Picture Gallery: 2007 Mazdaspeed3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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Owning a Mazda3 Sport GT myself you can only imagine my excitement. I can’t wait to put this vehicle through its paces and determine what exactly (besides the gobs of extra power) Mazda has incorporated into this hot hatch to improve upon one of the best selling compact vehicles in Canada.
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The first obvious difference is the price. Depending on options added to the regular Mazda3 Sport the price difference can be $10,000 more for the Mazdaspeed version, but when comparing to a GT model the price difference drops to closer to $5,000. The Mazdaspeed3 has no options which makes things rather simple; the only extra would be a Crystal White Pearl exterior for an additional $200.
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Behind the wheel other differences become quite obvious: the seats provide more support, the steering wheel feels stiffer and the pedals are larger. Under the hood Mazda has come up with a monster of a 2.3L inline four cylinder turbocharged engine pumping out 263hp and 280lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Standard features include: traction control and stability control which are not offered in the Mazda3 Sport, 18″ Mazdaspeed wheels with 215/45 summer tires, Mazdaspeed styled body bits and HID lamps as well as climate control (available with the premium package on the GT only)
Should be an exciting week; I hope to keep my license in my wallet. I’ll have to be mighty careful though with all those ponies under my right foot.
2007 Mazdaspeed 3
MSRP as tested: $30,995
For more information on Mazda and the Mazdaspeed3 visit Mazda Canada
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I will mention one thing about driving the Mazdaspeed3 today: I noticed the turning radius was not nearly as good as the standard Mazda3. A quick check with Mazda’s specifications and my concerns are legitimate. The Mazdaspeed3 takes 70cm more curb to curb to turn and offers only 2.7 turns lock to lock, where as the Mazda3 Sport offers 2.9 turns. This doesn’t sound like much but I noticed it trying to maneuver in a few parking lots today: coupled with the stiffer steering it made parking lot driving not so much fun.
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The standard automatic climate control seems to work really well. I set it to 21.5 Celsius yesterday; this morning it was 17 degrees when I entered the car and it warmed it up slightly, on my way home this evening it was 33 degrees and it kept it cool without having to touch it. The same rattle-prone glovebox is used on the Speed3 as any other Mazda3 so there is no upgrade there either.
Being a hatch, of course, the Speed3 is ultra-practical with the ability to swallow large items with ease, and the standard tonneau cover provided by Mazda keeps your valuables hidden in the same way a trunk does in a sedan — personally I see no downside here.
The real changes to the Speed3 are to the driving dynamics, which I’ll get to tomorrow.
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Let’s start from the front and move backwards. The biggest, most obvious change is the engine. The standard 2.3L engine is pretty peppy; I certainly would not classify it as slow and for city driving and even back country roads it is a blast. The 2.3L turbocharged engine in the Mazdaspeed3 is simply a beast; describing it is very difficult. Below 2500rpm the pull is not significantly stronger than a normally aspirated 2.3L engine but once that boost kicks in, hold on to your hat. First gear (although power is electronically limited) pulls you quickly to 60km/h; shift into second gear and well, let’s just say that before you can say “too fast” you are going too fast.
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Steering feel can change dramatically from tire to tire and the stickier rubber on the Mazdaspeed version certainly attributes to a firmer steering feel, but I still believe it has been stiffened up. The ratio certainly has changed as I mentioned yesterday and is noticeable. Continuing this “stiff” theme is the suspension. Mazda does a great job on suspensions and this one is no exception. For some drivers the ride may be a little harsh as I have heard complaints that the vanilla Mazda3 is stiff. Although firm, I do not find the ride jarring; somehow this stiffer ride gives the vehicle a more solid feeling as well, especially around corners.
What I have noticed is the Mazdapeed3 feels less “tossable;” the standard Mazda3 with it’s light steering gives the vehicle a sense of playfulness that allows you to toss it in and out of corners without worry. The Mazdaspeed3, although more capable, has a feel that conveys respect. Entering a corner, you feel as though you better be fully committed to taking that corner at neck-snapping speeds or else. The Speed3 is definitely a vehicle targeted towards a more hardcore enthusiast than the casual-spirited fun type.
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As noted before the ride is firmer in the Mazdaspeed but really not that much, the Mazdaspeed certainly feels stiffer and more hardcore as mentioned before as well. They are very similar except for power and feel — so yeah they are not that much alike than except for body style and interior design.
I was on the go pedal quite a bit this past week as you can imagine but even with the lead right foot I averaged 10.9L/100km with mixed city and highway driving. This isn’t that much worse than my Mazda3 which generally returns 9L/100km over the course of a week of driving.
The Mazdaspeed3 does take premium fuel so you might want to take that into account if you are looking, but at only $30,995 the speed3 really is a bargain for the power per dollar available. The speedometer is a little hard to read with only the 20,40,60,80,120 being large numbers and all the others before 120 being small — this tends to mean a lot of speeding.
A must test drive for any enthusiast looking for a fast car with practicality.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Mazdaspeed 3
MSRP as tested: $30,995
For more information on Mazda and the Mazdaspeed3 visit Mazda Canada
August 29, 2007, 03:22:17 pm
Every single part
August 30, 2007, 12:36:43 am Well the car is simply brilliant. I love it so much I just bought one!
