R50/53 Uh-Oh. I did something I shouldn't I drove
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg, PA
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Take delivery of the MINI.
In the meantime pray that your new MINI does not find out you were considering cheating on her, over a floozy Mazda no less.
In the meantime pray that your new MINI does not find out you were considering cheating on her, over a floozy Mazda no less.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
I have owned all kinds of cars over the years including a Mazda and I have never enjoyed any of them as much as I enjoy my Cabrio.
I think if the Mazda has made you unsure of whether you should get a MINI then you really weren't bitten by the MINI bug and you should get the Mazda.
It sounds like you have a soft spot for Mazda's and forcing a MINI on yourself will not change the way you feel about it.
I didn't buy my MINI because I needed wheels, I bought my MINI because once I drove it I could not live without it.
I think if the Mazda has made you unsure of whether you should get a MINI then you really weren't bitten by the MINI bug and you should get the Mazda.
It sounds like you have a soft spot for Mazda's and forcing a MINI on yourself will not change the way you feel about it.
I didn't buy my MINI because I needed wheels, I bought my MINI because once I drove it I could not live without it.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
I have owned all kinds of cars over the years including a Mazda and I have never enjoyed any of them as much as I enjoy my Cabrio.
I think if the Mazda has made you unsure of whether you should get a MINI then you really weren't bitten by the MINI bug and you should get the Mazda.
It sounds like you have a soft spot for Mazda's and forcing a MINI on yourself will not change the way you feel about it.
I didn't buy my MINI because I needed wheels, I bought my MINI because once I drove it I could not live without it.
I think if the Mazda has made you unsure of whether you should get a MINI then you really weren't bitten by the MINI bug and you should get the Mazda.
It sounds like you have a soft spot for Mazda's and forcing a MINI on yourself will not change the way you feel about it.
I didn't buy my MINI because I needed wheels, I bought my MINI because once I drove it I could not live without it.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
mazda cars tends to get tire in 3-4 years time. the engine starts to get very rough on the mazda 3s and the 3s and 6s have had problems with their brake calipers.
i'd never buy a mazda (except maybe a miata)there's just somthing about how they make their cars , things get real losy real soon. i know because i work at a body+mechanic shop. all the mazdas that i've handle feels alot older than what the odometer reads .
i'd never buy a mazda (except maybe a miata)there's just somthing about how they make their cars , things get real losy real soon. i know because i work at a body+mechanic shop. all the mazdas that i've handle feels alot older than what the odometer reads .
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
no car through the 60's, 70's, and 80's...could match the uniqueness, character, and fun factor of the original Minis,...while still being economical, practical, great handling and driving.....transportation.....thats why they lasted 41 yrs, and were such a popular icon in automotive history.
to me, the new MINI is just more of the same tradition, modernized for the times,.......and has an appeal thats not an option on any other car, at any price.
Steve
'80 Mini 1100
'05 MINI Cooper
to me, the new MINI is just more of the same tradition, modernized for the times,.......and has an appeal thats not an option on any other car, at any price.
Steve
'80 Mini 1100
'05 MINI Cooper
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: NoCO
I can agree with that. the mini has always struck a cord with me. I thought my civic gave me the warm fuzzies until I drove a Mini.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Elgin, IL
NO-brainer for me. Get the Mazda. Much better car and much more refined.
There is no way in hell I'd dropp $30K on a MINI, you have to be nuts. Don't get me wrong MINI is a great car but certainly not worth $30K. There are much better cars for that kind of money.
- used S2000
- used Miata
- used STi
- used EVO
- new WRX
- used MazdaSpeed 6
- Golf GTi
There is no way in hell I'd dropp $30K on a MINI, you have to be nuts. Don't get me wrong MINI is a great car but certainly not worth $30K. There are much better cars for that kind of money.
