Imput on MS3

[O2SpecV]

I am really looking at getting a mazdaspeed 3 and i am wondering if anyone has any experience with the cars or know about any common problems. Also if you don't think i should get one convince me why.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

I'v heard things about the 6 but not the 3. Mazda makes a great car just rtemember with a turbo car comes premium fuel high insurance and high repair cost's.. but if that dosent phase you go for it... Did they total your S2K?

[TalonTsi97]

They seem like good cars, i know 2 owners & have been in the one to many times to count. The only problem i've really seen him complain about is the lack of support for tuning and when your going for more then just simple bolt on mods. IMO its a great daily driver, that you can have a lot of fun in, fwd or not. There pricing seems to really be coming down to the point were i beleive its one of the best fwd choices out there.

[O2SpecV]

Premium fuel is something i could care less about, i have put it in all my cars. As far as the poor tuning i am used to that because i had a sentra.... lol

[sean3]

IIRC they had issues with the turbos, DISI is/was a PITA to tune, the motor mounts were garbage, and I'm pretty sure there were a handful of grenaded motors. Nice car if you leave it alone...

I'v heard things about the 6 but not the 3. Mazda makes a great car just rtemember with a turbo car comes premium fuel high insurance and high repair cost's.. but if that dosent phase you go for it... Did they total your S2K?

...duh :bigeek:

[ndubz]

Great cars, tons of fun stock or modded. They do torque steer a good bit i hear tho. And the one I was in spun into like 3rd. But if ur a competent enough driver then u'll have a blast with it

If ur not a competent driver, then work on it, but still buy it lol

[TalonTsi97]

Few other notes that i remembered...... there have been issues with blowing motors but i'd have to check my my buddy on the specs and reasons of why there was a bunch blowing up. I suggest upgrading the motor mounts on one if you buy one, heard the rear mount stock has issues on some cars. If you have any specific questions just post and i can easily find out for ya. Check through my videos i have a bunch of my one friends MS3 racing cars in mexico. ;)

[92accordex]

I love them no complaints from me, I don't see to many come into the dealer i work at and its a mazda one. Only one I saw come in for something more major then either required service or a popped tire, was some dude blew his turbo seal and his car was smoking like a hippie..but who knows what that was about

[O2SpecV]

what about MS6's

[mx931]

i love my ms3 man. it has 74k and i complain about a thing, knock on wood.

[TalonTsi97]

what about MS6's

I like being different but if i was going to spend money on a awd 4door car i wouldn't be looking into a mazdaspeed. I think the MS3 is a great car for what its meant to be, while the MS6 isn't.

I'm sure the MS6 is probably "nicer" then the other well known awd 4dr cars out there but IMO is not something i'd invest in. Your outlook or need may be different though.

[JDMTyler3326]

MS3's I love them . Stock or not they move for what they are. I def wanna own one in my life time.

[O2SpecV]

yeah i feel like i would rather buy a legacy gt then a ms6

[lownslow95]

I was going to buy one, but the warrenty on it wasn't all that long, and it was at one of those shady used car lots.

[09Speed3Z]

I am really looking at getting a mazdaspeed 3 and i am wondering if anyone has any experience with the cars or know about any common problems. Also if you don't think i should get one convince me why.

Id say go for it (although Im partial). Your best bet with it are basic bolt ons, the car is an extremely fun DD with just those simple upgrades.

Like few have said before me yes, the rear motor mount in stock form is garbage. Also, the turbo seals were really only bad on the 07 & 08 models. They addressed those problems for 08.5 and 09.

Lastly, if you do plan on DDing it get yourself a set of winter tires because stock they come with garbage high performance summers that wont last more than 25k.

what about MS6's

Only good thing for an MS6 is (literally) a bigger turbo. My buddy has a 3071 on his 6 and its a much better all around car with a bigger turbo. Of course it also cost him a pretty penny.

[jesus_ralliart]

As i mentioned in your other thread.... save yourself some headaches man...

Go cheap(under 10k), NA, and awd. 200ish crank hp is more than enough for you. Really, it is. Try to avoid being a boy racer for a couple years.

[O2SpecV]

haha nah i am not getting any thing under 200 hp lol

[i_ride_fieroGT]

what about MS6's

These i hear things about. when i was looking at them (back before i got my jeep) i hear that they dont take to mods to well and the engines can be very fragiel... this is just going by what i heard.

[Bates]

MS6's have transmission problems.

MS3's are tons of fun, but if you thought your old Spec-V torque steered, prepare for more in a MS3. With some simple bolt ons and the Cobb tuning port, the MS3 can see some serious power increases, but the after market is poor. Regardless, stock they got some balls and are a blast to drive. Just don't get a smiling MS3 please if you decide to get one.

I also don't know what you are talking about in the Spec-V after market being poor, I find nearly everything I need for my Spec-V without a problem, just wish we had more of a coilover option.

After crashing a stock AP1, I wouldn't get a car with MORE power, doesn't seem like a good idea in my opinion.

[ein]

Nice car if you leave it alone...



...duh :bigeek:

QFT EXACTLY what I was going to say...

I sold cars for years and you seem to be coming down with new-car-itis.

Symptoms include delusional visions of income, car needs, and loss of reason.

I made my living off of sufferers of this disease, the worst part is you can't reason with someone under the influence of the aliment. The only way to cure it is to learn from making the mistake of an impulse/half-baked buy.

Take you time and make a well thought out choice. You will purchase (on average) five to six cars in a lifetime, and they are the second most expensive purchase (after a house) you will make. Choose wisely...

[92accordex]

x2 on the ms6 transmission problems. Their nice cars, but for the price you can find way better

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I loved my MS3- though I only did very subtle mods: Cobb SRI, TWM SS, & Street Unit MM. I never did get around to doing the DP and Accessport. Reason being is I felt the Cobb Accesport was a failure for this car. The gains it made vs. price weren't up to snuff. Though apparently: 1. The MS3 is tuned closer to peak performance from the factory than many other cars and 2. It's direct-injection engine is extremely difficult to tune.

I can only presume these are truths, as Cobb has done wonderful stuff for the STi/WRX. Either way, like others have mentioned, if you aren't looking to break any 1/4 records and get DEEPLY into modding it's a fun DD. Terrible traction from a dig but pretty fast on the highway- easily as fast as my Cobb Stg.2 2005 STi I owned.

PS I was blessed to have owned both the MS3 and an S2k, simultaneously.

http://www.gmelliottvideo.com/photos/s2kms3.jpg

[TR MS3]

My MS3 has been solid, only ever needed regular maintenance. 51,000 on it so far. And as far a torque steer, very mild. Nothing like a turbo charged honda.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

My MS3 has been solid, only ever needed regular maintenance. 51,000 on it so far. And as far a torque steer, very mild. Nothing like a turbo charged honda.

Why? Are they known to exhibit excessive Torque Steer when blown?