Also, the door thing does not affect cars made after January 2007 (and I think that goes for all Mazda3's). They are 'fixed' at the factory.
August 30, 2007, 12:38:08 am
Also, the door thing does not affect cars made after January 2007 (and I think that goes for all Mazda3's). They are 'fixed' at the factory.
Congrats B2! Welcome to the zoom-zoom family!
August 30, 2007, 12:51:39 am So, tell us all of the details!
August 30, 2007, 01:16:55 am
Thanks. I had a Mazda3 sedan before though. I guess I could say I'm going back to the zoom-zoom family!
It's a white 2007 Mazdaspeed3. There's no additional options available on the car (except the white is $200 more). The only thing I may miss is a sun roof, as the car doesn't have one. But I welcome climate control!
I got it for a little less than MSRP, and a great financing rate.
Driving it through the break-in period is going to be difficult, because the car just begs you to push it hard.
August 30, 2007, 01:18:56 am That's great. I would love to take one out for a spin...An MS6 too....But since I'm on the outs with my Mazda dealer I don't think they will be too willing to let me joy ride...
August 30, 2007, 01:21:38 am Where I bought my car they had a MS6 for nearly the same price as mine. But I absolutely need a hatchback. I kinda like the MS3 better though anyway.
August 30, 2007, 01:23:04 am The hatch will certainly be much handier. Hence the reason I have it and not an MS6...
August 30, 2007, 01:33:59 am
August 30, 2007, 05:32:57 am Congrats B2! can’t wait to see the pics!
August 30, 2007, 10:00:13 am Very nice pick up. The MS3 has that stealthy pocket rocket going on...
August 30, 2007, 10:19:00 am After reading between the lines in the last paragraph of "Day 3" in the review, James, are you trading up today....or tomorrow???
August 30, 2007, 10:22:29 am B2 or NOT M3...................HAIL CAESAR.....there is a white one here in town too...it keeps calling my name.......aaargghhh.......U lucky BUM.....
August 30, 2007, 10:45:15 am
I got it for a little less than MSRP, and a great financing rate.
Congrats B2... I love the White MS3. A dealer in the city has 2 left and is offering 0% financing up to 36mths... I am so tempted to trade the P5 in for this, but it's not logical at this moment in my life (new house, newly married, kids?).
Oh, and make sure you post of pics in the Show & Shine forum!
August 30, 2007, 10:48:40 am Congrats B2! Excellent Car!
August 30, 2007, 10:50:18 am Let me join the chorus of 'congrats'.
Saw a white MazdaSpeed3 yesterday at lunch. The taller spoiler and larger black bumper skirts really make for an extra aggressive look.
August 30, 2007, 01:22:21 pm
You will looove climate control! (Well, I know not everyone does, but I love it! Set it and no need to keep fiddling with it.
B2, that's a great choice, Congratulations!!!
I can't wait for the pics!
August 31, 2007, 09:50:01 am
I'm left wondering this too...
August 31, 2007, 11:15:00 am talking about practicality of these kind of Hot-Rocket.... how would u compare it to, let say GTI or CSX TypeS... i know the HP has almost 70HP different... but i guess, those other car aren't too bad for our "Maximum 100km/h" highway
August 31, 2007, 03:32:47 pm Congrats B2! All Mazda3 Sports in white looks great!
This thread somehow turned into congratulating your new purchase
September 01, 2007, 10:26:44 pm The red ones are really really red.
Anyway, congrats B2!
September 01, 2007, 10:48:04 pm Congrats on your new Speed 3, B2. Love it in the white, good choice. Enjoy.
September 04, 2007, 02:18:09 pm
I agree. Having driven each, the MS6 just feels like the bigger, heavier car it is. The MS3 blew my mind. It's an absolute beast and a hell of a bargain when you consider how well equipped it is, how much fun it is and (fingers crossed) how refined and reliable it should be.
Congrats B2... you've made an outstanding choice.
September 13, 2007, 10:41:14 am James, just read your review (I am always late to the party) and you pretty much nailed it. We've put 10,000 km on our 07 MS3 and, like yourself, have driven the regular M3 in the past. I was surprised at how improved the performance thresholds are for the MS3 over the standard variant yet it still remains civilized when you want it to. Best of both worlds.
Engine - moments of lag under hard acceleration, but great mid range torque, every where, every gear. A+
Drivetrain - clutch and tranny have a solid "don't rush me" bulletproof feeling. Guess they have to be...we'll see.
Chassis - stiff body and forgiving chassis mean great tracking when pushed but still compliant over the rough stuff.
Exhaust - low grumble, NOT ricer sounding, does not exhaust you when cruising at hwy speeds.
Cabin - very flexible, lots of headroom, grippy seats that are great over long trips, good visibility.
Brakes - supercar good, truly. Very easy to modulate close to the ABS threshold.
Gas Mileage - much better than expected. 11-12s when in speed racer mode, 8.8 avg over highway trips
My wife loves it for commuting and long trips, I love it for the twisties. Great car - great value.
September 18, 2007, 05:22:37 pm X Large...