- used S2000
- used Miata
- used STi
- used EVO
- new WRX
- used MazdaSpeed 6
- Golf GTi
Last edited by rallymaniac; Jun 2, 2008 at 08:42 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Windingroad.com (one of the BEST online magazines) is doing a review of the Clubman vs the Mazdaspeed 3 next month. Go to windingroad.com to subscribe (FREE) and they will email you when it is available.
Here is a link to all the mini road tests:
http://www.windingroad.com/browse-se...lts/?make=Mini
A link to the mazdaspeed3
http://www.windingroad.com/features-...7-mazdaspeed3/
October 2006, Issue #14.0
The conjuring of a budget front-drive performance car has always involved some sleight-of-hand. The trick is to convince people that a $20,000 car is a finger-snap away from turning into a Porsche. To pull it off, automotive magicians have had to distract their audience: an explosion of power to draw attention from the clumsy handling and dodgy interior; a showy flourish of style to create the illusion of speed. And then there is the Mazdaspeed3, the go-fast version of Mazda’s trusty hatchback. Try as we might to expose weaknesses under the hood or trickery behind its stylish four-door façade, we found ourselves dazzled at every performance and fairly agog at the price: $22,240, or $23,955 for the GT version.
We arrived at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as eager volunteers, yet with some skepticism. The recent Mazdaspeed6, despite its on-paper promise, never really came together—whether as a roomier, richer Subaru WRX or as an alternative to Audi, Infiniti, or BMW.
Yet carrying a virtually identical 2.3-liter turbocharged four, the smaller Mazdaspeed3 makes a compelling case as the most complete front-drive compact yet: stylish, practical, sophisticated, and richly appointed. And with stellar dynamics, 263 horsepower, a massive 280 pound-feet of torque, and an improbable top speed of 155 miles per hour, nothing in its class can match its performance. It’s one of the fastest front-drivers ever, yet that power has been harnessed into a drivable, livable package that grownups and young hooligans alike can enjoy—and afford.
“We wanted the car to be entertaining every time you hit the gas, turn the wheel, and touch the brakes,” said Tatsuo Maeda, the former aeronautical engineer who led the Mazdaspeed3’s creation.
In some ways, this raising-the-bar act is no surprise. Sharing its chassis with the pricier Volvo S40 and Europe’s Ford Focus—the one deemed too good for us common Americans—the Mazda was always a top-shelf compact in search of more power and handling.
How much more became apparent at Laguna Seca, a 2.2-mile thrill ride on California’s gorgeous Monterey peninsula, and on a 180-mile blast that included the Gabilan Range on California’s Highway 25. This section of Highway 25 is a largely un-patrolled fun zone that connects Hollister in the north with Pinnacles National Monument and turns out to be a killer blend of straights and curves running through the San Andreas Fault zone.
Revised front fenders, front and rear fascias, a roof spoiler, and eighteen-inch wheels with summer tires add visual zing to the exterior. A beefed-up body structure, thicker front and rear stabilizer bars, and markedly stiffer dampers improve handling, with Mazda claiming a 60 percent increase in roll rigidity. A fatter exhaust with roughly half the silencer volume of the standard 3 creates a clean, surprisingly raw sound. Front brake rotors are larger than the standard model’s but use the same single-piston calipers.
Inside, the Mazda also comes across as a more expensive car, with thickly bolstered, red-stitched sport seats, a solid six-speed shifter, a trio of deep-set, blue-tinged gauges, aluminum pedals, metallic trim, and quality construction all around.
The compact direct-injection turbo four features a forged crankshaft and connecting rods, a tuned intake/exhaust, and a top-mounted intercooler. EPA estimates are twenty miles per gallon in city driving and twenty-eight on the highway. And compared with the 156 horsepower of the 2.3-liter Mazda3, the Mazdaspeed3’s 263 horsepower is downright massive. But dropping an extra 107 horsepower on an unsuspecting pair of front tires brings two nasty words to mind: torque steer.
