Comments on: Review: 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: SoTXFord http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-568203 SoTXFord Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:40:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-568203 Maybe so, but thats the name of their performance division...no different than SVT or Ralliart Maybe so, but thats the name of their performance division…no different than SVT or Ralliart

]]> By: iggibiggi http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-567175 iggibiggi Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:39:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-567175 I forgot to mention, the MS3 overheated just 20 miles into Canada, not allowing the Mazda road-side assistance to assist me. That was 400 dollars to replace a defective gasket, after labor. The mazda dealer covered it afterwards. To all people who are seriously interested in purchasing the MS3, there is a TSB for the turbo charger's gasket and the engine's gasket. Fixed free if you know how to argue. I forgot to mention, the MS3 overheated just 20 miles into Canada, not allowing the Mazda road-side assistance to assist me. That was 400 dollars to replace a defective gasket, after labor. The mazda dealer covered it afterwards. To all people who are seriously interested in purchasing the MS3, there is a TSB for the turbo charger’s gasket and the engine’s gasket. Fixed free if you know how to argue.

]]> By: iggibiggi http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-567173 iggibiggi Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:31:12 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-567173 Been there, done that. Driven both cars extensively. Here's how it boils down for me. If you count your pennies, go for the Mazda. Can't go wrong with it. If you want a car that's wearing a tailored suit, there nothing better than the GTI for this segment. Can not possibly go wrong with that either! Personally, I like both of these cars, but having driven these both for more than 500 miles in a single stretch, the GTI can't be compared at all. It offers the better ride and handling. However, if your mind is only limited to the hp figures, the mazdaS3 probably is the only thing you will care about, regardless of all it's negatives differences from the GTI. THe clutch is smooth on the MS3, but the manual in the GTI is a dream. Fit and finish is superb on the MS3, offering a fully loaded model with navi(though you need a telescope to see it) and sound system for under 27k. The GTI is fully loaded, though with more options, at 31k, and has even better fit and finish. My verdict, the GTI. Why is the MS3 so close in the competition? Only because it's cheap and has more power! If it had similar power, no one would care. The worst part about driving the MS3 was when ever I would be driving on a road that unevenly worn because of cars rolling over it, the torque steer became even more noticeable. Driving from Oho through Pennsylvania, New York, and finally through Canada, it was easy to favor the GTI. It'a a gentlemen's car. The MS3 is a young mans car. I will always see it that way. The MS3/M3-5door and GTI-4 door are on my list for leasing/buying in a couple of months Been there, done that. Driven both cars extensively.
Here’s how it boils down for me.
If you count your pennies, go for the Mazda. Can’t go wrong with it.
If you want a car that’s wearing a tailored suit, there nothing better than the GTI for this segment. Can not possibly go wrong with that either!
Personally, I like both of these cars, but having driven these both for more than 500 miles in a single stretch, the GTI can’t be compared at all. It offers the better ride and handling. However, if your mind is only limited to the hp figures, the mazdaS3 probably is the only thing you will care about, regardless of all it’s negatives differences from the GTI.

THe clutch is smooth on the MS3, but the manual in the GTI is a dream.
Fit and finish is superb on the MS3, offering a fully loaded model with navi(though you need a telescope to see it) and sound system for under 27k. The GTI is fully loaded, though with more options, at 31k, and has even better fit and finish. My verdict, the GTI. Why is the MS3 so close in the competition? Only because it’s cheap and has more power! If it had similar power, no one would care. The worst part about driving the MS3 was when ever I would be driving on a road that unevenly worn because of cars rolling over it, the torque steer became even more noticeable. Driving from Oho through Pennsylvania, New York, and finally through Canada, it was easy to favor the GTI. It’a a gentlemen’s car. The MS3 is a young mans car. I will always see it that way. The MS3/M3-5door and GTI-4 door are on my list for leasing/buying in a couple of months

]]> By: 85ZingoGTR http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566878 85ZingoGTR Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:38:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566878 Someone on my block has a white one. I can't help but notice it. It just looks so damn good. Someone on my block has a white one. I can’t help but notice it. It just looks so damn good.

