Mazda - ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

 

My husband has a 2007 Mazda Speed 3. He loves it! The suspension is a little bit stiff for me, but it is a VERY fun car to drive, nice clutch length, overall a lot of fun! Overall, a good car for the money!

I, however, am definitely partial to my new MINI (hopefully finishing production today)!!

 

Considered the Mazda 3 quite a while ago, then highly considered the Mazdaspeed 3 when it actually came time to purchase my car. Big thing going for it, IMO at least, was the amount of power you get for the price.

However, as others have said, it's no MINI. But then again, what is!?!

 

We have both a Cooper and a Mazda3 hatch (not S)
We like 'em both.
Mazda3 was cheaper. It's more powerful but thirstier. Can put a lot of stuff in it.
Though we just got the Cooper, I'm struck with how few cubbies there are. I don't know what's behind those door panels, but they coulda made more storage there.

 

This is the exact topic that I needed right now. I've just started researching my next car purchase and the short list is made up entirely of the Mazda 3 5-door and the MCS. The Mazdaspeed 3 is very tempting, but I think it's too thirsty for me for the long run.

The only thing that may steer me away from the Mini is the interior. However, I'm withholding judgment until I get a chance to see it in person.

 

Oh, trust us. The MINI interior is way better than anything else out there.

 

The interior on my Mazda3 is quite nice, even sans leather.

 

Hi,

I currently own a Mazdaspeed3. It's actually very nice, and the performance you get for 22K is remarkable. It gets to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, and that's with two shifts and with the the computer limiting torque in first and second gear. It's explosive - almost too much power. Once you get into 3rd gear and over 60, it's even more astounding, as the computer allows full power to the front wheel only in 3rd gear and up. Quarer mile is about 14 seconds. It's not just a straight line car, either - it's lowered with performance tires, upgraded suspention, LSD standard, has impressive grip and cornering ability, unreal breaking ability etc.

If you're into performance with some degree of practicality (four doors, big hatch), this, imho, is the best car out there for the money. the interior is nice for a car in this class. I test drove several minis last weekend. I agree that the interior of the mini is more, er, interesting, but the speed3 is no slouch, even in Sport form (as I have). Nice, supportive sports seats, good material, cool stitching, attractive, conventional layout, etc.

That said, I'm seriously considering trading it in for a MINI (that's why I'm here). I had my heart set on a MINI last go 'round, but convinced myself to go with the 3 because of it's superior performance and value. Now I'm very seriously considering trading it in for various reasons, mostly it's power is more usable (not too much, in other words, won't constantly have to reigh it in like the 3), it handles just as well (and for me, cornering is where the fun is), gets great fuel economy, looks very cool imho, and will, I believe be a collectible car in a couple of decades (and I plan on keeping this next car forever). The speed3 will eventually get me in trouble and I don't think will hold it's value long term. I believe it will look dated in five years, while even 2002 minis still look great (to me).

If you have any questions about the car let me know and I'll answer them.

 

I had decided on a Mazda 3 hatchback last year. I actually had a deal until the car my dealer had traded for arrived and was a sedan! After that, I decided to put a car purchase on hold. Boy, I'm glad I did! I started researching MINIs this year and was hooked. Took delivery in February and ordered a second one for my son on the same day! It should arrive by late March or early April and will replace his Scion TC hatch.

We couldn't be happier with the MINIs. I do confess, though, to the fact that Mazda 3's still attract my attention in traffic. There's something about the design that just appeals to me... Overall, I suspect I will be a MINIdriver for some time to come...

 

It's the center speedo that I'm not sure about. I like the overall design of the interior.

 

I knew the MCS was for me. Since Mazda was purchased by Ford I don't think the quality is as good.

 

^+1 to that.

 

Test drove a regular Mazda 3 and hated it. The clutch is feather light and the car didn't have much power. The car also had no character, and was nothing special on the inside or outside. I was waiting for the Mazdaspeed 3 to come out, but decided I'd rather buy another MINI, so I did .

 

amen you said it! The Mazda 3 had no personality, a really really lousy clutch, and the powerband was totally flat. On the plus side it handled pretty well and the cargo space with the rear seats down was considerably larger than the MINI. I drove the Speed 3 the same day. It solved the fun-factor problem but I didn't like the traction control. If you gave it too much gas it just felt like the computer would just override the pedal. I think it has far too much torque for an FWD car. The total deal-breakers though were sub 20MPG averages on premium fuel and in my area a heavy dealer markup.

After having the MINI for six months, I couldn't be happier with my choice.

 

Yea, well, i'm not far off from the speed 3 engine specs . I've got it beat in weight, probably HP, and my torque isn't far behind .