Not to worry. In addition to a cone-type limited-slip differential—similar to the RX-8’s—and equal-length output shafts, the Mazda employs an ingenious torque management system. The turbo wastegate bleeds off excess boost in first and second gears, controlling wheel spin and providing full boost only in third gear and higher. In conjunction, the by-wire throttle smooths out torque spikes via the intake. The system is linked to stability control as well, reducing torque when the steering wheel is turned.
The result is a hatch that is plenty quick off the line—about 5.7 seconds from zero to sixty mph—yet doesn’t waste time and tires with squealing antics. And while torque steer can be found, it’s never obtrusive, and nowhere near the squirming level of, say, the Acura TL.
For the stopwatch-obsessed, be advised that this hatch has more on its mind than mere launch times.
Tellingly, the Mazda blasts from sixty to eighty mph in 3.5 seconds—in fourth gear. The turbo-enriched torque peak comes at a low 3,000 rpm. A noticeable fall-off in boost around 5,500 rpm was among the Mazdaspeed6’s chief failings; yet that sensation is far more muted in the 3, due largely to less weight and smarter gearing.
There’s no urgent need to explore redline, anyway: At many critical speeds, the Mazda actually goes faster in a higher gear, where ridiculous amounts of low- to midrange thrust are lying in wait.
Through the straw-colored hills east of Monterey, where downhill straights run headlong toward the horizon, beckoning even casual drivers to turn it loose, the Mazda shone. Rolling onto the throttle in sixth gear at eighty mph, we watched the Mazda lope effortlessly to 120 mph, then 140, before we finally eased off. Then we did it again. Mazda claims the 3 is electronically limited to 155 mph, and our test left no reason for doubt.
And when Highway 25 threw us its most challenging curves, the Mazda—as on the track—was at its monstrous best in third gear, hunkering down and surging from corner to corner with riveting force.
Body motion is also well controlled. Enter a turn too quickly, as we did entering the notorious Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, and the Mazda will scrub speed like any front-drive car. But get your braking done early and glide back onto the throttle, and the Mazda holds a fast line with grip and poise, rivaling the Honda Civic Si—the current standard bearer for balanced, neutral front-drive handling. And if the steering falls just shy of the Civic Si’s standard for quicksilver precision, the Mazda’s overwhelming power advantage means you won’t lose any sleep over your choice.
The only unwanted aftereffect of all that power and performance is a noticeable jump in cabin noise. It’s easily tolerable, but Mazda does figure a roughly ten-decibel increase in cabin volume.
To get your brain around Mazda’s new baby, let’s consider a few competitors: The Civic Si, a formidable player, has sixty-three fewer horsepower and, incredibly, less than half the torque at 139 pound-feet. Honda’s tight-fitting coupe is also less practical than Mazda’s roomy, accessible four-door hatch. Same goes for a Mini Cooper, only more so.
The turbocharged VW GTI seemed downright burly a few months ago; it trails the Mazda by sixty-three horsepower and seventy-six pound-feet. Even the 230-horsepower Subaru WRX brings 15 percent less power and 20 percent less torque. And power aside, the Subaru falls short of the Mazda’s sleek Euro-style, both inside and out.
Rabid fans may point to the WRX STi or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, but please: Those video-game fantasies cost between $32,000 and $36,000, well beyond the bounds of this class. Meanwhile, Mazda’s uplevel GT version includes Xenon headlamps, leather seat inserts, Bose six-CD audio, rain-sensing wipers, and a trip computer. Even adding a $430 Sirius satellite radio and a $1740 navigation system brings a loaded Mazdaspeed3 GT to just $26,730.
For the moment, Mazda plans to sell just 5000 of these extra-hot hatches in the U.S. in its first year.
With those kinds of numbers—in performance, price, and scarce supply—the Mazdaspeed3 is bound to disappear from dealerships. Just like magic.
