Mazdaspeed 3

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

I don't mean to be a hater but, are you sure a stock Mazdaspeed 3 can run 14.0 in Calgary? This seems very unlikely to me.

Even according to a 1/4 mile calculator, a 3200 lb MS3 at 263hp can run low 14's at best - at sea level. On a good track.

Also Mazda would probably like to advertise a 1/4 mile time that competed with the STI/EVO if they could.

Also based on some reading and youtube videos, it seems like even modified MS3's start to brag when they crack the 14.0. There are some high-13s runs on youtube - but on slicks on better tracks at lower altitudes.

14.0 bone stock in Calgary at race city... I'd like to congratulate that driver!

Eh, check out the last few secret street threads on beyond. Mikestypes ran a 14.0 at 99.3 mph, and there was another (cant remember his username) who did 14.1 at 97.x.

But I was wrong about them being stock. Both have cai's lol.

[The Brice]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Eh, check out the last few secret street threads on beyond. Mikestypes ran a 14.0 at 99.3 mph, and there was another (cant remember his username) who did 14.1 at 97.x.

But I was wrong about them being stock. Both have cai's lol.

Very impressive!! Considering that on that friday Race City was having record setting low air mass conditions, frigid cold temps. and a good tail wind to boot, supposedly. You can see a few weeks prior that the ms3's were in the low 15 to upper 14's on typ. calgary summer weather, and from what I read about Mikestypes he has a CAI, performance motor mount, lightweight OZ wheels, and a testpipe. I'm not dissing, these numbers are very good, but I don't think a stock or close too ms3 would put up near the same numbers on a typ. Calgary summer track day.

[Kor]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

I'm not dissing, these numbers are very good, but I don't think a stock or close too ms3 would put up near the same numbers on a typ. Calgary summer track day.

Any car with aftermarket wheels also likely has aftermarket tires too.

I do think that guy deserves congratulations for his time, but no way a stock MS3 will run 14.0 in Calgary.

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Mike's aftermarket wheels have snow tires on them, so I'm not sure he used those at the track or not, and as far as cai, motor mount, and a test pipe being serious power adders, well I would disagree. But yea, a mod is a mod.

You could be right about the unusual conditions at race city though.If what you say is true and ms3's normally run 15's in Calgary then I'm wrong about how they stack up against the mk5 gti's. A chipped gti will be just as fast if not faster than a ms3.

[The Brice]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Mike's aftermarket wheels have snow tires on them, so I'm not sure he used those at the track or not, and as far as cai, motor mount, and a test pipe being serious power adders, well I would disagree. But yea, a mod is a mod.

You could be right about the unusual conditions at race city though.If what you say is true and ms3's normally run 15's in Calgary then I'm wrong about how they stack up against the mk5 gti's. A chipped gti will be just as fast if not faster than a ms3.

They are not winters they are Kuhmo Ecsta MX's. I do think a stock ms3 would be faster then a chipped GTI, just not 14sec. stock, not up here. It would have been interesting too see how a chipped mk5 GTI with traction and a good driver could have done in those same conditions though, probably wouldn't have been too far behind. Props to those drivers for some very impressive times though.

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

[QUOTE=The Brice;128503]They are not winters they are Kuhmo Ecsta MX's. QUOTE]


17" Michelin X-Ice winter tires on Sport Edition rims and the stock wheels and tires is what he told me. Unless he has a third set of wheels/tires?

[The Brice]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

18" OZ ultraleggaras with Kuhmo MX's. Says it shaved 40lbs. of unsprung weight. That's like shaving approx. 300lbs. of sprung weight!

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Oh ok, didnt know he had those. Light wheels do make a big difference for sure.

[kuhli]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Well, its sitting in my driveway right now and there are a few things to say...

1. This car is much faster than my GTI (VR6 stock). Its not even in the same ballpark, chipped turbo or anything its just not in the same department.

2. Initially I felt the GTI had it by and inch in the corners, it doesn't. With no mention of the additional power coming out of the corner it's still faster. It's sprung heavier and is significantly more controlled within the corner. (on 215's vs 225's)

3. Its upper limits for speed are greater than the GTI, the top speeds are incredibly stable (120+ mph), I think this is mostly due to the aero pan on the bottom of the car that adds a lot of stability.

4. The car is much roomier in the interior.

5. The steering is vastly more communcative than the GTI.

6. The power at hand is much more useable in a less high strung way (see below)

7. The brakes are superior but a significant margin, they're on par with some very capable sports cars.

on the other hand....

1. GTI seats are much, much better. The seat bottom is short and the seat bottom bolsters inferior.

2. The interior quality of the GTI is better, but not by the margin you might think. To me, the interior of the Mazda is above all of the non-luxury Japanese makes and on par with some of the poorer lux models.

3. The GTI tripmeter is much better with the two programs for fuel economy and drive time. Drive times aren't part of Mazda's tripmeter.

4. The GTI loves to be 'wrung out' and driven hard. While the 3 doesn't dislike it, it has so much power that you simple don't wring it out. In addition, it drives more like a V8 with a broad midrange torque curve.

5. The GTI has a slightly taller cargo compartment allowing slightly (5 or 6 inches more height of cargo to be carried. Although, there's more volume in the Mazda.

In short, I've loved my GTI, its a very good car that's good at speed and a bit soft in the corners. The interior is better in most ways, but not to the level you might think. The only major letdown in the Mazda is the seats, this may be a personal thing to me, but I suspect for most people the GTI seats are better (MKIV and MKV).

However, from a sporting perspective and from a driving pleasure and absolute capability of the car the Mazdaspeed is superior in virtually every way. The turbo is integrated beautifully in the way that the 2.0T isn't. The 2.0T is a very good turbo'd engine. The 2.3 is just plain better.

From a looks perspective, you're either going to love or hate either car for that matter. There's a refinement to the GTI that's not totally lacking in the Speed 3, but its a good looking car that has people asking you questions about it (several times in 3 or 4 days). Personally I like the appearance, but I don't like the basic Mazda 3's. Ultimately I'll give the looks department to the GTI by a inch. I'd like to see the rear side window on the 2 dr GTI corrected (non civic please).

By-by MKIV, hello MS3!

[R_Ethug]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

pics and price? my bro is needing a new car and i'm leaning him towards a mazda 3 actually

[kuhli]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3





I didn't take any good front 1/4s, but here's the best I have.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

cool thx

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Good write up. This car really is a performance bargain right out of the box, and with a couple mods can be pretty fast. Couple gripes I have are the stereo, which is mediocre at best, and the throttle closing at higher rpms(cant wait for cobb to release their access port).

Ryan, personally I would get a new rabbit before the normal 3, especially after the power bump they got for '08. Mind you, there are probably some good incentives for '07 mazda's now.

[greenGS]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

I am sorry to bump up an old thread but just to clear a few things up.
A stock MS3 will not run 14.0 in Calgary. (I know Mike and have talked to him on many occasions)

Weather conditions affect times at RC by a great margin. When I took my car out there I was running on par/slighty faster than the MS3 that was there.

Last friday my GTI ran 14.4@97. That was on par with a 280hp SRT4 Caliber, Faster than Cobalt SS, and I was trapping 3mph slower than my buddies stage 2 STI.

Saying that a chipped GTI could not keep up with a stock MS3 is false. This is how it is in Calgary, it might be different at sea level...

[Mefro]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3