cool little car, pretty amazing for the price. In the Nov. 2006 Motor Trend, they tested a $26,300 dollar MS3 that had automatic climate control, heated seats, 6 airbags (all standard, 22,835), Xenon headlamps, LED tails, Bose stereo w/ 6 CD changer, partial leather seats, security, rain sensing wipers (GT package, 24,550) and DVD navigation (1750 dollar option). I think thats more than I've ever heard of any car having for that price. Not to mention 263 hp and Automobile magazine tested it on the Autobahn bouncing off the speed limiter at 157 mph. Pretty crazy stuff

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yeah I Got the whole 25 dollar thing, they are sending me the invitation now.

[CaptainHenreh]

Anyone (Until April 2) can get the 25 dollar thing, it's on Mazda's website. If you do go to Brown Fairfax, ask for Carlos, he's a hell of a guy.

The thing I especially liked about those guys, is they're a bunch of gearheads. They knew what DISI was and they knew exactly how it worked, which is an oddity in the automotive world.

Scotty -- Even if I didn't get paid, the test drive was completely worth it. For a FWD "shitbox", the 3 has an amazing chassis, in my opinion anyway. It felt solid, capable, like it would take anything I gave it. Man, take that chassis, add a Torsen LSD, tuned suspension, stability/traction control and a hundred freakin' horsepower and if your brain doesn't spontaneously explode, well, turn in your enthusiast card.

I'd say the biggest problem with the 3 was the Speed 3. I mean, it was a car I could see myself driving, even though it was FWD. I *love* the hatchback aspect...it takes balls to bring a 5 door to the US, and Mazda has not only brought it, but said "Hey, here's the five door...with the bigger engine and the Sport suspension stock. You're gonna want it anyway."

I mean, Mazda's all "Hey, we're Zoom-Zoom, all our cars are sporty!" If any other major car company said that, I'd probably laugh in their face. But Mazda, I hesitate...maybe they're not full of shit?

[Apoc]

The wife has one and I really don't mind driving it. It was a great value for the money (got hers as a leftover/internet deal) and I've beat the piss out of it on more than one occasion without any real complaint. I like the styling, even if it is a bit young for my taste and the utility of the 5 door, especially with the seats down, is pretty unbeatable. Add to that an OEM Sirius install and it's really hard to not like the car.

I think it's the perfect "g/f car that guys like to drive."

[CaptainHenreh]

Has anyone driven a Speed3 that can give a sort of comparison?

I drove the Speed6 at Zoom-Zoom and it was cool, but kind of porky.

And when I say "Kind of" I mean "Alot.".

[Mike]

i'll head in this weekend and try to get in a speed. caitlin is genuinely interested in a 3 so perhaps we'll be able to work a deal to get me driving

[.paul]

i want to drive my 3 into a wall

[.RJ]

i want to drive my 3 into a wall

Is it not shiny or new enough for you?

[Apoc]

i want to drive my 3 into a wall

Maybe you should just put it on your trailer and let it fall off.

[.paul]

help me shine it RJ.

apoc let me borrow your trailer so it can fall

[ziich]

i want to drive my 3 into a wall

hell of a lot better than your ford exploder... which actually blew.