Here is a link to all the mini road tests:
http://www.windingroad.com/browse-se...lts/?make=Mini
A link to the mazdaspeed3
http://www.windingroad.com/features-...7-mazdaspeed3/
October 2006, Issue #14.0
The conjuring of a budget front-drive performance car has always involved some sleight-of-hand. The trick is to convince people that a $20,000 car is a finger-snap away from turning into a Porsche. To pull it off, automotive magicians have had to distract their audience: an explosion of power to draw attention from the clumsy handling and dodgy interior; a showy flourish of style to create the illusion of speed. And then there is the Mazdaspeed3, the go-fast version of Mazda’s trusty hatchback. Try as we might to expose weaknesses under the hood or trickery behind its stylish four-door façade, we found ourselves dazzled at every performance and fairly agog at the price: $22,240, or $23,955 for the GT version.
We arrived at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as eager volunteers, yet with some skepticism. The recent Mazdaspeed6, despite its on-paper promise, never really came together—whether as a roomier, richer Subaru WRX or as an alternative to Audi, Infiniti, or BMW.
Yet carrying a virtually identical 2.3-liter turbocharged four, the smaller Mazdaspeed3 makes a compelling case as the most complete front-drive compact yet: stylish, practical, sophisticated, and richly appointed. And with stellar dynamics, 263 horsepower, a massive 280 pound-feet of torque, and an improbable top speed of 155 miles per hour, nothing in its class can match its performance. It’s one of the fastest front-drivers ever, yet that power has been harnessed into a drivable, livable package that grownups and young hooligans alike can enjoy—and afford.
“We wanted the car to be entertaining every time you hit the gas, turn the wheel, and touch the brakes,” said Tatsuo Maeda, the former aeronautical engineer who led the Mazdaspeed3’s creation.
In some ways, this raising-the-bar act is no surprise. Sharing its chassis with the pricier Volvo S40 and Europe’s Ford Focus—the one deemed too good for us common Americans—the Mazda was always a top-shelf compact in search of more power and handling.
How much more became apparent at Laguna Seca, a 2.2-mile thrill ride on California’s gorgeous Monterey peninsula, and on a 180-mile blast that included the Gabilan Range on California’s Highway 25. This section of Highway 25 is a largely un-patrolled fun zone that connects Hollister in the north with Pinnacles National Monument and turns out to be a killer blend of straights and curves running through the San Andreas Fault zone.
Revised front fenders, front and rear fascias, a roof spoiler, and eighteen-inch wheels with summer tires add visual zing to the exterior. A beefed-up body structure, thicker front and rear stabilizer bars, and markedly stiffer dampers improve handling, with Mazda claiming a 60 percent increase in roll rigidity. A fatter exhaust with roughly half the silencer volume of the standard 3 creates a clean, surprisingly raw sound. Front brake rotors are larger than the standard model’s but use the same single-piston calipers.
Inside, the Mazda also comes across as a more expensive car, with thickly bolstered, red-stitched sport seats, a solid six-speed shifter, a trio of deep-set, blue-tinged gauges, aluminum pedals, metallic trim, and quality construction all around.
The compact direct-injection turbo four features a forged crankshaft and connecting rods, a tuned intake/exhaust, and a top-mounted intercooler. EPA estimates are twenty miles per gallon in city driving and twenty-eight on the highway. And compared with the 156 horsepower of the 2.3-liter Mazda3, the Mazdaspeed3’s 263 horsepower is downright massive. But dropping an extra 107 horsepower on an unsuspecting pair of front tires brings two nasty words to mind: torque steer.
Not to worry. In addition to a cone-type limited-slip differential—similar to the RX-8’s—and equal-length output shafts, the Mazda employs an ingenious torque management system. The turbo wastegate bleeds off excess boost in first and second gears, controlling wheel spin and providing full boost only in third gear and higher. In conjunction, the by-wire throttle smooths out torque spikes via the intake. The system is linked to stability control as well, reducing torque when the steering wheel is turned.
