dmp test-drives MS3
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RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
dmp test-drives MS3
Whilst my car was at the dealership today being looked at for it's fuel-starvation issues, I schmoozed a test drive of a MS3.
Walking around the car it looks, of course, a LOT like a Maz3 - but the details added by the folks at Mazdaspeed finish the car off perfectly. Very smooth lines - the only thing which seems a bit off is the lower rear end. Seems to pop out too much.
I drove the base MS3, in sunlight silver. VERY comfortable seats. The brake pedal was TOO close to the accelerator for my tastes. I'm not bigfoot, but my size 11 leather sketchers felt like I was wearing clown shoes.
While driving, everything is right where it's supposed to be, I guess. I don't like the HVAC controls. They seem to free-spin w/o markers showing where they are on the dial. If there are markers, I missed 'em. I suppose the idea is to watch the data display to see what the ***** are doing. That's fine, but I prefer marked *****.
I drove very quietly around town. Very docile. Just moving along the turbo was transparent. As a commuter, this car would be spot on. Interior room was probably more than my RX8, but I doubt measurements of seating areas would differ extremely. Of course, the inside FELT bigger.
Where is a boost gauge, Mazda?
As the roads got twistier I started to goose it a bit. The car felt a 'little' top heavy around the first 15mph right hander I took.
But exiting the corner was something else. WOW. I had the car in 2nd gear, and was going probably 25mph or so, when I punched it. The car CRAWLED? out of the corner. Picture a predator cat with it's front claws ripping away at the carcass of an antelope. But it's not a cat, it's this car, and it's not an antelope, it's pavement.
VERY impressed. I was pushed back into my seat.
"ahh...torque...neat" i thought.
I didn't push the car to even 7/10ths, as it's not my car - but on pretty fast series of esses I felt the car was planted, stable. Nose-heavy for sure...but otherwise safe.
Would I trade in my RX8 on this car?
I dunno - I'm not sold on that car being 263hp. I'm not sold on FWD. I think with the RB ECU and coil-overs, my car would be every bit as quick around most tracks. It's very difficult for me to compare speed because torque makes things FEEL faster, when in reality, they are not. That said, I'm sure if that were my MS3, and I could beat it like I enjoy, it'd be substantially faster than my RX8 at the drag strip - and hold it's own nicely around the track, or spirited, country driving.
It's EASILY the best FWD car I've ever driven.
Walking around the car it looks, of course, a LOT like a Maz3 - but the details added by the folks at Mazdaspeed finish the car off perfectly. Very smooth lines - the only thing which seems a bit off is the lower rear end. Seems to pop out too much.
I drove the base MS3, in sunlight silver. VERY comfortable seats. The brake pedal was TOO close to the accelerator for my tastes. I'm not bigfoot, but my size 11 leather sketchers felt like I was wearing clown shoes.
While driving, everything is right where it's supposed to be, I guess. I don't like the HVAC controls. They seem to free-spin w/o markers showing where they are on the dial. If there are markers, I missed 'em. I suppose the idea is to watch the data display to see what the ***** are doing. That's fine, but I prefer marked *****.
I drove very quietly around town. Very docile. Just moving along the turbo was transparent. As a commuter, this car would be spot on. Interior room was probably more than my RX8, but I doubt measurements of seating areas would differ extremely. Of course, the inside FELT bigger.
Where is a boost gauge, Mazda?
As the roads got twistier I started to goose it a bit. The car felt a 'little' top heavy around the first 15mph right hander I took.
But exiting the corner was something else. WOW. I had the car in 2nd gear, and was going probably 25mph or so, when I punched it. The car CRAWLED? out of the corner. Picture a predator cat with it's front claws ripping away at the carcass of an antelope. But it's not a cat, it's this car, and it's not an antelope, it's pavement.
VERY impressed. I was pushed back into my seat.
"ahh...torque...neat" i thought.
I didn't push the car to even 7/10ths, as it's not my car - but on pretty fast series of esses I felt the car was planted, stable. Nose-heavy for sure...but otherwise safe.
Would I trade in my RX8 on this car?
I dunno - I'm not sold on that car being 263hp. I'm not sold on FWD. I think with the RB ECU and coil-overs, my car would be every bit as quick around most tracks. It's very difficult for me to compare speed because torque makes things FEEL faster, when in reality, they are not. That said, I'm sure if that were my MS3, and I could beat it like I enjoy, it'd be substantially faster than my RX8 at the drag strip - and hold it's own nicely around the track, or spirited, country driving.
It's EASILY the best FWD car I've ever driven.
It surpassed the Taurus or whatever you were driving last Myrtle? I had thought that impossible!
From what I have read of the MS3, the car is very mechanically well done. I'm sure if I had kids or a reason to need trunk or rear seating space, I'd be more interested in it. As it were, I don't so I'll leave it be for a while.
From what I have read of the MS3, the car is very mechanically well done. I'm sure if I had kids or a reason to need trunk or rear seating space, I'd be more interested in it. As it were, I don't so I'll leave it be for a while.
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Area
I think Mazda did a brilliant job on the MS3. Hope it brings the buyers in. I think it will with all the positive press.
Now if I could get the sheer propulsion of the MS3 with the handling of the RX8, I'd be in Heaven.
Now if I could get the sheer propulsion of the MS3 with the handling of the RX8, I'd be in Heaven.
Registered
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
I test drove one last month when my wife was looking for a new car. It did have more kick off the line than my 8 but was not as fun to drive. The 8 is much better looking , it may not go 0-60 in 5 sec. but it sure looks it. The 8 is a great combination of speed and looks. When I was shopping for a car it was between the 8 or the WRX STI. I chose the slower but better looking car.
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
whilst driving my car tonite I think it hit me - not the car, or road debris...but I figured out what makes the MS3 different (besides EVERYTHING in how it drives or whatever..). The RX8 just feel 'classier'. I think it's due to RWD AND much more exotic styling - but the MS3 feels like a fast economy car to some extent, whereas the RX8 feels like a smooth, nimble 'sports car'.
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