 

I test drove a 3 Hatch a few times and enjoyed it for the most part. The trim on this inside was much better than I anticipated. It actually looked like a much more expensive car than it was on the inside. Handling was decent, but with some springs and sway bars you would have a pretty decent sport-wagon. In the end the lack of leg room for the driver was a deal breaker. My long legs left me a little claustrophobic.

 

That's the coolest thing about the MINI, though I don't ever use it for watching my speed. I use the digital one located on the steering column. The center one is more of a conversation piece.

 

The MINI's central speedo. was originally done for heritage, not a conversation piece. However, after many owners complained to BMW, they decided to start putting the digital one on the tach.

On another note, my wife was adament on buying a 3, but ended up getting a 6. I absolutely hate that car. The 3 might have a lot more cargo space than the Mini, but really, who buys a Mini to haul cargo? Maybe the Clubman crew. My take on the Mazda Speed 3 is Mazda felt threatened and just shoved a high output engine in their hatchback. It's an overexaggerated amount of hp. BMW could have done this as well (think an M series Mini), but they put enough power into the car for a fun, spritely ride. I mean the torque steer is bad enough on the Mini with equal length driveshafts, imagine the Mini coming stock with 250 horses. When would you actually use that much hp except on a dragstrip. The Mini is basically in a class all its own, as others have tried to imitate it, bit haven't quite been able to mix the performance, WITH the personality and charm. It's one thing to put a good amount of hp under the hood of a hatchback, but you need some panache to go with it as well for a full artistic blend of aesthetics and performance.

 

FWIW, Mazda has had an association with Ford for well over 20 years... and chances are without Ford's purchase, there would be no Mazda right now as prior to Ford, they made some pretty crappy and poor selling cars. So I would argue Mazda has done very well under Ford ownership... much like Volvo has. Ford ownership has allowed Mazda to develope good, competive cars based on corporate platforms such as the 3 (also the C30 and highly lauded Euro Focus) and the 6 while still keeping their "niche" cars like the RX8 and the Miata. A coworker in the next cube had a 3 and is on his second 6. He liked his first 6 so much that when the its lease ended, he bought a second one. Can't get much of a better endorsement than that.

This is an amusing topic... there are actually a few MINI owners who sold/traded their MINI's for a Mazda 3... Where's NoNo? She's one of them...

 

I mostly agree with this. The speed3 does have the torque steer somewhat under control with the engine management software (it doesn't allow full torque down until third gear) and other things (the engineers did address the problem, with some success) and there's much more to the car than just a powerful engine (read a review and you'll see that it has near best in class cornering and supercar like breaking from 60mph-0). Remember, this car was engineered by corporate tuners, so everything was addressed (breaks, suspension, etc), not just the engine. But you're right, the accerlation of the speed 3 is downright dangerous.

When I drove the mini, the power felt more usable. You could pretty much mash the peddle on either version, and you had nice, spritely acceleration, but nothing over the top. Do that on the speed3 and you just kind of hang on for dear life, trying to keep the wheel pointed straight and your wheels from spinning (though the traction control helps there). I do agree that the kind of accerlation its capable of is really only appropriate for the track (and yes, 0-60 in about 5.8 seconds isn't earth shattering, but it's really quicker than that because of the three shifts needed to get to 60 - it it went to 60 in 2nd gear, it'dprobably be more like 5.4, to 60 which is an awful lot for a cheap hatchback -and keep in mind you don't get full power down until 3rd gear, which is a beast on this car.

I guess I'm just tired of these mean looking, agressive cars - cars 'designed in anger' as stated in 'The Truth About Cars'. It's best use, I guess, is embarrassing more expensive cars in street light drag races, which is pretty anti-social, actually The mini is refreshing in that it's designed for fun, not for domination.

That said, I don't get why folks by minis and then start modding them for speed. There're lots of much faster, less expensive cars, and these cars can do as well in the twisty stuff, too. I guess it's for the same reason most of us are orignally attracted to it - it's unique styling and character. But someone really looking for performance bang for the buck, I think there're better choices - speed3, wrx, the new cobalt SS (yeah, I know, it's a cobalt!), VW GTI - all will kill a mini stock for stock. For me, though, that's not what it's about.

apologies to the OP for slightly hijacking these thread. I'll bow out now!

 

That's true, but I think there's more to it. BMW has always been specific about not letting "lower" level cars outperform the higher levels. BMW doesn't want the Mini to compete with the 1 series, so you'll not see the Mini's HP near the 128's (the smallest engined 1er we'll get). I know they're different cars for different markets, but if you look at the models through BMW's history, their power decisions seem to be made with the chassis and the market delineations in mind.

I think it's because of Mini that we won't get anymore 4cyl BMWs in the states. Hopefully I'm wrong!

mb