The result is a hatch that is plenty quick off the line—about 5.7 seconds from zero to sixty mph—yet doesn’t waste time and tires with squealing antics. And while torque steer can be found, it’s never obtrusive, and nowhere near the squirming level of, say, the Acura TL.
For the stopwatch-obsessed, be advised that this hatch has more on its mind than mere launch times.
Tellingly, the Mazda blasts from sixty to eighty mph in 3.5 seconds—in fourth gear. The turbo-enriched torque peak comes at a low 3,000 rpm. A noticeable fall-off in boost around 5,500 rpm was among the Mazdaspeed6’s chief failings; yet that sensation is far more muted in the 3, due largely to less weight and smarter gearing.
There’s no urgent need to explore redline, anyway: At many critical speeds, the Mazda actually goes faster in a higher gear, where ridiculous amounts of low- to midrange thrust are lying in wait.
Through the straw-colored hills east of Monterey, where downhill straights run headlong toward the horizon, beckoning even casual drivers to turn it loose, the Mazda shone. Rolling onto the throttle in sixth gear at eighty mph, we watched the Mazda lope effortlessly to 120 mph, then 140, before we finally eased off. Then we did it again. Mazda claims the 3 is electronically limited to 155 mph, and our test left no reason for doubt.
And when Highway 25 threw us its most challenging curves, the Mazda—as on the track—was at its monstrous best in third gear, hunkering down and surging from corner to corner with riveting force.
Body motion is also well controlled. Enter a turn too quickly, as we did entering the notorious Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, and the Mazda will scrub speed like any front-drive car. But get your braking done early and glide back onto the throttle, and the Mazda holds a fast line with grip and poise, rivaling the Honda Civic Si—the current standard bearer for balanced, neutral front-drive handling. And if the steering falls just shy of the Civic Si’s standard for quicksilver precision, the Mazda’s overwhelming power advantage means you won’t lose any sleep over your choice.
The only unwanted aftereffect of all that power and performance is a noticeable jump in cabin noise. It’s easily tolerable, but Mazda does figure a roughly ten-decibel increase in cabin volume.
To get your brain around Mazda’s new baby, let’s consider a few competitors: The Civic Si, a formidable player, has sixty-three fewer horsepower and, incredibly, less than half the torque at 139 pound-feet. Honda’s tight-fitting coupe is also less practical than Mazda’s roomy, accessible four-door hatch. Same goes for a Mini Cooper, only more so.
The turbocharged VW GTI seemed downright burly a few months ago; it trails the Mazda by sixty-three horsepower and seventy-six pound-feet. Even the 230-horsepower Subaru WRX brings 15 percent less power and 20 percent less torque. And power aside, the Subaru falls short of the Mazda’s sleek Euro-style, both inside and out.
Rabid fans may point to the WRX STi or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, but please: Those video-game fantasies cost between $32,000 and $36,000, well beyond the bounds of this class. Meanwhile, Mazda’s uplevel GT version includes Xenon headlamps, leather seat inserts, Bose six-CD audio, rain-sensing wipers, and a trip computer. Even adding a $430 Sirius satellite radio and a $1740 navigation system brings a loaded Mazdaspeed3 GT to just $26,730.
For the moment, Mazda plans to sell just 5000 of these extra-hot hatches in the U.S. in its first year.
With those kinds of numbers—in performance, price, and scarce supply—the Mazdaspeed3 is bound to disappear from dealerships. Just like magic.
Last edited by Ric in Richmond; Jun 2, 2008 at 12:29 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
From: Coralville, Iowa
I still look forward to every chance to take Molly for a drive
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
At the risk of coming accross as negative, I would stay away from the MazdaSpeed. And after my experience with Mazda, I'd never buy one again.