]]> By: TornadoGT1 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566874 TornadoGT1 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:27:49 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566874 Yes, the Speed3 is a better value but that by no means makes it a better car. I am on my second GTI in 5 years (by choice) MKV and MKVI and when I got my MKVI all of 6 weeks ago the Speed3 was high on my list. That and the C30 from Volvo. The Speed3 was certainly fun but not as enjoyable. It was a lilttle too 'one dimensional' for me. Just good when going fast and beating the crap out of it. The other 95% of the time, when driving normal, it was awful. Without the 'fun' component of driving it hard, there isn't much left. It is less refined, less equipped, not as well built, and overall not as well executed as the GTI. The GTI is a better daily driving proposition whereas the Speed3 is best kept on the track. Also, Stage1 GTI will get you to 254hp from APR for $600. AND, the Speed3 is a mere l2 or 3 tenths faster to 60 when compared to a DSG equipped (w/ launch control of course) GTI. With Stage1 APR a GTI will DOMINATE a Gen 2 Speed3. I have seen it (and done it). Now, besides the point because a Speed3 is realatively easy to tune as well. Both in stock form a GTI has NEVER (NOT ONCE) lost a comparo to a Speed3. In fact the GTI has ONLY lost to ANY car in its class once and it was a track-based comparison. Google this and find out... 'volkswagen gti vs mazdaspeed 3' Yes, the Speed3 is a better value but that by no means makes it a better car. I am on my second GTI in 5 years (by choice) MKV and MKVI and when I got my MKVI all of 6 weeks ago the Speed3 was high on my list. That and the C30 from Volvo. The Speed3 was certainly fun but not as enjoyable. It was a lilttle too ‘one dimensional’ for me. Just good when going fast and beating the crap out of it. The other 95% of the time, when driving normal, it was awful. Without the ‘fun’ component of driving it hard, there isn’t much left. It is less refined, less equipped, not as well built, and overall not as well executed as the GTI.

The GTI is a better daily driving proposition whereas the Speed3 is best kept on the track.

Also, Stage1 GTI will get you to 254hp from APR for $600. AND, the Speed3 is a mere l2 or 3 tenths faster to 60 when compared to a DSG equipped (w/ launch control of course) GTI. With Stage1 APR a GTI will DOMINATE a Gen 2 Speed3. I have seen it (and done it). Now, besides the point because a Speed3 is realatively easy to tune as well.

Both in stock form a GTI has NEVER (NOT ONCE) lost a comparo to a Speed3. In fact the GTI has ONLY lost to ANY car in its class once and it was a track-based comparison.

Google this and find out…

‘volkswagen gti vs mazdaspeed 3′

]]> By: shaolinsurf http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566866 shaolinsurf Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:46:18 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566866 I currently own a '10 Mazda 3s 5-door and I will say that even though I very much enjoy my car I regret not finding a dealer that had a Speed3 on the lot. Coming from a Subaru Legacy GT I definitely miss the turbo power. Well, the lease is up in another two years it looks like I'll replace it with the Speed3. In reference to the "chipped" GTI comment, its really a matter of dollars and cents: Base 4-Door GTI (no leather, no nav) w/ 18' wheels = $25,769 Base Speed3 (partial leather, no nav) = $24,090 Now you would need to add the APR Stage 2 at about $800 to match the Speed3's power which brings the total to $ 26,569 That's $2,479 more than the Mazda Also if you get the Speed3 with the Tech Pkg (nav, bose, etc...) for a total of $ 25, 985 and tried to match that option to option with VW you get a total of $30,810 for the GTI add the extra $800 for the chip (don't forget you might have warranty issues) and the loaded GTI is $31,610 that is awful close to a Subaru STi special edition priced at $32,995. Styling aside, if you want maximum go for minimum dough the Speed3 is the better value. I currently own a ’10 Mazda 3s 5-door and I will say that even though I very much enjoy my car I regret not finding a dealer that had a Speed3 on the lot. Coming from a Subaru Legacy GT I definitely miss the turbo power. Well, the lease is up in another two years it looks like I’ll replace it with the Speed3.

