Behind the Wheel | 2007 Mazdaspeed 3
Hatchback Slathered in Hot Sauce
Published: March 11, 2007

A Volkswagen GTI might be a better everyday car if you don’t care about outright speed, but if you embrace the idea that too much power is just about enough, then the Mazdaspeed 3 is your ride. It’s a poor man’s AMG, a limited-edition in-house tuner car with outrageous power and subtle visual signifiers of its ill intentions.

There aren’t many $25,000 cars that you can truly get excited about driving every time you put the key in the ignition, but this is one of them.


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/au...=1&oref=slogin

 

gotta love them ms3, sweet rides.

 

mazda did good with the ms3

 

I agree it is an awesome car with great power. But the engine's torque curve and the tricky clutch leave a lot to be desired whenever I drive one

 

i woulda gone with ms3 if the rx8 wasnt so damn sexy.

 

Ultimate sleeper.

 

"So it was with no little glee that I took the keys to a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3, which is not only the most powerful version of the 3, but, with a top speed of more than 150 m.p.h., the fastest car Mazda makes, period." Dumb Mada take care of yoru flagship car instead (the real sports car)

 

^^ email mazda lol

 

I would like to see the Speed 3 take on an SRT 4. I hate those buggers!!

 

Well it'll have to be a Caliber SRT-4 since that is what the new one will be based off of. It certainly has a ungainly body to work with for a pocket rocket.

If Mazda does replace the 8, I think it will be a great car if they can do this for the MS3. The new MS6 should be much better than the current one, which I don't think lived up to its potential.

 

If I didn't have my `crosshairs set on the RX8, I would probably be driving the MS3 right now.

I know someone who went from the 8 to the MS3 and he's really enjoying the car.

 

I think it's bizarre to have that much power on a FWD vehicle. If you can't put the power on the pavement what's the point? Just so you can go 40-70 real fast?

I know the point is to keep the price down, but I don't get the appeal. It honestly seems like it doesn't really do the job of a daily driver (odd torque curve) or a sports car (FWD) particularly well.

 

A whole lotta go for not a whole lotta dough is pretty much what its about. The Mini Cooper S is a pretty fun car and FWS. RWD or AWD is better of course but if done right FWD is good for up to about 8/10ths.

 

That's exactly my point -- it isn't a whole lotta go. If you have to "do it just right" to go 0-60 in under 6 seconds with 260+ torque and horsepower you got some problems. I have never driven one, but it just seems like tons of unusable power.

All I want is a car that's stylish, reliable, fast, agile, practical, well-equipped, and inexpensive. Is that really too much to ask?

 

I drive one..

btw, my friend from work is getting a MS3 in about 4-5 weeks. He is switching from a Scion tC. He loves the 8 but he just wants more power, so he is going with the speed 3.

 

We must have different defintions for fast, reliable, and practical..

 

I think you have described the RX-8 "Perrrfectly" Saturn!

So stop your procrastinating and go out a buy one.

 

I think he decided against it..... not that his requirements are unrealistic or anything.

 

Look, I know the 8 is great. I'd rather have it than any other car on the market right now. But I'd rather save my money and wait to see if something that's a better fit for me comes along in the next few years. I might play devil's advocate a lot, but I really do love the 8.

 

Dealer by me has one, I want it.

 

Me first!

 

agree... the rx8 brings sexy back!

 

Thats the thing there isn't an affordable (defined by me as starting under 30k), 4 seat coupe or coupe-like car that is fast, pretty, agile, reliable, and RWD or AWD. The cloest thing on the market is the RX8 and thats what I bought.