I'll keep it short but I owned a MazdaSpeed Miata before my Mini. The MazdaSpeed developed an intermittent problem that people (I found about 60 people who had this issue) on the MazdaSpeed.com forum called "the bog". Basically, on cold days (in Texas, that's under 60F) I would drive down the highway until well warmed up, then at the first red light, the car would go into a cold idle, (RPM's at 2K) would start to almost die if I tried to start driving and would kill the turbo. During the Summer, it was fine, so it went on like this through 10 trips to the dealership and two years, by that time the car was out of warranty and Mazda said "sorry, we can't fix it."
Now, keep in mind that every time I brought it in for service, I got a "we'll get it this time" so instead of trying to Lemon Law it, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and tried to let them fix it. Plus I absolutely LOVED that damn car and didn't want to admit that it was unfixable. Also keep in mind that I never yelled at them and always kept my cool.
I requested that they trade me in on a new car with full trade in value as of 20K miles (which is when the problem started). They said the wouldn't do that and wouldn't even work with me at all since it was out of warranty.
So, they sold me a car that had a design flaw that couldn't be fixed (later I found out that the MazdaSpeed Protogé had the exact same issue) and wouldn't work with me to rectify the situation.
Hands down, the worst customer service I have ever encountered and I swore I'd never buy a Mazda again.
I'll keep it short but I owned a MazdaSpeed Miata before my Mini. The MazdaSpeed developed an intermittent problem that people (I found about 60 people who had this issue) on the MazdaSpeed.com forum called "the bog". Basically, on cold days (in Texas, that's under 60F) I would drive down the highway until well warmed up, then at the first red light, the car would go into a cold idle, (RPM's at 2K) would start to almost die if I tried to start driving and would kill the turbo. During the Summer, it was fine, so it went on like this through 10 trips to the dealership and two years, by that time the car was out of warranty and Mazda said "sorry, we can't fix it."
Now, keep in mind that every time I brought it in for service, I got a "we'll get it this time" so instead of trying to Lemon Law it, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and tried to let them fix it. Plus I absolutely LOVED that damn car and didn't want to admit that it was unfixable. Also keep in mind that I never yelled at them and always kept my cool.
I requested that they trade me in on a new car with full trade in value as of 20K miles (which is when the problem started). They said the wouldn't do that and wouldn't even work with me at all since it was out of warranty.
So, they sold me a car that had a design flaw that couldn't be fixed (later I found out that the MazdaSpeed Protogé had the exact same issue) and wouldn't work with me to rectify the situation.
Hands down, the worst customer service I have ever encountered and I swore I'd never buy a Mazda again.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
hi 1966 - are you racing? if so, i understand getting the fastest of the two cars. but if not, i will wager that you will tire of the speed3 fairly quickly. honestly, it really isn't that special a car, great powertrain and all. remember: a powertrain does not make a car, else the mustang would be a great car.
conversely, the mini has special in spades. you said you will be keeping the car a fairly long time - 5 or 6 years; that is a very long time to be driving a hatch you will see coming and going. it is unlikely to be considered a classic of any sort except among the most extreme JDM-o-philes, but they are fickle as anything so even there the trophy for hottest hatch will pass from one japanese box to another over the next few years (if it hasn't already). To my eye (and I do like mazdas, see my sig) the mazda3 shape looks very dated, and has for at least a couple of years, in fact. Consider size as well - the mazda3 is a very big car, midsize by all accounts and shockingly long as a 5door. If you like big cars, ok then I guess that is a selling point to you. But for someone looking for a well-proportioned cut and thrust machine since you ordered a MCSC, with the wonderful supercharger whine no less, I am surprised such a big car would hold appeal.