In reference to the “chipped” GTI comment, its really a matter of dollars and cents:

Base 4-Door GTI (no leather, no nav) w/ 18′ wheels = $25,769

Base Speed3 (partial leather, no nav) = $24,090

Now you would need to add the APR Stage 2 at about $800 to match the Speed3′s power which brings the total to $ 26,569

That’s $2,479 more than the Mazda

Also if you get the Speed3 with the Tech Pkg (nav, bose, etc…) for a total of
$ 25, 985 and tried to match that option to option with VW you get a total of $30,810 for the GTI add the extra $800 for the chip (don’t forget you might have warranty issues) and the loaded GTI is $31,610 that is awful close to a Subaru STi special edition priced at $32,995.

Styling aside, if you want maximum go for minimum dough the Speed3 is the better value.

]]> By: leftwingagenda http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566864 leftwingagenda Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:42:45 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566864 big fan of the MS3...almost bought one of the old style models when they were being phased out of existence...i test drove one and the sales guy had me hammer it on a couple of straights and it was 'holy shit' quick...put a big grin on my face...the torque steer was very evident, though, as when you hit the hammer it the car pointed itself straight into a ditch...(i don't mind that, it added some character, and was controllable - but it begged for 2 hands on the wheel when accelerating hard)... they do need to revise the nose, though, it's too much... big fan of the MS3…almost bought one of the old style models when they were being phased out of existence…i test drove one and the sales guy had me hammer it on a couple of straights and it was ‘holy shit’ quick…put a big grin on my face…the torque steer was very evident, though, as when you hit the hammer it the car pointed itself straight into a ditch…(i don’t mind that, it added some character, and was controllable – but it begged for 2 hands on the wheel when accelerating hard)…

they do need to revise the nose, though, it’s too much…

]]> By: christianboy10 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566858 christianboy10 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:29:45 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566858 refresh the front end and chance the name,mazdaspeed3 is a stupid name for a car refresh the front end and chance the name,mazdaspeed3 is a stupid name for a car

]]> By: Hymen Holocaust http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566847 Hymen Holocaust Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:52:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566847 Signed. Signed.

]]> By: 4thyrkindergarten http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566845 4thyrkindergarten Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:22:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566845 We have two chipped GTIs. An '80 FSI and a new TSI. Love all our Dubs but I never miss a chance to get seat time in the Speed3. They feel lighter, twitchier(good)than the MKVI GTI and generally make for a fun day at the track. Good cars and the owners usually have bought them simply for the performance which isn't always the case with the GTI. Find a Speed3 and you'll find a happy owner. I smiled at the reference to "a retainer" because I thought the '10 GTI looked like it just got braces. We have two chipped GTIs. An ’80 FSI and a new TSI. Love all our Dubs but I never miss a chance to get seat time in the Speed3. They feel lighter, twitchier(good)than the MKVI GTI and generally make for a fun day at the track. Good cars and the owners usually have bought them simply for the performance which isn’t always the case with the GTI. Find a Speed3 and you’ll find a happy owner.
I smiled at the reference to “a retainer” because I thought the ’10 GTI looked like it just got braces.

]]> By: jazzbeau http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566843 jazzbeau Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:15:20 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566843 When they refresh the front end to eliminate the Coney Island stupid grin, this would be worth considering. When they refresh the front end to eliminate the Coney Island stupid grin, this would be worth considering.

]]> By: vwboig600 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-mazdaspeed3-review.html#comment-566838 vwboig600 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:56:55 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=37616#comment-566838 buy a GTI and chip it. 1000 times better car. buy a GTI and chip it. 1000 times better car.

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