don't make the mistake that many make, whereby the last car they test drive is the "best" one and the one they take home (and get stuck with for 5 or 6 years). Don't get sold on a "flavour of the month" car. Ask yourself, do you see yourself enjoying the speed3 EVEN THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD on a nice windy back road, tearing around corners but then leisurely rolling into a small town with the windows down (or top down!) to stop for ice cream? will you even care about the speed3 when you are stuck in traffic and then look around and notice you are in just another cheap japanese wagon (albeit, with a very strong powertrain)? see, with the mini, you enjoy the car in many diverse situations... even washing the car is a treat. the mini is just that sort of machine, with immeasurable depth to its playful personality. you could park it next to a porsche or other exotic and hold your own as the car is one of the most uniquely styled cars on the road and has all sorts of loving details on the exterior and interior. the speed3... not even close... may sound harsh but the majority of japanese cars just do not "wear well" compared to the euro alternatives... they are appliances, often very fast appliances, but still appliances.
conversely, the mini has special in spades. you said you will be keeping the car a fairly long time - 5 or 6 years; that is a very long time to be driving a hatch you will see coming and going. it is unlikely to be considered a classic of any sort except among the most extreme JDM-o-philes, but they are fickle as anything so even there the trophy for hottest hatch will pass from one japanese box to another over the next few years (if it hasn't already). To my eye (and I do like mazdas, see my sig) the mazda3 shape looks very dated, and has for at least a couple of years, in fact. Consider size as well - the mazda3 is a very big car, midsize by all accounts and shockingly long as a 5door. If you like big cars, ok then I guess that is a selling point to you. But for someone looking for a well-proportioned cut and thrust machine since you ordered a MCSC, with the wonderful supercharger whine no less, I am surprised such a big car would hold appeal.
don't make the mistake that many make, whereby the last car they test drive is the "best" one and the one they take home (and get stuck with for 5 or 6 years). Don't get sold on a "flavour of the month" car. Ask yourself, do you see yourself enjoying the speed3 EVEN THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD on a nice windy back road, tearing around corners but then leisurely rolling into a small town with the windows down (or top down!) to stop for ice cream? will you even care about the speed3 when you are stuck in traffic and then look around and notice you are in just another cheap japanese wagon (albeit, with a very strong powertrain)? see, with the mini, you enjoy the car in many diverse situations... even washing the car is a treat. the mini is just that sort of machine, with immeasurable depth to its playful personality. you could park it next to a porsche or other exotic and hold your own as the car is one of the most uniquely styled cars on the road and has all sorts of loving details on the exterior and interior. the speed3... not even close... may sound harsh but the majority of japanese cars just do not "wear well" compared to the euro alternatives... they are appliances, often very fast appliances, but still appliances.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 0
From: DC
I'm getting ready to buy a new car for my wife. We're about ready to pull the trigger on a JCW and all this MSpeed talk got me to thinking. Nice specs, but..... has anyone noticed that Mazda has adopted the ancient philosophy of its parent company's founder? "Let them have any color as long as it's black". The MS3 only comes in a red or monochrome color exterior, and only comes with a black interior. (the minivan look didn't go over with the spouse too well either). Oh well, I was hoping to save $10k.
Last edited by lhoboy; Jun 3, 2008 at 03:55 AM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Louisville , KY
If you don"t have to have the room and want a drop top , why not consider a MX5. I have a 02 MINI and I love it , it is a car that just smacks you in the face and makes you say WOW .Last year I decided I wanted a drop top. I first considered a MINI at about 28 to 30K for a S. I went and bought a base MX5 left over 06 for 18K. It is so subtle . After 9K miles I find I appreciate it more and more. It is about a hundred pounds lighter than the Cooper but it feels 500 pounds lighter. The MINI is more exciting on the road (and more forgiving) . The MX5 is more fun at SOLO. The best part of this purchase was I got to keep the MINI and got a drop top .
.Last year I decided I wanted a drop top. I first considered a MINI at about 28 to 30K for a S. I went and bought a base MX5 left over 06 for 18K. It is so subtle . After 9K miles I find I appreciate it more and more. It is about a hundred pounds lighter than the Cooper but it feels 500 pounds lighter. The MINI is more exciting on the road (and more forgiving) . The MX5 is more fun at SOLO. The best part of this purchase was I got to keep the MINI and got a drop top .